Lawrence interview | The Apprentice

Lawrence interview | The Apprentice

English Language | BBC One | 2026 | 1'29''

Spontaneous speech example; Lawrence tries to interrupt and uses a lot of backchanneling and interjections.

Karishma interview | The Apprentice

Karishma interview | The Apprentice

English Language | BBC One | 2026 | 1'33''

Spontaneous speech example; Karishma speaks to the interviewer where she allows him to talk and then answers.

Talking about the past | VE Day 80

Talking about the past | VE Day 80

English Language | BBC One | 2025 | 2'45''

Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid talk about the importance of remembrance and their experiences.

Sir Gareth Southgate | The Richard Dimbleby Lecture

Sir Gareth Southgate | The Richard Dimbleby Lecture

English Language | BBC One | 2025 | 54'10''

Former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate reflects on his personal journey as a leader and the importance of b...

The Write Way: Part 2 | The Learning Zone

The Write Way: Part 2 | The Learning Zone

English Language | BBC Two | 2000 | 28'56''

This programme concentrates on improving non fiction writing skills.

The Write Way: Part 1 | The Learning Zone

The Write Way: Part 1 | The Learning Zone

English Language | BBC Two | 2000 | 28'56''

This programme deals with teaching writing skills to 9-11 year olds.

Away with Words | Writer’s Block

Away with Words | Writer’s Block

English Language | BBC Two | 2002 | 17'37''

Compilation secondary schools programme consisting of a new unit focusing on key literacy skills and illustrating how the skills of re...

The Role of the Play | Writer’s Block

The Role of the Play | Writer’s Block

English Language | BBC Two | 2002 | 25'33''

Compilation secondary schools programme consisting of a new unit focusing on key literacy skills and illustrating how the skills ...

For the Sake of Argument | Writer’s Block

For the Sake of Argument | Writer’s Block

English Language | BBC Two | 2002 | 23'17''

Compilation secondary schools programme consisting of a new unit focusing on key literacy skills and illustrating how the ski...

Telling Tales | Writer’s Block

Telling Tales | Writer’s Block

English Language | BBC Two | 2002 | 27'00''

Compilation secondary schools programme consisting of a new unit focusing on key literacy skills and illustrating how the skills of read...

Once Upon a Time… | Writer’s Block

Once Upon a Time… | Writer’s Block

English Language | BBC Two | 2002 | 24'24''

Compilation secondary schools programme consisting of a new unit focusing on key literacy skills and illustrating how the skil...

Jay Blades: Learning to Read at 51

Jay Blades: Learning to Read at 51

English Language | BBC One | 2022 | 58'25''

Jay Blades, presenter of The Repair Shop, struggles to read. Now he has decided it is finally time to learn.

English Language and ‘like’ | The One Show

English Language and ‘like’ | The One Show

English Language | BBC One | 2019 | 2'45''

Kirsten O'Brien is in Birmingham testing the public on how many times they use the word 'like'.

Polari History | The One Show

Polari History | The One Show

English Language | BBC One | 2010 | 3'54''

Paul Baker explores the language of Polari, its history and its use in England.

Episode 2 | Blethering Scots

Episode 2 | Blethering Scots

English Language | BBC Two | 2012 | 28'49''

Ten more well-known Scottish personalities share their favourite Scots words. Comedian Susan Calman is a wee 'besom', while Elaine C Smith has s...

Episode 1 | Blethering Scots

Episode 1 | Blethering Scots

English Language | BBC Two | 2011 | 29'00''

Ten well-known personalities share their favourite Scots word and celebrate the warmth, wit and grit of the Scots language. Written by Sanjeev K...

Rebel Tongue

Rebel Tongue

English Language | BBC Scotland | 2020 | 58'00''

Alistair Heather sets out on a mission to reclaim the Scots language. For years, Scotland’s ancient tongue was ignored or mocked. Now, one and a half million pe...

Sir Jackie Stewart | Blethering Scots

Sir Jackie Stewart | Blethering Scots

English Language | BBC Two | 2013 | 3'25''

Sir Jackie Stewart shares his favourite Scots words.

03: Pan Loaf and Patter | The Mother Tongue

03: Pan Loaf and Patter | The Mother Tongue

English Language | BBC One Scotland | 1986 | 28'30''

The final programme in the series in which Billy KAY traces the development of the Scots language.

02: A Very Corrupt Dialect | The Mother Tongue

02: A Very Corrupt Dialect | The Mother Tongue

English Language | BBC One Scotland | 1986 | 29'18''

Billy KAY examines the roots of prejudice against Lowland Scots from the 1700s onwards in interviews with academics and native...

01: The Golden Age | The Mother Tongue

01: The Golden Age | The Mother Tongue

English Language | BBC One Scotland | 1986 | 29'06''

First of 3 documentaries tracing the history of the Scots tongue from its origins through to its heyday as the language of court, lit...

04: In a Manner of Speaking | Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

04: In a Manner of Speaking | Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

English Language | BBC Two | 1990 | 46'29''

Jonathan Miller explores the elements that make language more than just strings of words - such ...

03: Lending a Hand | Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

03: Lending a Hand | Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

English Language | BBC Two | 1990 | 46'28''

The sign language of deaf people is as complex as any spoken language and reveals something essential abo...

02: Broken English | Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

02: Broken English | Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

English Language | BBC Two | 1990 | 46'30''

When the brain is damaged through accident or injury, language can go tragically wrong. Meeting and talki...

01: Doing What Comes Naturally | Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

01: Doing What Comes Naturally | Born Talking: A Personal Inquiry into Language

English Language | BBC Two | 1990 | 46'32''

A personal enquiry into language, with Jonathan Miller. From infancy, language growth is asto...

Mind Your Slanguage

Mind Your Slanguage

English Language | BBC Radio 4 | 2009 | 27'33''

Benjamin Zephaniah explores the moral panic surrounding language change and asks why Jamaican patois remains the slang of choice for British teenagers.

03: Reverend Kate Bottley | Winter Walks

03: Reverend Kate Bottley | Winter Walks

English Language | BBC Four | 2021 | 28'59''

Walking along the banks of the River Cover and exploring the historic ruins of Wensleydale, the Rev Kate Bottley speaks frankly abou...

S02E08: Fashionistas | Balderdash & Piffle

S02E08: Fashionistas | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2007 | 28'48''

Victoria Coren leads the hunt for the word-origins of various footwear.

S02E07: Who Were They? | Balderdash & Piffle

S02E07: Who Were They? | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2007 | 28'53''

Victoria Coren, Adam Hart-Davis, Marcel Theroux and Simon Hoggart head off on the trail of the real people whose names have...

S02E06: Put Downs and Insults | Balderdash & Piffle

S02E06: Put Downs and Insults | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2007 | 29'12''

Victoria Coren, John Sergeant, Denis Healey, Ian McMillan and Mike Harding enlighten us on words such as wazzock, pr...

S02E05: X Rated | Balderdash & Piffle

S02E05: X Rated | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2007 | 29'16''

Victoria Coren, Burlesque star Immodesty Blaise and Roland Rivron investigate dictionary entries about sex and what they tell us a...

S02E04: Dodgy Dealings | Balderdash & Piffle

S02E04: Dodgy Dealings | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2007 | 29'22''

Victoria Coren, Suggs and Neil Oliver investigate words for dodgy dealers, rapscallions and other sorts of scallywag.

S02E03: Euphemisms: The Lace Curtain of Language | Balderdash & Piffle

S02E03: Euphemisms: The Lace Curtain of Language | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2007 | 29'13''

Victoria Coren, Artur Smith and Michael Portillo investigate the euphemisms for sex, death, war a...

S02E02: Man’s Best Friend | Balderdash & Piffle

S02E02: Man’s Best Friend | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2007 | 29'22''

This episode investigates the many uses we have for the word 'dog'. How and when did we come by 'dog', and what ma...

S02E01: One Sandwich Short of a Picnic | Balderdash & Piffle

S02E01: One Sandwich Short of a Picnic | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2007 | 29'31''

Victoria Coren presents this series about words. Investigating the words we use for madness, former nurse J...

S01E07: The Results Show | Balderdash & Piffle

S01E07: The Results Show | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2006 | 1'00'03''

One off episode of series that looks at words and phrases and the histories of words. Victoria Coren and team investigate...

S01E06: The B Words | Balderdash & Piffle

S01E06: The B Words | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2006 | 49'24''

This week it is the B words, includes 'back to square one', 'balti', 'bingo lingo' and 'boffins'.

S01E05: The C Words | Balderdash & Piffle

S01E05: The C Words | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2006 | 49'34''

This week, 'C' words with 'cocktail', 'cool', 'codswallop' and the most controversial 'c' word.

S01E04: The S Words | Balderdash & Piffle

S01E04: The S Words | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2006 | 49'25''

This week, 'S' words including 'Soccer' and 'Ska'.

S01E03: The N Words | Balderdash & Piffle

S01E03: The N Words | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2006 | 49'04''

The origins of words beginning with the letter N, including nutmeg, nit nurse and nice.

S01E02: The M Words | Balderdash & Piffle

S01E02: The M Words | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2006 | 49'04''

This week, 'M' words with 'management speak', 'full monty' and the history of 'man'.

S01E01: The P Words | Balderdash & Piffle

S01E01: The P Words | Balderdash & Piffle

English Language | BBC Two | 2006 | 52'13''

Hidden histories behind the words and phrases we use are revealed, to update the Oxford English Dictionary, presented by Victo...

Speeches that Shook the World

Speeches that Shook the World

English Language | BBC Four | 2013 | 59'07''

Documentary in which poet Simon Armitage dissects what makes a perfect speech by examining famous speeches that provoked radical change, surpri...

Seamus Heaney | Tongues of Fire

Seamus Heaney | Tongues of Fire

English Language | Channel 4 | 1985 | 26'12''

Ireland's most famous living poet talks about religious verse and its inspiration.

Judi Dench: Thomas Hardy | Poetry Book

Judi Dench: Thomas Hardy | Poetry Book

English Language | Channel 4 | 1991 | 6'31''

Judi Dench reads A Trampwoman's Tragedy by Thomas Hardy.

Episode 8 | The Speaker

Episode 8 | The Speaker

English Language | BBC Two | 2009 | 59'11''

It's the final and the three remaining teenagers get to go on the trip of a lifetime as they travel with Unicef to research children's rights in Mala...

Episode 7 | The Speaker

Episode 7 | The Speaker

English Language | BBC Two | 2009 | 58'55''

The teenagers face their toughest challenge yet. They are mentored in the art of inspiration by their biggest critics, the three judges, and must del...

Episode 6 | The Speaker

Episode 6 | The Speaker

English Language | BBC Two | 2009 | 58'55''

The six remaining Speakers get political in their bid to become Britain's Best Young Speaker. Alastair Campbell mentors the youngsters in the power o...