The Coffee Break story
Most of us don’t have hours to spare, but we do have a coffee break.
Coffee Break Languages began with that idea, and a podcast for learners who wanted real teaching in bite-sized lessons.
The first lesson was published on 18th October 2006: episode 1 of Coffee Break Spanish. People listened, then asked for more languages, more depth and more ways to learn. One podcast became many, then courses, videos, books and Coffee Break TV.
Twenty years on, our podcasts have been downloaded over 400 million times, and our teachers make new lessons every week.
What we make
Start for free, then take your learning further
PodcastsListen to free audio lessons in 10 languages, wherever you are.
YouTube lessonsWatch free video lessons from our language teams, and Mark’s Language Adventures.
Level by levelWork through a language one level at a time, from your first words to confident conversation.
Short video lessonsThousands of video lessons in French, German, Italian and Spanish, with new content every week, on your computer, phone, tablet or TV.
50 Coffee BreaksGet away from your screen, sit down with a coffee (or tea) and enjoy a short activity of 5, 10 or 15 minutes.
On TrackFour language experts, two teams, and a race across Europe with language challenges every step of the way.
Behind the scenes
A small team in Scotland, with teachers all over the world
We’re a close-knit team based in Ayr, on the west coast of Scotland, working alongside native speakers and teachers both locally and around the world. Mark and Catriona lead the team and shape everything we make.
18th October 2006 to 18th October 2026
Twenty years of Coffee Break
From one Spanish podcast to ten languages and millions of learners. Find out how Coffee Break fits into the lives of language learners.
Read the stories
How we teach
The Coffee Break method
Twenty years of teaching have shaped a way of learning that works for busy people. It rests on a few simple ideas, most of them backed by what we know about how people learn languages.
A little, often
Short, regular lessons that fit into your routine work better than the occasional marathon session. Coming back to a language every day, even for 15 minutes, helps it stick: each time you return, you recall what you learned before, and that’s what moves words and structures into your long-term memory.
Real teachers
Our lessons are made by native speakers and experienced teachers who explain the why as well as the what. When you understand how a structure works, you can build your own sentences with it, rather than learning phrases one at a time.
Learn alongside a learner
In many of our courses, someone takes on the role of the learner. They ask the questions you’d ask and make the mistakes you’d make, so you hear each point explained, tried out and corrected before you have a go yourself.
Everyday situations
You’ll learn language you can use as soon as you travel or meet someone new. In our Level 1 and 2 courses, each lesson is built around a situation, such as ordering in a café or asking for directions, so words are taught within a context.
Review built in
New language keeps coming back. Each lesson recycles what came before, and regular review lessons bring it all together, so you build on what you know instead of starting afresh each time.
The team
The people in our lessons
These are the faces you’ll see in our YouTube videos and on Coffee Break TV. Some present and explain, and some take on the role of the learner, asking the questions you’d ask.
Mark
Mark presents the French, Spanish and Italian courses. In Chinese, Gaelic, German, Japanese and Swedish he takes on the role of the learner, to show that anyone can do this.
Catriona
Catriona has been involved in Coffee Break since day 1 and spends much of her time ensuring that our community of learners can make the most of Coffee Break courses. Catriona has also taught French and German for many years and contributes to our weekly email lessons. She’s also Mark’s wife!
Find your language
Pick a language and take your first coffee break with us. It’s free to start.