The English We Speak: Playing Up

Some ideas are just never going to work. Those are what we call 'non-starters'. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.As always, get your free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260 ...  Show more

Notes here is about negative feedback, so ‘no notes’ means that something is perfect. Use it when you have nothing negative to say. Learn about this expression and how to use it with Feifei and Georgie.As always, find a free transcript here:✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglis ...  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