Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Common Questions + Answers

GENERAL

ESLPod.com uses a very different approach from that of other courses or websites. Our method is based on the fact – supported by more than 40 years of scientific research – that the fastest way to improve your English is to listen to conversations and discussions you can understand.

Many people try to improve their English by listening or reading things in English that are too difficult. They understand only 40-50%, which means they are wasting half of their time!

Our English lessons are provided at a slower speed and include useful everyday phrases and expressions. We explain in detail and with examples what these expressions mean and how to use them in a simple and clear way. This research-based approach is the best way to improve your English quickly so you can speak it easily and confidently.

ESLPod.com was developed by a team of experienced English language learning professors with over 30 years of high school, adult, and university ESL teaching experience. ESLPod.com’s founders, Dr. Jeff McQuillan and Dr. Lucy Tse, are recognized experts in the field of language learning. They have published research-based books used as textbooks in university courses as well as dozens of scientific research articles in linguistics and language learning, and have appeared as experts in the media, including CNN, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle, among many others.

Yes! ESLPod.com lessons are for intermediate and advanced English learners. Our lessons are not “leveled” or in order of difficulty, but are appropriate for all intermediate and advanced speakers of English.

You can listen to our dialogues at both a “learning speed” (a little slower and clearer than regular speech) and a “normal speed” (the way Americans naturally speak). You’ll hear a clear and detailed explanation of the difficult and key terms. You will also have a complete transcript of every word spoken in each lesson, so you can follow along as you listen or find the words you aren’t sure about or simply want to see in writing.

If you’re not sure if ESLPod.com lessons are for you, listen to free sample lessons here.

We have two kinds of lessons:

1) Daily English – dialogues and stories using conversational American English with detailed explanations of how to use each of the key expressions and idioms. These lessons are 15-20 minutes each.

Topics include: About You, Business, Clothing/Grooming, Daily Life, Education, Entertainment/Sports, Food/Drink, Government/Law, Health/Medicine, Home/Community, Money, Nature/Weather, Relationships/Family, Shopping, Technology, Transportation, and Travel.

2) Cultural English – contains information to help you understand the United States and American culture. Learn English as you learn about the United States. These lessons are 25-30 minutes each.

Topics include: Classic Movies/TV Shows, Cities and Landmarks, Presidents, Authors, Scientists, Famous Songs and Singers, and much more

“Daily English” lessons include a 20-minute audio file plus a Learning Guide, and take approximately 60 minutes each to complete.

“Cultural English” lessons have a 30-minute audio file plus Learning Guide, and take about 75 minutes to complete.

All of our lessons are produced in American English and the “Cultural English” topics focus on the United States and its people, past and present.

UNLIMITED ENGLISH

Unlimited English gives you access to ALL 1800+ Daily English and Cultural English lessons each month – you can listen to as many as you want! The lessons can be streamed on any device - computer, iOS (iPhone/iPad), or Android phone or tablet.

You can listen to as many lessons as you want to and as often as you’d like – there are no limits! We have more than 1,800 lessons on daily and cultural topics for you to choose from.

Each lesson has two parts:

  1. an audio lesson, and
  2. a text Learning Guide (8-10 pages)

The Learning Guide includes:

  • a complete transcript of everything we say in the audio lesson
  • tips on how to use the new vocabulary
  • cultural information
  • a glossary with definitions of the key vocabulary
  • new sample sentences to show you how to use the new terms in the right way

As a paid member, you get access to ALL 1800+ Daily English and Cultural English.

You can stream lessons on your computer or mobile device.

Note that you must be a paid, active member to listen to lessons. Once your membership ends, you cannot listen to the lessons.

You can listen to as many lessons as you want to and as often as you would like. There are no limits. You can improve as quickly as you want to.

Of course! Click here to listen to a sample lesson.

You have access to ALL 1800+ lessons as long as you are paying your monthly membership fee ($29 each month). You will be able to listen to as many lessons as you want each month.

Once your membership expires (ends), you will NOT be able to listen to your lessons. You must have an active, paid monthly membership to listen to lessons.

Unlimited English is a subscription, which means you are a charged each month until you cancel. Until you cancel, you will be charged $29 each month. But you can cancel anytime – it's easy! Just click on your account icon here (top, right corner) and then click Manage Subscriptions. You can cancel your membership there. You will still have access to the lessons until the end of your current 30-day subscription period, or for our yearly plan, until the end of your 12 months.

Note: We do not automatically give refunds when you cancel. If you want a refund, you must email us within 30 days of starting your membership (the first month). After 30 days, it is not possible to refund. Yearly memberships must also email us within 30 days to request a refund.

It's easy! Just click on your account icon here (top, right corner) and then click Manage Subscriptions. You can cancel your membership there. You will still have access to the lessons until the end of your current 30-day subscription period, or for yearly plans, until the end of your 12 months.

Note: If you want a refund, you must request one within 30 days of starting your membership for both monthly and yearly plans. We do not automatically refund after you cancel; you must email us to request it. No refunds can be given after 30 days of starting your membership.

You may cancel anytime and you will not be charged again for the next month (30 days). However, you will not receive a partial refund for the remainder of the current 30 days on your membership, and no partial refunds are given for yearly memberships.

We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are not satisfied with your membership, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Note: If you want a refund, you must email us within 30 days of starting your membership for both monthly and yearly plans. We do not automatically refund after you cancel; you must email us to request it. No refunds can be given after 30 days of starting your membership.

Yes! Apple Podcasts is also a membership that renews automatically each month. You get 12 audio lessons a month for $14.99/month, including both “Daily English” and “Cultural English” lessons. You can download the podcasts using the Apple Podcasts app onto your Mac computer, iPad, or iPhone. (Please note that this subscription does not include the written Learning Guide for each lesson.)

For a quick comparison, see here.

Unlimited English is a membership that renews every month. You can listen to as many of our 1800+ lessons as you want each month for $29/month. All lessons can be streamed on your computer or mobile device. For iOS owners (iPhone/iPad), you can also download lessons to our app from Teachable.com to listen to while you are a paying member.

Apple Podcasts is also a membership that renews automatically each month. You get 12 audio lessons a month for $14.99/month, including both “Daily English” and “Cultural English” lessons. You can download the podcasts using the Apple Podcasts app onto your Mac computer, iPad, or iPhone. (Please note that this subscription does not include the written Learning Guide for each lesson.)

Select English is a also membership that renews automatically each month. You get 15 lessons a month for $15/month, and can choose from any of our 1800+ “Daily English” and “Cultural English” lessons. You download and can keep the MP3 and PDF lessons onto your computer so you can listen to and read them on any device, anywhere. Learn more here.

English Collections allows you to download only those sets of lessons you choose. You can purchase a set of “Daily English” lessons in groups of 50 or a set of “Cultural English” lessons in groups of 30. You can download the MP3 and PDF lessons onto your computer so you can listen to and read on any device, anywhere. Learn more about English Collections.

ENGLISH COLLECTIONS

Apple Podcasts is a membership that renews automatically each month. You get 12 audio lessons a month for $14.99/month, including both “Daily English” and “Cultural English” lessons. You download the podcasts using the Apple Podcasts app onto your Mac computer, iPad, or iPhone. (Please note that this subscription does not include the written Learning Guide for each lesson.)

English Collections allows you to download only those sets of lessons you choose. You can purchase a set of “Daily English” lessons in groups of 50 or a set of “Cultural English” lessons in groups of 30. You can download the MP3 and PDF lessons onto your computer so you can listen to and read on any device, anywhere. Learn more about English Collections.

Each English Collection set comes with either 50 Daily English OR 30 Cultural English lessons.

Each lesson has an audio (MP3) file and a complete 8-10 page Learning Guide (PDF).

The Learning Guide includes:

  • a complete transcript of everything we say in the audio file
  • tips on how to use the new expressions
  • cultural information
  • a glossary with definitions of the key expressions
  • new sample sentences to show you how to use the new terms in the right way

You can download all of our audio files (MP3) and Learning Guides (PDF) to keep and use on mobile devices and desktop computers.

The title of each lesson is listed to help you decide which sets of lessons to select.

“Daily English” lessons are sold in packages of 50. Lessons are sold in numerical order (that is, Lessons 1-50, Lessons 51-100, Lessons 101-150, etc.).

“Cultural English” lessons are sold in packages of 30, and are also sold in numerical order (that is, Lessons 1-30, Lessons 31-60, Lessons 61-90, etc.).

At this time, it is not possible to select individual lessons for your package or select individual lessons to purchase.

All of our files for Special English Membership, English Collections, and Special Courses are MP3 and PDF files that you can download and use wherever you'd like.

We offer the option to download our files in compressed “ZIP” format and individually.

ZIP files normally need to be downloaded on a laptop or desktop computer and then “unzipped” to use the files. After you download them onto your computer, you can then transfer them to your listening device, just like you would any other audio files you want to put on your phone, tablet, or MP3 player.

Individual MP3 files cannot normally be downloaded directly from our website to your phone, tablet, or MP3 player. Most likely, you will need a computer to download them and then transfer the files to your device.

We recommend you use either a computer or tablet to read the PDF Learning Guide, since PDF files are more difficult to read on a smartphone.

For information on how to transfer your files to your phone or tablet, see here:

For Apple iPhone and iPad

Apple provides multilingual instructions on how to move files to an iOS device. Please use one of the links below, and note that you can see the instructions in another language by clicking on the Languages dropdown in the upper right-hand corner.

Windows:

https://support.apple.com/kb/ph12318?locale=en_US

Mac:

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19463?locale=en_US

For Android Phones and Tablets

Google Play Music app offers similar information with links for both Mac and Windows. You can see the instructions in another language by selecting a language from the dropdown menu at the bottom of the page.

https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1101500?hl=en

All of our lessons for Select English Membership, English Collections, and our Special Courses consist of MP3 and PDF files. Our Learn English TV lessons are streaming videos (Internet connection required).

Once downloaded, you can listen to the audio (MP3) lessons using any computer, tablet, smartphone, or music player that plays MP3 files.

Once downloaded, Learning Guides (PDF) can be read on any computer, tablet, or smartphone that displays PDF files.

English Collection sets or packages contain a mix of useful English in several topics:

  • About You
  • Business
  • Clothing/Grooming
  • Daily Life
  • Education
  • Entertainment/Sports
  • Food/Drink
  • Government/Law
  • Health/Medicine
  • Home/Community
  • Money
  • Nature/Weather
  • Relationships/Family
  • Shopping, Technology
  • Transportation
  • Travel

If you want to select only certain topics, we suggest you sign up for our Select English Membership, which allows you to choose individual lessons in our Lesson Library.

No, at this time, it is not possible to select individual lessons for your sets or select individual lessons to purchase.

The title of each lesson is listed in the English Collections packages to help you decide which package of lessons to select.

You have 30 days after purchase to download your files. Please download them and keep them in a safe place, as we cannot give access to files after the 30-day period.

After you purchase an English Collections set, you have 30 days to download the MP3 audio and PDF Learning Guide files. After that time, you will not be able to download your files from our website without buying the English Collections set again.

Please remember to download your files and keep them in a safe place. We are not able to give you access to your lessons after the 30-day period.

Step-By-Step Help

1. Click on the Start Now button here.

2. Fill in your email and payment information, then click Start Course.

3. Add a secure password, then click Create Account.

4. Click Continue to Your Lessons.

5. Click START HERE, or just click on Included Courses to start your first lesson!

1. After logging in, click on the top, left icon, then Add/Change Credit Card

2. Enter your new credit card information in the form, and click Update Credit Card.

1. After logging in, click on the top, left icon, then Manage Subscriptions

2. Click Cancel.

3. You will see a cancel confirmation if you are successful.

Watch Video or follow steps below.

1. Click on the Buy bottom on the Select English Information page.

2. On Checkout page, enter your billing details to create an account . . .

and payment information (credit card or Paypal), then click Place Order.

3. That's it! You're now a member. Your membership gives you 15 new lessons every 30 days. Click on Find Lessons to select your lessons to download.

Watch Video or follow steps below.

1. Log in to your account.

2. On your My Account page, click on My Membership.

3. Click View next to your active subscription.

4. Click on Cancel button.

You can cancel your subscription anytime during your 30 days. Remember must use your 15 credits before your membership renews or expires, and that you have 30 days to download your MP3 and PDF files. NOTE: We are no longer offering new Select English Memberships. Once you cancel, you can NOT sign up for Select English again.

1. Log in to your account.

2. On your My Account page, click on My Downloads button below "English Collections + Special Courses."

3. Click on the name of your English Collection set or Special Course.

4. To download all MP3 and PDF files at once, click on the Zip button. Warning: This is a very large file! Only use on a fast Internet connection and with unzip software. Do not attempt on a phone or tablet.
To download files individually, click on the MP3 and PDF links. Files will download to your hard drive after you click on them.

5. We recommend you download your files to your computer first, and then transfer them to your smartphone or tablet. In most cases it is not possible to download the files directly to some mobile devices.

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