Show overview
6 Minute English has been publishing since 2018, and across the 8 years since has built a catalogue of 329 episodes. That works out to roughly 35 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run under ten minutes — most land between 6 min and 7 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 months ago, with 26 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2021, with 60 episodes published. Published by BBC.
From the publisher
Learn and practise useful English with clips from programmes around the BBC. Each week, we talk about an interesting topic and learn helpful words and phrases used in natural spoken English - all in 6 minutes! Practise your listening and hear natural spoken English. Find more at https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglishFollow us at https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus
Latest Episodes
View all 329 episodesStress-free family meals
Limiting screen time for children
How advertisers make us spend money
The power of poetry
Living with debt
Making cities feel quieter
How reading shapes your brain
Searching for life on another planet
Should we eat ultra-processed food?
Why are we all so stressed?
Love the foods you hate
The future of food
Are saunas good for you?
How do you feel about being in a small room heated to a temperature of 80°C? Believe it or not, some people love it! There might be some health benefits to this hot habit too! Georgie and Neil hear from a BBC reporter and a professor from BBC Radio 4 programme Inside Health. You'll also learn some useful language! Read along with this podcast with the free transcript, and practise the vocabulary using the quiz and worksheet: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260402Learn English to use at work in Office English available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-englishSubscribe to our newsletter for our weekly highlights: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 and feel free to email us at [email protected]!
Weight loss drugs
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are modified versions of natural hormones which make us feel full when released into the body. Prof Giles Yeo explains how the drugs, which were originally used to treat diabetes, are now being used for weight loss. Georgie and Neil teach you some useful vocabulary.Read along with this podcast with the free transcript, and practise the vocabulary using the quiz and worksheet: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260326Learn English to use at work in Office English available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-englishSubscribe to our newsletter for our weekly highlights: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 and feel free to email us at [email protected]!
How do we adapt to the cold?
Where is the coldest place you have ever been? Did you enjoy the experience? Some people don't seem to mind the cold, whereas other people seem to feel it much more strongly and keep themselves wrapped up in as many layers as possible. But why do we feel it in different ways? Phil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Read along with this podcast with the free transcript, and practise the vocabulary using the quiz and worksheet: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260319Learn English to use at work in Office English available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-englishSubscribe to our newsletter for our weekly highlights: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 and feel free to email us at [email protected]!
Should we pay more for chocolate?
How often do you eat chocolate? It's one of the most loved sweet treats in Europe, but a new EU law could make chocolate more expensive. A business owner, who has small cocoa farms in these places, shares their thoughts and concerns about the new law. We also hear from chocolate lovers about whether they would pay more for their favourite chocolate, and about whether they looked at where their chocolate was produced. Neil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Read along with this podcast with the free transcript, and practise the vocabulary using the quiz and worksheet: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260312Improve your speaking confidence and skills with our series 'Beating Speaking Anxiety': https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxietySubscribe to our newsletter for our weekly highlights: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 and feel free to email us at [email protected]!
Why are some animals black and white?
How many animals can you think of that are black and white? Zebras, penguins, orcas, snow leopards… there are loads! But have you ever wondered why these animals have developed such unique and striking appearances? Neil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.As always, find a free transcript, worksheet and quiz for this episode on our website: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260305And find NEW episodes of Office English here or by searching 'Learning English for Work' on your favourite podcast app: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-englishSubscribe to our newsletter to receive our weekly highlights in your inbox: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599Other podcasts you might enjoy: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories
The power of pepper
How often do you use pepper? It's one of the most common spices to add to food, so common in fact that many of us don't just use it when cooking, but also place it on our dinner tables to add extra flavour! But how much do we really know about pepper? There are hundreds of different varieties worldwide and they all have the power to add that special something to our food. Neil and Becca discuss this seasoning and teach you some new vocabulary.Find a transcript and worksheet at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260226Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxietyGet our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters
Dreaming of being a chef
What did you have for dinner last night? And did you cook it yourself? Many people cook at home regularly, for themselves and for others, but have you ever thought about cooking professionally? Working in a restaurant can be tough, but for some people, becoming a top chef is a dream job. Neil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.✔️ Find a free worksheet, transcript and interactive quiz to help you learn: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260219✔️ Try our new series about the fears that come with speaking a foreign language. Find the 'Beating Speaking Anxiety' podcast episodes and video explainers here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety✔️ Don't forget to subsribe to our newsletter, where you get all our updates weekly: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersHave you tried some of our other podcasts? Try these next: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work
Artistic swimming
How long can you hold your breath underwater? And what about if you were doing a gymnastic and dance routine as well...? Artistic swimming, which used to be known as synchronised swimming, requires dedication, hard work and passion. Phil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Find a transcript and worksheet for this episode here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260212Want to improve your speaking confidence? Learn from experts about how to fight your fears of speaking in our new series 'Beating Speaking Anxiety': ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxietyAnd don't forget to sign up to our free newsletter, where we share our tips and weekly highlights every Wednesday: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599Other podcasts you might enjoy: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories