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 42 seconds
    Why are we all so stressed?

    Worrying about exams, work or climate change in the news. It's no wonder modern life is stressful. Becca and Neil hear from a presenter and psychologist about managing stress. Learn some tips to help with worrying and stress, as well as some new vocabulary and phrases!

    Find a transcript and worksheet at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260423

    Learn language to use at work in Office English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english

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

    23 April 2026, 9:11 am
  • 6 minutes 41 seconds
    Love the foods you hate

    Are there some foods that you just hate? Have you ever hated a food in the past but started liking it? We hear from a food expert and a dietitian about why there are some foods we just hate and even fear, and whether it's possible to learn to love them. Neil and Becca discuss this, learn some tips for loving the foods you hate, 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-260416

    Learn language to use at work in Office English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english

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

    16 April 2026, 10:14 am
  • 6 minutes 47 seconds
    The future of food

    Many of us are trying to be more careful with our food choices, both for our personal health and for the health of the planet in general. But did you know that the food we buy is closely linked to national security? Neil and Pippa hear from climate reporter and a chief executive of the UK's Climate Change Committee, and teach you some new vocabulary.

    9 April 2026, 8:33 am
  • 6 minutes 34 seconds
    Are saunas good for you?

    How do you feel about being in a small room heated to a temperature of 80°C? Believe it or not, some people love it! There might be some health benefits to this hot habit too! Georgie and Neil hear from a BBC reporter and a professor from BBC Radio 4 programme Inside Health. You'll also learn some useful language!

    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-260402

    Learn English to use at work in Office English available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english

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

    2 April 2026, 8:50 am
  • 6 minutes 31 seconds
    Weight loss drugs

    Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are modified versions of natural hormones which make us feel full when released into the body. Prof Giles Yeo explains how the drugs, which were originally used to treat diabetes, are now being used for weight loss. Georgie and Neil teach you some useful 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-260326

    Learn English to use at work in Office English available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english

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

    26 March 2026, 10:11 am
  • 6 minutes 46 seconds
    How do we adapt to the cold?

    Where is the coldest place you have ever been? Did you enjoy the experience? Some people don't seem to mind the cold, whereas other people seem to feel it much more strongly and keep themselves wrapped up in as many layers as possible. But why do we feel it in different ways? Phil 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-260319

    Learn English to use at work in Office English available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english

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

    19 March 2026, 9:44 am
  • 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
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