logo
episode-header-image
Sep 4
6m 43s

The joys of writing lists

BBC Radio
About this episode

Shopping lists, to-do lists, check lists – when was the last time you made, or followed, a list? When you stop to think about it, many of the things we read and write in our everyday lives are some sort of list, but why are they so common? Phil and Beth discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250904

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

TRY LEARNING ENGLISH FROM THE NEWS: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2025

FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus

LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Stories ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work

They're all available by searching in your podcast app.

Up next
Today
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 transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-mi ... Show More
6m 42s
Oct 2
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 throughout history. But have humans always had a positive relationship with whales? Phil and Georgie discuss this and tea ... Show More
6m 40s
Sep 25
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. But did you know that there are criminal networks which steal and trade these ancient objects? Neil and Beth discuss this ... Show More
6m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 26
NEW SERIES: To-do lists
How long is your to-do list? Beth and Neil talk about the jobs they need to do, and our grammar guru Georgie explains the grammar of your to-do list. Learn to use 'need to', 'have to', 'got to' and 'needs doing'.TRANSCRIPT AND WORKSHEET Find a full transcript for this episode and ... Show More
6m 43s
Jul 28
Short spoken forms
Gonna, wanna, dunno, whatcha… are these really English words? Who uses them and why? FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www. ... Show More
6m 22s
Nov 2024
Uncountable nouns
What is more important in life: knowledge, money or happiness? FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningengl ... Show More
6m 21s
Jul 21
Uncountable nouns
What is more important in life: knowledge, money or happiness?FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglis ... Show More
6m 42s
Aug 4
Ordinal numbers
What's the date today? Do you know how to say it? Listen to the programme to find out.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www ... Show More
6m 21s
Aug 28
English in a Minute: Phrases with heart
How many 'heart' phrases do you know? Phil talks about three he knows in this podcast.TRANSCRIPT Find a free transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/s5english_in_a_minuteFIND BBC LEAR ... Show More
1m 7s
Sep 2
The English We Speak: Muddle along
An expression meaning you're managing OK even if you don't have a plan. Learn it here.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250901 Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co ... Show More
2m 29s
Aug 25
Easily confused words
Boring or bored? Learn about words that look similar but have very different meaning.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://www.bbc. ... Show More
6m 42s
Oct 7
The English We Speak: Neck of the woods
This is an expression that talks about an area, especially the one where you live. Learn how to use it with Feifei and Phil.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251007 Subscribe t ... Show More
2m 15s
Sep 29
Lexical sets
Finn and Catherine give you some tips on how to remember new words. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusTHE LONDON LETTER CHALLENGE - an easy English series for pre-i ... Show More
6m 32s