Have you ever used Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu or perhaps another language-learning app? How did you get on? Some people love the convenience of these apps – you can learn on the go, like during your commute to work, rather than committing to a certain time each week, like learning in a class. But are they teaching the languages effectively? Neil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260910">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260910</a>Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room</a>Subscribe to our newsletters here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599">https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599</a>

Have you ever used Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu or perhaps another language-learning app? How did you get on? Some people love the convenience of these apps – you can learn on the go, like during your commute to work, rather than committing to a certain time each week, like learning in a class. But are they teaching the languages effectively? Neil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260910 Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Have you ever used Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu or perhaps another language-learning app? How did you get on? Some people love the convenience of these apps –&nbsp;you can learn on the go, like during your commute to work, rather than committing to a certain time each week, like learning in a class. But are they teaching the languages effectively? Neil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260910" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260910</a>Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room</a>Subscribe to our newsletters here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599</a>

Can apps teach you a language?

How would you feel about going up to a stranger on the street and asking them for a cheeky favour? If the idea makes you nervous, then don't worry – you are not alone! But recently, some people have been filming themselves doing this, as part of a social media trend called 'rejection therapy'. It's not an officially recognised form of therapy, but some have found that it improves their confidence. Georgie and Neil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.6 Minute English now has a VIDEO VERSION! 6 Minute English now comes with a video! It's the same programme that you know and love, but now you can see us! Watch this podcast here (and find a free worksheet): <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260917">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260917</a>Let us know what you think of the new version of 6 Minute English at <a href="mailto:learningenglish@bbc.co.uk">learningenglish@bbc.co.uk</a>

How would you feel about going up to a stranger on the street and asking them for a cheeky favour? If the idea makes you nervous, then don't worry – you are not alone! But recently, some people have been filming themselves doing this, as part of a social media trend called 'rejection therapy'. It's not an officially recognised form of therapy, but some have found that it improves their confidence. Georgie and Neil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. 6 Minute English now has a VIDEO VERSION! 6 Minute English now comes with a video! It's the same programme that you know and love, but now you can see us! Watch this podcast here (and find a free worksheet): https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260917 Let us know what you think of the new version of 6 Minute English at learningenglish@bbc.co.uk

How would you feel about going up to a stranger on the street and asking them for a cheeky favour? If the idea makes you nervous, then don't worry – you are not alone! But recently, some people have been filming themselves doing this, as part of a social media trend called 'rejection therapy'. It's not an officially recognised form of therapy, but some have found that it improves their confidence. Georgie and Neil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.6 Minute English now has a VIDEO VERSION! 6 Minute English now comes with a video! It's the same programme that you know and love, but now you can see us! Watch this podcast here (and find a free worksheet): <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260917" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260917</a>Let us know what you think of the new version of 6 Minute English at <a href="mailto:learningenglish@bbc.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer">learningenglish@bbc.co.uk</a>

Is rejection good for us?

Every year we see damage, death and destruction caused by hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons - tropical storms. Is climate change making this impact worse? Climate change may be making this destruction worse. Phil is joined by BBC weather presenter and meteorologist Sarah Keith-Lucas to learn more about this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260903">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260903</a>Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room</a>Subscribe to our newsletters here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599">https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599</a>

Every year we see damage, death and destruction caused by hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons - tropical storms. Is climate change making this impact worse? Climate change may be making this destruction worse. Phil is joined by BBC weather presenter and meteorologist Sarah Keith-Lucas to learn more about this and teach you some new vocabulary. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260903 Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Every year we see damage, death and destruction caused by hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons - tropical storms. Is climate change making this impact worse? Climate change may be making this destruction worse. Phil is joined by BBC weather presenter and meteorologist Sarah Keith-Lucas to learn more about this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260903" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260903</a>Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room</a>Subscribe to our newsletters here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599</a>

Climate change and extreme weather

What is the worst smell in the world? And what is the best smell? Are there any smells that you like, but that your friends or family hate? Smells are all around us all the time, but the English language is often quite general in the way it describes smells, as opposed to other senses like sounds or tastes. But why is this? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260827">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260827</a>Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room</a>Subscribe to our newsletters here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599">https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599</a>

What is the worst smell in the world? And what is the best smell? Are there any smells that you like, but that your friends or family hate? Smells are all around us all the time, but the English language is often quite general in the way it describes smells, as opposed to other senses like sounds or tastes. But why is this? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260827 Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

What is the worst smell in the world? And what is the best smell? Are there any smells that you like, but that your friends or family hate? Smells are all around us all the time, but the English language is often quite general in the way it describes smells, as opposed to other senses like sounds or tastes. But why is this? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260827" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260827</a>Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room</a>Subscribe to our newsletters here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599</a>

How do we describe smells?

Imagine crossing a road and turning to see a car heading towards you... without a driver! While this might seem scary, driverless cars are already operating safely in many cities around the world. These autonomous cars contain huge amounts of technology to help them drive alongside other road users carefully. But will humans behave as carefully around them? Can we communicate clearly with these 'robotaxis', or are we simply incompatible? Phil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Learn English from authentic BBC programme clips. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260820">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260820</a>Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room</a> 
Subscribe to our newsletters here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599">https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599</a>

Imagine crossing a road and turning to see a car heading towards you... without a driver! While this might seem scary, driverless cars are already operating safely in many cities around the world. These autonomous cars contain huge amounts of technology to help them drive alongside other road users carefully. But will humans behave as carefully around them? Can we communicate clearly with these 'robotaxis', or are we simply incompatible? Phil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. Learn English from authentic BBC programme clips. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260820 Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Imagine crossing a road and turning to see a car heading towards you... without a driver! While this might seem scary, driverless cars are already operating safely in many cities around the world. These autonomous cars contain huge amounts of technology to help them drive alongside other road users carefully. But will humans behave as carefully around them? Can we communicate clearly with these 'robotaxis', or are we simply incompatible? Phil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Learn English from authentic BBC programme clips. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260820" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260820</a>Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room</a> 
Subscribe to our newsletters here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599</a>

Sharing the road with driverless cars

Is there a stigma attached to not wanting to work the 9-to-5 shift?

Is there a stigma attached to not wanting to work the 9-to-5 shift?

Flexible working

Hypnotism has always fascinated us, but can anyone be hypnotised?

Hypnotism has always fascinated us, but can anyone be hypnotised?

Hypnotism

Conservationists are working on an artificial breeding programme to preserve the species.

Conservationists are working on an artificial breeding programme to preserve the species.

Saving the white rhinos

Shouldn't we stop throwing things away and start fixing them?

Shouldn't we stop throwing things away and start fixing them?

Making old things last longer

We discuss four styles of communication and teach you related vocabulary along the way.

We discuss four styles of communication and teach you related vocabulary along the way.

Building rapport with others

We talk about food superstitions and teach you vocabulary along the way.

We talk about food superstitions and teach you vocabulary along the way.

Food superstitions

How the famous piece of rock became the key to decoding Egyptian hieroglyphs.

How the famous piece of rock became the key to decoding Egyptian hieroglyphs.

The Rosetta Stone

Has the pandemic made people tired of feeling sorry for others and themselves?

Has the pandemic made people tired of feeling sorry for others and themselves?

Compassion fatigue

Why do people decide to be alone for long periods of time?

Why do people decide to be alone for long periods of time?

Hermits

We talk about different animals which can reproduce without having sex.

We talk about different animals which can reproduce without having sex.

When males are not needed

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 
<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish</a>Follow us at 
<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus</a>

Education

Language Learning

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/learningenglish Follow us at https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

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 
<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish</a>Follow us at 
<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus</a>

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