Listening
 
 
 
 
American English Listening Introduction

Listening is the second most difficult aspect of learning English after speaking. Americans speak fast and use a lot of slang and idioms in their speech. These online TV and video programs will make it easier for you to become a better English listener.
From YOUR Teacher: Listen 24/7

Hey students. I know many of you are frustrated when trying to listen to English. You need to push yourself to listen to English as much as possible every day, especially if you are not living in an English speaking country. I put together this list of TV and video shows to give you more choices for listening.

Recommendation: LISTEN TO ENGLISH in the background while you are doing house work, walking, driving, studying....basically keep English playing anytime you are awake. Your listening skills will get better without you even realizing it.
Voice of America

Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of more than 275 million people.
VOA 1 - The Hits

VOA1 is the Voice of America’s 24/7 English language music network. Listen to the freshest cuts from chart-toppers Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Pink, One Direction, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and more. Note: This music station broadcasts news occasionally during the program. Click the PLAY button for music and news.
VOA Videos
News Literacy

Learn how to consume the news. Know the difference between REAL NEWS and FAKE NEWS. The lessons include video programs, text for the video programs, and words in this story sections.
At The Movies

Learn idioms and phrases as used in American movies.
About 200 movie videos.
News Words

A list of more than 350 words with videos found in the news of today. You should know these words.
Idioms

Idioms Americans often use in everyday speech.
Over 330 idioms with videos.
Everyday Grammar TV

Grammar videos from the Everyday Grammar TV program. Over 210 really good videos to watch.
VOA Pronunciation

A collection of over 40 new pronunciation practice videos from VOA.
VOA Television Programs
People in America

Artists. Public servants. Scientists. Immigrants. Innovators. Celebrities. “People in America” (PIA) profiles their amazing stories and showcases the diversity and individuality of American people. The series allows you to experience their journey through their voice. It captures the visual, sounds and textures that celebrate who they are and what they do best. Stories that personify democracy, self-sufficiency, expression and community. PIA will introduce people in America whose contributions enhance the fabric of America.Find out more about People in America.
Watch now....
VOA Connect

VOA Connect brings together stories of people across the United States and around the world. It's a place to meet street artists and high tech innovators, and everyone in between.
Watch now....
Straight Talk Africa

Join us every Wednesday as Shaka and his guests discuss topics of special interest to Africans, including politics, economic development, press freedom, health, social issues and conflict resolution.
Watch now....
Plugged in With Greta Van Susteren

Plugged in with Greta Van Susteren examines various aspects of United States policy by interviewing policy makers and having discussions with opinion shapers.
Watch now....
Africa 54

If you want to know what’s trending in news, health, sports and lifestyle, then tune in to Africa 54. Airing Monday through Friday, this 30-minute program takes a closer look at the stories Africans are talking about, with reports from VOA correspondents, and interviews with top experts and analysts. Africa 54 also serves viewers with timely information about health, education, business and technology. And for the young and young at heart, Africa 54 provides a daily dose of pop culture, including music, fashion and entertainment.
Watch now....
Red Carpet

From Hollywood to Nollywood, get a front row seat to the biggest entertainment stories in the world. Join host Jackson Mvunganyi on the Red Carpet for a fast-paced, engaging entertainment show featuring the latest in pop-culture, fashion, sports, film and television - content catered to an African audience.
Watch now....
Shaka: Extra Time

"Shaka: Extra Time" is a weekly show that appears live on the Straight Talk Africa Facebook page every Tuesday at 1730 UTC. In Extra Time veteran journalist Shaka Ssali answers questions from his social media followers about politics in Africa. VOA reporter Paul Ndiho hosts "Shaka: Extra Time."
Watch now....
Our Voices

Welcome to “Our Voices”. This is where African women bring the continent’s most pressing issues to the table. Hosted by Hayde Adams FitzPatrick, Ayen Bior and Auriane Itangishaka, we'll ask questions, share ideas, discuss solutions, and most importantly, bring voices - Our Voices - to the conversation. We’re bringing women’s voices to the conversation and, more than that, we’re building a community of inclusion and empowerment. We know you want to talk about the important issues of our time. And this is the place to do it. Your voice matters – every voice matters so join us in this conversation. Together, we can start transformational conversations online, in our living rooms, our communities, in our lives.
Watch now....
Border Crossings TV

Border Crossings is the Voice of Americas perennial music program on the air since 1996. Border Crossings made its TV debut in 2012 and continues to attract viewers around the world. Some of the biggest names in music such as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Adele, Katy Perry, Enrique Iglesias, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Charlie Puth, Rihanna and many more have joined host Larry London for live interviews and performance on the program.
Watch now....
Healthy Living

Healthy Living is a 15-minute weekly TV show about African health with an emphasis on prevention and practical solutions for Africans including good health during pregnancy, easy hygiene practices, fitness and healthy eating habits. Healthy Living also informs viewers about the latest healthcare breakthroughs from HIV prevention and treatment, overcoming food and water-borne diseases, reducing malaria rates to treating cancer.
Watch now....
VOA Radio Programs
Press Conference USA

Join host Carol Castiel for this 30-minute weekly newsmaker program that provides listeners around the globe with information and insights on a wide range of topics spanning U.S. politics, foreign policy, global health, science and culture.
Listen now....
Campus Connection

Want to find out how to succeed at universities in America? Start with VOA’s Campus Connection! We bring together students from around the world and connect them with university students in the U.S. We’ll help you learn what to expect on campus and the best way to get there. Want to find out how to succeed in college? College is all about preparing for your future. The better you prepare, the better you will achieve. So start by preparing for college with VOA’s Campus Connection! We’ll help you learn what to expect on campus in the United States, and the best ways to get there. It may be a different experience than you think, so find out on each episode of Campus Connection.
Listen now....
International Edition

Quick, informative, fun. VOA’s International Edition brings the world together with U.S. perspectives. Experts, analysts, social media views and newsmakers themselves help tell today’s stories everyone wants to hear. Brighten your day with VOA’s International Edition.
Listen now....
Issues in the News

Prominent Washington correspondents discuss topics making headlines around the world.
Listen now....
VOA Newscasts

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.
Listen now....
VOA Asia

VOA Asia presents the best and most interesting stories from our veteran reporters covering Asia. VOA Asia tells what U.S.-Asian relationships might mean in your daily life, and what Asians think about life in the United States.
Listen now....
Sonny Side of Sports

“Brighten your day by tuning in the Sonny Side of Sports radio show. VOA’s Sonny Young delivers an upbeat and lively presentation during his 30 minute sports shows, broadcast Monday through Friday.”
Listen now....
Let's Talk

Let's Talk is an interactive discussion program about lifestyle issues. Sunday Shomari examines everything from African cuisine to cellphones. Sunday collects audience questions and comments via social media, and speaks with guests on the programs who share their experiences and opinions.
Listen now....
Encounter

Join host Carol Castiel each week as she and two advocates from the world of politics, culture, public policy, or academia debate and discuss a critical issue in the news. This program brings depth, perspective, and insight to the world around us.
Listen now....
Health Chat

Health Chat is a live call-in program that addresses health issues of interest to Africa. The show puts listeners directly in touch with guest medical professionals. It includes a weekly feature spot, health news and comments from listeners on health issues. The program is hosted by veteran health reporter Linord Moudou.
Listen now....
Africa News Tonight

Africa News Tonight is a lively news magazine featuring VOA correspondent reports, interviews with African officials, opposition leaders, NGOs and human rights activists. News feature stories look at science and technology, environmental issues, humanitarian topics and the African diaspora.
Listen now....
Daybreak Africa

Each morning, Daybreak Africa looks at the latest developments on the continent, starting with headline news and providing in-depth interviews, reports from VOA correspondents, sports news as well as listener comments.
Listen now....
Music Time in Africa

Music Time in Africa is VOA’s longest running English language program. Since 1965, this award-winning program has featured pan African music that spans all genres and generations. Ethnomusicologist and Host Heather Maxwell keeps you up to date on what’s happening in African music.
Listen now....
Nightline Africa

Join our host and correspondents from Washington and across Africa as they bring you in-depth interviews, news reports, analysis and features on this 60-minute news magazine show.
Listen now....
Straight Talk Africa [simulcast]

Join veteran journalist Shaka Ssali on Straight Talk Africa every Wednesday as he and his guests discuss topics of special interest to Africans, including politics, economic development, press freedom, health, social issues and conflict resolution.
Listen now....
Reporters' Roundtable

On Reporters' Roundtable join host and journalist Douglas Mpuga, along with a lively panel of journalists, who analyze the week’s major developments in Africa.
Listen now....
South Sudan In Focus

South Sudan in Focus is a 30-minute weekday English-language broadcast/internet program covering rapidly changing developments in the new nation of South Sudan and the region.
Listen now....
Up Front

An Interactive, Fast-Paced, Radio Program Connecting Youth in Africa and the United States. On this fresh, fast-paced show, co-hosts located in the U.S. and in Africa talk to teens and young adults about trends, lifestyles, health, entertainment, and other issues touching listeners’ lives. “This show is fun and interactive," says co-host Jackson Mvunganyi. “We give our listeners a chance to say what they think about a range of topics. I’m thrilled to be part of such a dynamic, cutting-edge show.” A native of Rwanda, Jackson has a bachelor's degree in multimedia development from the American University in Washington D.C., and a master's degree in Information Management from the University of Maryland. Jackson has had a multi-faceted broadcasting career so far, working in both radio and television, in Africa and the United States. Jackson also volunteers his time with African communities in the diaspora on issues affecting the continent.
Listen now....
Game Room

Winners and almost winners tell you how they played each week as we gather in the VOA Game Room. We share the fun, record achievements and look ahead to the big sports events always around the corner. Our season never ends in the VOA Game Room!
Listen now....
Border Crossings Radio

VOA’s live worldwide international music request show with host Larry London.
Listen now....
American News
Advanced Listeners

The following programs are for advanced English listeners. This does not mean beginners and intermediate students cannot listen. CHALLENGE YOURSELF and try to listen to these shows. It will get easier every day if you stay with it. Remember practice make perfect.

Instructions: The following links open to new windows on your computer. Some of the news shows play automatically while with others you need to pick a video and click play.
American Broadcasting Company

ABC News is the news division of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), owned by the Disney Media Networks division of The Walt Disney Company. Live programming of the top stories in the news. Scroll down the page to see live cams of selected streams. This is for English language students with advanced listening skills. Watch now....

ABC News Video - Videos of top stories in the news.
ABC This Week - An American Sunday morning political affairs program.
ABC World News Tonight - The flagship daily evening television news program of ABC News.
ABC Nightline - ABC News late-night news program.
ABC 20/20 - American television newsmagazine which focuses more on human interest stories.
ABC What Would You Do? - The program features actors acting out scenes of conflict or illegal activity in public settings while hidden cameras record the scene, and the focus is on whether or not bystanders intervene, and how.
Columbia Broadcasting System

CBS (the initials of the network's former name, the Columbia Broadcasting System) is an American English language commercial broadcast television and radio network that is a flagship property of CBS Corporation. Watch now....

CBS This Morning - The program emphasizes general national and international news stories.
CBS Evening News - A daily evening broadcast featuring news reports, feature stories and interviews.
CBS 60 Minutes - An American news magazine and television program with a unique style of reporter-centered investigation.
CBS Face the Nation - The program features interviews with prominent American officials, politicians and authors.
CBS News Sunday Morning - An American newsmagazine television program.
CBS 48 Hours - An American documentary/news magazine television program.
CBSN Originals - Really interesting news stories.
University of California Television

Live programming covering many different topics ranging from education to business. This is for English language students with advanced listening skills. Watch now....

University of California Television - UC Television main page with a wide variety of shows and programs.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

National Aeronautics and Space Administration programming covering many different topics related to space and NASA projects. Hover your mouse over the video and click the third icon on the bottom of the video screen to turn on subtitles. Then you can read along as you listen. This is for English language students with intermediate to advanced listening skills. Note: When there is no current show, the NASA site shows a streaming view of the Planet Earth from the Space Station....really cool.. Watch now....
Audio Lessons
Conversation - 1

This is a collection of VOA conversation lessons for beginners. Each lesson has a conversation video, a video script, audio listening practice, video speaking practice, video pronunciation practice, and a new word section....these lessons are for beginning students.
Conversation - 2

This is a collection of VOA conversation lessons for intermediate students. Each lesson has a conversation video, a video script, audio listening practice, and a new word section.....these lessons are for intermediate students.
American Teens Talk!

Americans Teens Talk! is a collection of interviews of American high school students. These interviews come with audio programs.
The Lighter Side of TEFL

The text includes word games, crossword puzzles, idioms, limericks, jokes, riddles, and international folk tales. These lessons come with audio programs.
Why English? Comics for the Classroom

These stories provide an enjoyable opportunity to increase vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening, speaking, and writing. These comics come with audio programs.
Sing Out Loud Children's Songs

Sing Out Loud Children's Songs includes popular children's songs in the U.S.A. Posters accompany the individual Sing Out Loud Children's Songs. These songs come with audio programs.
Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs

The Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs collection contains 13 traditional American folk songs and song lyrics. Listen to the songs online, read the lyrics, and collect the posters that accompany the songs. These songs come with audio programs.
Sing Out Loud American Rhythms

Do you love music? Want to use it to learn English? Check out the hip-hop inspired song "Peace" from Sing Out Loud American Rhythms. These songs come with audio programs.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is an adaptation of a Mark Twain classic. Tom is an iconic figure in American literature and one that students and teachers alike will enjoy. This classic novel comes with audio programs.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an adaptation of the timeless novel by Mark Twain. Considered a classic, this book’s story is one of friendship, loyalty, and difficult choices. This classic novel comes with audio programs.
The Autobiography of Mark Twain

The Autobiography of Mark Twain is an adaptation of Twain’s autobiography. In this volume Twain recounts colorful anecdotes from his long life. This classic autobiography comes with audio programs.
Raggedy Ann Stories

Raggedy Ann Stories, abridged and adapted from the original, contains 13 short stories about the classic rag doll and her friends. The text is accompanied by the original illustrations, a picture glossary, and questions. These stories come with audio programs.
To Build a Fire and Other Stories

Jack London's To Build a Fire and Other Stories is one of the most famous collections of stories of survival in the wilderness. These stories come with audio programs.
Edgar Allan Poe: Storyteller

Seven popular Poe stories, slightly adapted for language learners. Stories are suitable for high-intermediate and advanced learners of English. These stories come with audio programs.
The Red Badge of Courage and Other Stories

The Red Badge of Courage and Other Stories is an adaptation of Stephen Crane classics. Praised by literary critics and Civil War veterans at the time of its publication in 1896, The Red Badge of Courage stands out among stories of war. These stories come with audio programs.
The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories

This collection of short stories by O. Henry gives the reader a wonderful selection of characters from the United States of 100 years ago. These lessons come with audio programs.