BETTER SPEAKING from BBC

BETTER SPEAKING

Better Speaking is all about how you can become a fluent, confident speaker of English. In the programmes we hear from learners of English from around the world and also from someone who specialises in teaching speaking, trainer Richard Hallows. Better Speaking is presented by Callum Robertson.

Episode 1
We hear several learners describe what they find difficult about speaking English, and Callum and Richard discuss the link between confidence and fluency.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.5 MB)

Episode 2 
Callum and Richard hear a clip from Korean football manager Pak Han Suk, and discuss ways you can improve your fluency in English.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.5 MB)

Episode 3 
Callum and Richard hear a clip from the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. They also discuss different ways you can practise and improve your English pronunciation.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.7 MB)

Episode 4 
Callum and Richard hear a clip from Greek businessman Stelios Haji-Ioannou and discuss different ways that you can organise what you say.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.4 MB)

Episode 5 
Callum and Richard listen to a clip from an interview with the successful Icelandic singer, Björk. They discuss the best ways to learn English vocabulary, and some ways you can sound like a native English speaker.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.3 MB)

Episode 6 
Callum and Richard listen to an interview with a former Wimbledon champion, Conchita Martinez. They discuss ways that you can hesitate in English and the very important 'er' sound in pronunciation.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.5 MB)

Episode 7 
Besides being one of motor racing's greatest stars, Michael Schumacher is also a very good speaker of English. Callum and Richard discuss the importance of using contractions and also varying intonation while you speak.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.7 MB)

Episode 8 
How does Iman Abdulmajid's life as a model conflict with her Muslim upbringing? Callum and Richard listen to a clip of Iman talking about this tension, and discuss ways that learners can increase their range of vocabulary.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.7 MB)

Episode 9 
This week, Callum and Richard discuss how we can use phrases like I think and I feel to give our opinion. They also talk about natural ways of agreeing or disagreeing in a conversation.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.6 MB)

Episode 10 
The pop band ABBA achieved global success with dozens of hits in the 1970s. But how successful were the band members at speaking English? Callum and Richard listen to an interview and discuss different ways that you can be vague in English.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.6 MB)

Episode 11
Steffi Graf is one of the most successful tennis players ever, but is she a successful speaker of English? Callum and Richard listen to an interview with the star and discuss how she manages to sequence what she says.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (3.5 MB)

Episode 12
In this final episode of Better Speaking, Callum and Richard look back at the previous programmes and discuss some of the main ways you can improve your English speaking.

 Listen online       Download mp3 (4 MB)