About this show
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
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Latest episode
2026-10-227 min
What should you eat for a better night’s sleep?
Have you ever had the feeling of lying awake at night, unable to get to sleep?…
Recent episodes
- 2026-10-156 minWhy has gold got so expensive?Many of us own jewellery or other items that are gold coloured, but do you own anything that is made from real gold?…
- 2026-10-086 minAre people drinking less alcohol?In recent generations many people have chosen to stop drinking alcohol. Surveys from the UK suggest that 16 to 24-year-olds are more likely to be non-drinkers than the older generations. Many people are sharing their experience of drinking less alcohol or being completely sober on social media. Some people have been saying that they want to go out more to drink and have fun with friends, but they have concerns about fitness and wellness. Georgie and Neil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. 6 Minute English now has a VIDEO VERSION!…
- 2026-10-016 minWhy does heartbreak hurt so much?Anyone who has had their heart broken will know how horrible it feels. But did you know that the pain you feel is not just imaginary – it registers in the same part of the brain that processes physical pain. So, why do we feel this pain?…
- 2026-09-246 minWhy do we itch?Feeling itchy is unpleasant, and the feeling of finally scratching that itch can be very satisfying!But why do we feel itchy in the first place?…
- 2026-09-176 minIs rejection good for us?How would you feel about going up to a stranger on the street and asking them for a cheeky favour?…
- 2026-09-106 minCan apps teach you a language?Have you ever used Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu or perhaps another language-learning app?How did you get on?…
- 2026-09-036 minClimate change and extreme weatherEvery year we see damage, death and destruction caused by hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons - tropical storms. Is climate change making this impact worse?…
- 2026-08-276 minHow do we describe smells?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?…
Read about this show
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6 Minute English
What should you eat for a better night’s sleep?
BBC Learning English programme 6 Minute English explores the latest sleep research, asking what we eat might…
2026-10-22 · 2 min read
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6 Minute English
Why has gold got so expensive?
In early 2026, the price of gold hit an all-time high. BBC Learning English's '6 Minute English' explores why…
2026-10-15 · 2 min read
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6 Minute English
Are people drinking less alcohol?
BBC Learning English's '6 Minute English' examines a generational shift in British drinking culture: surveys…
2026-10-08 · 2 min read
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6 Minute English
Why does heartbreak hurt so much?
BBC Learning English's 6 Minute English examines why heartbreak hurts so much through the lens of neuroscienc…
2026-10-01 · 2 min read
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6 Minute English
Why do we itch?
BBC Learning English's 6 Minute English asks why we itch, and why itching can feel contagious. Drawing on the…
2026-09-24 · 3 min read
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6 Minute English
Is rejection good for us?
BBC's English-learning show 6 Minute English looks at the social-media trend known as 'rejection therapy,' in…
2026-09-17 · 1 min read