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

Take with a pinch of salt

Why does Li think that there is a ghost in her house? Find out more here.

Jan 21, 2013•4 min

Not rocket science

Find out what the expression 'not rocket science' means in this programme.

Jan 14, 2013•3 min

Go down a storm

Kaz says his party 'went down a storm'. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Find out here.

Jan 07, 2013•3 min

Chuffed

Kaz is feeling very chuffed today. Find out what this phrase means in this programme.

Dec 31, 2012•3 min

Hit the ground running

Kaz decides to 'hit the ground running' in this week's programme. Find out what this phrase means by listening to this programme.

Dec 24, 2012•3 min

Language of the blogosphere

Finn has entered the blogosphere! Find out what this word means in The English We Speak.

Dec 17, 2012•4 min

Irons in the fire

Jen tells Helen that she has a few 'irons in the fire' for her fortnight off work. Learn a phrase to describe having lots of options. Find out more with this programme.

Dec 10, 2012•3 min

Man flu

Li is worried when she learns that Neil has caught man flu. But how will she react when she finds out what the illness actually is...?

Dec 03, 2012•4 min

Drop dead gorgeous

Li is worried when Jen says somebody is 'drop dead gorgeous'. What does this phrase mean?

Nov 26, 2012•3 min

Celeb (Celebrity): 19 Nov

Vera teaches Rob how and when to use the word 'celeb' in a modern society. Find out more in The English We Speak.

Nov 19, 2012•4 min

Emoticon: 12 Nov

Rob and Vera have a misunderstanding about an email. Listen to this programme to find out why emoticons can be useful in written messages.

Nov 12, 2012•4 min

Keep your chin up!: 5 Nov

Rob tells Vera to 'keep her chin up'. But what does he mean? Find out with this week's programme.

Nov 05, 2012•3 min

Cost an arm and a leg

Rob goes shopping but the clothes cost 'an arm and a leg'. What does this mean?

Oct 29, 2012•4 min

Hunky-dory

Rob and Chris mention the phrase 'hunky-dory' to Helen. Are they trying to say that they are muscular men? Find out what this phrase means with The English We Speak.

Oct 22, 2012•3 min

Things are looking up

Helen gets confused when she hears that 'things are looking up'. Find out what this phrase means with The English We Speak.

Oct 15, 2012•3 min

My mind has gone blank

Rosie's mind has gone blank in the studio! Does that mean she's lost her memory? Listen to this programme to find out.

Oct 08, 2012•3 min

Shut up

Li and Rosie look at an expression which can be rude or jokey. Be careful how you use it!

Oct 01, 2012•4 min

Throw the book at somebody

Rosie arrives late again and she tells Helen that their boss will throw the book at her. Is he going to hurt her?

Sep 24, 2012•5 min

A finger in every pie

Jen made some delicious pies but what does it mean when we say she has 'a finger in every pie'?

Sep 17, 2012•3 min

Finding your feet

Helen and Rosie are doing a salsa class, but Rosie is still finding her feet. What does it mean?

Sep 10, 2012•3 min

The skin of your teeth

Jennifer managed to do something by the skin of her teeth. What does it mean?

Sep 03, 2012•3 min

No-win situation

Rob finds himself in a no-win situation although he wins a horse racing bet. What does it mean?

Aug 27, 2012•4 min

Plain sailing

Li joins Rob on a sailing boat. Listen to their excursion and learn some sailing idioms..

Aug 20, 2012•4 min

Down with the kids

Why is Rob dressing like a teenager? Find out in The English We Speak!

Aug 13, 2012•3 min

Quids in

Have you ever made a lot of money? Rob's got the right expression for Helen.

Aug 06, 2012•4 min

Sheepish

Helen is a bit puzzled by Neil's statement that she is looking rather sheepish. Find out what he means in The English We Speak.

Jul 30, 2012•3 min

Keep me posted

Neil gets in trouble with the police just to teach you a new expression! Find out more in The English We Speak.

Jul 23, 2012•3 min

To go bananas

Li thinks Neil is a bit out of control and says he's gone bananas. Has this got anything to do with fruit?

Jul 16, 2012•3 min

Not give someone the time of day

What does Rosie mean when she tells Li to put her money where her mouth is? Li is confused and thinks it's really disgusting. Listen to more of their conversation about this expression!

Jul 09, 2012•3 min

Put your money where your mouth is: 02 JUL12

What does Rosie mean when she tells Li to put her money where her mouth is? Li is confused and thinks it's really disgusting. Listen to more of their conversation about this expression!

Jul 02, 2012•3 min

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