Podcast · Learning

Learning English Vocabulary

Build your English vocabulary with these short programmes. Each week we explore a new topic to improve your English vocabulary. Learn words for the weather, how to talk about people’s jobs, adjective order, and so much more. Plus, in our English in a Minute episodes, give your vocabulary a boost…

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 6 min
Latest: 5 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026 · 6 min

Multi-word verbs

Do you ever 'meet up with' your friend in the park? We talk about multi-word verbs. Find more programmes for you level by choosing 'easy', 'medium' or 'hard' on our website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/ Want to learn more about phrasal verbs? Check out the video series 'Phrasal verbs with Georgie': https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/phrasal_verbs_with_georgie Get weekly tips and updates by signing up to our email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

28 Sep 2026 · 6 min

Adjectives ending with -ic and -ical

'Classic' or 'classical'? Learn about adjectives ending in -ic and -ical. Find Learning English Grammar: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-grammar FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning Easy English ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
21 Sep 2026 · 7 min

Strong adjectives

Terrified', 'fantastic', 'amazing' - learn how to use strong adjectives. Find Learning English Grammar: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-grammar FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning Easy English ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
14 Sep 2026 · 7 min

Male and female job words

Policeman/policewoman, actor/actress - learn about job titles and gender. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus NEWSLETTER: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning Easy English ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
7 Sep 2026 · 6 min

Weather words

The British love to talk about weather! Learn some useful vocabulary about it here. TRY THE LISTENING ROOM: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_listening_room (Hard: Upper intermediate level and above, B2 and above) Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus The Pronunciation Lounge: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_pronunciation_lounge NEWSLETTER: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️…
31 Aug 2026 · 6 min

Homophones

Mail and male... Learn about words that sound the same but have different spellings.
24 Aug 2026 · 7 min

Compound nouns

Ice cream, popcorn... Learn about nouns made up of a combination of two words. 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 Easy English ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
17 Aug 2026 · 6 min

Similar words

We talk about words like 'big' and 'large' and explore the similarities between them.
10 Aug 2026 · 6 min

Adjective order

We explain the order you put adjectives in when describing a dog! 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 Easy English ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app
3 Aug 2026 · 7 min

Contractions

"I've run a marathon." Look at the shorter form 'I've'. Learn how to use contractions. 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/learningenglish/newsletters THE PRONUNCIATION LOUNGE: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_pronunciation_lounge LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Conversations ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app
27 Jul 2026 · 6 min

Job suffixes

What's the connection between a teacher, a driver and a presenter? We explain. Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters
20 Jul 2026 · 6 min

Word stress

How to pronounce the words 'photographer' and 'photograph'? Learn about word stress. Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters
13 Jul 2026 · 6 min

Compound adjectives

Learn how to use compound adjectives (e.g. low-fat yoghurt, high-quality carbohydrates). Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters
6 Jul 2026 · 7 min

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/followus THE LONDON LETTER CHALLENGE - an easy English series for pre-intermediate (A2) learners ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_london_letter_challenge/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English from the…
29 Jun 2026 · 1 min

English in a Minute: Phrases with 'hit'

Make sure your English learning isn't hit-and-miss – be consistent! Learn this phrase and more 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_minute 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 Easy English ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all…
22 Jun 2026 · 6 min

-ing and -ed adjectives

Boring or bored? Interested or interesting? We'll tell you the right adjective to use. 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/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
17 Jun 2026 · 1 min

English in a Minute: Phrases with 'change'

Do you know any phrases with 'change'? Learn four here. 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_minute 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 ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
15 Jun 2026 · 6 min

Binomials

Learn how to use these short English phrases made of two words that go together. 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/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
10 Jun 2026 · 1 min

English in a Minute: Phrases with 'leave'

What's the difference between leaving a bad taste and leaving a lot to be desired? Learn these 'leave' phrases and more now. 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_minute 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 ✔️ 6 Minute…
8 Jun 2026 · 6 min

Useful chunks of language

Do you like to eat a full English breakfast? Listen to find out how to use this phrase. 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: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English for Work They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
1 Jun 2026 · 1 min

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_minute 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 Grammar ✔️ Learning Easy English They're all available by…
26 May 2026 · 7 min

Words with 'ough'

Cough, thought, enough, although: Learn how to pronounce words with 'ough'. Try Learning English Grammar episodes - just search 'Learning English Grammar' in your podcast app, or go to our website: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-grammar For more pronunciation: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/learn_pronunciation 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:…
20 May 2026 · 1 min

English in a Minute: Phrases with 'life'

Give your English learning a new lease of life with this podcast. Learn this phrase and more with Georgie. 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_minute 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 Easy English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all…
18 May 2026 · 6 min

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/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
13 May 2026 · 1 min

English in a Minute: Phrases with 'day'

Is learning English phrases all in a day's work for you? Learn this 'day' phrase and more here with Phil. 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_minute 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 Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Vocabulary…
11 May 2026 · 7 min

Suffixes: -less and -free

Is this a smoke-free or a smokeless workplace? Learn the difference! Get free weekly tips and tricks to help you with your English. Sign up to our newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 Got another 6 minutes to practise your English? Try one of our many other podcasts: ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Real Easy English ✔️ Learning English Stories Or, for more vocabulary, go to our website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/vocabulary
6 May 2026 · 1 min

English in a Minute: Phrases with 'look'

What phrases do you know with 'look'? Learn some here with Beth. 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_minute 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 ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
29 Apr 2026 · 1 min

English in a Minute: Phrases with 'end'

How many phrases do you know with the word 'end'? Learn four here with Georgie. 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_minute 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 ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all available by searching in…
27 Apr 2026 · 1 min

English in a Minute: Phrases with fire Learning English Vocabulary

Did you know it can be a good thing to be 'on fire'? Learn this phrase and more 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_minute 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 Conversations ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ 6 Minute English They're all…
20 Apr 2026 · 1 min

English in a Minute: Phrases with hat

Learn these three hat phrases! Phil will take his hat off to you if you do! 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_minute 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 Grammar They're all available by searching…

About Learning English Vocabulary

Learning English Vocabulary is a English learning podcast from BBC Radio. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: BBC Radio
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 6 min
Latest episode: 5 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1036379102
Website: bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02pc9xz
Rights: (C) BBC 2026

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