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

Baby phrase

Is Feifei giving up her job to take care of babies? Learn an amusing idiom: 'Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater'.

Oct 14, 2014•4 min

Joe Bloggs

Do you know Joe Bloggs? He might be just beside you.

Oct 07, 2014•3 min

Butter up

Is this butter for a cake, for toast or... to put on a person? Finn and Feifei explain

Sep 29, 2014•3 min

Hair of the dog

Rob had too much to drink. Is this the cure for his hangover?

Sep 22, 2014•4 min

Splash Out

Finn is spending a lot of money. But can he afford it?

Sep 15, 2014•4 min

Cheesed off

Finn is angry, so Li offers him some tasty cheese. Will it calm him down?

Sep 08, 2014•3 min

Frogmarch

A style of walking that is hard to do on your own.

Sep 01, 2014•3 min

Proof is in the pudding

What does Rob mean when he says 'the proof is in the pudding'?

Aug 22, 2014•3 min

Dinosaur

What’s the link between dinosaurs and mobile phones?

Aug 18, 2014•3 min

Look like the back end of a bus

If someone says you look like 'the back end of a bus', is it a good thing?

Aug 11, 2014•3 min

Interjections

Wow! Ouch! Yippee! The useful little sounds which mean a lot.

Aug 04, 2014•4 min

Blah blah blah

Having a repetitive and boring conversation? This expression is for you.

Jul 28, 2014•4 min

Have a lot on my plate

When is a meal not so tasty? This expression will give you the answer

Jul 21, 2014•3 min

Bells and whistles

Will bells and whistles add to the value of your gadget? Listen to the programme

Jul 14, 2014•3 min

Everything but the kitchen sink

Neil and Li are going on a camping trip. But are they packing too much?

Jul 07, 2014•3 min

Beat the drum

Neil and Li want to help protect baby turtles. But do they need a drum?

Jun 30, 2014•3 min

Until the cows come home

Neil and Li are keen to go home. How long will they have to wait for the bus?

Jun 23, 2014•3 min

Smell a rat

Li is told she won the lottery. But is it true? Neil has bad news for her.

Jun 16, 2014•4 min

Funny ha-ha or funny peculiar

When does 'funny' have nothing to do with laughter?

Jun 09, 2014•3 min

Corporate speak

Blue-sky thinking? Pushing the envelope? Learn what these business terms mean

Jun 02, 2014•3 min

Take it with a pinch of salt

Helen takes Neil out for tea but why does she put salt in his cup? Find out more

May 26, 2014•3 min

Cold feet

Rob wants a pay rise. But why do his 'cold feet' stop him asking for one?

May 19, 2014•3 min

Not enough room to swing a cat

It's hard to find the right place to live. Here's an expression about space.

May 12, 2014•3 min

Off the back of a lorry

Buying something really good but super cheap? This expression will make you think twice.

May 05, 2014•3 min

Wrong 'un

Li and Finn are looking on an online dating website. Li thinks she's found Mr Right. But Finn thinks he might be a wrong 'un. Learn more about this phrase in the programme.

Apr 28, 2014•3 min