Many of us struggled with the Old English poem “Beowulf” in high school. But what if you could actually hear “Beowulf” in the English of today? There’s a new translation by Maria Dahvana Headley that uses contemporary language and even internet slang to create a fresh take on this centuries-old poem — right down to addressing the reader as Bro! Also, what’s ... Show More
Apr 26
Catch My Drift - 27 April 2026
If you work in tech support, you might use snarky slang for problems caused by computer users themselves. There’s the acronym PEBCAK, for example, which stands for Problem Exists Between Chair and Keyboard. And: a lush poem about the sea inspired by kennings, those riddle-like co ... Show More
53m 45s
May 2024
Air worms and fire breathing dragons: Old English animal stories with Hana Videen
982. This week, we delve into the fascinating world of Old English with medievalist Hana Videen, author of "The Deorhord." We'll uncover the secrets of Old English animal names, from "walking weaver" for spider to the ominous "unland" for a whale's deceptive island. Find Hana Vid ... Show More
30m 56s
Mar 2024
English Learners: 4 Books You Will Love
E192: 🎙️ Welcome to The English Like a Native Podcast, your go-to listening resource for intermediate to advanced English learners. I'm your host, Anna, and today we're diving into the world of books as we celebrate World Book Day on Thursday, March 7th.📖 Are you ready to embar ... Show More
17m 37s
Nov 2022
Why Today's 'Thank You' Is Different from an Ancient 'Thank You.' Gerunds.
902. Language reflects culture, so it's no surprise that giving thanks hundreds of years ago was different from giving thanks today. We have the fascinating history. Plus, since "Thanksgiving" is a gerund, we looked at all the interesting things you can do with gerunds in general ... Show More
16m 58s
Feb 2022
#271 20 Clever Word Combinations in English you Should Add to your Vocabulary (Brunch, Staycation and MORE)
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's become very popular and trendy to combine words in English in recent years, but this can leave learners feeling pretty confused and conversations, or when watching TV series movies and listening to podcasts. These combinations of words happ ... Show More
37m 59s