The English We Speak

Sometimes at work we need to kick the can down the road. Learn how to use this expression with Phil and Feifei.TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260316OFFICE ENGLISH: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-englishSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglishFollow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS?Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute EnglishThey're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)

If you want to do a task perfectly, it's usually not a good idea to cut corners. Learn about this expression and how to use it in conversations with Feifei and Georgie.TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260309 BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)

It can be harder to express our personality in a foreign language because we have fewer language tools available and speaking anxiety can make it harder to let our personalities shine. Learn from experts about this topic and get tips on how to show your true self in English in the last episode of this special series. Don't forget, you can watch Georgie's explainer videos and see learners of English try different activities to improve their speaking confidence. Find them on our website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxietyOffice English is back for a third series! Search for 'Learning English for Work' in your favourite podcast app, or find the episodes with free transcripts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-englishOur newsletter with our weekly highlights and language learning tips comes out every Wednesday. Make sure you're signed up! https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

If you give someone less than they deserve, you short-change them. Learn the literal and metaphorical use of this expression with Feifei and Georgie and hear more examples.IND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260302BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxietySUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute EnglishThey're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)

Sometimes it can feel like no matter how much you practise speaking, you don’t get any better.In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about what to do when you feel stuck learning English.With speaking coaches Rhiannon Carter and Barnaby Griffiths.WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/progress-videoTRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/progress-podcastNEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Life isn't always great, sometimes things can be difficult. Use 'go through a rough patch' when life gets difficult for a while. Learn this useful 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-260223And discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app.We send a newsletter with our weekly higlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersIf you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to discover the range.

Have you ever been in a group of friends and everyone laughs, but you didn’t understand the joke?In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about understanding humour and making people laugh when speaking English.With Peruvian performer Pepa Duarte.WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/humour-videoTRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/humour-podcastNEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Sometimes we ignore advice. Sometimes things go wrong and this programme is about those times. Phil and Feifei teach you how to use the expression to learn something the hard way.FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260216BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxietySUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute EnglishThey're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)

Have you ever spoken in English, and the other person didn’t understand?In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about accents and pronunciation.With Jennifer Jenkins, Emeritus Professor of Global Englishes, University of Southampton.WATCH – Find Georgie’s video with tips to improve your speaking here https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/being_understood-videoTRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/being_understood-podcastNEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Sometimes people ask for too much. Listen to examples of this phrase being use and learn how to use it for those moments.FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/tews/260209_tews_a_big_ask_transcript.pdfBEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxietySUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute EnglishThey're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)

Do you get nervous speaking English in front of people, even a small group of friends?In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about public speaking and speaking in bigger groups.With Regina Kaplan Rakowski, Professor of Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas.WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/not_understanding-videoTRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary: https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/4_BSA_speaking_in_front_of_others_transcript__.pdfNEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Something embarrassing or frustrating could lead to a facepalm moment. Learn how to use this expression here.FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260202 BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)

Speaking is only one side of the conversation. You also have to listen to and understand the other person.In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about how you can improve your listening in real life conversations.With Erhan Aslan, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Reading.WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/not_understanding-videoTRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/not_understanding-podcastNEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

This expression means leave quickly because you're in a hurry or there's somewhere you need to be. Learn how to use it here.FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260126BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxietySUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute EnglishThey're all available by searching in your podcast app.(Photo: Getty)

Have you ever been speaking English, and suddenly you freeze and forget your words?In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about why our brain can’t always remember words we know in a new language.With Alissa Melinger, Professor of psycholinguistics at the University of Dundee.WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxietyTRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/forgetting_words-podcastNEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

This expression means something happens immediately after something else, often unexpectedly. Learn how to use it here.FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260119 TRY BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)

Do you get anxious when speaking English? You’re not alone.In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about how to increase your confidence speaking English, even when you make mistakes.With professor of Chinese Han Luo and speaking coach Barnaby Griffiths.WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/making_mistakes-videoTRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/making_mistakes-podcastNEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Learn this expression which means do something for attention or praise.FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260112TRY THE LISTENING ROOM ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute EnglishThey're all available by searching in your podcast app.(Photo: Getty)

This phrasal verb means to focus hard with no distractions. Learn how to use it here!FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260105TRY THE LISTENING ROOM ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute EnglishThey're all available by searching in your podcast app.(Photo: Getty)

A new year is the perfect time for a fresh start.FIND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251229TRY THE LISTENING ROOM ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute EnglishThey're all available by searching in your podcast app.(Photo: Getty)