Sponger

Sponger

Author: BBC Radio November 14, 2011 Duration: 3:19

Neil tells Li about his plan to live in luxury after giving up his job. Find out more about how he will pay for his expense in this week's programme.


Produced by BBC Radio, Learning English Conversations is a practical companion for anyone navigating the nuances of a new language. This podcast moves beyond textbook grammar to focus on the living language you hear in the streets, offices, and cafes. Each episode delves into everyday expressions and authentic dialogues, breaking down how English is actually spoken in casual and professional settings. A regular highlight is the popular segment 'The English We Speak,' which unpacks a new piece of slang, idiom, or useful phrase every week, giving you the confidence to use it yourself. The series also features special deep-dive collections tackling specific challenges, such as the 'Beating Speaking Anxiety' series, which offers strategies to overcome the common fear of making mistakes in conversation. The tone is supportive and clear, prioritizing real-world application over theory. By listening, you gain access to the rhythms, shortcuts, and cultural context that make conversations flow more naturally. Tune in for a direct, accessible route to feeling more at ease and capable in your English speaking and listening journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 802

Learning English Conversations
Podcast Episodes
The English We Speak: You can't go wrong with [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:26
If you 'can't go wrong' with a suggestion, you can't fail if you use it.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/engli…
The English We Speak: The flip side [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:28
An expression to change someone's perspective. Learn it hereTRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/…
The English We Speak: In my travel era [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:07
An expression that means you're focused on one thing at a particular period of lifeTRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningen…
The English We Speak: Give it some welly! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32
Say this if you want to encourage someone to put some more effort into an activity. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learninge…
The English We Speak: Shoehorn something in [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:53
Learn an expression that means force something in somewhere that it doesn't quite fit. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learni…
The English We Speak: On the fly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:19
Should you cook on the fly, or follow a recipe? Learn a phrase to talk about improvising.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/lear…
The English We Speak: That's on you [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:40
When someone tells you 'that's on you', they're telling you that it's your fault.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningengl…
The English We Speak: Warts and all [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:15
An expression that means including all your imperfections.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/th…
The English We Speak: Off the scale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:35
An expression that means goes far beyond what is expected.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/th…
The English We Speak: Throw one's toys out the pram [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:10
Here's an expression for someone's dramatic reaction when they don't get what they want.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learn…