The English We Speak
Make the English you speak sound more natural with The English We Speak from bbclearningenglish.
BBC
Show overview
The English We Speak has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 162 episodes. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run under ten minutes — most land between 3 min and 4 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. 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 33 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 57 episodes published. Published by BBC.
From the publisher
Make the English you speak sound more natural with The English We Speak from bbclearningenglish.com. Every week, we look at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in this fun three-minute programme.
Latest Episodes
View all 162 episodesThe English We Speak: Sell yourself short
The English We Speak: Wrap it up
The English We Speak: Throw ideas at the wall
The English We Speak: Like a moth to a flame
The English We Speak: Gatekeep
The English We Speak: In over my head
The English We Speak: A hunch
The English We Speak: Take it as a given
The English We Speak: Think on your feet
The English We Speak: Can't see the wood for the trees
The English We Speak: Yap
The English We Speak: Flow State
The English We Speak: Got you
If you've got someone, you support them.Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Becca. As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260330 And discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app. We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters If you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to discover the range.
The English We Speak: A bit of a stretch
Sometimes we say things that aren't 100% true. They're not complete lies, but they are a bit of a stretch. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil. As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260323 And discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app. We send a newsletter with our weekly higlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters If you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to discover the range.
The English We Speak: Kick the can down the road
Sometimes at work we need to kick the can down the road. Learn how to use this expression with Phil and Feifei. TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260316 OFFICE ENGLISH: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)
The English We Speak: Cut corners
If you want to do a task perfectly, it's usually not a good idea to cut corners. Learn about this expression and how to use it in conversations with Feifei and Georgie. TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260309 BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)
Beating Speaking Anxiety: 8. I’m scared I can’t be myself
It can be harder to express our personality in a foreign language because we have fewer language tools available and speaking anxiety can make it harder to let our personalities shine. Learn from experts about this topic and get tips on how to show your true self in English in the last episode of this special series. Don't forget, you can watch Georgie's explainer videos and see learners of English try different activities to improve their speaking confidence. Find them on our website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Office English is back for a third series! Search for 'Learning English for Work' in your favourite podcast app, or find the episodes with free transcripts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english Our newsletter with our weekly highlights and language learning tips comes out every Wednesday. Make sure you're signed up! https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599
The English We Speak: Short-change
If you give someone less than they deserve, you short-change them. Learn the literal and metaphorical use of this expression with Feifei and Georgie and hear more examples. IND A TRANSCRIPT: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260302 BEATING SPEAKING ANXIETY: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all available by searching in your podcast app. (Photo: Getty)
Beating Speaking Anxiety: 7. I’m scared I’m not getting better
Sometimes it can feel like no matter how much you practise speaking, you don’t get any better. In this episode of our new series, Georgie and Hanan talk about what to do when you feel stuck learning English. With speaking coaches Rhiannon Carter and Barnaby Griffiths. WATCH – Find Georgie’s videos with tips to improve your speaking here https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/progress-video TRANSCRIPT – Read along with this podcast and learn useful vocabulary https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/progress-podcast NEWSLETTER – Sign up to our email newsletter to hear about our latest lessons and programmes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599
The English We Speak: Go through a rough patch
Life isn't always great, sometimes things can be difficult. Use 'go through a rough patch' when life gets difficult for a while. Learn this useful expression with Feifei and Phil. As always, find a free transcript here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260223 And discover the NEW series of Office English. Topics covering small talk, organising meetings and rules. Find it here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english, or search 'Learning English for Work' in your podcast app. We send a newsletter with our weekly higlights - subscribe here: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters If you enjoy this podcast, you might like our others! Search 'BBC Learning English' to discover the range.