Learning English Conversations

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://downloads.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/tews/260209_tews_a_big_ask_transcript.pdf BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.u...

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/learningeng...

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/learningenglis...

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: http...

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...

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/learning...

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/l...

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_...

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: V...

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 E...

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 ✔️ ht...

Learn a phrase about small gifts with Feifei and Phil. FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251222 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...

Use this expression to add drama and suspense to what you're saying. Learn how in this programme. FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251215 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 BB...

This expression is about causing someone else to stay alert and ready for anything. Learn how to use it here. FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251208 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 Foll...

This expression means to leave early and quickly. Learn how to use it here. FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251201 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/lea...

This expression is a way to say someone's idea, guess or opinion is far from the reality. Learn it here with Beth and Feifei. FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251124 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/lear...

When you take someone under your wing, you help them with something or protect them. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil. FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251117 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www....

If there are no ways about something, you want to emphasise that it's true. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil. FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251110 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk...

Eating beans and chips for dinner is very student-coded. Learn a different meaning of the word 'coded'. FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251103 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...

This expression is about doing something badly. Learn how to use it here. TRY THE READING ROOM: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_room FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251027 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our...

This expression describes the vibe of something. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251020 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...

This expression is a way to say don't interrupt someone because they're doing well. Learn it here. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251013 Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/...

This is an expression that talks about an area, especially the one where you live. Learn how to use it with Feifei and Phil. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251006 Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website...

Teething problems are issues that you have when you’re getting used to something new. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250929 Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: V...

This phrase means that someone's argument is weak. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250922 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....