Learning Zone Frequently Asked Questions
We appreciate your feedback and try, wherever possible, to answer your emails, but due to the huge amount of correspondence we can't guarantee a personal reply. Please look at the FAQs below before sending an email - many of your questions are answered here.
Please note that we don't offer translation services.
Learning Zone FAQs
1. How do I watch foreign language programmes on television?
Foreign language programmes are occasionally repeated on the Learning Zone on BBC Two. They're broadcast overnight so you'll need to set your video the night before.
To find out about the next month's broadcasts, you could subscribe to our free newsletter. Just click on the link below and enter your email address here.
The quarterly schedule for programmes broadcast on the Learning Zone can be found here.
Can't find what you're looking for? Please contact us.
Back to questions or go to the Learning Zone.
2. How do I find out when Learning Zone programmes are going to be broadcast?
You can subscribe to our free newsletter by clicking on the link below and entering your email address here.
The quarterly schedule for programmes broadcast on the Learning Zone can be found here.
Can't find what you're looking for? Please contact us.
Back to questions or go to the Learning Zone.
3. I'm a tutor/teacher - how do I get permission to use the language videos broadcast on the Learning Zone in my class?
You may make and keep recordings of any BBC programme broadcast on the Learning Zone if you have an Educational Recording Agency (ERA) licence. For details, contact the ERA:
Telephone: 020 7837 3222
Email: era@era.org.uk
Website: www.era.org.uk
Richmond College provides a video library service with copies of broadcasts for schools, colleges and universities who are members of their library and hold an ERA licence.
Click here find out about how you can join their membership scheme.
Guidelines for use of our material are covered by the BBC guidelines for schools and educational establishments (see the link provided below for more information).
Most schools and colleges already have a licence which allows them to copy and share our material in the classroom, but it is worth checking with your own school or college if they have one.
You can view the copyright guidelines here.
Can't find what you're looking for? Please contact us.
Back to questions or go to the Learning Zone.
4. Can I buy DVDs or videos of the programmes broadcast on the Learning Zone?
Unfortunately, most of the videos of programmes shown on the Learning Zone, such as Deutsch Plus, are not available for purchase. This is due to copyright and contractual agreements that cover broadcasting only.
Tutors and teachers can borrow back copies of programmes for classroom use.
Richmond College provides a video library service with copies of broadcasts for schools, colleges and universities who are members of their library and hold an ERA licence. Click here to find out about how you can join their membership scheme.
The Talk French and Talk Spanish series can be purchased on DVD from BBC Active or the BBC Shop online.
Please contact them with any queries/comments at the following addresses:
BBC Active - Fill in the Contact Us/Feedback form.
BBC Shop - Send an email.
Language programmes are also occasionally repeated on the Learning Zone on BBC Two. They're broadcast overnight so you'll need to set your video the night before.
To find out about the next month's broadcasts, you could subscribe to our free newsletter. Just click here and enter your email address in the space provided.
The quarterly schedule for programmes broadcast on the Learning Zone can be found here.
Can't find what you're looking for? Please contact us.
Back to questions or go to the Learning Zone.
5. I live abroad. Can I watch the Learning Zone programmes?
The BBC Languages courses are broadcast in the UK on BBC TWO, a terrestrial public service channel, but are not currently shown overseas.
The television broadcasts supplement the courses that we offer, consisting of books and audio material and it's not essential to have them in order to follow the courses.
Many courses are also supplemented by online learning materials, available for free, on our website www.bbc.co.uk/languages, where you can also watch clips from the television programmes.
Alternatively, you can purchase the Talk French and Talk Spanish series on DVD from either
BBC Active or the BBC Shop online.
Back to questions or go to the Learning Zone.
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Please use our website BBC Complaints.
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