Business English from All Ears English
Lindsay McMahon
Want to feel more confident with your business English?Lindsay and Michelle show you real, business English vocabulary for the global economy in this podcast from All Ears English. Learn spoken English for business with native speakers.Get advanced skills for English meetings, presentations, small talk and socializing at work, job interviews, telephone English and more.Write more clear and concise business emails in English to sound professional.Be respected when you speak to colleagues, bosses, partners, suppliers, and stakeholders.Increase your self-esteem at work to participate, facilitate, persuade, and respond quickly in English.Learn formal, informal, and semi-formal English for different workplace situationsIncrease your salary and get a promotion.This podcast is perfect for you if you are at the mid-career or middle management stage, early career, senior-level or C-suite, entrepreneur, self-employed freelancer, or a small business owner.The English level for this podcast is intermediate to advanced English CEFR B1 Intermediate English, CEFR B2 Upper-Intermediate English, CEFR C1 Advanced English, CEFR C2 Proficiency EnglishThis podcast is great for software engineers, senior executives, MBA students, marketing managers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, project managers, HR professionals, customer service professionals, IT, financial planners, import/export businesses, biotech professionals, sales reps, and any career that involves international business or using English.With every episode, we show you how to organize and deliver your message clearly.You’ll be able to understand phone calls and conference calls by improving your listening skills.Use the right English grammar and the right English tenses in every situation.We also cover: Assigning tasks to the team, global leadership and management, English pronunciation and accent, American culture and business, cross-cultural communication skills for business, negotiation idioms, vocabulary, slang, and business proverbs and sayings.Learn how to tell stories that convince people to take action in business.Speak with customers and resolve client issues.Be polite with the right English vocabulary when you speak with your colleagues.This podcast is a collection of episodes that were originally published on All Ears English Podcast and new Business English episodes.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 19min
BE 478: Avoid These Verbs in Business Emails
The hosts dive into the pitfalls of using informal verbs in business emails. They highlight how phrases like 'lemme' and 'gonna' can undermine professionalism and suggest using full forms instead. Alternatives such as 'want to' and 'need to' are recommended for clearer communication. Listeners learn the importance of maintaining a polished tone with words like 'somewhat' instead of 'sorta.' Through role-playing, they illustrate the parallels between spoken and written language to reinforce professionalism in communication.
9 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 15min
BE 477: Let's Take 5. How to Create Space When There's Conflict at Work
Explore the dynamics of workplace conflict and why misunderstandings arise among colleagues. Learn how empathetic leadership can improve communication by interpreting body language and tone. Discover powerful phrases like 'Let's Take a Step Back' and 'Take Five' to create necessary pauses in tense situations. Hear real-life role-plays demonstrating effective conflict resolution through breaks. Finally, understand the importance of giving space for colleagues to resolve issues on their own, fostering a healthier work environment.
17 snips
Oct 12, 2025 • 15min
BE 476: Mastering Business English? Way to Go!
Explore the art of congratulating colleagues in a casual workplace setting. Discover the meaning and usage of phrases like 'way to go' and alternatives such as 'nice going' or 'good job.' Learn how to deliver stronger praise with expressions like 'you killed it' and why outdated phrases, like 'kudos,' should be replaced. Engage in a role play that models team recognition and understand how acknowledging wins can boost morale and build connections among coworkers.
7 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 15min
BE 475: Is Your Job on the Line? How to Talk About Risk at Work
Explore the intriguing dynamics of risk in the workplace! Hear an emotional story about an unexpected job loss that highlights the fragility of job security. Learn the meaning of 'on the line' and its applications in professional contexts. Discover how personal vulnerability can mirror workplace risks, illustrated by dating anecdotes. The hosts also discuss related phrases like 'in jeopardy' and 'on thin ice.' Gain valuable insights on how to signal what truly matters at work for better team morale.
18 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 17min
BE 474: Everyone's Coming Out of the Woodwork! How to Identify Opportunism in English
Join the hosts as they share personal woodworking stories and unpack the idiom 'coming out of the woodwork.' Discover its intriguing origin linked to vermin and how it's used to describe opportunism in the workplace. They offer synonyms that capture similar sentiments and role-play scenarios, revealing how certain team members emerge only when financial incentives are involved. With valuable insights and cautionary advice, this discussion is perfect for navigating high-stakes moments in your career.
22 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 13min
BE: Have You Hit a Rough Patch With Business English Vocabulary?
Delve into the intricacies of workplace relationships and the challenges of falling outs. The hosts share personal anecdotes and expert insights on conflict resolution. Learn key phrases like 'not on good terms' and 'hit a rough patch' that capture these experiences. Role plays highlight real-life scenarios with colleagues navigating tough moments. Throughout, there's an emphasis on the importance of repairing relationships instead of giving up. Plus, discover an exciting course aimed at elevating your professional English skills to the next level!
9 snips
Oct 5, 2025 • 16min
BE 473: Hold the Meeting - How to Talk About Pop Culture at Work
Explore the nuances of discussing pop culture at work. Learn whether sharing news about celebrities is appropriate and how company culture shapes these conversations. Discover clever phrases for introducing pop culture during meetings and why these discussions can foster connections among colleagues. Role-play examples illustrate how to naturally mention celebrity news, while experts explain why awareness of pop culture can enhance your English fluency and workplace relationships.
10 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 17min
BE 472: How to Affirm and Validate to Keep Employees Happy and Heard
Explore the art of affirming and validating employees to enhance workplace culture. Learn how leader responses shape open communication and discover effective phrases to validate team input. The hosts discuss adjusting formality in sensitive discussions and showcase brief acknowledgments for everyday interactions. Role-playing scenarios illustrate the impact of validation on employee retention. They also offer strategies for managing expectations when immediate solutions aren't available while still acknowledging concerns.
19 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 19min
BE 471: Soon Versus Quickly in English - What's the Difference?
Discover the key differences between 'soon' and 'quickly' in English. Learn how 'soon' acts as a time marker, while 'quickly' emphasizes speed. Explore real-life examples that show the nuances between these terms, especially in a business context. The hosts discuss how urgency impacts decision-making and provide role-play scenarios to illustrate their points. Gain insights into adverb placement and when certain phrases may sound outdated. Tune in for a fresh perspective on prioritizing tasks in your professional life.
13 snips
Sep 28, 2025 • 16min
BE 470: 3 English Words to Avoid When Pursuing Clients
Exploring the nuances of business language, the hosts discuss the missteps of using 'work on' for people. They suggest alternatives like 'tackle' and 'pursue' for projects and emphasize more respectful phrases such as 'secure a client.' The conversation highlights why 'land a client' feels outdated and manipulative. A role play illustrates using appropriate language in professional settings, contrasting internal and client-facing choices. The episode wraps with tips on creating respectful client relationships through mindful language.
