6 Minute English

What do you prefer – the sounds of birdsong and wind rustling in the trees, or the hum of traffic and chatter of people passing by? Some people like the quiet of the countryside and others love the noise of the city, but did you know that constant exposure to loud noise has been found to increase anxiety? That's why some people have been trying to find ways to make our cities feel quieter. Neil...

Do you remember what it was like before you learnt to read? It's hard to think back that far! Scientific research has shown that learning to read changes the way our brains work. Not only that, but depending on the language you are reading, your brain changes in different ways. Becca and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Find a transcript and worksheet at:...

Will we ever be able to live on a planet that isn't Earth? A science and space journalist explainss the latest research and data collected from planet TRAPPIST-1e. Neil and Becca teach you some new language to understand this potentially habitable planet.Find a transcript and worksheet at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260507Practise your...

What is your ultra-processed guilty pleasure? Many of us love home-cooked food, but when we're in a rush, it's often more convenient to eat snacks, or to buy quick, easy meals from the supermarket which we simply have to heat up. These are often ultra-processed forms of food, which recent studies have linked to poor health. Phil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Find a...

Worrying about exams, work or climate change in the news. It's no wonder modern life is stressful. Becca and Neil hear from a presenter and psychologist about managing stress. Learn some tips to help with worrying and stress, as well as some new vocabulary and phrases!Find a transcript and worksheet at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260423Learn...

Are there some foods that you just hate? Have you ever hated a food in the past but started liking it? We hear from a food expert and a dietitian about why there are some foods we just hate and even fear, and whether it's possible to learn to love them. Neil and Becca discuss this, learn some tips for loving the foods you hate, and teach you some new vocabulary.Find a transcript and worksheet at:...

Many of us are trying to be more careful with our food choices, both for our personal health and for the health of the planet in general. But did you know that the food we buy is closely linked to national security? Neil and Pippa hear from climate reporter and a chief executive of the UK's Climate Change Committee, and teach you some new vocabulary.

How do you feel about being in a small room heated to a temperature of 80°C? Believe it or not, some people love it! There might be some health benefits to this hot habit too! Georgie and Neil hear from a BBC reporter and a professor from BBC Radio 4 programme Inside Health. You'll also learn some useful language! Read along with this podcast with the free transcript, and practise the vocabulary...

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are modified versions of natural hormones which make us feel full when released into the body. Prof Giles Yeo explains how the drugs, which were originally used to treat diabetes, are now being used for weight loss. Georgie and Neil teach you some useful vocabulary.Read along with this podcast with the free transcript, and practise the vocabulary using...

Where is the coldest place you have ever been? Did you enjoy the experience? Some people don't seem to mind the cold, whereas other people seem to feel it much more strongly and keep themselves wrapped up in as many layers as possible. But why do we feel it in different ways? Phil and Becca discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Read along with this podcast with the free transcript, and...