2025-04-24 Present perfect or past simple? – Ask BBC Learning English
Introduction Maryam has sent us a question. She wants to know the difference between present perfect and present simple. Sian’s…
2024-12-13 How can you identify words that sound the same but have different meanings? – Ask BBC Learning English
Introduction Marta has sent us a question. She wants to know how to identify words that have the same pronunciation…
2024-12-06 How to use prefer, would rather and prefer – Ask BBC Learning English
Introduction Maria has sent us a question by email. She wants to know what the difference is between ‘I prefer’,…
2024-11-29 How can you get better at using the third conditional? – Ask BBC Learning English
Introduction Vitoria has sent us a question. She wants to know how to get better at using the third conditional.…
2024-11-22 6 tips for learning new phrasal verbs – Ask BBC Learning English
Introduction Alejandra has sent us a question. She wants to know how to learn new phrasal verbs without getting overwhelmed…
2024-11-15 How can I stop translating when speaking English? – Ask BBC Learning English
Introduction Semsihan has sent us a question. She wants to know how to stop translating when speaking English. Beth’s top…
2024-11-08 How can I use ‘pop’ in informal English? – Ask BBC Learning English
Introduction Joao has sent us a question. He wants to know how to use the verb ‘pop’ in informal English.…
2024-11-01 How can I speak English more fluently? – Ask BBC Learning English
Introduction Mary has sent us a question. She wants to know how she can speak English more fluently. Beth’s 5…
2024-10-25 Present perfect simple vs Present perfect continuous – Ask BBC Learning English
Introduction Juan has sent us a question. He wants to know the difference between present perfect simple and present perfect…
2017-11-24 Subjects to avoid in British small talk – Politics
Subjects to avoid in British small talk: Politics They’re the conversations we have by the lifts, at bus stops and…
2017-11-17 Subjects to avoid in British small talk – Salary
They’re the conversations we have by the lifts, at bus stops and over garden fences. We call it small talk…
2017-11-10 Subjects to avoid in British small talk – Sex
Subjects to avoid in British small talk: Sex They’re the conversations we have by the lifts, at bus stops and…
2018-04-28 Disguised requests – What they really mean
Have you got a long journey home? Olivia’s had a house party. It’s late at night and now she just…
2018-04-20 English sarcasm – What They Really Mean
The British summer’s fantastic, isn’t it? Mark thinks Chloe is trying to trick him. In fact, she’s just being sarcastic.…
2018-04-13 Euphemistic Feedback – What They Really Mean
That’s an interesting idea… Emily didn’t like Mark’s ideas. She tried to tell him, but he didn’t realise. Watch the…
2018-04-07 Suggestions as instructions – What They Really Mean
You could take some out… Mark can’t understand why Emily is annoyed. She had been giving him instructions – but…
2018-03-30 Questions as Warnings – What They Really Mean
Are you really wearing that hat? Mark can’t understand why Chloe is asking about his hat. She’s trying to warn…
2023-08-08 Expressing annoyance – How to speak English naturally
In this programme, we look at language used to express annoyance or anger about something. There are all sorts of…
2023-08-01 Complaining in informal situations – How to speak English naturally
In a previous episode, we looked at how to tell someone you’re not happy about something and ask them to…
2023-07-29 How to point out the positive – How to speak English naturally
In this programme, you can find out how to point out the positive in a situation. TRANSCRIPT AmberHello. I’m Amber…