logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
19m 31s

The return of the backflip in figure ska...

Plain English
About this episode

Today's story: The backflip has been a controversial move in figure skating for decades. It was first performed in high-level competition at the 1976 Olympics by American skater Terry Kubicka, but was quickly banned due to safety concerns. Despite its prohibition, some skaters continued to perform it in exhibitions. Now, nearly fifty years later, the International Skating Union has decided to legalize the backflip once again, though the move won’t earn skaters extra points in competition.

Learn this English expression: Give away

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/726

--

Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an international move. Whatever your reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.

How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.

The audio moves at a speed that's right for intermediate English learners: just a little slower than full native speed. You'll improve your English listening, learn new words, and have fun thinking in English.

--

Did you like this episode? You'll love the full Plain English experience. Join today and unlock the fast (native-speed) version of this episode, translations in the transcripts, how-to video lessons, live conversation calls, and more. Tap/click: PlainEnglish.com/join

Here's where else you can find us: Instagram | YouTube | WhatsApp | Email

Mentioned in this episode:

The Expressions are back!

Subscribe to our new podcast, "Essential English Expressions." Each episode shows you step-by-step how to use a common English expression, with plenty of examples. Season 1 is available now. Download or stream all 14 episodes at [link].

Up next
Today
What it’s like to stare at a painting for a full hour [archive episode]
It can be hard to focus on one thing for an extended period of time. An art class at Harvard takes this to the extreme. All students get an assignment during the class. They have to go to a museum and look at a painting for three hours. We didn't do that...but we came close, in t ... Show More
10m 57s
Aug 21
Egypt’s long-awaited mega-museum nears completion
Today's story: After years of delays, Cairo’s Grand Egypt Museum is finally nearing completion. The massive museum will house over 100,000 artifacts from Ancient Egypt, including more than 5,000 items from King Tut’s tomb. Although the King Tut galleries are still closed, most of ... Show More
13m 42s
Aug 18
The poison mushroom and Australia’s sensational murder trial
Today's story: Erin Patterson invited her estranged husband’s family to lunch and served them beef wellington. But her guests soon got sick, and doctors discovered the recipe had been made with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Patterson claimed it was all a tragic mistake, but inco ... Show More
14m 53s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
#417 How to Stop Speaking English Slow, Like a Robot — Learn to Speak FAST, NATURAL English
Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App.   If you feel like your English sounds slow and robotic, this lesson is going to help you to become a fast, natural English speaker. Also, this lesson is super practical. You're going to practice a lot with clips f ... Show More
45m 28s
Jun 2
#444 - 3 Exercises to Speak English Faster (Like a Native) — Proven Tips That Work For Anyone, Why You Still Speak Slowly, and Using Rap Songs to Train Your English
Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, Ethan shares 3 powerful exercises to help you unlock fast, fluent English! Learn practical tips to boost your speaking speed, discover fun travel-related vocabulary, and test your listening skills ... Show More
30m 24s
May 14
791 : English Fluency Tips | “Active Practice Techniques — Train Your Brain to Speak Fluently“
Fluency is built through smart practice. In this episode, you’ll learn interactive, daily activities that force your brain to think and speak in English without overthinking:Talk back to YouTube videos and practice conversationRespond to your own recordings to improve interaction ... Show More
14m 58s
Aug 2020
5 Fun Ideas To Help You Get More Speaking Practice in Another Language
It's time for a listener question, this time from super-busy mum Jo-Anne, who needed new inspiration for speaking practice in another language. In the episode you'll learn about Taking a drop-in class Joining a Speak Easy session Chatting to your digital voice assistant S ... Show More
33m 6s
Jan 2025
#423 - 6 Great Movies in English That Defined My Childhood
Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In today’s lesson, Ethan and Izzy dive into a lively discussion about their favorite childhood movies. It’s a fantastic opportunity for you to practice your English with real, natural conversation! You’ll discover ... Show More
34m 50s
Jul 28
#452 - Improve Your English & Learn American History with This SHORT STORY — Podcast for English Learners
Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this new lesson, we dive into the inspiring words of Malcolm X — a global icon and one of the most important voices of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. You’ll not only hear his impactful speech bu ... Show More
22m 17s
Aug 4
A Live English Lesson with Bob - Come and Ask Your Questions!
It's the first Saturday of August and I'm back on track doing live English lessons the first Saturday of every month. It's been a while, but I'm looking forward to it!In this live English class you'll be able to ask me any questions you want about me, the English language, or eve ... Show More
59m 29s
Jul 7
#449 - 5 Mental Blocks That Are Stopping You From Learning English (...And How to Beat Them)
Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, Izzy shares the 5 internal blocks that secretly stop you from becoming fluent in English – and how to break them today. Discover why your mindset matters more than you think, how perfectionism and ... Show More
26m 6s
Jun 4
?️How Fluency MC Went Viral Teaching English with Rap & Rhythm | Speak Naturally & Build Fluency Through Music
In this high-energy episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, Curtis interviews Jason R. Levine, better known around the world as Fluency MC, the viral teaching sensation who helps English learners build fluency through rhythm, rap, and real fun. Jason is the creator of ... Show More
46m 23s
Jul 2024
English Listening Practice: Friends & Money Ep 758
English listening https://adeptenglish.com/english/listening/ practice that keeps you curious. Today we ask the question: Is money tearing your friendships apart? It's an interesting subject as, at some point, we all go through this part of our lives, so you'll want to listen to ... Show More
14m 10s