Learn English with TED-Ed: 89 videos for C1–C2 listening
TED-Ed animated videos on science, history, health and philosophy, about 5 minutes each. Watch a short segment, type what you hear and check every word.
- Category
- TED-Ed
- Lessons
- 89
- Segments
- 6,555
- Levels in category
- C1–C2
Browse 89 Lessons
89 lessons
- 1 Why you don't need 8 glasses of water a day C1 72 segments Start C1 · 72 segments
- 2 Why you shouldn't worry about pooping once a day C1 74 segments Start C1 · 74 segments
- 3 How did ancient civilizations make ice cream? C1 62 segments Start C1 · 62 segments
- 4 How to practice anything effectively C1 62 segments Start C1 · 62 segments
- 5 The benefits of good posture C1 65 segments Start C1 · 65 segments
- 6 How does the stock market work C1 64 segments Start C1 · 64 segments
- 7 What are those floaty things in your eye? C2 57 segments Start C2 · 57 segments
- 8 Debunking the myths of OCD C1 59 segments Start C1 · 59 segments
- 9 The history of chocolate C2 59 segments Start C2 · 59 segments
- 10 5 tips to improve your critical thinking C1 64 segments Start C1 · 64 segments
- 11 The philosophy of Stoicism C1 69 segments Start C1 · 69 segments
- 12 Why is it so hard to cure cancer C1 63 segments Start C1 · 63 segments
- 13 How does an air conditioner actually work? C1 72 segments Start C1 · 72 segments
- 14 These animals can hear everything C1 63 segments Start C1 · 63 segments
- 15 How to prevent political corruption C1 71 segments Start C1 · 71 segments
- 16 Scientists are obsessed with this lake C2 65 segments Start C2 · 65 segments
- 17 What happened when these 6 dictators took over? C1 67 segments Start C1 · 67 segments
- 18 Why is "The Scream" screaming? C2 67 segments Start C2 · 67 segments
- 19 What is earwax and should you get rid of it? C1 66 segments Start C1 · 66 segments
- 20 Can you prevent Alzheimer's disease? C1 68 segments Start C1 · 68 segments
What are TED-Ed English Lessons?
TED-Ed English lessons are 89 animated TED-Ed videos turned into dictation exercises. Each video runs about 5 minutes and is split into around 66 short segments. You watch a segment, type what you heard, and the checker marks every word. The narrators speak at about 145 words per minute, measured across our 89 lessons, which is a moderate pace. The lessons are graded C1 (70) and C2 (19) for their subject vocabulary and the density of ideas.
Why Learn English Through TED-Ed?
A TED-Ed video explains one idea from start to finish in under six minutes. The narration is clear and evenly paced, but every lesson brings a new set of subject words, from neurons to stock markets, that you have to catch by ear.
Key Learning Benefits
- You hear subject words such as myelin, inflation or neurons in context, then type them and see how they are spelled.
- The narration runs at about 145 words per minute, so your attention can go to vocabulary rather than speed.
- The animation shows what the narrator describes, which helps you follow abstract explanations.
- Each lesson lasts about 5 minutes, short enough to finish in one sitting.
- Topics cover science, history, health and philosophy, so each lesson adds vocabulary from a different field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are TED-Ed English lessons?
They are TED-Ed animated videos used for dictation practice. Each lesson has the video, a transcript split into about 66 segments and a dictation exercise that checks every word you type. There are 89 lessons: 70 at C1 and 19 at C2.
How can TED-Ed videos help me learn English?
They train you to follow an explanation of an unfamiliar topic in English. Typing each segment shows you which words you missed, often the subject terms, and the transcript lets you check them afterwards.
Can I practice dictation with these videos?
Yes. Every video is split into short segments. Play one, type what you hear and press Check Answer. Each word is marked correct, wrong or missing, and small typos count as Almost. You can replay a segment or slow the video down.
What level are these TED-Ed lessons?
70 lessons are C1 and 19 are C2. The pace is moderate, about 145 words per minute, so the level comes from the vocabulary and the density of ideas. If you are at B2, start with a C1 lesson and replay segments as often as you need.
Do I need to watch the lessons in order?
No. Each lesson is a separate video on its own topic, so start with whatever interests you. A free account marks the lessons you finish and remembers where you stopped.
Want to use your own video?
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