Home Podcasts Learning English Conversations
Learning English Conversations

Learning English Conversations

BBC Radio 809 Episodes Sep 15, 2026

Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your English conversations easier. Each week, a new phrase or word is taught for use in conversation. Special series like Beating Speaking Anxiety help improve English conversation skills. More resources are available at bbclearningenglish.com.

Episodes

The English We Speak: Hot take
The English We Speak: Hot take Sep 15, 2026 206 Do you want to share a surprising opinion? Learn how to use 'hot take' with Feifei and Becca. Get a free transcript to read while you listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english//features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260914Get weekly updates and tips for improving your English here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599And check out our new website layout! We've given the homepage a
The English We Speak: Try it on
The English We Speak: Try it on Sep 8, 2026 184 Sometimes people lie to try and get away with things. They are just trying It on. Learn how to use 'try it on' with Feifei and Phil. As always, get your free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260907Also on our website, you can practice your listening and speaking: - The Listening Room https://www.bbc.co.uk/learning
The English We Speak: Non-starter
The English We Speak: Non-starter Sep 1, 2026 176 Some ideas are just never going to work. Those are what we call 'non-starters'. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.As always, get your free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260831Sign up to our weekly newsletter! Your favourite presenters write you an email with tips and resources to help you im
The English We Speak: No notes
The English We Speak: No notes Aug 25, 2026 124 Notes here is about negative feedback, so ‘no notes’ means that something is perfect. Use it when you have nothing negative to say. Learn about this expression and how to use it with Feifei and Georgie.As always, find a free transcript here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260824We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here:✔
The English We Speak: Say less
The English We Speak: Say less Aug 18, 2026 156 This modern expression is a way of responding enthusiastically to a suggestion. It means something similar to ‘say no more’. Learn when and how to use it with Georgie and Feifei.As always, find a free transcript here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260817For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newslett
The English We Speak: Share your life story
The English We Speak: Share your life story Aug 11, 2026 198 Think you sometimes over-share unnecessary details? Learn how to use 'share your life story' with Becca and Feifei.As always, find a free transcript here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260810For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here:✔️ https://www.b
The English We Speak: Keep yourself to yourself
The English We Speak: Keep yourself to yourself Aug 4, 2026 157 Learn an expression to use when someone doesn't socialise much with other people and prefers to be alone. You can get a free transcript for this programme here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260803Find programmes to help you improve your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/skillsAn
The English We Speak: One size fits all
The English We Speak: One size fits all Jul 28, 2026 180 This expression was originally just about clothes, but it now it can mean anything that doesn't consider individual needs. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260727For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newslett
The English We Speak: Side quest
The English We Speak: Side quest Jul 21, 2026 149 Do you ever get distracted by something fun? A side quest is where you do something that's different to your main task. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.As always, find a free transcript here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260721For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newsletter w
The English We Speak: Passing Ships
The English We Speak: Passing Ships Jul 14, 2026 161 This phrase comes from a longer idiom, ‘like ships that pass at night’. It’s used when two people have busy schedules, and struggle to find time to meet for more than just a brief encounter. Learn how to use it here, with Georgie and Feifei.Find a free transcript here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260713We send a newsletter with our weekly hig
The English We Speak: Understood the assignment
The English We Speak: Understood the assignment Jul 7, 2026 172 This slang phrase is about knowing what you have to do for a task, and doing it perfectly. Hear examples and learn how to use it in this programme, with Georgie and Feifei.As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260706. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com We send a newsletter
The English We Speak: Onto something
The English We Speak: Onto something Jun 30, 2026 135 Onto something suggests progress or a good idea. Maybe not a complete answer, but you're moving in the right direction. Learn how to use 'onto something' with Becca and Feifei.As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260629.For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comWe send a newslett

Recommended