

Easy Stories in English
Ariel Goodbody, Polyglot English Teacher & Glassbox Media
Learning a language is hard, but Easy Stories in English makes it easy! Ariel Goodbody introduces each story, explaining difficult vocabulary and talking about their life. Thanks to their high energy and clear pronunciation, the stories are entertaining and simple to understand.Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced learner, there’s something for everyone. The stories cover a wide range of genres, such as fairy tales, myths and legends, drama, comedy, romance, horror, science fiction and action. There is a balance of children’s stories, as well as more mature themes for adults. While listening to the stories, you can read the transcript at EasyStoriesInEnglish.com and get both reading practice and listening practice. With enough time, you’ll find that your reading and writing skills improve as well.Ariel Goodbody has a strong background in linguistics and language acquisition, and they base the podcast on Stephen Krashen’s theory of comprehensible input. Ariel changes the level of grammar to suit each level, but prioritise comprehension and good storytelling over anything else. Vocabulary is described using paraphrase, cultural references, pictures, intonation and sound effects. British culture, especially English culture, is naturally introduced throughout the episodes.Ariel also has experience in theatre, and treats every episode like an audiobook performance. With character voices, dramatic timing and a range of accents, adults and kids alike will soon forget that they’re ‘learning’ at all!Some of the most well-known stories from the podcast are: the Doggo and Kitty stories, Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tales, The Very Hungry Dragon, Sleeping Beauty, The Perfect Pet, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Why Blood is Red, Saint George and the Dragon and Pioneers of the Continuum. Many stories are adapted from famous authors, such as Edgar Allan Poe, Hans Christian Andersen, Isaac Asimov, Josef Čapek, Margery Williams and Ryuunosuke Akutagawa.Ariel studied linguistics at the University of Cambridge and started teaching in 2018. As a language teacher, they use comprehensible input techniques such as TPRS and story listening. In 2021 they published a series of graded readers. These easy readers allow fans to get their favourite stories in a physical format.Apprendre l’anglais facilement avec des contes de fées et histoires racontés en anglais britannique. Méthode pour étudier les vocabulaires, la prononciation, la grammaire et la lecture en anglais. Les livres audio en anglais pour les niveaux débutant, intermédiaire et avancé.Einfach Britisches Englisch lernen mit Märchen und Geschichten. Methode, um Vokabeln, Aussprache, Grammatik und Lesen auf Englisch zu studieren. Hörbücher auf Englisch für Anfänger und Fortgeschrittene.Imparare l'inglese facilmente con fiabe e storie in inglese britannico. Metodo per studiare vocabolario, pronuncia, grammatica e lettura in inglese. Audiolibri in inglese per i livelli principiante, intermedio e avanzato.Aprender inglés fácilmente con cuentos de hadas e historias en inglés británico. Método para estudiar vocabulario, pronunciación, gramática y lectura en inglés. Audiolibros en inglés para todos los niveles: principiante, intermedio y avanzado.童話、メルヘン、物語でイギリス英語を学ぶことがやさしくさせるイージー・ストーリーズ・イン・イングリッシュ。アリエル・グッドボディはきれいなブリティッシュイングリッシュの発音で新しい単語を説明して、毎週のストーリーを語る。初級、中級、上級の生徒にむかうオーディオブックで英語文法や英語読書をアップさせる勉強取材。通过英国英语的童话故事和故事轻松学习英语。学习英语的词汇、发音、语法和阅读。为初学者、中级和高级学生提供英语的有声读物。Легко изучать английский язык с помощью сказок и историй на британском английском. Методика изучения словарного запаса, произношения, грамматики и чтения на английском языке. Аудиокниги на английском языке для начинающих, студентов среднего уровня и продвинутых студентов.تعلم الإنجليزية بسهولة مع القصص الخرافية والحكايات باللغة الإنجليزية البريطانية. طريقة لدراسة المفردات والنطق والقواعد والقراءة باللغة الإنجليزية. كتب مسموعة باللغة الإنجليزية للمبتدئين والمتوسطين والمتقدمين.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 23, 2026 • 27min
Herding Mountains to Make a Forest (Pre-Intermediate)
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The Stone Forest in Yunnan is a beautiful karst mountain range. But how did it come to be? Learn all about the Sani people and the magical origins of this Chinese nature site in today's episode.
Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Mountains for the full transcript.
Level: Pre-Intermediate.
Genre: Myths & Legends.
Vocabulary: Herd, Bucket, Spirit, Order, Whip, Unfurl, Dam, Rooster, Freeze.
Setting: China.
Word Count: 681.
Author: Chinese Myths.
00:00 Intro
00:52 The Sani people
01:39 My full circle momoent
04:12 Leaving Chinese
06:19 Coming back to Chinese
08:57 Busy busy!
11:14 Stumbling across the origin story
13:30 Vocabulary
17:34 Herding Mountains to Make a Forest
23:31 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 9, 2026 • 25min
Doing Stand-Up Comedy in Chinese (Conversation)
Ariel shares travel plans to Shanghai and Cambodia and talks about batching episodes. They laugh over tone mix-ups while learning Chinese and describe the challenge of doing stand-up in Mandarin. Stories from a Ningbo open mic and hosting a simple Chinese set reveal cultural contrasts between London and China. There are reflections on making friends through comedy circles and falling for Chinese food.

Feb 23, 2026 • 21min
The Animals' Peace Party (Pre-Intermediate)
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The cows and horses have argued with the pigs for too long. It's time to have a peace party and finally settle things. But one very talkative pig has a different view...
Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Peace for the full transcript.
Level: Pre-Intermediate.
Genre: Myths & Legends.
Vocabulary: Hoarse, Filthy, Greedy, Settle a dispute, Master (leader), Amongst, Farmhand, Favour (verb), Wisdom, Squeal.
Setting: China.
Word Count: 1044.
Author: Mary Hayes David, Chow Leung. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 9, 2026 • 59min
All the Housemates I've Ever Had (Conversation)
Ariel recounts a long string of difficult housemates, from passive-aggressive silence to manipulative, messy behaviors. Stories cover dodgy landlords, moldy flats, cold rooms, and shared living in co-ops. They reflect on choosing housemates during COVID and the point when tensions boiled over into gaslighting and no contact.

Jan 26, 2026 • 18min
How the Moon Became Beautiful (Beginner)
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The moon is beautiful, but it wasn't always that way. True love was needed, as well as breaking a mother's heart...
Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Moon for the full transcript.
Level: Beginner.
Genre: Myths & Legends.
Vocabulary: Astronomy, Poem, Pick (flower), Sharp, Gentle, Ridiculous.
Setting: China.
Word Count: 843.
Author: Ariel Goodbody.
00:00 Intro
01:11 Vocabulary
04:53 How the Moon Became Beautiful
12:58 Transcription problems
16:10 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 8min
Christmas in Japan (Conversation)
Discover the unique quirks of Christmas in Japan, where humiliation and strange food await! Ariel shares tales from bustling Osaka to serene Fukuoka, including humorous travel mishaps, encounters with local customs, and a delightful first onsen experience. Enjoy the contrast between Christmas traditions and the lively atmosphere of Japanese nightlife. Tune in for insights on cultural differences, epic karaoke sessions, and a memorable chazuke meal that will leave you craving more!

Dec 30, 2025 • 36min
Hansel and Gretel (Pre-Intermediate)
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What if the witch in Hansel and Gretel was Chinese? Well, then things would be very different. In this twisted version of the classic fairy tale, the two young children run away from the house of sweets and end up somewhere far more exotic...
Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Hansel for the full transcript.
Level: Pre-intermediate.
Genre: Horror.
Vocabulary: Woodcutter, Sweet tooth, Twig, Abandon, Breadcrumbs, Quitter, Betrayal, Witch, Belly, Prison bars.
Setting: Fairytale.
Word Count: 2357.
Author: Ariel Goodbody.
00:00 Intro
10:55 Hansel and Gretel
29:52 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 38min
It's My Podcast and I'll Ramble If I Want To (Conversation)
Join a whimsical discussion about the nuances of holiday cheer in China, where Christmas feels muted. Discover the curious experience of trying bone marrow and pondering ancient eating habits. The conversation shifts to personal style transformations with a flair for old-world British fashion. Ariel shares travel plans to Japan, highlighting unique pronunciations of place names. Dive into the frustrations of video production and the desire for creative freedom, plus engaging thoughts on AI art and the importance of diverse challenges in language learning.

7 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 22min
The Three Goats (Rerun)
Three clever goats embark on a daring journey across a bridge to find new grass. They encounter a menacing troll eager to eat them. With quick thinking, the middle goat distracts the troll, allowing the eldest to confront him directly. In a surprising twist, the eldest goat uses her strength to defeat the troll, sending him tumbling into the river. This delightful fairy tale features themes of bravery, teamwork, and cleverness, making it a perfect imaginative adventure for young listeners.

Nov 17, 2025 • 44min
Hangzhou and the Joy of Cycling (Conversation)
Discover the beauty of Hangzhou, from its stunning West Lake to the vibrant atmosphere of local temples. Hear about a transformative cycling journey after an 18-year hiatus, and the liberating joy it brings. Ariel shares hilarious mishaps, like a moped crash while cycling, and the quirky experiences of navigating life in China, including unique cafes and delightful noodles. Plus, find out about her language learning triumphs and the fascinating little conveniences of living abroad!


