Learn English Podcast
The Learn English Podcast helps B2 English learners improve listening, vocabulary, and confidence through engaging, story-based episodes about American culture, world events, and fascinating true stories.
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LATEST EPISODE➷
⚽ This episode teaches intermediate English learners the vocabulary Americans use to talk about teams and outcomes during the FIFA World Cup.
Learn English Podcast covers essential sports terms including defending champion, dark horse, underdog, upset, and Cinderella story — all explained in context with real World Cup examples like Saudi Arabia’s upset win over Argentina and Morocco’s historic 2022 run.
This is part of the World Cup Vocabulary Series, designed to help ESL and EFL learners at the B1–B2 level understand native speakers and have confident conversations about the tournament in American English.
Perfect for intermediate English learners who want to use real vocabulary the way Americans actually use it in everyday conversation.
🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:
Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/
Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod
Take lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387
📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbb
Affiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc
📝 Vocabulary list:
1) defending champion — the team that won the last tournament and is competing to win again
2) reigning world champion — another way to say defending champion; the current title holder
3) the favorite — the team most people expect to win
4) the team to beat — the strongest team that others must defeat to win
5) dark horse — a team not expected to win but capable of surprising everyone
6) don’t sleep on them — don’t underestimate them; take them seriously
7) underdog — the team not expected to win; considered the weaker side
8) root for — to support and cheer for a team
9) upset — when the weaker team unexpectedly beats the stronger team
10) pull off an upset — to achieve an unexpected win
11) Cinderella story — when an underdog keeps winning far longer than expected
The Podcast
Welcome English Learners!
If you’re tired of boring English lessons, you’re in the right place.
The Learn English Podcast helps B2 learners improve listening, vocabulary, and confidence through real stories about culture, history, and everyday life. Each episode gives you English that is natural, understandable, and meaningful—so you learn without stress or confusion.
Here, you won’t memorize lists or repeat unnatural sentences. You’ll hear real English in context, spoken the way people use it in the real world. Bit by bit, your brain starts connecting words, expressions, and meaning automatically. If you want English that feels real—not like homework—join us and start learning through stories you’ll actually enjoy.
The Learn English Podcast
EPISODES
LATEST EPISODES
⚽ This episode teaches intermediate English learners the vocabulary Americans use to talk about teams and outcomes during the FIFA World Cup.
Learn English Podcast covers essential sports terms including defending champion, dark horse, underdog, upset, and Cinderella story — all explained in context with real World Cup examples like Saudi Arabia’s upset win over Argentina and Morocco’s historic 2022 run.
This is part of the World Cup Vocabulary Series, designed to help ESL and EFL learners at the B1–B2 level understand native speakers and have confident conversations about the tournament in American English.
Perfect for intermediate English learners who want to use real vocabulary the way Americans actually use it in everyday conversation.
🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:
Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/
Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod
Take lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387
📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbb
Affiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc
📝 Vocabulary list:
1) defending champion — the team that won the last tournament and is competing to win again
2) reigning world champion — another way to say defending champion; the current title holder
3) the favorite — the team most people expect to win
4) the team to beat — the strongest team that others must defeat to win
5) dark horse — a team not expected to win but capable of surprising everyone
6) don’t sleep on them — don’t underestimate them; take them seriously
7) underdog — the team not expected to win; considered the weaker side
8) root for — to support and cheer for a team
9) upset — when the weaker team unexpectedly beats the stronger team
10) pull off an upset — to achieve an unexpected win
11) Cinderella story — when an underdog keeps winning far longer than expected
