Search this show’s transcripts

Learning English Conversations

en us

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

More details

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

Sources and links

Episodes

Page 13 · 50 per page
Published 2014-12-30

Killing time

2 min
View

Neil tells Helen to kill time but she smashes up a clock. Find out why and learn a useful expression.

More description

Neil tells Helen to kill time but she smashes up a clock. Find out why and learn a useful expression.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-12-23

Like turkeys voting for Christmas

2 min
View

Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you like eating turkey? Do you think turkeys like Christmas? Learn this humorous idiom

More description

Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you like eating turkey? Do you think turkeys like Christmas? Learn this humorous idiom

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-12-16

Face the music

2 min
View

There's something Neil's forgotten to do and now he has to face the music. Listen to the programme to find out why.

More description

There's something Neil's forgotten to do and now he has to face the music. Listen to the programme to find out why.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-12-09

Internet speak

3 min
View

'Snail mail', 'post' and 'hard copy' – learn expressions connected with computers

More description

'Snail mail', 'post' and 'hard copy' – learn expressions connected with computers

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-12-02

Viral

2 min
View

Li's cat video has gone viral. Will she be happy about it? Learn an expression from the internet age

More description

Li's cat video has gone viral. Will she be happy about it? Learn an expression from the internet age

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-11-25

Give the cold shoulder

2 min
View

Is Feifei's designer shawl a solution to her problems with Lisa? Listen to the programme to find out

More description

Is Feifei's designer shawl a solution to her problems with Lisa? Listen to the programme to find out

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-11-18

Phishing

2 min
View

Rob is deleting some emails. He won't take the bait sent in by criminals!

More description

Rob is deleting some emails. He won't take the bait sent in by criminals!

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-11-11

Take to the cleaners

3 min
View

Rob's very expensive shirt is ruined! Who will pay for it? Listen to the programme to find out

More description

Rob's very expensive shirt is ruined! Who will pay for it? Listen to the programme to find out

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-11-04

Eat humble pie

3 min
View

Is Rob hungry enough to win a pie-eating competition? Listen to the programme

More description

Is Rob hungry enough to win a pie-eating competition? Listen to the programme

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-10-28

Water off a duck's back

3 min
View

Feifei has a thing or two to learn from the ducks in the park. So do you. Listen to the programme.

More description

Feifei has a thing or two to learn from the ducks in the park. So do you. Listen to the programme.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-10-21

Take for a ride

3 min
View

Li wants to invest in a car moved by air. Is she going to lose her money?

More description

Li wants to invest in a car moved by air. Is she going to lose her money?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-10-14

Baby phrase

3 min
View

Is Feifei giving up her job to take care of babies? Learn an amusing idiom: 'Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater'.

More description

Is Feifei giving up her job to take care of babies? Learn an amusing idiom: 'Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater'.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-10-07

Joe Bloggs

3 min
View

Do you know Joe Bloggs? He might be just beside you.

More description

Do you know Joe Bloggs? He might be just beside you.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-09-29

Butter up

2 min
View

Is this butter for a cake, for toast or... to put on a person? Finn and Feifei explain

More description

Is this butter for a cake, for toast or... to put on a person? Finn and Feifei explain

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-09-22

Hair of the dog

3 min
View

Rob had too much to drink. Is this the cure for his hangover?

More description

Rob had too much to drink. Is this the cure for his hangover?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-09-15

Splash Out

4 min
View

Finn is spending a lot of money. But can he afford it?

More description

Finn is spending a lot of money. But can he afford it?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-09-08

Cheesed off

2 min
View

Finn is angry, so Li offers him some tasty cheese. Will it calm him down?

More description

Finn is angry, so Li offers him some tasty cheese. Will it calm him down?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-09-01

Frogmarch

3 min
View

A style of walking that is hard to do on your own.

More description

A style of walking that is hard to do on your own.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-08-18

Dinosaur

2 min
View

What’s the link between dinosaurs and mobile phones?

More description

What’s the link between dinosaurs and mobile phones?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-08-04

Interjections

3 min
View

Wow! Ouch! Yippee! The useful little sounds which mean a lot.

More description

Wow! Ouch! Yippee! The useful little sounds which mean a lot.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-07-28

Blah blah blah

3 min
View

Having a repetitive and boring conversation? This expression is for you.

More description

Having a repetitive and boring conversation? This expression is for you.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-07-21

Have a lot on my plate

3 min
View

When is a meal not so tasty? This expression will give you the answer

More description

When is a meal not so tasty? This expression will give you the answer

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-07-14

Bells and whistles

3 min
View

Will bells and whistles add to the value of your gadget? Listen to the programme

More description

Will bells and whistles add to the value of your gadget? Listen to the programme

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-06-30

Beat the drum

2 min
View

Neil and Li want to help protect baby turtles. But do they need a drum?

More description

Neil and Li want to help protect baby turtles. But do they need a drum?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-06-23

Until the cows come home

3 min
View

Neil and Li are keen to go home. How long will they have to wait for the bus?

More description

Neil and Li are keen to go home. How long will they have to wait for the bus?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-06-16

Smell a rat

3 min
View

Li is told she won the lottery. But is it true? Neil has bad news for her.

More description

Li is told she won the lottery. But is it true? Neil has bad news for her.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-06-02

Corporate speak

3 min
View

Blue-sky thinking? Pushing the envelope? Learn what these business terms mean

More description

Blue-sky thinking? Pushing the envelope? Learn what these business terms mean

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-05-26

Take it with a pinch of salt

2 min
View

Helen takes Neil out for tea but why does she put salt in his cup? Find out more

More description

Helen takes Neil out for tea but why does she put salt in his cup? Find out more

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-05-19

Cold feet

3 min
View

Rob wants a pay rise. But why do his 'cold feet' stop him asking for one?

More description

Rob wants a pay rise. But why do his 'cold feet' stop him asking for one?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-05-05

Off the back of a lorry

3 min
View

Buying something really good but super cheap? This expression will make you think twice.

More description

Buying something really good but super cheap? This expression will make you think twice.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-04-28

Wrong 'un

2 min
View

Li and Finn are looking on an online dating website. Li thinks she's found Mr Right. But Finn thinks he might be a wrong 'un. Learn more about this phrase in the programme.

More description

Li and Finn are looking on an online dating website. Li thinks she's found Mr Right. But Finn thinks he might be a wrong 'un. Learn more about this phrase in the programme.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-04-21

Pie in the sky

2 min
View

Finn and Li are in the woods. Can they see more than birds flying in the sky?

More description

Finn and Li are in the woods. Can they see more than birds flying in the sky?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-04-14

On the tip of my tongue

3 min
View

Can't quite remember what to say? We have a phrase that might help you.

More description

Can't quite remember what to say? We have a phrase that might help you.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-04-07

Under your belt

2 min
View

What does it mean if you say an actor has lots of awards under his belt?

More description

What does it mean if you say an actor has lots of awards under his belt?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-03-31

To brush over

2 min
View

When you are decorating, there are some things you can't brush over

More description

When you are decorating, there are some things you can't brush over

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-03-24

Go the extra mile

3 min
View

How can Feifei save money for a new car? Will she go the extra mile?

More description

How can Feifei save money for a new car? Will she go the extra mile?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-03-17

Beat around the bush

3 min
View

Rob and Li go camping but they are not alone. Join them to learn a phrase

More description

Rob and Li go camping but they are not alone. Join them to learn a phrase

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-03-03

Pull the plug

2 min
View

Rob is having serious problems with a project. Li wants to help him. But how? Listen to the programme to find out.

More description

Rob is having serious problems with a project. Li wants to help him. But how? Listen to the programme to find out.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-02-24

In the doghouse

2 min
View

Behave or you might end up in the kennel with your dog. Learn a new phrase.

More description

Behave or you might end up in the kennel with your dog. Learn a new phrase.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-02-17

Chew the fat

3 min
View

Rob and Feifei share a hearty meal and a new phrase. Join them to learn more.

More description

Rob and Feifei share a hearty meal and a new phrase. Join them to learn more.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-02-10

Treading on eggshells

3 min
View

What are you treading on if you're trying not to offend someone? We can explain.

More description

What are you treading on if you're trying not to offend someone? We can explain.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-02-03

Take a rain check

3 min
View

What does 'taking a rain check' mean? Do we need an umbrella?

More description

What does 'taking a rain check' mean? Do we need an umbrella?

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-01-27

Use your loaf

2 min
View

What's the connection between bread and common sense? You might need this expression.

More description

What's the connection between bread and common sense? You might need this expression.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Published 2014-01-20

Stumped

3 min
View

Playing cricket is not the only place where you could get stumped. Find out what it means when it happens to you.

More description

Playing cricket is not the only place where you could get stumped. Find out what it means when it happens to you.

Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Show details
Episodes
822
Transcripts
2
0% coverage
Missing transcripts
820
With chapters
0