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 time each week, like learning in a class. But are they teaching the languages effectively? Neil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260910Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSubscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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 meteorologist Sarah Keith-Lucas to learn more about this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260903Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSubscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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 smells, as opposed to other senses like sounds or tastes. But why is this? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260827Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSubscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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 technology to help them drive alongside other road users carefully. But will humans behave as carefully around them? Can we communicate clearly with these 'robotaxis', or are we simply incompatible? Phil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Learn English from authentic BBC programme clips. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260820Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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 the most amount of jobs in your household? And is there anyone who isn't pulling their weight...? Pippa and Neil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Learn English from authentic BBC programme clips. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260813Practise your listening with The Listening Room here:https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSubscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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 exactly do they try to find answers to such complex questions about the future? Understanding where we are heading might help humanity prepare for the consequences of climate change. Phil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Learn English from authentic BBC programme clips. Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260806Practise your listening with The Listening Room here:https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSubscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260730Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSubscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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 journalist who has spent some time with children in warzones and discuss the topic in simpler English.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260723Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSubscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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 new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260716Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSubscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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 cycle tracks and electric bikes, cycling is becoming more and more accessible. Neil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free worksheet, quiz and transcript for this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260709Practise your listening with The Listening Room here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_roomSubscribe to our newsletters here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599