Learning English Conversations

BBC Radio

<p>Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your English conversations easier. </p><p>Every week, we teach you a new phrase or word you can use in conversation with The English We Speak. </p><p>And we bring you special series to improve your English conversation. </p><p>Try Beating Speaking Anxiety to learn how to fight your fears of speaking English. </p><p>Find more at bbclearningenglish.com </p><p>Follow us at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus</p>

  • 3 minutes 26 seconds
    The English We Speak: Flow State

    When we enter a flow state, we feel fully focused. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Becca. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com

    As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260406

    And discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app.

    We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    If you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to discover the range.

    7 April 2026, 8:55 am
  • 2 minutes 15 seconds
    The English We Speak: Got you

    If you've got someone, you support them.Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Becca.

    As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260330

    And discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app.

    We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    If you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to discover the range.

    30 March 2026, 8:42 am
  • 2 minutes 4 seconds
    The English We Speak: A bit of a stretch

    Sometimes we say things that aren't 100% true. They're not complete lies, but they are a bit of a stretch. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.

    As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260323

    And discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app.

    We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    If you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to discover the range.

    24 March 2026, 9:46 am
  • 2 minutes 24 seconds
    The English We Speak: Kick the can down the road

    Sometimes at work we need to kick the can down the road. Learn how to use this expression with Phil and Feifei.

    TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260316

    OFFICE ENGLISH: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english

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

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    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)

    16 March 2026, 11:13 am
  • 3 minutes 19 seconds
    The English We Speak: Cut corners

    If you want to do a task perfectly, it's usually not a good idea to cut corners. Learn about this expression and how to use it in conversations with Feifei and Georgie.

    TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260309

    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 March 2026, 3:18 pm
  • 9 minutes 8 seconds
    Beating Speaking Anxiety: 8. I’m scared I can’t be myself

    It can be harder to express our personality in a foreign language because we have fewer language tools available and speaking anxiety can make it harder to let our personalities shine.

    Learn from experts about this topic and get tips on how to show your true self in English in the last episode of this special series.

    Don't forget, you can watch Georgie's explainer videos and see learners of English try different activities to improve their speaking confidence. Find them on our website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety

    Office English is back for a third series! Search for 'Learning English for Work' in your favourite podcast app, or find the episodes with free transcripts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english

    Our newsletter with our weekly highlights and language learning tips comes out every Wednesday. Make sure you're signed up! https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

    9 March 2026, 12:23 pm
  • 3 minutes 33 seconds
    The English We Speak: Short-change

    If you give someone less than they deserve, you short-change them. Learn the literal and metaphorical use of this expression with Feifei and Georgie and hear more examples.

    IND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260302

    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 March 2026, 11:45 am
  • 7 minutes 52 seconds
    Beating Speaking Anxiety: 7. I’m scared I’m not getting better

    Sometimes it can feel like no matter how much you practise speaking, you don’t get any better.

    In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about what to do when you feel stuck learning English.

    With speaking coaches Rhiannon Carter and Barnaby Griffiths.

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

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

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

    2 March 2026, 1:49 pm
  • 2 minutes 56 seconds
    The English We Speak: Go through a rough patch

    Life isn't always great, sometimes things can be difficult. Use 'go through a rough patch' when life gets difficult for a while. Learn this useful expression with Feifei and Phil.

    As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260223

    And discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app.

    We send a newsletter with our weekly higlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

    If you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to discover the range.

    24 February 2026, 10:29 am
  • 10 minutes 37 seconds
    Beating Speaking Anxiety: 6. I’m scared I won’t get the joke

    Have you ever been in a group of friends and everyone laughs, but you didn’t understand the joke?

    In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about understanding humour and making people laugh when speaking English.

    With Peruvian performer Pepa Duarte.

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

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

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

    23 February 2026, 12:18 pm
  • 3 minutes 4 seconds
    The English We Speak: Learn the hard way

    Sometimes we ignore advice. Sometimes things go wrong and this programme is about those times. Phil and Feifei teach you how to use the expression to learn something the hard way.

    FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260216

    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)

    16 February 2026, 12:09 pm
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