Description
Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Friday.
98 Episodes
access_time11 days ago
Neil and Dan discuss ways to liven up the atmosphere at football matches
access_time18 days ago
We discuss a new word to describe when you feel angry because you're hungry
access_time25 days ago
Listen to this discussion about smells and learn some vocabulary.
access_time25 days ago
Listen to this discussion about smells and learn some useful vocabulary too.
access_time1 month ago
Rob and Neil discuss some of the advantages and drawbacks of going online
access_time2 months ago
Many in the UK describe themselves as 'foodies', but do they really know about food?
access_time2 months ago
Fewer UK opposite-sex couples are getting married. Learn why and the related vocabulary.
access_time2 months ago
What are fashionable men carrying these days? We look inside the trend for a manbag accessory and teach some new vocabulary
access_time2 months ago
You don't need to go far for adventure. Find out how there's fun to be had on your doorstep
access_time2 months ago
It's good to learn another language but it can be challenging. We discuss the ideas that could make it easier
access_time2 months ago
It's good to learn another language but it can be challenging. We discuss the ideas that could make it easier
access_time3 months ago
Would you tell a robot your deepest secrets? And could a robot help someone overcome mental health issues? Rob and Catherine discuss robot therapists
access_time3 months ago
It's probably the first word you learned in English, but what is the history of the humble 'hello'? Rob and Catherine talk about greetings in 6 Minute English
access_time3 months ago
There's a new trend: dressing up and swimming like a mermaid. It's aimed at teaching kids to be safe in the water, but it's catching on with adults too
access_time3 months ago
Good or bad, drones are taking off. We discuss how these pilotless flying machines are helping and hindering our lives
access_time4 months ago
What will travel be like in the future? We discuss new ideas for moving us faster
access_time4 months ago
A growing number of western millennial men are taking their new wife's name when they get married. Dan and Neil discuss this trend and teach you six items of vocabulary
access_time4 months ago
Will artificial intelligence ever outperform humans?
access_time5 months ago
Would you pay more for coffee if you knew it was doing some good? Dan and Catherine discuss the pros and cons of ethically produced coffee
access_time5 months ago
Can science prove the existence of 'man flu' or are men just big babies? Dan and Neil discuss all this and give you six useful items of vocabulary
access_time5 months ago
Can science prove the existence of 'man flu' or are men just big babies? Dan and Neil discuss all this and give you six useful items of vocabulary
access_time5 months ago
A popular job at this time of year is playing the part of Santa. But what does it take to be the perfect Father Christmas?
access_time5 months ago
The number of schoolchildren with doing part-time jobs in the UK has fallen. Is that a good thing? Neil and Dan discuss the pros and cons of working while you're still at school
access_time6 months ago
Have you ever bought something when you're sad and then regretted it later?
access_time6 months ago
What are the advantages or disadvantages of getting the latest model. Rob and Catherine talk about smartphones and teach you new vocabulary
access_time6 months ago
Group exercise has become very popular in recent years. Rob and Catherine talk about going to the gym and why gym membership is becoming increasingly popular
access_time6 months ago
Has the internet replaced the lively debate and intellectual discussions that used to be their main feature in the past?
access_time7 months ago
A million, a billion and a zillion - which of these is biggest and which one is not an exact number? Rob and Catherine talk about the language we use to describe numbers
access_time7 months ago
There’s a fresh interest in keeping cars out of cities. Is it a good idea?
access_time7 months ago
Are you aware of how much of the sweet stuff you eat? Neil and Rob talk about sugar and teach you some tempting new vocabulary
access_time7 months ago
How do you behave in a swimming pool? Do you respect other swimmers or do you end up in their way? Rob and Neil talk about 'wetiquette' and teach you other new vocabulary
access_time8 months ago
Have drinks manufacturers persuaded us that bottled water is better than tap water?
access_time8 months ago
Neil and Rob talk about vigorous exercise – and whether adults take enough of it!
access_time8 months ago
Are you afraid of machines that copy human intelligent behaviour? Neil and Tim talk about all the things computers can do nowadays and teach you useful vocabulary
access_time8 months ago
Did you know that when the entire body is aging hair can grow stronger? Learn a about hair and hair-related vocabulary with Neil and Tim
access_time9 months ago
Tim and Neil talk about interactions that can be misunderstood by people of different backgrounds, and teach you useful vocabulary
access_time9 months ago
A policeman, a pilot, a chef - what's our fascination with uniforms?
access_time9 months ago
In a competition for control between laughter and breathing and speaking, laughter always wins, says a neuroscientist. Neil and Tim discuss the dangers of laughter
access_time9 months ago
What would happen to the world if all the clocks stopped? Neil and Rob wonder if we are slaves of time
access_time9 months ago
Rob is keen to share funny videos - he loves cat ones. Neil is not interested. What makes people want to share them?
access_time10 months ago
Funerals are sad occasions but some people decide to turn them into joyful celebrations of the dead person's life. Rob and Neil talk about fancy dress funerals
access_time10 months ago
Do you feel very anxious or depressed sometimes? Talk to a professional specialised in the issues of the mind can help. Neil and Rob talk about talk therapy
access_time10 months ago
Rob and Neil discuss if honesty is a product of living in a social group.
access_time10 months ago
Rob and Neil discuss if honesty is a product of living in a group.
access_time10 months ago
Do you want to be invisible? Neil and Dan explore how we are being watched.
access_time11 months ago
We hear stories about pets who manage to find their way home, even across hundreds of miles? How do they do it?
