Best Gcse English Podcasts (2025)

Published in 1899, Heart of Darkness tells the story of Marlow, a sailor, who is sent on a mission up the Congo River to find out what has happened to the brilliant agent, Kurtz. The story is closely based on Joseph Conrad's own time in the Congo nine years earlier, an experience which scarred him both mentally and physically for the rest of his li…

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William Butler Yeats - The Second Coming - Apocalyptic Poetry At Its Best! 37:52

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27d ago37:52

37:52

William Butler Yeats - The Second Coming - Apocalyptic Poetry At Its Best! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By Christy and Garry Shriver

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Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen 1:01:31

28d ago1:01:31

1:01:31

The slow burn love affair between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy is one of the best known and best loved stories in the English language, fuelled by multiple films, TV series and spin offs in recent years. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's rendering of the changeability of human feelings and the delicacy of social situations is at its most acute…

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Update on the Podcast - How it's Going, and What's Coming Up 14:44

1M ago14:44

14:44

A short episode to update everyone - we started Book In a couple of months ago, with a plan to do 8 episodes and see how we got on. The response has been terrific, and so now we're planning what to do next. Tune in to find out, and also to learn about a man you've never heard of called F.R.Leavis, and for a very brief intro from Charlie on Literary…

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William Butler Yeats - Easter,1916 - The Poetry That Inspired Things Fall Apart 47:27

1M ago47:27

47:27

William Butler Yeats - Easter,1916 - The Poetry That Inspired Things Fall Apart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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MacBeth - William Shakespeare 1:03:13

1M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

In 1606, James 1st had been King of England for three years. Most of his Stewart ancestors had met bloody and violent deaths, so for Shakespeare to write a play about the murder of a Scottish King was a bold move. The play was MacBeth; dramatic, fast moving and brutal, it contains some of the greatest speeches in the English language. But was MacBe…

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Hamlet - William Shakespeare 55:28

1M ago55:28

55:28

Hamlet is one of the most famous, most performed and most analysed pieces of literature ever written. Every generation sees something of themselves in the anguished and tortured figure of the Prince of Denmark, as he grapples with his conscience and agonises over the right thing to do. But why does the play continue to resonate? What are the fundam…

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Ralph Waldo Emerson - Episode 2 -The Founder Of American Transcendentalism! 47:45

1M ago47:45

47:45

Ralph Waldo Emerson - Episode 2 -The Founder Of American Transcendentalism! Nature Self Reliance Explore how Ralph Waldo Emerson shaped American Transcendentalism — a bold spiritual and philosophical movement that redefined freedom, nature, and the self. Discover the core ideas behind Self-Reliance, the power of the individual spirit, and Emerson's…

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The Rime of the Ancient Mariner 1:04:53

1M ago1:04:53

1:04:53

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner was the first poem in Lyrical Ballads, the groundbreaking volume of poetry published by Coleridge and Wordsworth in 1798, and composed and written during the year the two young men spent together in the Quantock Hills in Somerset. Hauntingly beautiful, its mesmeric rhythms and rhymes create a unique atmosphere of mys…

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The Wasteland 1:05:31

1M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Published in 1922, T.S.Eliot's poem The Wasteland is a definitive text of modernism, and one of the towering cultural achievements of the twentieth century. Revolutionary, obscure and beautiful, it took the literary world by storm, and was enthusiastically received by legions of academics and students across the world. But why was it so important, …

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Ralph Waldo Emerson - Episode 1 -The First Distinctive American Literary Voice! 46:23

2M ago46:23

46:23

Uncover the legacy of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the pioneer of American transcendentalism and the first truly original voice in American literature. This episode dives into his groundbreaking ideas, timeless essays, and lasting impact on U.S. literary identity. Hi, I’m Christy Shriver, and we’re here to discuss books that have changed the world and have…

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Roger Federer || Commencement Address At Dartmouth 40:23

2M ago40:23

40:23

Roger Federer || Commencement Address At Dartmouth I'm Nazar Rybak (Content ID registered by Nazar Rybak with Identifyy), as the author of 'Inspiring Sunny Day' www.melodyloops.com/tracks/inspiring-sunny-day/, grants Melody Loops and it's licensees, including How To Love Learning owning YouTube channel @howtolovelitpodcast6453 , permission to use t…

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Winston Churchill || "The Sinews Of Peace" || Iron Curtain Speech || Part 2 44:55

2M ago44:55

44:55

Winston Churchill || "The Sinews Of Peace" || Iron Curtain Speech || Part 2 “Listen to Part 2 of Winston Churchill’s historic ‘The Sinews of Peace’ speech, famously known as the Iron Curtain Speech. Explore Churchill’s powerful words that shaped post-World War II history. A must-hear for history lovers and political enthusiasts!” #Keywords: #Winsto…

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Winston Churchill || "The Sinews Of Peace" || Iron Curtain Speech || Part 1 51:20

2M ago51:20

51:20

Winston Churchill || "The Sinews Of Peace" || Iron Curtain Speech || Part 1 Listen to Winston Churchill's famous "Iron Curtain" speech, also known as the "Sinews of Peace. " Learn how the Cold War and world politics were influenced by this 1946 speech. Ideal for those interested in politics and history. Check our website, How to Love Lit podcast, a…

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Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte 1:05:33

2M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Emily Bronte was one of six children brought up on the bleak Yorkshire moors, and was described by her sister Charlotte as “not a person of demonstrative character”. Yet in her late twenties, this solitary and introverted woman wrote one of the strangest and most remarkable novels in the English language; the story of the doomed love of Cathy and H…

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Emma - Jane Austen 1:03:38

2M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

Emma is one of only six novels that Jane Austen completed, and yet she is among the very greatest of all English writers. How did an obscure spinster living in a modest house in Hampshire come to create these extraordinary books, and what is it that is so special about them? Rupert and Charlie look at arguably the greatest of them all, the story of…

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Nineteen Eighty-Four 59:55

2M ago59:55

59:55

Rupert and Charlie look at George Orwell’s masterpiece Nineteen Eighty-Four. Austere, prescient, terrifying and ultimately profoundly moving, the novel has exercised an extraordinary hold on the western consciousness with its portrayal of a society where the state controls everything, even your mind. Many words and phrases from the book have passed…

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The Great Gatsby 57:42

2M ago57:42

57:42

For the first episode of Book In, Rupert and Charlie discuss The Great Gatsby, Scott FitzGerald’s wonderful novel of love, loss and broken dreams. Published 100 years ago, the book is extraordinarily modern and speaks to a contemporary audience as powerfully as it did to the jazz generation of the 1920s. Charlie talks about the multi-layered nature…

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Book In - Trailer 3:19

2M ago3:19

3:19

Book In is a podcast in which brothers Rupert and Charlie Fordham discuss all things English Literature. From Chaucer to the present day, covering drama, novels and poetry, they cover all the classics and much more, from the UK, Ireland, the US, Europe and the rest of the world. Informative but lighthearted, Book In is suitable for all readers, and…

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Winston Churchill || We Shall Fight On The Beaches! 46:37

3M ago46:37

46:37

Sir Winston Churchill’s popular speech, “We Shall Fight on the Beaches,” delivered in June 1940, remains one of the most powerful addresses in history. Listen to the entire speech in this episode and learn why it became a pivotal point in World War II. We examine the historical background of the speech, Churchill's excellent use of language, and ho…

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The Hobbit || JRR Tolkien || Episode 4 || Battles - Victories - And Eucatastrophe! 42:03

3M ago42:03

42:03

The Hobbit || JRR Tolkien || Episode 4 || Battles - Victories - And Eucatastrophe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Hobbit || JRR Tolkien || Episode 3 || Surviving All The Rites Of Passage And Smaug The Dragon! 42:45

3M ago42:45

42:45

The Hobbit || JRR Tolkien || Episode 3 || Surviving All The Rites Of Passage And Smaug The Dragon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Hobbit || JRR Tolkien || Episode 2 || Secondary Worlds,Elves, Goblins, Orcs, Trolls - and Gollum! 39:51

3M ago39:51

39:51

The Hobbit || JRR Tolkien || Episode 2 || Secondary Worlds,Elves, Goblins, Orcs, Trolls - and Gollum! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Hobbit || JRR Tolkien || Episode 1 || Meet The Writer That Created The Fantasy Genre! 47:04

3M ago47:04

47:04

The Hobbit || JRR Tolkien || Episode 1 || Meet The Writer That Created The Fantasy Genre! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Oscar Wilde || The Importance Of Being Earnest || Episode 3 46:33

4M ago46:33

46:33

Oscar Wilde || The Importance Of Being Earnest || Episode 3 I'm SmarTune Music, as the author of 'Irish Tale' www.melodyloops.com/tracks/irish-tale/, grants Melody Loops and it's licensees, including How To Love Learning , permission to use this Music. This Music may be used in commercial and personal projects and in monetized videos (such as Youtu…

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Oscar Wilde || The Importance Of Being Earnest || Episode 2 37:52

4M ago37:52

37:52

Oscar Wilde || The Importance Of Being Earnest || Episode 2 I'm SmarTune Music, as the author of 'Irish Tale' www.melodyloops.com/tracks/irish-tale/, grants Melody Loops and it's licensees, including How To Love Learning , permission to use this Music. This Music may be used in commercial and personal projects and in monetized videos (such as Youtu…

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Last Minute Literature RevisionPod 19:56

4M ago19:56

19:56

Some last-minute tips to help you guys with the final stretch of your revision. In this episode, we look at the main skills that turn grade four essays into grade six essays, and grade six essays into grade eight or nine. Best of luck! Subcsribe to GCSE English Revisionpod + here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/227488/subscribe Subcsribe to GCSE Englis…

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Oscar Wilde || The Importance Of Being Earnest || Episode 1 50:21

4M ago50:21

50:21

Oscar Wilde || The Importance Of Being Earnest || Episode 1 I'm SmarTune Music, as the author of 'Irish Tale' www.melodyloops.com/tracks/irish-tale/, grants Melody Loops and it's licensees, including How To Love Learning , permission to use this Music. This Music may be used in commercial and personal projects and in monetized videos (such as Youtu…

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My Name is Leon episode 4 - Leon and Maureen 22:35

4M ago22:35

22:35

Subcsribe to GCSE English Revisionpod + here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/227488/subscribe In this episode we explore the complexities of the relationship between Leon and Maureen and the challening lines their bond must traverse. Like all great characters, Maureen has many dimensions to her character and this, for you, is good news as it opens up a…

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My Name is Leon episode 3 - Tufty 23:31

4M ago23:31

23:31

Subcsribe to GCSE English Revisionpod + here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/227488/subscribe In this episode, we look at the complexity of the character of Tufty. Is it possible to be a good role model while exhibiting bad behvaiours, or is it perhaps these very flaws in people's characters that make them worthy of looking up to? Download the all-impo…

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Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 5 - Insanity And The Dark Conclusion To Satire! 42:23

4M ago42:23

42:23

Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 5 - Insanity And The Dark Conclusion To Satire! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 4 - Journey #3 - Sir Isaac Newton Under Fire! 52:20

5M ago52:20

52:20

Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 3 - Journey #3 - Sir Isaac Newton Under Fire! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 3 - Journey #2 - From Giant To Tiny In One Trip! 43:40

5M ago43:40

43:40

Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 3 - Journey #2 - From Giant To Tiny In One Trip! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 2 - Journey #1 To Lilliput And Satire! 55:49

5M ago55:49

55:49

Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 2 - Journey #1 To Lilliput And Satire! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 1 - Meet The Champion Of Satire And Personal Mystery! 45:25

5M ago45:25

45:25

Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Episode 1 - Meet The Champion Of Satire And Personal Mystery! I'm SmarTune Music, as the author of 'Irish Tale' www.melodyloops.com/tracks/irish-tale/, grants Melody Loops and it's licensees, including How To Love Learning , permission to use this Music. This Music may be used in commercial and personal project…

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Episode 20: 4 Powerful Ways to Help Your Child With English Without Doing It for Them 7:05

5M ago7:05

7:05

Want to support your child’s English learning without hovering or doing the work for them? In this episode, I break down 4 powerful strategies to help your child build confidence and independence in English—without micromanaging. You’ll learn how to: Ask questions that boost critical thinking Create a distraction-free, productive study space Promot…

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The Poetry Of Gwendolyn Brooks || Episode 2 49:19

6M ago49:19

49:19

The Poetry Of Gwendolyn Brooks || Episode 2 I'mDPmusic,astheauthorof'TouchOfHope' www.melodyloops.com/tracks/touch-of-hope/, grants Melody Loops and it's licensees, including How To Love Learning , permission to use this Music. This Music may be used in commercial and personal projects and in monetized videos (such as Youtube or Vimeo) without payi…

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Episode 19: Creative Writing Hacks: 4 Fun Challenges to Boost Your Child’s Imagination 6:36

6M ago6:36

6:36

Creative Writing Hacks: 4 Fun Challenges to Boost Your Child’s Imagination 🚀 Does your child struggle with creative writing? Do they stare at a blank page, unsure where to start? In this episode, we share 4 powerful creative writing challenges that will spark imagination, improve storytelling, and boost confidence! 🕒 Timestamps: ⏳ 00:00 – Introduct…

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The Poetry Of Gwendolyn Brooks || Episode 1 43:30

6M ago43:30

43:30

The Poetry Of Gwendolyn Brooks || Episode 1 I'mDPmusic,astheauthorof'TouchOfHope' www.melodyloops.com/tracks/touch-of-hope/, grants Melody Loops and it's licensees, including How To Love Learning , permission to use this Music. This Music may be used in commercial and personal projects and in monetized videos (such as Youtube or Vimeo) without payi…

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Episode 18: Grammar Hacks to Instantly Improve Your Child’s Writing! 6:50

6M ago6:50

6:50

4 Grammar Hacks to Instantly Improve Your Child’s Writing! 📢 Is your child struggling with grammar? These 4 powerful grammar hacks will instantly boost their writing skills, improve sentence structure, and build their confidence! Whether they’re preparing for exams or just need help writing better essays, these easy grammar strategies will make a h…

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Nelson Mandela || Presidential Inauguration Speech || May 10, 1994 46:03

6M ago46:03

46:03

Nelson Mandela || Presidential Inauguration Speech || May 10, 1994 I'm DPmusic (Content ID registered by Denis Pavlov (DPmusic) with Identifyy), as the author of 'Great Wonder' www.melodyloops.com/tracks/great-wonder/, grants Melody Loops and it's licensees, including How To Love Learning , permission to use this Music. This Music may be used in co…

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Episode 17: How to Boost Your Child’s Vocabulary FAST 7:11

6M ago7:11

7:11

🔡 Want to help your child build a strong vocabulary effortlessly? In this episode, I’m sharing 4 powerful, easy-to-implement strategies that will help your child expand their vocabulary naturally—without memorisation or boring worksheets! 🚀 A rich vocabulary is the foundation of better writing, stronger comprehension, and confident communication. T…

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My Name is Leon episode 1 - A happy story? 24:06

6M ago24:06

24:06

Subcsribe to GCSE English Revisionpod + here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/227488/subscribe We take on a brand new text for your revising pleasure today in the form of the excellent novel My Name is Leon. Our question appears simple on the surface, but like all good literature explorations, if you think a little deeper about it, you will find there i…

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My Name is Leon episode 2 - is Leon an admirable character? 27:33

6M ago27:33

27:33

Subcsribe to GCSE English Revisionpod + here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/227488/subscribe In our second My Name is Leon episode, we look at whether the protagonist should be considered an admirable character. As with all good 'to what extent' questions, the first thing to get into is what admirable really means. Certainly not a word ever used to de…

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Aung San Suu Kyi || Fear Creates Corruption|| Sakharov Prize Speech! 41:23

6M ago41:23

41:23

Aung San Suu Kyi - Fear Creates Corruption - Nobel Acceptance Speech! Hi, I’m Christy Shriver and we’re here to discuss books that have changed the world and have changed us. And I’m Garry Shriver, and this is the How to Love Lit Podcast. This week, we want to turn our attention to the words and ideas of peace advocate and Nobel Laureate, Aung San …

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Episode 16: Top Tips for Tackling Unseen Texts in GCSE & 11+ English Exams! 7:10

6M ago7:10

7:10

📖 Struggling with unseen texts in English exams? Whether it's poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, tackling an unseen text doesn’t have to be intimidating! In this episode of the English Success Hub, I share proven strategies to help your child confidently analyse and respond to any unseen text they encounter. By the end of this episode, your child will…

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"Macbeth" Historical Context: Pleasing the King? 🤴 GCSE English Literature Learning & Revision 8:00

6M ago8:00

8:00

In this episode, we’ll explore how Macbeth may have been written to gain favor with King James I after his ascension to the throne in 1603. We’ll discuss how the play’s Scottish setting and its portrayal of a Scottish king would have appealed to James, who was also James VI of Scotland. We’ll examine Shakespeare’s depiction of witches as evil, alig…