Learning English Conversations

BBC Radio

<p>Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your everyday conversations easier. </p><p>Find more at bbclearningenglish.com</p><p>Follow us at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus</p>

  • 2 minutes 53 seconds
    The English We Speak: A big ask

    Sometimes people ask for too much. Listen to examples of this phrase being use and learn how to use it for those moments.

    FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260202

    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 ✔️ 6 Minute English

    They're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)

    10 February 2026, 11:52 am
  • 9 minutes 23 seconds
    Beating Speaking Anxiety: 4. I'm scared of speaking in front of people

    Do you get nervous speaking English in front of people, even a small group of friends?

    In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about public speaking and speaking in bigger groups.

    With Regina Kaplan Rakowski, Professor of Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas.

    WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/not_understanding-video

    TRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary: https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/4_BSA_speaking_in_front_of_others_transcript__.pdf

    NEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

    9 February 2026, 12:42 pm
  • 3 minutes 22 seconds
    The English We Speak: Facepalm moment

    Something embarrassing or frustrating could lead to a facepalm moment. Learn how to use this expression here.

    FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260202

    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 ✔️ 6 Minute English

    They're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)

    3 February 2026, 10:49 am
  • 9 minutes 15 seconds
    Beating Speaking Anxiety: 3. I’m scared I won’t understand people

    Speaking is only one side of the conversation. You also have to listen to and understand the other person.

    In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about how you can improve your listening in real life conversations.

    With Erhan Aslan, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Reading.

    WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/not_understanding-video

    TRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/not_understanding-podcast

    NEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

    2 February 2026, 12:14 pm
  • 2 minutes 12 seconds
    The English We Speak: Shoot off

    This expression means leave quickly because you're in a hurry or there's somewhere you need to be. Learn how to use it here.

    FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260126

    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 ✔️ 6 Minute English

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

    (Photo: Getty)

    27 January 2026, 2:57 pm
  • 8 minutes 23 seconds
    Beating Speaking Anxiety: 2. I’m scared of forgetting my words

    Have you ever been speaking English, and suddenly you freeze and forget your words?

    In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about why our brain can’t always remember words we know in a new language.

    With Alissa Melinger, Professor of psycholinguistics at the University of Dundee.

    WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

    TRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/forgetting_words-podcast

    NEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

    26 January 2026, 11:13 am
  • 2 minutes 36 seconds
    The English We Speak: Hot on the heels

    This expression means something happens immediately after something else, often unexpectedly. Learn how to use it here.

    FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260119

    TRY 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 ✔️ 6 Minute English

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

    (Photo: Getty)

    20 January 2026, 11:58 am
  • 11 minutes 26 seconds
    Beating Speaking Anxiety: 1. I’m scared of making mistakes

    Do you get anxious when speaking English? You’re not alone.

    In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about how to increase your confidence speaking English, even when you make mistakes.

    With professor of Chinese Han Luo and speaking coach Barnaby Griffiths.

    WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/making_mistakes-video

    TRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/making_mistakes-podcast

    NEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

    19 January 2026, 9:57 am
  • 2 minutes 59 seconds
    The English We Speak: Aura farming

    Learn this expression which means do something for attention or praise.

    FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260112

    TRY THE LISTENING ROOM ✔️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 ✔️ 6 Minute English

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

    (Photo: Getty)

    13 January 2026, 10:20 am
  • 2 minutes 37 seconds
    The English We Speak: Lock in

    This phrasal verb means to focus hard with no distractions. Learn how to use it here!

    FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260105

    TRY THE LISTENING ROOM ✔️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 ✔️ 6 Minute English

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

    (Photo: Getty)

    6 January 2026, 8:37 am
  • 2 minutes 36 seconds
    The English We Speak: A fresh start

    A new year is the perfect time for a fresh start.

    FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251229

    TRY THE LISTENING ROOM ✔️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 ✔️ 6 Minute English

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

    (Photo: Getty)

    30 December 2025, 10:11 am
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