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 Follow us at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus
This episode of The English We Speak, a panel/co-hosted podcast, focuses on explaining the slang term "ship," commonly used within online fandoms. The hosts define "ship" as expressing a desire for two people, often fictional characters, to be in a romantic relationship, and demonstrate its usage through various examp...
This interview podcast, "My Song, My Home," features musician Bailey Tompkinson discussing her life and music in St Ives, Cornwall. The episode begins with an introduction to the series and then delves into Bailey's background, her experiences in the local music scene (including open mic nights), and the inspiration b...
This podcast features segments from multiple shows. The first segment is a trailer for a BBC Radio 4 podcast, "History's Youngest Heroes," which will feature twelve stories of extraordinary young people. The second segment is from "English We Speak," focusing on the informal British English verb "twig," meaning to rea...
This episode of The English We Speak, a panel/co-hosted podcast focusing on English language learning, introduces the informal British English phrase "mooch" or "mooch around," meaning to wander casually without a specific destination. The hosts explain its usage, differentiating between "have a mooch" (similar to "ha...
This podcast episode highlights the English expression "do things by the book," which means to follow rules precisely without deviation. The hosts delve into its meaning and usage, sharing relatable examples from everyday life that illustrate how the phrase works with different action verbs. Listeners discover that the...
In this BBC podcast episode, the hosts delve into the English idiom "turn over a new leaf," exploring its meaning and how it’s used. They highlight its metaphorical sense of making a fresh start and leaving behind bad habits, likening it to the popular practice of New Year's resolutions. The discussion includes relatab...
In this episode of the BBC podcast, the hosts delve into the idiom "you can't go wrong with," which suggests a reliable choice that’s likely to succeed. They share engaging examples centered on Christmas gifts, food, and entertainment, showcasing the phrase's versatility. Additionally, the episode features a segment pr...
In this podcast episode, we explore three intriguing topics. First, we dive into the use of Botox for chronic migraine relief, discussing its effectiveness while also noting some serious potential side effects. Next, we introduce the Bartesian home cocktail maker, highlighting its benefits in a brief advertisement. Las...
In this podcast episode, listeners will find two exciting segments. The first segment explores the trendy phrase "in my [noun] era," which people use to describe their current interests or phases in life. Its informal and flexible nature makes it relatable. The second segment highlights two fascinating podcasts: one de...
In this episode of the BBC Learning English podcast, the idiom "give it some welly" is explored. This British English phrase encourages putting in more effort or energy into a task. While it's often used in physical situations, like trying to open a stubborn jar or hitting a ball, it can also refer to someone who is al...
In this podcast episode, the hosts delve into the idiom "shoehorn something in," which refers to the act of forcefully inserting something into a situation where it doesn't quite belong. The term comes from the literal use of a shoehorn to squeeze a foot into a snug shoe. To illustrate this concept, the podcast shares ...
In this episode of the BBC podcast, the hosts explore the English idiom "on the fly," which refers to doing something spontaneously and without prior preparation. They showcase how this phrase is used in different situations, such as cooking, public speaking, and computer programming, emphasizing its versatility in eve...
In this episode of "The English We Speak," the hosts dive into the phrase "it's on you." They explore its two main meanings: first, it refers to taking personal responsibility for a negative outcome due to poor preparation; second, it expresses someone's willingness to cover the cost of something, like a meal or drinks...
In this episode of The English We Speak, the hosts delve into the idiom "warts and all," which means to embrace someone or something fully, flaws and all. They provide examples of how this phrase is used in different situations, from personal relationships to movie critiques, and also touch on its pronunciation and lin...
In this podcast episode, we explore the idiom "off the scale," highlighting its use in different situations, such as enjoying delicious food and celebrating significant life accomplishments. We also introduce an exciting series that will focus on key English language skills for the workplace and intriguing historical e...
In this podcast episode, the hosts explore the British English idiom "throwing your toys out of the pram." They explain how it captures the essence of childish and dramatic reactions from adults when confronted with challenges or setbacks. With relatable examples, they highlight the term's negative implications, showca...
In this podcast episode, the hosts explore the phrase "makes my skin crawl," shedding light on its meaning and use with relatable examples that stir feelings of disgust and discomfort. From images of maggots in trash bins to unsettling movies, they vividly illustrate how this expression reflects intense revulsion and f...
This podcast episode introduces an exciting new series called "Learning English for Work." It's designed to help listeners tackle the job search process in English, covering key topics like creating a CV, writing cover letters, excelling in interviews, and transitioning into new roles. This series aims to equip learner...
This podcast episode delves into the idiom "bide one's time," elucidating its meaning of patiently waiting for the right moment to act, illustrated through relatable examples like waiting for the perfect job opportunity or a sunny day for leisure activities. The hosts, Feifei and Phil, effectively contextualize the phr...
This podcast episode provides a rich tapestry of engaging content, from an enticing promotion of the Learning English Stories podcast that invites listeners to explore classic literature using accessible language, to a humorous ad for Boost Mobile that showcases their unbeatable $25 unlimited plan, and wraps up with an...
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