Learning English Conversations - podcast cover

Learning English Conversations

BBC Radiowww.bbc.co.uk

Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your everyday conversations easier.

Find more at bbclearningenglish.com

Follow us at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

Episodes

The English We Speak: The name of the game

Learn an expression to talk about the most important aspect of something. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250414 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/learningenglish/features/the_pronunciation_lounge Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ ...

Apr 15, 20253 min

The English We Speak: Do it for the plot

An expression for when you make spontaneous life decisions for entertainment. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250407 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/learningenglish/features/the_pronunciation_lounge Subscribe to our newsletter...

Apr 08, 20252 min

The English We Speak: Let something slide

This episode of The English We Speak explains the phrase 'let something slide,' which has two meanings. The first meaning is to ignore a mistake someone else has made. The second is to neglect your own responsibilities and let things deteriorate.

Apr 01, 20253 min

The English We Speak: Twist someone's arm

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/learningenglish/features/the_pronunciation_lounge Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learning...

Mar 25, 20253 min

The English We Speak: Have someone on

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/learningenglish/followus The Pronunciation Lounge ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_pronun...

Mar 25, 20253 min

The English We Speak: Can-do attitude

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://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts incl...

Mar 11, 20252 min

The English We Speak: Go to

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: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts...

Mar 04, 20252 min

The English We Speak: Skedaddle

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: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular ...

Feb 25, 20253 min

My Song, My Home: Adam in Ipswich

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 transcript, song lyrics and test what you’ve learned https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/...

Feb 18, 202511 min

The English We Speak: Main character moment

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 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try ...

Feb 17, 20254 min

My Song, My Home: Alice in Leeds

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 https://bbc.in/4hbYRR5 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/le...

Feb 11, 202511 min

The English We Speak: Fall on stony ground

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: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podca...

Feb 10, 20253 min

My Song, My Home: Grace in Liverpool

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, song lyrics and test what you’ve learned https://bbc.in/3PmHwsI FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit...

Feb 04, 202511 min

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

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 NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other...

Feb 03, 20252 min

My Song, My Home: Josh in London

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: Find a full transcript, song lyrics and test what you’ve learned https://bbc.in/4gDtyPf FIND BBC LEARNI...

Jan 28, 202511 min

The English We Speak: Ship

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://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts inclu...

Jan 27, 20253 min

My Song, My Home: Bailey in St Ives

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 full transcript, song lyrics and test what you’ve learned https://bbc.in/3DqYkfn FIND BBC LEARNING ...

Jan 21, 202512 min

The English We Speak: Twig

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: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular p...

Jan 20, 20253 min

The English We Speak: Mooch

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 NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popu...

Jan 14, 20253 min

The English We Speak: By the book

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/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Lear...

Jan 07, 20252 min

The English We Speak: Turn over a new leaf

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://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts incl...

Dec 31, 20244 min

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

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

Dec 24, 20242 min

The English We Speak: The flip side

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

Dec 17, 20243 min

The English We Speak: In my travel era

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

Dec 10, 20243 min

The English We Speak: Give it some welly!

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

Dec 03, 20243 min

The English We Speak: Shoehorn something in

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

Nov 26, 20243 min

The English We Speak: On the fly

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

Nov 19, 20242 min

The English We Speak: That's on you

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

Nov 12, 20243 min

The English We Speak: Warts and all

An expression that means including all your imperfections. 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-241104 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/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCAST...

Nov 05, 20243 min

The English We Speak: Off the scale

An expression that means goes far beyond what is expected. 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-241028 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/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCAST...

Oct 29, 20243 min