Free English / Listen
Listen: stories, dialogues and listening practice
Free audio for learners of English, with the words on the page. Follow the highlighted line, tap any line to hear it again, slow it down, and answer the questions. No sign-up, no tracking.
24 audio stories
Each story has several voices, a read-along transcript, five questions and a word list. Start with the level that feels easy, then move up.
Little Steps and Level 1 ages 4 to 7
1 minSprout Finds the SunA small seedling is cold on a dark shelf. Where is the sun?1 minKofi's Noisy ShoesKofi's new shoes go squeak, squeak, squeak, even in the library.1 minThe Hat That Flew AwayA windy day, a yellow hat, and a very fast run across the park.1 minThiri and the Rain DrumIt is raining and Thiri cannot go out. Then she finds a drum.2 minBramble's Muddy BootsBramble the hedgehog has big muddy boots and a great idea.2 minLeo Counts the DucksLeo counts ten ducks on the pond. Now there are only nine. Where is the last one?1 minWho Is Hiding?Min and Sam play a guessing game in the garden. Who is behind the bush?2 minGrandma Ruth's Big BakeZara and Kofi help Grandma Ruth bake a very big cake for the street party.
Level 2 ages 7 to 10
3 minThe Kite Over the MarketZara's kite flies free over the busy Saturday market. Can anyone catch it?3 minPriya and the Lost Library BookPriya cannot find her library book and it is due back today.3 minMin's First DayMin is new in the city and the new school feels very big.3 minThe Night GardenSam and Grandma Ruth wait in the dark garden to see who comes out at night.3 minSam and the Robot HelperSam builds a robot for the science club. It follows instructions too well.3 minThe River RaceAva and Kofi race paper boats down the school stream. Whose boat will win?3 minZara's Secret MapA folded map falls out of an old school book. Where does it lead?3 minThe Snow Day PlanThe school is closed because of snow. Priya, Min and Kofi have a plan.
Level 3 ages 10 to 13
5 minThe Signal on the HillThree friends see a flashing light on the hill at dusk. Is it a message?5 minThe Clockmaker's ApprenticeMin learns that fixing an old clock takes more patience than she expected.5 minIsland of PlasticOn a beach clean, Ava and Kofi find out where all the plastic comes from.5 minThe Unfinished BridgeThiri's village waits for the bridge, and she wants to know why it takes so long.5 minNight at the Museum ShopPriya and Sam help in the museum shop. A small mystery appears after closing time.4 minThe Code in the GardenGrandma Ruth leaves a puzzle among the plant labels. What does it say?4 minVoices on the Radio ShowMin is nervous about her first live school radio show. Then the microphone goes quiet.5 minThe Last Bus HomeAva and Leo miss the last bus after the concert. They must stay calm and think.
12 everyday dialogues
Short conversations for real situations. Use role-play mode to say one part yourself.
Level 1At the shopKofi buys fruit for a picnic.Level 1A new classmateThiri meets Min on her first day.Level 1Ordering foodAva orders lunch in a small cafe.Level 1Asking the wayLeo is looking for the swimming pool.Level 2At the doctorPriya has a sore throat and a cough.Level 2At the librarySam joins the library and borrows two books.Level 2At the vetZara brings her cat, Pepper, to the vet.Level 2Lost propertyAva has lost her blue water bottle at school.Level 3A phone callMin phones Kofi to arrange meeting at the cinema.Level 3Buying a train ticketLeo buys a ticket to visit his cousin.Level 3Planning a partyZara, Priya and Sam plan a surprise party for their teacher.Level 3A school trip briefingMr Okafor explains the rules for the trip to the science museum.
6 listening practice sets
Original practice in the style of the Cambridge Young Learners listening tests (Starters, Movers and Flyers). Practice only: these are not official papers.
StartersStarters, set A16 questions, Pre-A1, ages 5 to 8StartersStarters, set B12 questions, Pre-A1, ages 5 to 8MoversMovers, set A13 questions, A1, ages 7 to 11MoversMovers, set B13 questions, A1, ages 7 to 11FlyersFlyers, set A14 questions, A2, ages 9 to 12FlyersFlyers, set B14 questions, A2, ages 9 to 12
How it works
- Follow along. The line being read is highlighted. Tap any line to hear just that line.
- Slow mode. Tick Slow to hear everything at 85 per cent speed.
- Join in. Pick a character and the page stays quiet on that part so you can say it.
- Echo reading. Record yourself saying a line and hear it next to the voice. The recording never leaves your device.
Voices: when recorded voices are on this page they play; if not, your own device reads the words aloud in a British voice if it has one. Slow mode plays at 85 per cent speed.