Shows / 6 Minute English
6 Minute English
Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Thursday.
Episodes
6 Minute EnglishIs aircon the answer to a heating world?
Do you ever feel it is too hot to sleep? With climate change gradually increasing world temperatures, people across the world are becoming increasingly…
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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? Many of us know what it is like to struggle with sleep, especially if we have…
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Why 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? Gold is a precious metal, which means that…
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Are 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…
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Why 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…
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Why 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? And is it…
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Is rejection good for us?
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…
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Can apps teach you a language?
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…
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Climate change and extreme weather
Every year we see damage, death and destruction caused by hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons - tropical storms. Is climate change making this impact worse?…
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How 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? Smells are all…
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Sharing the road with driverless cars
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…
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Who does the housework?
Unloading the dishwasher, mopping the floor, cleaning the loo... what is your most hated household chore? We all know there are jobs around the house which…
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How do climate scientists make predictions?
Across the world, climate change is already beginning to change the way we live our lives. But how big will that change be and what kinds of change will occur?…
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The Enhanced Games
What would the world of athletics look like if athletes were allowed to take drugs? Pippa and Neil discuss the Enhanced Games. Learn English from authentic BBC…
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Children in warzones
The most recent figure from 2024 says that 520 million children are living in conflict zones. That's about one in every five children worldwide. Some of the…
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What's in a footballer's brain?
Football players are faster than ever before. But in a game where every tiny decision counts, elite clubs are turning to neuroscience to understand how players…
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Should we cycle more?
When did you learn to ride a bike? Perhaps you learnt as a child and have not cycled for a long time. Well don't worry, you can pick it up again quickly – it's…
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Rude emails
What is the rudest email you have ever received? We all deal with emails on a daily basis, but sometimes people can write them too quickly, without thinking…
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Stress-free family meals
Are you a fussy eater? Many of us remember foods that we used to hate as children – some of us still do hate those foods! But what can parents do to help…
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Limiting screen time for children
Many parents worry that their children spend too much time on screens. Governments around the world, such as in the UK, Australia and China, are introducing…
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How advertisers make us spend money
What was the last thing you bought? And can you remember why you bought that particular thing, rather than something else? We all like to think we make…
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The power of poetry
Do you like to read poetry? When was the last time you heard someone recite a poem? Some people may just think of poetry as something they studied at school…
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Living with debt
Many people have to borrow money to make big purchases, like buying a house or a car. When you do this, you have to pay the money back over time – the money…
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Making cities feel quieter
What do you prefer – the sounds of birdsong and wind rustling in the trees, or the hum of traffic and chatter of people passing by? Some people like the quiet…
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How reading shapes your brain
Do you remember what it was like before you learnt to read? It's hard to think back that far! Scientific research has shown that learning to read changes the…
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Searching for life on another planet
Will we ever be able to live on a planet that isn't Earth? A science and space journalist explainss the latest research and data collected from planet…
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Should we eat ultra-processed food?
What is your ultra-processed guilty pleasure? Many of us love home-cooked food, but when we're in a rush, it's often more convenient to eat snacks, or to buy…
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Why are we all so stressed?
Worrying about exams, work or climate change in the news. It's no wonder modern life is stressful. Becca and Neil hear from a presenter and psychologist about…
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Love the foods you hate
Are there some foods that you just hate? Have you ever hated a food in the past but started liking it? We hear from a food expert and a dietitian about why…
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The future of food
Many of us are trying to be more careful with our food choices, both for our personal health and for the health of the planet in general. But did you know that…
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Are saunas good for you?
How do you feel about being in a small room heated to a temperature of 80°C? Believe it or not, some people love it! There might be some health benefits to…
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Weight loss drugs
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are modified versions of natural hormones which make us feel full when released into the body. Prof Giles Yeo…
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How do we adapt to the cold?
Where is the coldest place you have ever been? Did you enjoy the experience? Some people don't seem to mind the cold, whereas other people seem to feel it much…
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Should we pay more for chocolate?
How often do you eat chocolate? It's one of the most loved sweet treats in Europe, but a new EU law could make chocolate more expensive. A business owner, who…
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Why are some animals black and white?
How many animals can you think of that are black and white? Zebras, penguins, orcas, snow leopards… there are loads! But have you ever wondered why these…
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The power of pepper
How often do you use pepper? It's one of the most common spices to add to food, so common in fact that many of us don't just use it when cooking, but also…
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Dreaming of being a chef
What did you have for dinner last night? And did you cook it yourself? Many people cook at home regularly, for themselves and for others, but have you ever…
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Artistic swimming
How long can you hold your breath underwater? And what about if you were doing a gymnastic and dance routine as well...? Artistic swimming, which used to be…
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Rethinking dyslexia
Dyslexia is a condition which makes it difficult for people to read, write and spell. But, can the ability to process information differently actually be an…
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Why are billionaires building bunkers?
People around the world have been preparing for what they believe will be a major world disaster in the near future. Now, some tech billionaires are joining…
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Scared to speak English?
Do you ever feel scared to speak in English? Lots of people find speaking a different language stressful. Beth and Pippa talk about learning languages and how…
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What English phrases really mean
We've all been there – we're talking to someone and they say one thing, when we know they mean something else! British people love to play with language, using…
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Is social media dead?
What is your favourite social media platform? Do you still use it as much as you did three or four years ago? With the rise of generative AI, many social media…
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Is it OK to disagree?
Are we becoming a divided society? Neil and Beth discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for…
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Was Christmas better in the past?
It's Christmas time in the UK. And like with celebrations around the world, people have lots of traditions that they do every year, and memories about…
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Finding and eating wild food
Where do you get your fruit and vegetables – a supermarket, a greengrocer... or the wild? For our distant ancestors, foraging for wild food was vital for…
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How are horses helping to heal humans?
Horses and humans have had a close relationship for thousands of years, but did you know that horses, along with other animals, are being used to help with…
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What’s your favourite flavour of crisp?
You might know them as potato chips, but here in the UK we call them crisps... and we love them! With many different shapes, sizes and flavours, there's a lot…
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How are influencers affecting politics?
We've seen influencers on social media posting about all sorts of things – from lifestyle and fashion, to sports, travel, gaming and music. But did you know…
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Do you have good dining etiquette?
Do you know the 'proper' way to behave during meals? And what would be the worst thing someone could do while eating? This episode is all about etiquette, what…
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How important is play?
We all remember playgrounds when we were children – slides, swings, climbing frames. But have you heard of the new playgrounds which are designed to include…
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Do you like garlic?
It makes our food tasty and our breath smelly, but what are some of the other uses of garlic...? Apart from warding off vampires, of course! Neil and Beth…
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Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?
How do you like your eggs in the morning? Or do you prefer toast, cereal, yogurt or something else? Maybe you usually don't bother with breakfast! Well, some…
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Did a civilisation exist on Earth before humans?
Do you believe that life exists on other planets? Well, here's an even more mysterious idea: Have you ever considered that there might have been another…
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Are we too fixated on protein?
We know that protein is important for our health. It plays a crucial role in many of the body's functions, including growth, repair, the immune system and, of…
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What makes a good citizen?
Is a good citizen someone who votes and follows the law? Or is there more to it? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Find a full…
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Have you ever seen a whale?
How have humans treated whales throughout history? Their sheer size, their ability to swim to great depths and their whale song have captured our imaginations…
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The criminal trade in ancient objects
Many of us like to visit museums to see ancient artefacts in person – it's an exciting way to learn about the history and culture of different civilisations…
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Would you like a robot companion?
Many of us could use extra help around the house – but what if that help came from a robot? Neil and Beth discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Find a…
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What causes hearing loss?
As we get older, our hearing naturally gets worse. But what are the causes of this decline? And is there anything we can do to prevent it? Neil and Georgie…