BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

Education EN ↓ 815 episodes

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

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BBC Radio

Episodes

The English We Speak: Twist someone's arm 25.03.2025 2:37

What does it mean to 'twist someone's arm'? TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250324 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus The Pronunciation Lounge ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningen...

The English We Speak: Have someone on 25.03.2025 2:30

This means making someone believe something that isn't true, but in a jokey way. Learn how to use this expression here. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250317 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learninge...

The English We Speak: Can-do attitude 11.03.2025 2:16

If you have a can-do attitude, you don't let anything stop you. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250310 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://...

The English We Speak: Go to 04.03.2025 2:29

Your 'go-to' is your preferred option. Learn how to use this phrase. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250303 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ htt...

The English We Speak: Skedaddle 25.02.2025 2:34

Do you need to skedaddle? Leave somewhere in a hurry? Learn this expression. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250224 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER...

My Song, My Home: Adam in Ipswich 18.02.2025 11:12

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn. Today, we meet musician Adam, who performs for us in Ipswich town centre. WATCH ADAM PERFORM: Find a video of Adam's song on our website https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/my-song-my-home/episode5-video WORKSHEET: Find a full...

The English We Speak: Main character moment 17.02.2025 3:30

Look at her - she's having such a main character moment on the dance floor! Learn this internet phrase TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250217 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus S...

My Song, My Home: Alice in Leeds 11.02.2025 10:47

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn. Today, we meet musician Alice, who performs for us in Leeds city centre. WATCH ALICE PERFORM: Find a video of Alice’s song on our website https://bbc.in/4h8W7UE WORKSHEET: Find a full transcript, song lyrics and test what you’ve learned...

The English We Speak: Fall on stony ground 10.02.2025 2:55

We hope our advice doesn't fall on stony ground. Learn a new expression TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250210 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️...

My Song, My Home: Grace in Liverpool 04.02.2025 10:35

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn. Today, we meet Grace, who performs for us in a library in Liverpool. With thanks to the University of Liverpool. WATCH GRACE PERFORM: Find a video of Grace’s song on our website https://bbc.in/4fVYkkZ WORKSHEET: Find a full transcript, s...

The English We Speak: Make a rod for your own back 03.02.2025 2:10

An expression that means you are doing something that will cause you future problems. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250203 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR N...

My Song, My Home: Josh in London 28.01.2025 10:55

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn. Learn vocabulary from song lyrics and hear natural English speakers. In this episode, we meet musician Josh who sings for us at the BBC. WATCH JOSH PERFORM: Find a video of Josh’s song on our website https://bbc.in/4jleE1w WORKSHEET: Fin...

The English We Speak: Ship 27.01.2025 3:07

A word that means you want two people to be in a relationship. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250127 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://w...

My Song, My Home: Bailey in St Ives 21.01.2025 11:59

Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn. Learn vocabulary from song lyrics and hear natural English speakers. In this episode, we meet musician Bailey who sings for us by the sea. WATCH BAILEY PERFORM: See St Ives and watch Bailey’s song https://bbc.in/3PD6Omr WORKSHEET: Find a...

The English We Speak: Twig 20.01.2025 3:29

A word for when you suddenly realise or understand something. 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-250120 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER:...

The English We Speak: Mooch 14.01.2025 2:46

An informal British English word that means to wander or stroll around casually. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250113 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLE...

The English We Speak: By the book 07.01.2025 2:23

This expression is all about following the rules. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250106 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/...

The English We Speak: Turn over a new leaf 31.12.2024 3:37

Many of us hope to turn over a new leaf when a new year starts. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241230 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://...

The English We Speak: You can't go wrong with 24.12.2024 2:26

If you 'can't go wrong' with a suggestion, you can't fail if you use it. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241223 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learn...

The English We Speak: The flip side 17.12.2024 3:28

An expression to change someone's perspective. Learn it here TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241216 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/f...

The English We Speak: In my travel era 10.12.2024 3:07

An expression that means you're focused on one thing at a particular period of life TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241209 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc....

The English We Speak: Give it some welly! 03.12.2024 2:32

Say this if you want to encourage someone to put some more effort into an activity. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241202 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc....

The English We Speak: Shoehorn something in 26.11.2024 2:53

Learn an expression that means force something in somewhere that it doesn't quite fit. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241125 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.b...

The English We Speak: On the fly 19.11.2024 2:19

Should you cook on the fly, or follow a recipe? Learn a phrase to talk about improvising. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241118 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://ww...

The English We Speak: That's on you 12.11.2024 2:40

When someone tells you 'that's on you', they're telling you that it's your fault. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241111 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co...