6 Minute English

BBC Radio

<p>Learn and practise useful English with clips from programmes around the BBC. </p><p>Each week, we talk about an interesting topic and learn helpful words and phrases used in natural spoken English - all in 6 minutes! </p><p>Practise your listening and hear natural spoken English. </p><p>Find more at https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish</p><p>Follow us at https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus</p>

  • 6 minutes 21 seconds
    Should we pay more for chocolate?

    How often do you eat chocolate? It's one of the most loved sweet treats in Europe, but a new EU law could make chocolate more expensive. A business owner, who has small cocoa farms in these places, shares their thoughts and concerns about the new law. We also hear from chocolate lovers about whether they would pay more for their favourite chocolate, and about whether they looked at where their chocolate was produced. Neil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

    Read along with this podcast with the free transcript, and practise the vocabulary using the quiz and worksheet: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260312

    Improve your speaking confidence and skills with our series 'Beating Speaking Anxiety': https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

    Subscribe to our newsletter for our weekly highlights: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 and feel free to email us at [email protected]!

    12 March 2026, 9:04 am
  • 6 minutes 37 seconds
    Why are some animals black and white?

    How many animals can you think of that are black and white? Zebras, penguins, orcas, snow leopards… there are loads! But have you ever wondered why these animals have developed such unique and striking appearances? Neil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

    As always, find a free transcript, worksheet and quiz for this episode on our website: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260305

    And find NEW episodes of Office English here or by searching 'Learning English for Work' on your favourite podcast app: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english

    Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our weekly highlights in your inbox: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

    Other podcasts you might enjoy: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories

    5 March 2026, 9:38 am
  • 6 minutes 46 seconds
    The power of pepper

    How often do you use pepper? It's one of the most common spices to add to food, so common in fact that many of us don't just use it when cooking, but also place it on our dinner tables to add extra flavour! But how much do we really know about pepper? There are hundreds of different varieties worldwide and they all have the power to add that special something to our food. Neil and Becca discuss this seasoning and teach you some new vocabulary.

    Find a transcript and worksheet at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260226

    Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

    Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    26 February 2026, 9:54 am
  • 6 minutes 43 seconds
    Dreaming of being a chef

    What did you have for dinner last night? And did you cook it yourself? Many people cook at home regularly, for themselves and for others, but have you ever thought about cooking professionally? Working in a restaurant can be tough, but for some people, becoming a top chef is a dream job. Neil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

    ✔️ Find a free worksheet, transcript and interactive quiz to help you learn: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260219

    ✔️ Try our new series about the fears that come with speaking a foreign language. Find the 'Beating Speaking Anxiety' podcast episodes and video explainers here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

    ✔️ Don't forget to subsribe to our newsletter, where you get all our updates weekly: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    Have you tried some of our other podcasts? Try these next: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work

    19 February 2026, 10:40 am
  • 6 minutes 46 seconds
    Artistic swimming

    How long can you hold your breath underwater? And what about if you were doing a gymnastic and dance routine as well...? Artistic swimming, which used to be known as synchronised swimming, requires dedication, hard work and passion. Phil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

    Find a transcript and worksheet for this episode here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260212

    Want to improve your speaking confidence? Learn from experts about how to fight your fears of speaking in our new series 'Beating Speaking Anxiety': ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

    And don't forget to sign up to our free newsletter, where we share our tips and weekly highlights every Wednesday: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

    Other podcasts you might enjoy: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories

    12 February 2026, 9:32 am
  • 6 minutes 47 seconds
    Rethinking dyslexia

    Dyslexia is a condition which makes it difficult for people to read, write and spell. But, can the ability to process information differently actually be an advantage? And why do dyslexics make excellent spies? Phil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

    Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260205

    BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

    LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work

    They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

    5 February 2026, 9:49 am
  • 7 minutes 3 seconds
    Why are billionaires building bunkers?

    People around the world have been preparing for what they believe will be a major world disaster in the near future. Now, some tech billionaires are joining the trend by building underground bunker complexes to keep them safe if the world order collapses. Do they know something we don't? Neil discusses this with Hannah, from the What in the World podcast, and they teach you some new vocabulary.

    Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-26029

    BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

    LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work

    They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

    29 January 2026, 9:02 am
  • 7 minutes 11 seconds
    Scared to speak English?

    Do you ever feel scared to speak in English? Lots of people find speaking a different language stressful. Beth and Pippa talk about learning languages and how to fight your fears of speaking English.

    Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-26012

    BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

    LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work

    They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

    22 January 2026, 11:39 am
  • 6 minutes 38 seconds
    What English phrases really mean

    We've all been there – we're talking to someone and they say one thing, when we know they mean something else! British people love to play with language, using it deliberately to disguise, misdirect or even change their meaning entirely. But why do we do it? And what are some of the common things to look out for? Pippa and Beth discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

    Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260115

    Learning English from the News - learn English from news headlines here: ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

    LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work

    They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

    15 January 2026, 11:19 am
  • 6 minutes 37 seconds
    Is social media dead?

    What is your favourite social media platform? Do you still use it as much as you did three or four years ago? With the rise of generative AI, many social media users are finding their feeds cluttered with content that they feel no real connection with. Is social media on a downward spiral? Neil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

    Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260108

    The Listening Room - improve your listening skills here: ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

    LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work

    They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

    8 January 2026, 10:14 am
  • 6 minutes 39 seconds
    Is it OK to disagree?

    Are we becoming a divided society? Neil and Beth discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

    Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260101

    The Listening Room - improve your listening skills here: ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

    LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work

    They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

    1 January 2026, 9:30 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App