Learning English Conversations

BBC Radio

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

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818 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes818

Newest first

Mar 11, 2025 · 2 min
The English We Speak: Can-do attitude
If you have a can-do attitude, you don't let anything stop you.
Mar 4, 2025 · 2 min
The English We Speak: Go to
Your 'go-to' is your preferred option. Learn how to use this phrase.
Feb 25, 2025 · 2 min
The English We Speak: Skedaddle
Do you need to skedaddle? Leave somewhere in a hurry? Learn this expression
Feb 18, 2025 · 11 min
My Song, My Home: Adam in Ipswich
Today, we meet musician Adam, who performs for us in Ipswich town centre.
Feb 17, 2025 · 3 min
The English We Speak: Main character moment
Look at her - she's having such a main character moment on the dance floor!
Feb 11, 2025 · 10 min
My Song, My Home: Alice in Leeds
Today, we meet musician Alice, who performs for us in Leeds city centre.
Feb 10, 2025 · 2 min
The English We Speak: Fall on stony ground
We hope our advice doesn't fall on stony ground. Learn a new expression
Feb 4, 2025 · 10 min
My Song, My Home: Grace in Liverpool
Today, we meet Grace, who performs for us in a library in Liverpool.
Feb 3, 2025 · 2 min
The English We Speak: Make a rod for your own back
An expression that means you are doing something that will cause you future problems
Jan 28, 2025 · 10 min
My Song, My Home: Josh in London
In our new music series, we meet musician Josh who sings for us at the BBC.
Jan 27, 2025 · 3 min
The English We Speak: Ship
A word that means you want two people to be in a relationship.
Jan 21, 2025 · 11 min
My Song, My Home: Bailey in St Ives
In our new music series, we meet musician Bailey who sings for us by the sea.
Jan 20, 2025 · 3 min
The English We Speak: Twig
A word for when you suddenly realise or understand something. Learn it here
Jan 14, 2025 · 2 min
The English We Speak: Mooch
An informal British English word that means to wander or stroll around casually.
Jan 7, 2025 · 2 min
The English We Speak: By the book
This expression is all about following the rules.
Dec 31, 2024 · 3 min
The English We Speak: Turn over a new leaf
Many of us hope to turn over a new leaf when a new year starts.
Dec 24, 2024 · 2 min
The English We Speak: You can't go wrong with
If you 'can't go wrong' with a suggestion, you can't fail if you use it.
Dec 17, 2024 · 3 min
The English We Speak: The flip side
An expression to change someone's perspective. Learn it here
Dec 10, 2024 · 3 min
The English We Speak: In my travel era
An expression that means you're focussed on one thing at a particular period of life
Dec 3, 2024 · 2 min
The English We Speak: Give it some welly!
Say this if you want to encourage someone to put some more effort into an activity.

Learning English Conversations

The English We Speak: Can-do attitude

The English We Speak: Go to

The English We Speak: Skedaddle

My Song, My Home: Adam in Ipswich

The English We Speak: Main character moment

My Song, My Home: Alice in Leeds

The English We Speak: Fall on stony ground

My Song, My Home: Grace in Liverpool

The English We Speak: Make a rod for your own back

My Song, My Home: Josh in London

The English We Speak: Ship

My Song, My Home: Bailey in St Ives

The English We Speak: Twig

The English We Speak: Mooch

The English We Speak: By the book

The English We Speak: Turn over a new leaf

The English We Speak: You can't go wrong with

The English We Speak: The flip side

The English We Speak: In my travel era

The English We Speak: Give it some welly!