BBC Learning English: Recent Episodes

BBC Learning English

Improve your language skills by listening to clips and programmes from BBC Learning English.

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Those are crickets. But what’s the onomatopoeic word to describe that sound?

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Do you know your ouch! from your ugh!? How about yippee! and hooray!? These words are called interjections. There are about six interjections in this dialogue. Which interjection is used to express relief?

learnenglish #vocabulary #elt

For more on interjections: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/intermediate/unit-22/session-1

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drama #learnenglish #aliceinwonderland

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Do you want to know someone’s job? Listen to Rob.

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How do you say 'photography' and 'photographic'? Take our test.

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Neil asked BBC World Service staff what they were doing during three different important world events. You can hear the full audio on the BBC Learning English website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/

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Can you hear the difference?

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"Can you write down what I say?"

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This is a short sampler of new BBC Learning English programmes

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Finn speaks to Mohbud from BBC Persian about Nowruz traditions.

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The high number of early deaths in Russia is mainly due to people drinking too much alcohol, particularly vodka, according to new research. The study in The Lancet, thought to be the largest of its kind in the country, says a quarter of Russian men die before they are 55, and most of the deaths are caused by drinking too much. The figure in the UK is 7%. The BBC's Tulip Mazumdar reports. ____ The study tracked the drinking habits of more than 150,000 adults in three Russian cities for up to a decade. It also drew on previous research looking at how much people had drunk before they died. It found death rates fluctuated in line with political events and changes in alcohol policy. ____

In 1985, under President Gorbachev, alcohol consumption was severely restricted and Russia's overall death rates fell. Then with the fall of communism and the instability that followed, people started drinking more, and death rates rose. ____ Researchers say it's the way Russians drink, binging on mostly vodka, that contributes to the high mortality rates. ____ Taxes and restrictions brought in in 2006 have helped reduce alcohol consumption, but the authors say drinking heavily is part of the Russian lifestyle, and that's what needs to change.

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Episode 3: At the pub Tim: It's your round Alice Alice: What, again? Alright, what do you all want? Helen: An orange juice please. Michal: The same for me too. Tim: Oh come on Michal, you're not in Poland now. Why not try a traditional pint of English bitter? Michal: OK then. Tim: And the usual for me - a G & T, love Alice: Em, OK. Helen: Don't call Alice "love". Tim: Why not, isn't she lovely? Michal, what do you think? ____ Did you spot Michal's mistake in the last episode? He said, "I'm a guide tourist." when he should have said, "I'm a tourist guide."

What do you think Michal will say to Tim about Alice?

Learn some useful drink related vocabulary at The Flatmates website: http://bbc.in/17iPudQ

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Episode 2: In the flat Tim: Alice this is my cousin Michal - our new flatmate. He's really missing his friends. Alice: Oh, Michal let me take your mind off that... So, where are you from? Michal: From near Warsaw - the Polish capital. Alice: Oh, what do you do? Michal: I'm a guide tourist. Alice: So interesting! Why are you visiting London? Michal: To improve my English. Alice: Oh, well, why not come out with us now? Then we can cheer you up and you can practise your English at the same time. ____

So Michal is missing his friends. Poor Michal. In this episode, Michal made a mistake in English. What was it? Find out about compound nouns at The Flatmates website: http://bbc.in/17IwtSC

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AT THE AIRPORT Helen: What does Michal look like? Tim: Well, he's tall and well built. He's got brown eyes and a shaved head. Helen: Is he handsome? Tim: Of course he is! He's my cousin. Helen: And what's he like? Is he like you too? Tim: No, he's quite shy really. Helen: Oh look! Is that him? Tim: Yeah! Michal! Michal! He's crying. I wonder what's wrong.


What is wrong with Michal? Find out in episode 2.

Visit The Flatmates website to learn how to talk about people's appearance or personality. http://bbc.in/1aLvuj4

flatmates

adjectives

grammar

verbs


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She sells seashells on the seashore. The shells she sells are seashells, I'm sure. For if she sells seashells on the seashore Then I'm sure she sells seashore shells.

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Episode 12: Fred Works It Out? Fred: In that case, Betty, there's only one explanation. You're going out with another man!

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Episode 11: Betty's Had Enough Betty: No Fred, it's over. I've given up on you.

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Episode 10: Fred Begs Betty: Come on Betty, I've said sorry a million times. Won't you take me back?

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Episode 9: Betty Breaks It Off Betty: Face up to it Fred. This time, IT'S OVER!!!

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Episode 8: Desperate Fred Fred: Please Betty, don't hang up! You know I love you Betty!

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Episode 7: "What Betty Saw"

Betty: It was a hug which turned into a kiss Fred! I SAW YOU!!!

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Episode 6: Fred's Story Fred: I was just looking after her, Betty. I gave her a hug because she was upset, that's all!

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Episode 5: Busted! Betty: I caught you out myself Fred! I saw you with that other girl!

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Episode 4: Who's the Liar? Fred: Don't listen to Martin, Betty! It's not true! He's making it up!

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Episode 3: 'How Betty Knows' Betty: I know all about your other lady Fred! Your friend Martin told on you!

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Episode 2: Not Guilty

Fred: Betty, you've got to believe me! I would never cheat on you Betty!

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Episode 1: Fred and Betty - Is this the End?

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Listen to a mysterious love story written by the audience of BBC Learning English.

It was written in an interactive event on Facebook from 12-14 August. People submitted ideas line by line and voted for their favourites to build up the story.


The full story:

The door opened and a man appeared. He seemed pleased… but only in his appearance. He hid a deep sadness inside him.

The man said: "Are you surprised? I've been waiting for you all this time."

"The moonlight made me lose track of time," replied the woman. "I was thinking about the incomprehensible bond between you and I."

The man sighed: "You wanted to cut our connection, but you're still here."

They met some years ago, and felt there was something between them. Their relationship started slowly: only a few phone calls in a couple of years. But during the last six months, things rushed forward quickly.

Crowded lectures, dinners with colleagues, laughs and fun evenings seemed so present, and yet so far at the same time. And now they were both graduates. And both in London.

"I can explain everything" she said.

In his serious face was rising a timid smile: "Come in, it's really cold outside".


https://www.facebook.com/events/288616764610357/