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
14 snips
Dec 28, 2025 • 14min
BE 509: What Does Fruit Have to Do with Critical Thinking at Work?
Lindsay and Michelle dive into the intriguing connection between fruit and critical thinking. They explore the idiom 'apples and oranges', highlighting its meaning of unfair comparisons. Listeners are treated to real-world work scenarios like marketing spend and role definitions where this idiom applies. Alternative phrases are discussed to enhance understanding. A fun role-play debate over social media versus in-person events showcases practical usage. The hosts stress the importance of this idiom in fostering skepticism and deeper analysis in the workplace.
20 snips
Dec 25, 2025 • 15min
BE 508: This is Promising! How to Talk About Potential at Work
Explore the meaning of 'holds promise' at work and its impact on potential for success. Discover various phrases like 'shows promise' and 'looks promising' and when to use them effectively. The hosts provide real-world examples involving resumes and AI, alongside a role-play segment on hiring conversations. Learn how to convey positivity with terms like 'encouraging' and the nuances between casual and formal expressions. Wrap up with tips on speaking optimistically about potential in any professional scenario.
17 snips
Dec 23, 2025 • 15min
BE 507: Correct Me If I'm Wrong - Hedging at Work is Key for Connection
Explore the art of hedging in business communication. Learn how phrases like 'correct me if I'm wrong' can foster politeness and openness at work. Discover the contexts where hedging is essential, especially in hierarchical situations. Hear practical examples and variations that keep conversations respectful while addressing mistakes. Enjoy a fun role play showcasing how to use these phrases in meetings, all while maintaining a balance between confidence and politeness.
48 snips
Dec 21, 2025 • 16min
BE 506: Do You Get the Short End of the Stick at Work?
Explore the nuances of English idioms like 'get the short end of the stick' and discover its implications in workplace fairness. Learn about starting projects with 'get the ball rolling' and how to shift dynamics when things go awry with 'get off on the wrong foot.' Delve into expressing concerns using 'get something off your chest' and enjoy a lively role play that showcases these phrases in action. Finally, gain valuable insights on the formality of idioms in professional settings.
Dec 18, 2025 • 16min
BE 505: Want to Improve Your English? Don't Bark Up the Wrong Tree
Discover the meaning behind the idiom 'bark up the wrong tree' and its 1800s origins related to hunting. Learn how to apply this phrase in business, including recognizing when teams misdirect blame. Explore alternative phrases for smoother professional communication, and understand the importance of admitting mistakes. Through real-world examples, uncover the risks of poor pivots in business. Plus, get tips on how to respectfully correct colleagues while promoting honest self-assessment as a key to success.
22 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 15min
BE 504: Five Ways to Use Out Of in your Business English Conversations
Join Lindsay and Michelle as they explore the nuances of the phrase 'out of' in everyday business conversations. Discover how to express that something is no longer available, discuss ratios like 'three out of four', and learn about physical exits. They dive into describing material composition with examples like oak desks and feather coats. Enjoy a role-play that demonstrates these phrases in action, rounding out with useful tips to enhance your Business English skills.
9 snips
Dec 14, 2025 • 14min
BE 503: Fair Enough: Your Secret Weapon for Polite Business English
Discover the power of the phrase 'fair enough' in business English. It can convey reluctant agreement and show understanding. Learn how it allows for polite dispute resolution and fosters a collaborative work environment. The hosts dive into practical examples and role plays that highlight using this phrase in meetings. You'll see how it encourages kindness and avoids micromanagement, making it a secret weapon for effective communication in the workplace.
19 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 18min
BE 502: It's Water Under the Bridge - How to Accept an Apology at Work
Explore the art of forgiveness in the workplace and why it's crucial for maintaining professionalism. The hosts break down the idiom 'water under the bridge,' sharing its relevance to moving forward after conflicts. Learn effective ways to accept apologies with real-life examples, and discover the importance of timing in these interactions. They also compare various phrases for accepting apologies and perform a role play to illustrate the process. This insightful discussion emphasizes the nuances of reconciliation in business settings.
6 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 18min
BE 501: Do You Feel Kind of Confused About this Word?
Discover how the phrases 'kind of' and 'kind of like' are used in Business English! The hosts break down their meanings, showing how 'kind of' softens statements and invites agreement. They'll also dive into how 'kind of like' helps draw comparisons. Tune in for practical role plays that illustrate these phrases in action at work, along with valuable pronunciation tips to enhance your speaking skills. This episode highlights the importance of these phrases in fostering effective communication in business settings!
8 snips
Dec 7, 2025 • 18min
BE 500: Think or Thinking? Which to Use in Business Communication
Discover the nuances of using 'I am wondering' versus 'I was wondering' for softer requests in business communication. Learn how past tense can make inquiries more polite. The hosts also explore the differences between 'think' and 'thinking' phrasing, showcasing how tone affects meaning. Role plays illustrate these concepts, emphasizing polite phrasing in collaboration. Finally, they guide listeners on choosing the right tone and context to enhance professional interactions.
