What is English AF and who is it for?

English AF – or English As Folk – is a podcast for learning English as a foreign language aimed at the LGBTQ+ community. An inclusive space challenging the heteronormativity of language learning.

I’ve been fascinated by language and languages since my cousin gave me a French phrase book when I was a child. At that point, I had barely left England, and I became fascinated with the idea that I could do everything I loved to do – buy an ice cream, make friends, play games (my needs were quite simple back then!) – but in a completely different language. It sparked a love of language that guided me through school, university (Salford, where I studied French, Italian and linguistics), a move to Paris and a return to the UK where I set up my translation business, Justification.

But it was only recently while taking classes in a language new to me – British Sign Language (BSL) – that I realised something about the experience of learning language: it was not very welcoming to anyone outside of the heterosexual norm. My text books at school, be they French, German or Latin, presented family units with a mum, dad and two children and there was no exception, no other representation. By today’s standards I came out late (aged 21), so up until then, being my authentic gay self wasn’t something I worried about. After starting BSL as an adult, it dawned on me how heteronormative learning languages is. You could actually say most learning is heteronormative – although language learning is a particular case as you learn language through real world situations and scenarios and learners are often asked to talk about themselves, their hobbies and interests, what they want to be when they grow up, who they want to be when they grow up.

English AF is my attempt to change the heteronormative narrative. A way to make learning English more inclusive and relatable through topics, exercises and scenarios that speak to queer people – or indded anyone who wants to learn English through an alternative lens. I’m sure some people will ask if this is even something that is needed in 2026. The answer to this is long and complex, so I’ll be brief: it truly is. Of course, there are thousands of books, podcasts and classes for learning English which speak to the general language learner. This is a more niche offering and one that I hope will appeal to anyone who hasn’t felt seen or heard in other language learning spaces.