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6 Minute English

6 Minute English

BBC Radio 325 episodes Nov 5, 2026

Learn and practise useful English with clips from programmes around the BBC. Each week, we talk about an interesting topic and learn helpful words and phrases used in natural spoken English - all in 6 minutes! Practise your listening and hear natural spoken English.

Episodes

Could vaccines cure cancer?
Could vaccines cure cancer? Nov 5, 2026 6:39 When was the last time you had a vaccination, and what was it for? Many of us get vaccinations when we are children or when we go travelling, but did you know that scientists have been developing vaccines that can be personalised to help your body keep itself clear of some specific cancer types? Georgie and Phil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.6 Minute English now has a VIDEO VERSIO
Is aircon the answer to a heating world?
Is aircon the answer to a heating world? Oct 29, 2026 6:19 Do you ever feel it is too hot to sleep? With climate change gradually increasing world temperatures, people across the world are becoming increasingly affected by hot weather. In many locations, air conditioning is used to help cool down homes and workplaces, but not everyone has access to this. And it isn't just about getting a good night's sleep – extremely hot weather can be a serious health r
What should you eat for a better night’s sleep?
What should you eat for a better night’s sleep? Oct 22, 2026 7:03 Have you ever had the feeling of lying awake at night, unable to get to sleep? Many of us know what it is like to struggle with sleep, especially if we have drunk too much tea or coffee before bed! But did you know that your sleep quality can be affected by other parts of your diet too? Georgie and Phil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free transcript and quiz at bbclearningeng
Why has gold got so expensive?
Why has gold got so expensive? Oct 15, 2026 6:59 Many of us own jewellery or other items that are gold coloured, but do you own anything that is made from real gold? Gold is a precious metal, which means that there is a limited supply in the world. This not only makes it expensive, but also means that it holds a relatively stable value. So, why are investors interested in it, and should the rest of us start buying more of it? Georgie and Phil di
Are people drinking less alcohol?
Are people drinking less alcohol? Oct 8, 2026 6:49 In recent generations many people have chosen to stop drinking alcohol. Surveys from the UK suggest that 16 to 24-year-olds are more likely to be non-drinkers than the older generations. Many people are sharing their experience of drinking less alcohol or being completely sober on social media. Some people have been saying that they want to go out more to drink and have fun with friends, but they
Why does heartbreak hurt so much?
Why does heartbreak hurt so much? Oct 1, 2026 6:33 Anyone who has had their heart broken will know how horrible it feels. But did you know that the pain you feel is not just imaginary – it registers in the same part of the brain that processes physical pain. So, why do we feel this pain? And if it feels so bad, what is the point of being in love in the first place? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.6 Minute English no
Why do we itch?
Why do we itch? Sep 24, 2026 6:22 Feeling itchy is unpleasant, and the feeling of finally scratching that itch can be very satisfying! But why do we feel itchy in the first place? And is it possible to catch an itch from someone else? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.6 Minute English now has a VIDEO VERSION! 6 Minute English now comes with a video! It's the same programme that you know and love, but
Is rejection good for us?
Is rejection good for us? Sep 17, 2026 6:21 How would you feel about going up to a stranger on the street and asking them for a cheeky favour? If the idea makes you nervous, then don't worry – you are not alone! But recently, some people have been filming themselves doing this, as part of a social media trend called 'rejection therapy'. It's not an officially recognised form of therapy, but some have found that it improves their confidence.
Can apps teach you a language?
Can apps teach you a language? Sep 10, 2026 6:37 Have you ever used Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu or perhaps another language-learning app? How did you get on? Some people love the convenience of these apps – you can learn on the go, like during your commute to work, rather than committing to a certain time each week, like learning in a class. But are they teaching the languages effectively? Neil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabular
Climate change and extreme weather
Climate change and extreme weather Sep 3, 2026 6:36 Every year we see damage, death and destruction caused by hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons - tropical storms. Is climate change making this impact worse? Climate change may be making this destruction worse. Phil is joined by BBC weather presenter and meteorologist Sarah Keith-Lucas to learn more about this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episod
How do we describe smells?
How do we describe smells? Aug 27, 2026 6:37 What is the worst smell in the world? And what is the best smell? Are there any smells that you like, but that your friends or family hate? Smells are all around us all the time, but the English language is often quite general in the way it describes smells, as opposed to other senses like sounds or tastes. But why is this? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free
Sharing the road with driverless cars
Sharing the road with driverless cars Aug 20, 2026 6:37 Imagine crossing a road and turning to see a car heading towards you... without a driver! While this might seem scary, driverless cars are already operating safely in many cities around the world. These autonomous cars contain huge amounts of technology to help them drive alongside other road users carefully. But will humans behave as carefully around them? Can we communicate clearly with these 'r

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