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 9th, 2026 at 9:33 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Beat around the bush

Rob and Li go camping but they are not alone. Join them to learn a phrase

Mar 17, 2014•3 min

The boot's on the other foot

How are boots connected to a changing situation?

Mar 10, 2014•3 min

Pull the plug

Rob is having serious problems with a project. Li wants to help him. But how? Listen to the programme to find out.

Mar 03, 2014•3 min

In the doghouse

Behave or you might end up in the kennel with your dog. Learn a new phrase.

Feb 24, 2014•3 min

Chew the fat

Rob and Feifei share a hearty meal and a new phrase. Join them to learn more.

Feb 17, 2014•3 min

Treading on eggshells

What are you treading on if you're trying not to offend someone? We can explain.

Feb 10, 2014•3 min

Take a rain check

What does 'taking a rain check' mean? Do we need an umbrella?

Feb 03, 2014•3 min

Use your loaf

What's the connection between bread and common sense? You might need this expression.

Jan 27, 2014•3 min

Stumped

Playing cricket is not the only place where you could get stumped. Find out what it means when it happens to you.

Jan 20, 2014•3 min

Skeleton in the closet

Finn and Li go to his late uncle's house. What is Li afraid of? We hope this expression won't frighten you.

Jan 13, 2014•3 min

To have words

Why is Finn cross with Li? Here's a good expression for when you're out of patience.

Jan 06, 2014•3 min

Crystal clear

If something is crystal clear, how clear is it? Rob and Feifei find out when they build a wardrobe.

Dec 30, 2013•3 min

Ginormous

The glass and steel buildings of modern Shanghai are ginormous. What does this mean?

Dec 23, 2013•3 min

Take the mickey

Who is laughing at Rob? Is it Li or is it Mickey Mouse? Here's an expression with a twist

Dec 16, 2013•3 min

Fishing for compliments

What are you hoping to catch when you're fishing for compliments?

Dec 09, 2013•4 min

Go round in circles

Which way are you going if you're not making any progress? Discover a phrase to use when you keep coming back to the same problem.

Dec 02, 2013•3 min

Bottomless

Li starts to get worried when her colleagues talk about going for a 'bottomless' meal. What does it mean? Find out more by listening to this programme.

Nov 25, 2013•3 min

Full of beans

Are you feeling tired today? Or are you full of beans? Learn more about this phrase in this programme.

Nov 18, 2013•3 min

To go with a bang

You don't need fireworks to say a party is going really well.

Nov 11, 2013•3 min

Other half

Do you always consult with your other half before you make important decisions?

Nov 04, 2013•3 min

Bits and bobs

Neil says he has a lot of 'bits and bobs' to sort out. What does he mean?

Oct 28, 2013•3 min

Nosh

Feifei spots a celebrity in the lift who says he's going to get some nosh. Rob has to explain exactly what he's going to get.

Oct 21, 2013•3 min

Ace

Do you like playing cards? Are you ace at playing cards? Join us for an 'ace' programme.

Oct 14, 2013•3 min

Beef

Beef is meat that comes from a cow, right? Yes, but there is another meaning... Find out more here.

Oct 07, 2013•4 min

Out of the picture

Finn has got his camera. Who does Feifei want to see in the picture?

Sep 30, 2013•3 min

Cut to the chase

Who's chasing Finn and Feifei? Here's a good expression for when you're running out of patience

Sep 23, 2013•3 min

Have a ball

Feifei has just returned to the office after a really relaxing holiday. So why does Finn ask her if she had a ball? Find out in the programme.

Sep 16, 2013•3 min

Don't make a scene!

Neil and Feifei are about to watch a play but there is a lot of drama outside the theatre. What is going on?

Sep 09, 2013•3 min

Phone slang

When is a bell not a bell, and a dog not a dog? Find out in our programme about phone slang.

Sep 02, 2013•5 min

Can of worms

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

Aug 26, 2013•4 min

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