The English We Speak: Playing Up

Try your patience means 'test your patience'. Find out how to use it here with Phil and Feifei.Get a free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-261012Have you signed up to our email newsletter yet? If ...  Show more

I’ve got too many plans. I’m going to sack them off and just chill out this week! Learn how to use 'sack something off' in this programme with Georgie and Feifei.Get a free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-spe ...  Show more

We all remember playgrounds when we were children – slides, swings, climbing frames. But have you heard of the new playgrounds which are designed to include things that others might consider junk... like old tyres and wooden pallets! Pippa and Phil discuss this and teach you some ...  Show more

In episode 6 we ask the question: How can we use play to teach English? First up this week, Chris talks about how he has used play in his teaching, and introduces We'am to a game from his childhood days. Then they talk to Elly Setterfield, a young learner ELT specialist. Elly dis ...  Show more

Let's talk about playing with our children and why it is such a great tool. Children at play are in their natural state and when we can meet them there, we can guide them to connect, think more clearly and cooperate more easily. Play definitely did not come naturally to the two o ...  Show more

1. when a child misbehaves, e.g. "The kids were playing up all morning, it was a nightmare!" 2. when something fails to function properly. e.g. "The battery in my phone is playing up" 3. when a part of your body causes you pain or doesn't function properly "my back's been playing ...  Show more