6 Minute English

Angeles Martinez

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.

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English

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Thursday · 6 min
Is 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 affected by hot weather. In many locations, air conditioning is used to help cool down homes and...
October 22 · 7 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? Many of us know what it is like to struggle with sleep, especially if we have drunk too much tea or coffee before bed! But did you know that your sleep quality can be...
October 15 · 7 min
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 there is a limited supply in the world. This not only makes it expensive, but also means...
October 8 · 6 min
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 than the older generations. Many people are sharing their experience of drinking less...
October 1 · 6 min
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 part of the brain that processes physical pain. So, why do we feel this pain? And if it...
September 24 · 6 min
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 possible to catch an itch from someone else? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some...
September 17 · 6 min
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 not alone! But recently, some people have been filming themselves doing this, as part of a...
September 10 · 6 min
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 can learn on the go, like during your commute to work, rather than committing to a certain...
September 3 · 6 min
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? Climate change may be making this destruction worse. Phil is joined by BBC weather presenter and...
August 27 · 6 min
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 around us all the time, but the English language is often quite general in the way it describes...
August 20 · 6 min
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 safely in many cities around the world. These autonomous cars contain huge amounts of...
August 13 · 6 min
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 have to be done regularly, even if they are sometimes boring or unpleasant. But who tends to do...
August 6 · 6 min
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? These are the kinds of questions that scientists have been asking for decades. So, how...
July 30 · 6 min
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 programme clips. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode:...
July 23 · 6 min
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 discussions in this episode will be about death and trauma. Neil and Becca hear from a...
July 16 · 6 min
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 can think, decide and perform even faster. Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some...
July 9 · 6 min
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 just like riding a bike! And if you have never cycled, it's not too late to start. With new...
July 2 · 6 min
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 enough about how it makes the other person feel. Is there anything that people write in emails...
June 25 · 6 min
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 encourage their children to eat a healthy diet, without turning every dinner into disaster? Neil...
June 18 · 6 min
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 online safety measures to limit the amount of screen time for children or prevent them...

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