Learning English Conversations

BBC Radio•www.bbc.co.uk

Education

Language Learning

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

Last refreshed: June 16th, 2026 at 10:33 AM

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Episodes

The English We Speak: Nailed It!

Neil needs to put a clock on the studio wall, but can he nail it? Find out more in this week's programme.

Nov 28, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: Lairy

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the word 'lairy'.

Nov 21, 2011•3 min

Sponger

Neil tells Li about his plan to live in luxury after giving up his job. Find out more about how he will pay for his expense in this week's programme.

Nov 14, 2011•3 min

The Creeps

In our special Halloween edition Neil and Li try to give you the creeps.

Nov 07, 2011•3 min

Smoothie

Are you a smoothie? Learn different meanings of the word 'smoothie' with Neil and Li.

Oct 31, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: 'Get Lost'

The English countryside is beautiful but causes problems for Helen and Rob. Find out more about this phrasal verb in this week's The English We Speak.

Oct 24, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: Playing Up

Everyone likes to see children playing, but do we also want them to play up? Find out more about this phrasal verb with Rob and Helen.

Oct 20, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: Heavy

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at new meanings of the word 'heavy'.

Oct 10, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: You've changed your tune

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'You've changed your tune'.

Oct 03, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: Hold your horses

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'hold your horses'.

Sep 26, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: Yob

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the word 'yob'.

Sep 19, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: To Jump the Gun

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'to jump the gun'.

Sep 12, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: Mind-boggling

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the word 'mind-boggling'.

Sep 05, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: Brownie Points

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'brownie points'.

Aug 29, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: To nick

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at different uses of the word 'to nick'.

Aug 22, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: In the nick of time

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'in the nick of time'.

Aug 15, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: On a roll

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'on a roll'.

Aug 08, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: Do

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at a different usage of the word 'do'.

Aug 01, 2011•2 min

The English We Speak: Glamping

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's word is glamping.

Jul 25, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: To Blow Your Own Trumpet

William and Helen look at a musical idiom in honour of the BBC Proms, a classical music festival. Listen to find out more.

Jul 18, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: To Nip Something in the Bud

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's idiom is 'to nip something in the bud'.

Jul 11, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: Teetotal

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's word is 'teetotal'.

Jul 04, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: Festival Phrases

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week we're looking at phrases related to festivals.

Jun 27, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: Fatherhood

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week we're looking at some phrases relating to fatherhood.

Jun 20, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: Hullabaloo

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's word is 'hullabaloo'.

Jun 13, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: Bounce

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week we're looking at a new slang usage of the word 'bounce'.

Jun 06, 2011•3 min

The English We Speak: The special relationship

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's phrase is 'The special relationship'.

May 30, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: 'Baby Talk'

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's phrase is 'baby talk'.

May 23, 2011•5 min

The English We Speak: 'Gatecrash'

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's word is 'gatecrash'.

May 16, 2011•4 min

The English We Speak: -gate

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the origin and meaning of the suffix '-gate'.

May 09, 2011•5 min

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