Learning English Conversations

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

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

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

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

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

Finn and Li go to his late uncle's house. What is Li afraid of? We hope this expression won't frighten you.

Why is Finn cross with Li? Here's a good expression for when you're out of patience.

If something is crystal clear, how clear is it? Rob and Feifei find out when they build a wardrobe.

The glass and steel buildings of modern Shanghai are ginormous. What does this mean?

Who is laughing at Rob? Is it Li or is it Mickey Mouse? Here's an expression with a twist

What are you hoping to catch when you're fishing for compliments?

Which way are you going if you're not making any progress? Discover a phrase to use when you keep coming back to the same problem.

Li starts to get worried when her colleagues talk about going for a 'bottomless' meal. What does it mean? Find out more by listening to this programme.

Are you feeling tired today? Or are you full of beans? Learn more about this phrase in this programme.

You don't need fireworks to say a party is going really well.

Do you always consult with your other half before you make important decisions?

Neil says he has a lot of 'bits and bobs' to sort out. What does he mean?

Feifei spots a celebrity in the lift who says he's going to get some nosh. Rob has to explain exactly what he's going to get.

Do you like playing cards? Are you ace at playing cards? Join us for an 'ace' programme.

Beef is meat that comes from a cow, right? Yes, but there is another meaning... Find out more here.

Finn has got his camera. Who does Feifei want to see in the picture?

Who's chasing Finn and Feifei? Here's a good expression for when you're running out of patience

Feifei has just returned to the office after a really relaxing holiday. So why does Finn ask her if she had a ball? Find out in the programme.

Neil and Feifei are about to watch a play but there is a lot of drama outside the theatre. What is going on?

When is a bell not a bell, and a dog not a dog? Find out in our programme about phone slang.

In this series you can learn authentic English words and phrases. This week's programme looks at the phrase 'a can of worms'.

What do you say in English if you can't remember someone's name? Listen to this programme to learn lots of different phrases you can use.

Learn English with horses. In fact, learn it 'straight from the horse's mouth' in this programme.

Join Li and Finn for a drink in the bar and learn a new way to ask someone what they want.

Using weather idioms: is Jen chasing rainbows, or is it a storm in a teacup?

Legends are stories about people who lived long ago, right? Well, there's more to it than that.

Annoyed? Frustrated? Angry? Maybe it's doing your head in!

Finn wants to share some special food with Li. But they receive some uninvited guests who also want to eat their delicious picnic snacks.

How many eggs should you put in one basket? And what has that got to do with taking risks?

It's laughable. How to say that you think something will never happen.

Can someone change their personality? A leopard can't change its spots.

Seeing red: what is making Jen and Feifei so angry on their day trip?

Zzzz... Neil had a crying child in his room and Feifei had a mosquito in hers. That's why neither of them has slept a wink.

Are you obsessed by a hobby or sport? Feifei is but Jen's not impressed!

Were you born yesterday? Probably not, but this is a useful expression if someone's trying to fool you.

Do you have a six-pack or a one-pack? Maybe it's time to do more exercise! Find out why in The English We Speak.

Neil is cooking an unusual meal in the BBC Learning English kitchen. Would you like to eat a book?

Things are 'on the up' for Jennifer and Jean at work. Find out why in The English We Speak.

Do you know what this text message abbreviation means? Find out with Jennifer and Rob in this week's programme.

Feifei thinks that Catherine looks better, younger, prettier. Why does Catherine look so different today? Find out more with The English We Speak.

Does Finn have to look after his uncle's white elephant? Find out more with The English We Speak.

Finn has his finger on the pulse when Feifei says that she has no clue about some actors in a movie. What does it mean?

Can Feifei cut the mustard to win a cooking contest? Find out more with The English We Speak.

Does Feifei really need a lifejacket to go to Finn's uncle's party? Find out more about this phrase in this programme.

Li and Rob are going on a holiday and are getting ready at the airport. But Rob is very surprised to find Li carrying so many things that she is not allowed to take on board. Find out more with The English We Speak.