6 Best Podcasts for IELTS Listening Practice
One of the most difficult aspects of IELTS preparation is the listening section. Fortunately, podcasts offer an engaging and flexible way to sharpen your English listening skills. In this blog, we’ll explore the best podcasts for IELTS listening practice to boost your band score.
Category 1: IELTS Daily Podcast
Here are some of the best IELTS podcast recommendations that you can listen on a daily basis. They provide engaging, informative, and practical content to support your IELTS listening preparation.
- 6 Minute English
The BBC’s 6 Minute English podcast is a golden resource for IELTS learners. Each episode is precisely six minutes long, a perfect length for focused listening practice. Hosts discuss a wide range of topics in clear, academic English which is closely mirroring the style of IELTS listening materials. The podcast includes:
- Vocabulary explanations
- Natural conversational English
- Diverse accents and speaking speeds
- Accompanying transcripts and vocabulary notes
Ideal for: Intermediate learners
Common topics: Current events, science, culture, and social issues
IELTS listening preparation tips: Take notes while listening and try to predict the context before the topic is fully revealed.
Where to find:
BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3CF9ANEicXGxEROA3cOryE
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.IDEngineering.BBC.minute.learn.english&hl=en
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-minute-english/id262026947
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Where to Find:
- Voice of America (VOA) Learning English
VOA Learning English provides daily news stories spoken at a learner-friendly pace. The podcast breaks down complex global topics into digestible, clearly articulated segments that help you improve your listening skills while staying informed about world events. Key features include:
- Clear, slow, and articulate pronunciation
- Simplified English for learners
- Diverse range of global topics
- Free transcripts available online
Ideal for: All levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners)
Common topics: Global news, current affairs, cultural stories
IELTS listening preparation tips: Practice identifying main ideas and supporting details while listening.
Where to find:
VOA website: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/z/1689
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voa-learning-english-podcast-voa-learning-english/id109522474
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@voalearningenglish/podcasts
- TED Talks Daily
TED Talks Daily Podcast offers an exceptional listening resource for IELTS test-takers who want to level up their comprehension skills. These podcasts feature expert speakers discussing innovative ideas across diverse fields like science, technology, psychology, and global issues. These talks provide multiple benefits: they expose listeners to native English speakers with varied accents, present complex ideas in structured formats, and cover academic and general interest topics similar to IELTS listening sections. You can practice identifying main ideas, following detailed explanations, and recognizing speaker intentions. The intellectual content also helps develop critical listening skills essential for achieving higher band scores. TED Talks provides sophisticated listening material with:
- Academic-level vocabulary
- Varied speaking styles
- Complex ideas and arguments
- Engaging presentation formats
Ideal for: Advanced learners
Common topics: Innovation, science, technology, personal development
IELTS listening preparation tips: Challenge yourself to take comprehensive notes and summarize the main points.
Where to find:
TED website: https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/ted-talks/ted-talks-daily
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ted-talks-daily/id160904630
- Slow English Podcast
Slow English Podcast, created by Rob McCormack, is a real gem for IELTS test-takers who look to enhance their listening skills in a relaxed, engaging manner. Each podcast episode is crafted to help non-native speakers improve their listening comprehension skills through deliberately paced, clear English narration. Key features include:
- English spoken at a reduced speed and clear pronunciation
- Simplified English for learners
- Free transcripts on the podcast’s website
Ideal for: Intermediate learners
Common topics: Personal experiences, culture, travel, lifestyle, and general interest subjects
IELTS listening preparation tips: Learn to understand context and meaning beyond literal translations.
Where to find:
Official website: https://slowenglish.info/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/slow-english/id636405679
Category 2: IELTS Academic Podcast
Navigating the academic landscape of the IELTS exam requires more than traditional study methods. Academic podcasts have emerged as a powerful tool for learners to improve their listening skills, expand vocabulary, and understand complex academic discourse. Here is a great podcast for IELTS academic content.
- The BBC Academy Podcast
The BBC Academy Podcast stands out as a premier resource for IELTS academic preparation. Each episode delves into cutting-edge research, educational developments, and intellectual discussions that stimulate the academic listening section of the IELTS exam. Experts from various fields share insights, presenting complex ideas in clear, articulate English that challenges and improves listening comprehension. Key features include:
- Detailed academic discussions
- Complex academic vocabulary
- Varied speaker accents
- Multi-speaker discussions
Ideal for: Advanced learners
Common topics: Global academic challenges, social science, technological innovations, and emerging scientific research
IELTS listening preparation tips: Practice following complex argumentative structures and taking notes of main ideas.
Where to find:
BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02pc9zz/episodes/downloads
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gKJOrFLXNIdhkVX4wVGEC
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bbc-academy-podcast/id423654039
Category 3: IELTS Vocabulary Podcast
Training your ears to quickly recognize words and vocabulary is crucial for the IELTS listening test. The more words you understand, the easier it becomes to catch the meaning of what is being said. Here is an IELTS vocabulary podcast to increase your range of vocabulary across various topics.
- Learn English Vocabulary Podcast
Designed for learners who want to work on their English vocabulary, this podcast offers a targeted approach for expanding vocabulary range while improving listening comprehension. The episodes are sorted by the CEFR levels from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient) for listeners to choose from. Key features include:
- Academic and test-relevant vocabulary
- Thematic vocabulary (education, environment, technology, social issues)
- Words frequently used in IELTS
- Free downloadable transcripts available on the podcast’s website
Ideal for: All levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners)
Common topics: General interest subjects
IELTS listening preparation tips: When you hear a new or interesting word, pause the audio immediately. Write down the word, its context, and try to guess its meaning.
Where to find:
Official website: https://learnenglishvocabulary.co.uk/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/41x08zbxnbfQB6niYRXlPl
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/tr/podcast/learn-english-vocabulary/id1522516308
Why You Should Use Podcasts for Improving IELTS Band Scores
Here are some excellent benefits of using podcasts for your IELTS listening preparation:
- Develop listening stamina and concentration
- Help familiarize listeners with natural English speech patterns
- Provide exposure to diverse vocabulary and conversational contexts
- Improve ability to follow narrative structures and main ideas
- Offer practice in understanding spoken English without visual cues
Final Thoughts
Remember that podcast learning is not about perfection but consistent improvement. Some days you’ll understand more, some days less, and that’s perfectly normal. The goal is gradual, sustained progress. Track your listening by maintaining a learning log where you record the podcasts you’ve listened to, new vocabulary learned, and reflections on your comprehension challenges.
