Name: BOX SET: 6 Minute English - 'English language' English mega-class! 30 minutes of new vocab!
Uploaded: 2026-01-21T17:07:34.000Z
Duration: 30 min 33 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

Six Minute English from BBC Learning English.

Today we're talking about something we have some expertise in or knowledge about, that's teaching English.

We work on the BBC's Learning English website, hopefully giving people around the world an helping hand in learning a language that isn't the one they normally use.

Well, hopefully we're about to make that learning journey a bit easier as we launch a brand new online course.

Yes, but how long does it take someone to become a fluent speaker of English?

Well, it's a good question, Rob, and one we'll try to answer today.

We'll also be discussing some general ways to make learning English easier and explaining some learning related vocabulary along the way.

According to the last UK census taken in 2011, what percentage of the British population speaks a first language that's not English?

Well, we'll find out if you're right or wrong later on.

So now we can discuss how learning English is getting easier.

Of course, there are a huge number of publications, books, leaflets and magazines that can help teach you.

But there are those people who say that you can't beat the real thing.

A teacher, Someone who can explain a language to you face to face.

But that comes at a cost and isn't always practical.

That's why in the 21st century, online seems to be the main method of learning.

Technology is allowing the English language to come to you.

And that's why we've launched a brand new English course that's available on a computer, tablet or mobile phone.

It's aimed at intermediate learners and charts a pathway through the various aspects of the language.

And we hope that by commitment, committing around 15 minutes a day to using it, a learner will see a real improvement in their English knowledge and skill.

But as well as using resources available online, how else can someone help themselves to get a better grasp that's a better understanding of English?

Well, if someone wants to become a confident speaker of English, trainer Richard Hallowes has some tips.

What are the two main aspects of English that you need most Importantly, you've got to have a good range of vocabulary and grammar.

The more words you know, the better, obviously.

And similarly with grammar, the more grammar you have, the better you can explain yourself.

We also need to think about pronunciation.

Learners of English often worry about speaking like a native speaker.

It's not necessary to have a native accent.

Ok, so Richard says you need a good range or a wide variety of vocabulary and grammar.

The more words you know, the more you can say, and

the more grammar you know, the better you can say it or even write it.

One other tip is don't try to sound like a native.

So someone who speaks English as a first language.

Well, all these are things that we aim to cover in our new course.

Our new course might be a big help to you if you need English for your work, or if you're studying in English, or if you're planning to visit or even live in the UK.

In fact, the British government expects immigrants to reach ESOL entry 3 or B1 level before they can be granted citizenship.

It's equivalent to being able to hold a reasonably confident, basic conversation.

Well, in the UK, it's estimated that you need around 360 hours of study to get to that stage from not knowing any English at all.

But this depends on a number of factors, such as motivation, how much you want to learn.

Some experts say it's common for children under the age of 11 to be very immersed and be fluent in English in about six months.

But why should someone choose to learn English?

This is something we've been asking you on our Facebook page.

Suzuki says it's an international communication tool and HA thinks it's the key to getting a good job with a high salary.

Denise says it's the language that opens doors overseas.

But now, Rob, I need to know if I got today's question right.

I asked you, according to the last UK census taken in 2011, what percentage of the British population speaks a first language that's not English?

I think that was a wild guess, a very crazy guess.

The census found 7.7% of people in the UK that have a first language that's not English.

Don't forget to check our new website@bbclearningenglish.com. happy learning.

Six minute English from BBC Learning English.

Hello, this is six minute English from BBC Learning English.

Nowadays, many people use online dating apps to find love and romance.

This involves writing a dating profile, a short description of yourself which you hope makes you appear attractive to other people looking for love online.

Online dating started with the Internet, but the idea is not new.

In the days before the Internet, people put dating adverts in newspapers because they paid a price per word.

People described themselves in as few words as possible, using abbreviations like gsoh, which meant a good sense of humor.

Eventually, GSOH became part of everyday English.

Amazingly, the same thing is now happening in the world of online dating.

In this program, we'll be learning some of the newly invented words and phrases being used by people who are looking for love on the Internet.

Every year, thousands of romantic relationships start through online dating apps.

But as always, with information found on the Internet, there's a danger that someone's dating profile doesn't tell the whole truth.

So my question is, according to research, what do men tend to lie about in their dating profile?

Is it A, their hair, B, their height, or C, their age?

Well, most people want to appear younger, so I'll say it's C, their age.

We'll find out if that's the correct answer later.

The person behind the online dating research I mentioned was Dr. Nicola Fox Hamilton.

Subtitles ListPlay Video

BOX SET: 6 Minute English - 'English language' English mega-class! 30 minutes of new vocab!

pretend

native

vocabulary

tend