Everyday expressions and real English conversations to help make your English conversations easier. Every week, we teach you a new phrase or word you can use in conversation with The English We Speak. And we bring you special series to improve your English conversation. Try Beating Speaking Anxiety to learn how to fight your fears of speaking English. Find more at bbclearningenglish.com Follow us at 
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Learning English Conversations

Sometimes people lie to try and get away with things. They are just trying It on. Learn how to use 'try it on' with Feifei and Phil. As always, get your free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260907
Also on our website, you can practice your listening and speaking:
- The Listening Room https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room
- The Reading Room https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_reading_room
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The English We Speak: Try it on

Some ideas are just never going to work. Those are what we call 'non-starters'. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.
As always, get your free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260831
Sign up to our weekly newsletter! Your favourite presenters write you an email with tips and resources to help you improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 - also feel free to respond! We read everything, although we don't have time to reply to everyone.
Have you tried our 'Real Easy English' podcast? Listen to real conversations about everyday topics to boost your listening confidence. You can WATCH the podcast here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/real-easy-english

The English We Speak: Non-starter

Notes here is about negative feedback, so ‘no notes’ means that something is perfect. Use it when you have nothing negative to say. Learn about this expression and how to use it with Feifei and Georgie.
As always, find a free transcript here:
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260824
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The English We Speak: No notes

This modern expression is a way of responding enthusiastically to a suggestion. It means something similar to ‘say no more’. Learn when and how to use it with Georgie and Feifei.
As always, find a free transcript here:
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260817
For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com
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The English We Speak: Say less

Think you sometimes over-share unnecessary details? Learn how to use 'share your life story' with Becca and Feifei.
As always, find a free transcript here:
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260810
For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com
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The English We Speak: Share your life story

Learn an expression to use when someone doesn't socialise much with other people and prefers to be alone. 
You can get a free transcript for this programme here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260803
Find programmes to help you improve your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/skills
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Come back here this time next week for the next episode of The English We Speak

The English We Speak: Keep yourself to yourself

This expression was originally just about clothes, but it now it can mean anything that doesn't consider individual needs. 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-260727
For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com
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The English We Speak: One size fits all

Do you ever get distracted by something fun? A side quest is where you do something that's different to your main task. 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-260721
For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com
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The English We Speak: Side quest

This phrase comes from a longer idiom, ‘like ships that pass at night’. It’s used when two people have busy schedules, and struggle to find time to meet for more than just a brief encounter. Learn how to use it here, with Georgie and Feifei.
Find a free transcript here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260713
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The English We Speak: Passing Ships

This slang phrase is about knowing what you have to do for a task, and doing it perfectly. Hear examples and learn how to use it in this programme, with Georgie and Feifei.
As always, find a free transcript here: 
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260706. 
For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com 
We send a newsletter with our weekly highlights - subscribe here: 
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