10 comedy podcasts to learn English with

Keen to add some variety to your English language learning? Dip your toes into the world of comedy podcasts and enjoy a laugh while you boost your skills. 

A perfect companion for on-the-go content, podcasts have garnered many loyal listeners over the years. With their growing popularity, the choices seem endless. Even within the comedy genre, you'll find podcasts covering everything from food and films to history and beyond.

How can podcasts help you learn a language?

When you’ve started learning a new language, one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary and practice following conversations in real-time is to listen to podcasts. Understanding English and American humor is also key, as it helps you bridge the cultural divide and connect with other English speakers on a deeper level. 

So, kill two birds with one stone (a quirky English idiom meaning to multitask) and subscribe to these 10 comedy podcasts to support your English learning.

1. Off menu

Step inside the ‘Dream Restaurant’ and join comedians James Acaster and Ed Gamble as they interview celebs about their all-time favorite meals. Guests share their top choice for a starter, side dish, main course, dessert, and drink, all while sharing funny stories (often revolving around food, of course) and being gently teased by the hosts. It’s a brilliant way to understand British humor and silliness.

2. Murder They Wrote

Love true crime? This is the comedy podcast for you. Husband and wife TV presenters Iain Stirling and Laura Whitmore manage to have a bit of a giggle while discussing a different wild and surprising case every week. And all in their beautiful Scottish and Irish accents.

3. Table Manners

In this long-running and chart-topping podcast, singer Jessie Ware and her mum, acclaimed chef Lennie, host celebrities for dinner. Their casual interviews span almost every genre, depending on the interests or skills of the guest — who very often provides a good laugh. With movie stars, comedians, and musicians invited to the table, listening regularly will help you keep up to date with pop culture. 

4. Films to be Buried With

A hilarious interview podcast hosted by one of the genius comedic minds behind the TV shows Shrinking and Ted Lasso, Brett Goldstien. Guests are quizzed on their fave films, and the resulting conversations are as insightful as they are hilarious. Listen regularly to get comfortable with varied speeds of dialogue, different opinions, and international accents. Plus, you’ll discover new films to watch, which can also help you learn English!

5. No Such Thing as a Fish

This podcast, hosted by researchers of the hugely popular comedy panel show QI, brings you a range of weird and wonderful facts every week. They’re bound to boost your vocabulary as well as your chances of winning a pub quiz.

6. Three Bean Salad

Definitely not a food podcast. Comedians Mike, Henry, and Benjamin (AKA, the beans) get together and give a different topic — from the Vikings to sharks to pasta — the comedic treatment. The beans enunciate clearly, but their jokes can be quick (and at times, ludicrous), and the three-person dynamic can be tricky to follow for beginners. So, although every episode is super interesting, you’ll get the most out of this when you’ve already had some practice following English dialogue. 

7. You’re Dead to Me

Even if you don’t think you’re interested in history, You’re Dead to Me can’t fail to make you enjoy peering into the past. In each episode, a different comedian and expert historian join the host, Greg Jenner, to share the story of iconic and lesser-known moments in history from around the world. It’s fascinating, fun, and can help you sound more cultured.

8. Office Ladies

Fans of The Office (the US version, not the original British show) will love Office Ladies. Angela and Jenna, who played Angela and Pam on the show, take you backstage as they re-watch all nine seasons of the show. Together, they share insights and stories from behind the scenes. Their dialogue is casual and blends easy-to-follow scripted sections with the usual comfort of casual conversation between best friends.

9. Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things

Russell’s ability to improvise and riff off a guest’s anecdotes is unmatched. It’s put to good use in this podcast, where he asks his guests to chat about the things they love most in life. What’s that, another pod where a celebrity will interview other celebrities? Oh, go on then. As a language learner, this type of conversation is valuable for learning how to ask interesting questions and for noticing how people can react to situations like being teased.

10. Friday Night Comedy

Where laughs meet politics! Friday Night Comedy is a weekly collection of the funniest quizzes and panel shows from BBC Radio 4. The tone is quick, witty, and oh-so-satirical. It’s best suited for language learners with a good grasp of English rather than beginners. This very British show is fast-paced and often features sarcasm and sharp critiques of the news, making it a great way to stay on top of current affairs.

Give these comedy podcasts a try, and have a chuckle as you learn!