Research Guides: ESL042 (Upper Intermediate Conversation): Listening websites

General ESOL listening websites

These resources are designed for ESOL learners. There are many to choose from; ask for help if you aren't sure where to start.

Most of the audio files on these websites have a "play-the-sound" button to start the sound. These are called "Play" buttons. Play buttons usually have a triangle on them. Examples you will see include:

Audio English
British and American speakers. You can use different levels, listen to audio, practice pronunciation, and solve online tests. Sign up (free) for more access.
BBC Learning English
English accent, not American. Funny videos with transcripts, thematic vocabulary and activities. There are also grammar videos, news videos, and English classes. The website is in Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese (but not the videos). The levels are lower-intermediate, intermediate, and upper-intermediate.
Bob the Canadian
Learn English with Bob the Canadian on YouTube.
Culips (podcast)
The free version of Culips offers hundreds of audio lessons. It’s free to listen to Culips. It costs money, called a membership fee, to access most of the accompanying study guides. The audio includes lots of idioms, slang, and phrasal verbs.
English Central
A huge selection of authentic videos used to help you learn grammar, speaking, and more, but you must register, which is free.
English Listening Lesson Library Online (ELLLO)
Fun topics with native and non-native English speakers talking and having conversations. You can listen in various ways. There is also a transcript so you can read and check your listening skills.
ESLgold
Read through the text first. Then listen to videos that give instructions on listening, grammar, pronunciation, and ways to speak (giving opinions, interrupting, supporting opinions, clarifying, elaborating, etc.)
Exciting English - YouTube
This YouTube channel uses movie clips to teach English. You will watch the clip, then read subtitles, then go over new vocabulary.
I Learn Easy
English teachers in the United Kingdom have created this website to help build your confidence in speaking, writing, and listening.
Learn Easy English (YouTube)
A large selection of videos to help improve speaking, reading, listening, and writing. British English.
Listen-a-Minute
About 500 listening clips with online and printable (Word and PDF) worksheets.
ManyThings.org/listen
Access short stories (fiction and non-fiction). Listen while you read along.
Randall's Cyber ESL Listening Lab
Listen to conversations, interviews, and lectures. Then take a quiz to test your listening skills.
Talk English
Just listening- no videos. Basic, intermediate, and advanced listening. Includes a quiz and Audioscript. You can download the conversations to your phone.