

Learning English Stories
BBC Radio
Improve your English with these short dramas and stories. Find more at bbclearningenglish.comFollow us at
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Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 5, 2025 • 5min
Classic Stories: The Island of Dr Moreau
Dive into a chilling science fiction tale where Prendick finds himself stranded on a mysterious island filled with bizarre, almost-human creatures. As he uncovers Dr. Morrow's unsettling experiments, chaos erupts with escaped animals and deadly confrontations. The story explores themes of humanity and ethics amidst the madness. Can Prendick escape the horrors, or will he be trapped in a world of nightmares forever? Tune in for a thought-provoking adventure packed with suspense!

Nov 28, 2025 • 4min
Classic Stories: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Dive into the mischievous world of Huckleberry Finn as he struggles between civilization and adventure. Experience his escape from family pressures and his father's return to a life of poverty. Huck teams up with Jim for an unforgettable river journey filled with moral dilemmas and heart-pounding escapades. Discover the complexity of friendship, freedom, and the shocking twist of Jim's rescue amidst danger. Join Huck as he contemplates his future, hinting at more thrilling adventures ahead!

Nov 21, 2025 • 6min
Classic stories: Cinderella
Dive into the enchanting tale of Cinderella, where hardship meets magic. Discover her struggles with a cruel stepfamily and how a fairy godmother transforms her life. Experience the whimsical ball, where the prince and Cinderella share a moment, only for her to flee before midnight! The quest for the lost glass slipper begins, leading to a surprising twist. Enjoy a clever exploration of vocabulary with the different uses of 'go' as you journey through this classic story with a modern twist.

Nov 14, 2025 • 8min
Our Stories: Ways to tell good stories
Discover how to elevate your storytelling in English! Pippa and Beth explore techniques such as using vivid actions to enhance humor, as demonstrated in Neil's parking tale. They reveal how to make unbelievable stories more credible by incorporating repetition, illustrated through Georgie's encounter with a boy band. Plus, learn how sharing thoughts and feelings can add drama, inspired by a compelling travel coincidence. Tune in for tips that make your stories unforgettable!

5 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 7min
Our Stories: Meeting famous people
Phil shares a surprising story about teaching a famous World Cup footballer English and how an Instagram mix-up went viral. The media buzz around it highlights the unexpected nature of celebrity encounters. Meanwhile, Georgie recounts her teenage obsession with One Direction and how a chance encounter led her to hug Harry Styles. The emotional rush of those brief moments is palpable, even without photographic proof. The hosts invite listeners to share their celebrity stories, connecting everyone through shared experiences of fame.

Oct 31, 2025 • 8min
Our Stories: 30 brides and a family discovery
Pippa shares her experience at a wedding with numerous brides, highlighting a whirlwind ceremony that lasted just five minutes. Meanwhile, Beth uncovers exciting family secrets, revealing long-lost siblings adopted to the USA. She attends a heartwarming family reunion in South Carolina, bridging connections between distant relatives from the UK. Their stories are both touching and humorous, showcasing the diverse tapestry of family ties and the joy of unexpected gatherings.

Oct 24, 2025 • 8min
Our Stories: Coincidences and culture shock
Beth shares surprising coincidences from her travels, including running into schoolmates in remote locations like Thailand and Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Phil recounts his year in Paraguay, detailing his struggle with intense winter heat and adapting to local life. The duo reflects on the oddities of encountering familiar faces in the most unexpected places and how travel can create life-changing experiences. They invite listeners to share their own unique travel stories, making it a journey of connection and discovery.

Oct 17, 2025 • 8min
Our Stories: Locked out and looking silly
Georgie and Neil share real stories about mistakes. Georgie breaks into her own house, and Neil does something very embarrassing in a car park. 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/our-stories/251017FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Oct 10, 2025 • 5min
Classic Stories: The Snow Queen
Enjoy a classic story in English and learn 9 uses of ‘stick’ - in 5 minutes.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:Visit our website
✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglishFollow us
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Try some of our other popular podcasts including:
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Oct 3, 2025 • 5min
Classic Stories: Robin Hood
Enjoy a classic story in English and learn 9 uses of ‘stand’ - in 5 minutes. PRACTISE YOUR READING IN THE READING ROOM: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_roomFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS?
Try some of our other popular podcasts including:
✔️ 6 Minute English
✔️ Learning English from the News
✔️ Learning English Conversations They're all available by searching in your podcast app.


