Learning English For Work
Education & Explainer
About
Short podcasts to improve your English at work. Want to write better emails? Confused by the jargon at your office? Need to apply for a job in English? We talk about the language used in international workplaces and help you improve your business English. Find more at bbclearningenglish.com Follow us at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus
Episodes
- Office English: Writing notes
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss how to effectively take meeting notes, identify action points, and write minutes.
- Office English: Extra work
Pippa and Phil discuss how to manage new work challenges and what to do when facing an excessive workload. This episode of Learning English For Work focuses on business English communication strategies.
- Office English: Clear communication
Pippa and Phil discuss how to offer suggestions and advice to colleagues in the workplace without being perceived as rude or inappropriate.
- Office English: Suggestions and advice
In this episode of Learning English For Work, Pippa and Phil discuss how to offer suggestions and give advice to colleagues in the workplace without appearing rude. The hosts explore appropriate language for addressing colleagues when they…
- Office English: Ideas
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss strategies for generating, developing, and implementing ideas in a workplace setting.
- Office English: Describing your job
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss how to describe your job to colleagues and people outside of your workplace.
- Office English: Socialising
In this episode of Learning English For Work, Pippa and Phil discuss building friendships in the workplace and maintaining professional boundaries.
- Office English: Disagreements
Pippa and Phil discuss how to politely disagree, be diplomatic, and find compromises in professional settings. This episode of the Learning English For Work podcast explores techniques for managing workplace disagreements effectively.
- Office English: Goals
In this episode of Learning English For Work, Pippa and Phil discuss language used during performance reviews and career conversations.
- Office English: Apologies
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss the appropriate use of apologies in a professional setting. They explore how to apologize effectively and consider if there are situations where apologizing is not necessary.
- Office English: Rules
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss how to identify the seriousness of office rules based on the language used. They explore the distinction between mandatory requirements and flexible guidelines in a workplace…
- Office English: Organising meetings
Pippa and Phil discuss strategies for planning office meetings and ensuring they remain focused and efficient. The episode covers practical tips for managing time and keeping discussions on track.
- Office English: Small talk
Pippa and Phil discuss how to initiate workplace conversations through small talk, including which topics are appropriate and which should be avoided when speaking with colleagues.
- Business Jargon: Should we use jargon?
Pippa and Phil discuss the use of jargon in the workplace and explore when it is appropriate to use it. They are joined by contributors including journalist Anna Maloney, Anne Curzan, and John Fiset.
- Business Jargon: Jargon about technology
In this episode of Learning English for Work, Pippa and Phil discuss business jargon related to technology and the impact of remote working on professional language usage.
- Business Jargon: Jargon about success
Pippa and Phil discuss common business phrases related to setting goals, measuring progress, and achieving success. This episode of Learning English For Work explores terminology used in a professional context.
- Business Jargon: Jargon about delays
Pippa and Phil discuss common business jargon used to describe delays and priorities in the workplace. This episode originally aired in November 2024 as part of the Learning English For Work series.
- Business Jargon: Jargon about workload
Pippa and Phil explain common business jargon used to describe workload in this episode of the Business Jargon series from BBC Learning English.
- Business Jargon: Jargon for ideas
Pippa and Phil discuss common business jargon used to describe ideas, and a CEO explains the phrases currently used to impress investors. This episode is part of the Learning English For Work series.
- Business Jargon: Jargon for organising
Pippa and Phil explore the use of business jargon for organizing, examining why managers use these terms. Featuring insights from Professor Anne Curzan, the episode discusses the role and reception of business language.
- Business Jargon: Jargon for meetings
In this episode of Learning English For Work, Pippa and Phil discuss common business jargon used in meetings, such as "touch base" and "circle back." This episode was originally broadcast in October 2024.
- Business Jargon: What is jargon?
Pippa and Phil discuss the use of business jargon in the workplace with John Fiset from the University of Nova Scotia. They explore why certain professional phrases can make completing work tasks difficult.
- Work in the future: How can we stay cyber safe?
In this episode, Pippa, Phil, and BBC journalist Joe Tidy discuss cyber crime threats in the workplace and how to stay cyber safe. They explore how to handle scams and protect information at work.
- Work in the future: How do generations work together?
Pippa and Phil explore how generations interact in the workplace and discuss common stereotypes. They are joined by Grace Lordan, director of the Inclusion Initiative at the London School of Economics, to analyze if differences between old…
- Work in the future: Should we work fewer hours?
In this episode of Learning English For Work, Pippa and Phil discuss flexible working arrangements, such as the four-day work week, with Professor Heejung Chung from King’s College Business School. They explore the potential benefits of th…
- Work in the future: Does office design impact our work?
Pippa and Phil discuss how office design affects work with guest Kerstin Sailer, professor in the sociology of architecture at University College London. They also explore how office use has evolved since the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Work in the future: Will AI take over our jobs?
Pippa and Phil discuss the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the workforce, featuring insights from Martin Ford, author of Rise of the Robots. They explore how AI is currently affecting work and consider future predictions for job autom…
- Work in the future: What is wellbeing at work?
In this episode of Learning English For Work, Phil and Pippa discuss the importance of wellbeing at work and its impact on job performance with guest Zofia Bajorek from the Institute for Employment Studies.
- Work in the future: How do you network online?
In this episode of Learning English For Work, hosts Phil and Pippa are joined by marketing and communications consultant Adam Driver to discuss the evolution of professional networking and how to effectively connect with others online.
- Work in the future: Is working from home here to stay?
Pippa and Phil discuss the future of hybrid work with Stanford University economics professor Nick Bloom. They explore whether working from home is a permanent shift.
- Work in the future: What will work be like in the future?
In this episode of Learning English For Work, the series explores the changing world of work and discusses what the future of employment might look like with industry experts.
- Job Applications: Your first day
Pippa and Phil discuss how to make a good impression on your first day of work in this episode of Learning English For Work. The show features advice from BBC World Service recruitment expert Amy Evans.
- Job Applications: After the interview
Pippa and Phil discuss the steps to take after a job interview, including how to accept a job offer or request feedback. The episode features advice from recruitment expert Amy Evans.
- Job Applications: Interviews part 2
Pippa and Phil discuss strategies for job interviews and how to stand out, featuring insights from recruitment expert Amy Evans. This is the second part of a series on job applications.
- Job Applications: Interviews part 1
Pippa and Phil discuss how to structure answers for job interviews, featuring advice from recruitment expert Amy Evans. This episode is part of the Learning English For Work series.
- Job Applications: Preparing for a job interview
Pippa, Phil, and recruitment expert Amy Evans discuss how to prepare for a job interview. This episode offers advice on getting ready for the job application process.
- Job Applications: Cover letters
Pippa and Phil discuss how to write an effective cover letter for job applications, featuring advice from recruitment expert Amy Evans.
- Job Applications: Understanding job descriptions
Pippa and Phil discuss how to evaluate job descriptions to determine if a position is a good fit, featuring advice from recruitment expert Amy Evans.
- Job Applications: Writing CVs
Pippa and Phil discuss essential components of a CV with advice from recruitment expert Amy Evans. They explore what information should be included and what is best left out.
- Office English: Pitching
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss how to effectively pitch ideas within a professional work environment.
- Office English: Client management
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss strategies for effective client management and maintaining customer satisfaction in a professional setting.
- Office English: Deadlines and logistics
Pippa and Phil discuss English vocabulary and phrases for setting deadlines, collaborating with colleagues, and managing logistics in an office environment.
- Office English: Help
Pippa and Phil discuss how to ask for and offer help in a professional office environment. This episode provides practical language skills for navigating workplace assistance.
- Office English: Feedback
Pippa and Phil discuss how to give and receive professional feedback in the workplace. The episode explores ways to communicate about others' work in a constructive and polite manner.
- Office English: Cold calls
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss the topic of cold calling and how to build professional relationships with new contacts.
- Office English: Misunderstanding
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss how to manage miscommunication in the workplace. They provide practical advice on how to verify understanding between colleagues in professional settings.
- Office English: Delegating
This episode of Learning English for Work explores how to give instructions to colleagues when delegating tasks. It provides practical language for managing your workload in an office environment.
- Office English: Presentations
This episode of Learning English For Work provides advice on how to prepare for giving presentations in a professional setting.
- Office English: Saying no
In this episode of Office English, hosts Pippa and Phil discuss the importance of setting professional boundaries and the appropriate way to say no in a workplace setting.
- Office English: Selling Yourself
In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil discuss how to talk about professional achievements and strengths. They provide useful phrases for selling yourself in a workplace or interview context.