Communication and language

Photo of two people in a pool, wearing floral swim caps using inflatable pink flamingo rings, with bunting overhead.

How to make friends as an adult

Friendships give us so much. Be bold, take the initiative, and you’ll be surprised how many people are pleased to connect

by Marisa G Franco

Vintage poster by Roger Broders showing a seaside scene with sunbathers and swimmers on Antibes beach.

How to learn a language (and stick at it)

Forget about fluency and how languages are taught at school: as an adult learner you can take a whole new approach

by John Gallagher

Photo of two women in front of a wall mural showing men reading newspapers, with a construction worker nearby.

How to have more meaningful conversations

Be brave enough to share, kind enough to listen, and you can escape the shallows of small talk to dive deep with another

by Lucy Foulkes

Photo of a person in a red hat and glasses sitting thoughtfully in a cafe with a coffee and a phone on the table.

How to take things less personally

Always blaming yourself or assuming others think ill of you? A CBT therapist shares ways to break these self-critical habits

by Joel Minden

A girl walks towards a woman on a pavement with a grey building in the background, casting shadows from a tree.

Talking out loud to yourself is a technology for thinking

Talking out loud to oneself is a technology for thinking that allows us to clarify and sharpen our approach to a problem

by Nana Ariel

Expressionist painting of two figures; one in a striped robe with a pipe, the other seated in a dress, both vibrant colours.

How to have a difficult conversation

Avoidance will only foster more conflict. Aim for a shared understanding with these techniques from an expert mediator

by Adar Cohen

Renaissance painting of a man with curly hair wearing a dark hat and clothing against a dark background.

Asking one simple question can entirely change how you feel

Positive and negative emotions respond differently to ‘affect labelling’ – the act of giving a name to your feelings

by Christian Waugh

Marble bust of a man with a solemn expression, Roman style, displayed against a dark background.

How to speak in public

Public speaking can feel like an ordeal, but take a lesson from the ancients: it’s a skill you can develop like any other

by John Bowe

Photo of a crowded London Underground train with passengers standing and sitting, holding onto poles and looking at phones.

How to ask for help

You’re not weak or lazy – everyone needs support. Follow these steps to learn when to reach out, who to go to and what to say

by Debbie Sorensen

A black-and-white photo of a man using a megaphone over the sea with ships in the distance.

How to find your voice

Do you sometimes feel silenced or afraid to speak up? Learn to use your natural voice and be heard for who you really are

by Sophie Scott

Photo of an ancient stone relief depicting four figures in draped garments with expressive faces, shown in close-up.

How do good conversations work? Philosophy has something to say

The idea of what makes for a successful conversation is always tricky, and has always been contested by philosophers

by Stephanie Ross

Photo of two people at a dinner table laughing heartily with wine glasses and a plate in the foreground.

Why it takes humour to sustain a long-term relationship

Maintaining a long and happy relationship requires a specific skillset. Learning to laugh at yourself and together is key

by Enrico Gnaulati

Abstract stone sculpture of a human figure with folded arms against a grey background.

How to say no

It’s a little word, but if you’re a chronic people pleaser it can be so tricky to say it. These tips and tricks will help

by Shayla Love

Protesters holding signs against cashless society, media and climate emergency. Signs include “ONLY BY STANDING TOGETHER WILL WE BE FREE” and “TIME TO WAKE UP”.

Our big problem is not misinformation; it’s knowingness

Everybody knows we live in an age of misinformation. But everybody’s wrong, and here’s why it’s our age’s biggest problem

by Jonathan Malesic

Photo of an aeroplane parked at Bologna Airport with the terminal and control tower in the background.

Speaking a different language can change how you act and feel

For many multilinguals, switching between tongues can lead to shifts in personality, revealing the malleability of the self

by Antonella Gismundi

Photo of a close-up of an intimate moment between two people lying close, with one hand gently touching the other’s hair.

How to talk about sexual desires

It’s not always easy to open up about sex. But letting a partner in on your wants and fantasies can strengthen your bond

by Sarah Hunter Murray