When someone tells you a story in English, it isn't enough to listen quietly. British speakers expect small sounds and words that show you are following. These are called backchannels: tiny replies like mm, yeah and oh really? In this episode: • The basic sounds • Reactions to news • Surprise reactions • Reply questions • Why it matters and how habits differ • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: mm (MM) — I'm listening (neutral) mm-hm (mm-HM) — yes, go on (neutral) yeah — I'm following (casual) yeah, yeah — I understand, keep going (casual; said fast, it can sound impatient) right — I understand (neutral) okay — I've got that (neutral) I see. — I understand now (neutral) Oh really? — that's interesting or surprising (neutral) Oh no! — that's bad news (neutral) Oh dear. — that's a shame, a bit sad (gentle, neutral) Oh lovely! — that's nice news (warm, very British) Wow! — that's impressive (neutral) That's brilliant! — that's great news (casual) Fair enough. — I accept your reason (casual) I know! — I agree, I feel the same (casual) Exactly. — that's what I think too (neutral) Oh, that's a shame. — sympathy for small bad news (neutral) No way! — I can hardly believe it (casual) You're joking! — really? I'm surprised (casual) Blimey! (BLY-mee) — what a surprise (casual, quite British) Seriously? — are you sure? (casual) Never! — I'm amazed (casual, British) I've just got back from Spain. — Have you? She's moving house. — Is she? We went to the seaside. — Did you? I can't swim. — Can't you? The kids are off school tomorrow. — Are they? Real British English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — modern British accent, everyday grammar, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang, he/she/it for things, and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.