6 Minute English
Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. A weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Thursday.
Limiting screen time for children
Many parents worry that their children spend too much time on screens. Governments around the world,...
ListenHow advertisers make us spend money
What was the last thing you bought? And can you remember why you bought that particular thing, rather...
ListenThe power of poetry
Do you like to read poetry? When was the last time you heard someone recite a poem? Some people may...
ListenLiving with debt
Many people have to borrow money to make big purchases, like buying a house or a car. When you do this,...
ListenMaking cities feel quieter
What do you prefer – the sounds of birdsong and wind rustling in the trees, or the hum of traffic...
ListenHow 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...
ListenSearching 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...
ListenShould 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...
ListenWhy are we all so stressed?
Worrying about exams, work or climate change in the news. It's no wonder modern life is stressful. Becca...
ListenLove 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?...
ListenThe future of food
Many of us are trying to be more careful with our food choices, both for our personal health and for...
ListenAre 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...
ListenWeight loss drugs
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are modified versions of natural hormones which make us...
ListenHow 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...
ListenShould 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...
ListenWhy are some animals black and white?
How many animals can you think of that are black and white? Zebras, penguins, orcas, snow leopards…...
ListenThe 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...
ListenDreaming of being a chef
What did you have for dinner last night? And did you cook it yourself? Many people cook at home regularly,...
ListenArtistic swimming
How long can you hold your breath underwater? And what about if you were doing a gymnastic and dance...
ListenRethinking dyslexia
Dyslexia is a condition which makes it difficult for people to read, write and spell. But, can the ability...
ListenWhy are billionaires building bunkers?
People around the world have been preparing for what they believe will be a major world disaster in...
ListenScared to speak English?
Do you ever feel scared to speak in English? Lots of people find speaking a different language stressful....
ListenWhat 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...
ListenIs social media dead?
What is your favourite social media platform? Do you still use it as much as you did three or four years...
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