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BBC Learning English
What BBC Learning English is
BBC Learning English is a web service for studying English through lessons, programmes, and practice materials. Its free plan is listed as free and includes English lessons and programmes, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation resources, quizzes, and downloadable worksheets. Learners can use offline lessons, speech practice, and a placement test. The service offers one language, English, and is available on the web. Offline lessons offer a way to continue with lesson material away from a connection, while speech practice focuses on spoken language. The placement test provides a tool for assessing a learner's starting point. BBC Learning English is the maker and is headquartered in London, United Kingdom; the maker was founded in 1943.
Who it suits
It suits people learning English who want web-based lessons, practice resources, and a placement test. Its single-language offering is focused on English.
What it does well
- Free plan includes lessons and programmes
- Grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation resources
- Offline lessons and speech practice
- Placement test available
- Quizzes and downloadable worksheets
What to know first
- Offers only one language
- Available on web
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | English lessons and programmes · Grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation resources · Quizzes and downloadable worksheets | Free |
| BBC Learning English website | Learning English website content | Free |
As bbc.co.uk lists them, read 19 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish.
- Use the Free plan, which costs nothing.
- Choose English lessons or programmes and use the available learning resources.
- Use quizzes, downloadable worksheets, offline lessons, speech practice, or the placement test.
Verdict
BBC Learning English brings English lessons and several kinds of practice material together in a free web service. Its focus is specifically on English rather than a selection of languages.
Questions
Is BBC Learning English free?
Yes. Its Free plan costs nothing and includes English lessons and programmes, learning resources, quizzes, and downloadable worksheets.
What language does it teach?
It offers one language: English.
Can I use it offline?
Offline lessons are available.
Does it include speaking practice or a placement test?
Yes. Speech practice and a placement test are available.
What platforms can I use it on?
BBC Learning English is available through the web.
Who makes BBC Learning English?
The maker is BBC Learning English, headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The maker was founded in 1943.
Facts from BBC Learning English's own pages
- Archives
- The FAQ says archived materials are available for several past programmes, including 6 Minute English, The English We Speak, quizzes, and grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. · bbc.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- BBC Weather
- A series about talking about the weather was produced together with BBC Weather. · feeds.bbci.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1943 · bbc.co.uk, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · downloads.bbc.co.uk, 19 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdom · bbc.co.uk, 28 Sept 2026
- Known issue
- The FAQ says some users have had difficulty playing audio and video, especially Android users, and that the BBC was investigating the issue. · bbc.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Languages offered
- 1 · downloads.bbc.co.uk, 19 Sept 2026
- Learner tools
- The site links to a level test, quizzes, downloads, podcasts, and stories. · feeds.bbci.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Learning resources
- The site links to pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, courses, skills, work English, and news sections. · feeds.bbci.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Levels
- The site invites learners to choose a level to start. · feeds.bbci.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline lessons
- Yes · downloads.bbc.co.uk, 19 Sept 2026
- Placement test
- Yes · downloads.bbc.co.uk, 19 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- BBC Learning English offers material for learning English and says it has inspired language learning since 1943. · feeds.bbci.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Reuse terms
- The FAQ directs teachers and businesses who want to use site materials elsewhere to the BBC's terms for using those materials. · bbc.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Speech practice
- Yes · downloads.bbc.co.uk, 19 Sept 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs users to a contact page for site errors and technical problems, and says BBC Learning English cannot answer individual English questions. · bbc.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Teachers and children
- The site has sections for teachers and children. · feeds.bbci.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Topics
- The site organizes content into topics including food, feelings and emotions, the environment, friends and family, and travel and transport. · feeds.bbci.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
- Weekly programmes
- The site says new episodes are published weekly for Real Easy English, 6 Minute English, The English We Speak, and Learning English from the News. · feeds.bbci.co.uk, 12 Oct 2026
Where BBC Learning English stands on Freedom251
- Language learning apps#79 of 278