Learning English Conversations

BBC Learning English
  • 4.4 (67)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. The English We Speak: Learn the hard way

    3 DAYS AGO

    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)

    3 min
  2. Beating Speaking Anxiety: 5. I’m scared people won’t understand me

    3 DAYS AGO

    Beating Speaking Anxiety: 5. I’m scared people won’t understand me

    Have you ever spoken in English, and the other person didn’t understand? In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about accents and pronunciation. With Jennifer Jenkins, Emeritus Professor of Global Englishes, University of Southampton. WATCH – Find Georgie’s video with tips to improve your speaking here https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/being_understood-video TRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/being_understood-podcast NEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

    9 min
  3. The English We Speak: A big ask

    10 FEB

    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://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.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 min
  4. Beating Speaking Anxiety: 4. I'm scared of speaking in front of people

    9 FEB

    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 min
  5. The English We Speak: Facepalm moment

    3 FEB

    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 min
  6. Beating Speaking Anxiety: 3. I’m scared I won’t understand people

    2 FEB

    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

    9 min
  7. The English We Speak: Shoot off

    27 JAN

    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)

    2 min
  8. Beating Speaking Anxiety: 2. I’m scared of forgetting my words

    26 JAN

    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

    8 min
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4.4
out of 5
67 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Channel
    BBC Learning English
  • Creator
    BBC Radio
  • Years Active
    2007 - 2026
  • Episodes
    792
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    Learning English Conversations
  • Provider

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