podcast

Learning English Conversations

by BBC Radio

The English We Speak: Hot take

09/15/2026 • 00:03:26

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: h...

The English We Speak: Try it on

09/08/2026 • 00:03:04

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 yo...

The English We Speak: Non-starter

09/01/2026 • 00:02:56

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...

The English We Speak: No notes

08/25/2026 • 00:02:04

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 e...

The English We Speak: Say less

08/18/2026 • 00:02:36

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...

The English We Speak: Share your life story

08/11/2026 • 00:03:18

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...

The English We Speak: Keep yourself to yourself

08/04/2026 • 00:02:37

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 pro...

The English We Speak: One size fits all

07/28/2026 • 00:03:00

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 expre...

The English We Speak: Side quest

07/21/2026 • 00:02:29

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 expressi...

The English We Speak: Passing Ships

07/14/2026 • 00:02:41

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 me...