Thinking in English

Thomas Wilkinson launched Thinking in English in 2020 and turned it into his full-time occupation by January 2023. The premise is right there in the title: rather than drilling grammar rules or vocabulary lists, the show is designed to get you actually thinking in English by engaging with substantive topics that hold your attention. Politics, economics, history, philosophy, science, culture — Wilkinson picks subjects that provoke real thought and discusses them in clear, well-paced English for intermediate and advanced learners. With over 450 episodes and an average length of about 20 minutes each, the catalog is substantial. Wilkinson writes, researches, edits, and hosts every episode himself, which gives the show a consistent voice and a personal quality that larger productions sometimes lack. Recent topics have included code switching, Charles Darwin's impact on science and religion, and the concept of post-truth in modern media. Every episode comes with a free transcript on the website, which is a genuine help for learners who want to read along or review afterward. The pacing sits in a sweet spot — slightly slower than a native conversation but fast enough to feel natural rather than condescending. Wilkinson does not talk down to his audience. He trusts that listeners who care about interesting ideas will also pick up the language along the way. The show has built a strong community of learners who appreciate being treated as intelligent adults rather than students in a classroom. For anyone who wants to improve their English while genuinely learning something new about the world, Thinking in English delivers on that promise with impressive consistency.