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
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.
9 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 14min
BE 499: Do You Move the Goalposts on Your English?
Lindsay and Michelle dive into goal setting and the psychology of changing expectations. They explore the idiom 'move the goalposts,' discussing its origins and implications in the workplace. Listeners learn about realistic goal setting based on past data and the concept of the 'hungry ghost' in pursuit of achievement. The duo contrasts negative and positive uses of the idiom, shares examples from negotiations and team dynamics, and emphasizes the importance of clear communication when adjusting goals.
Dec 2, 2025 • 15min
BE 498: My Coworker Said “My Mistake” - Were They Being Sarcastic?
Explore the nuances of the phrase 'my mistake' in the workplace. Discover when it’s a genuine apology and when it veers into sarcasm. The hosts break down the importance of tone, demonstrating how intonation can signal confrontational meaning. Through engaging role-plays, they highlight how sarcasm can contribute to a toxic environment. Get valuable tips on assuming sincerity and reading cues effectively, ensuring clear communication with coworkers.
35 snips
Nov 30, 2025 • 18min
BE 497: Is There a Difference Between Instead of and Rather?
Dive into a language showdown as the hosts explore the nuances between 'instead of' and 'rather than'. Discover how formality plays a role in your choice of words, with 'instead of' being more casual. Learn how 'rather than' emphasizes preference while 'instead of' focuses on replacement. They clarify grammar rules, showcasing proper structures for both phrases. Plus, enjoy a fun role-play that puts these expressions to the test in real-life scenarios!
22 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 14min
BE 496: Should You Tell a Supervisor You Appreciate Them?
The hosts delve into the nuances of expressing appreciation in a professional setting. They highlight the importance of focusing on actions over personal feelings when thanking colleagues. A listener's query about the difference between 'I appreciate' and 'I'm appreciative' prompts a discussion on the emotional implications of both phrases. Through role play, they showcase effective ways to compliment specific actions in the workplace. Their pro tip emphasizes that detailed appreciation is key to professionalism, while personal expressions are best saved for close relationships.
13 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 15min
BE 495: Don't Kick the Can Down the Road! Address It in English Now
Lindsay and Aubrey dive into the importance of addressing issues head-on rather than postponing them. They explore the idiom 'kick the can down the road,' discussing when it can be beneficial to delay action and when it leads to avoidance. They share alternative phrases for this concept and use cooking analogies to illustrate strategic delays. Through role-play, they confront a scenario of addressing underperformance at work. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes the need to prioritize what truly matters in both personal and professional contexts.
37 snips
Nov 23, 2025 • 17min
BE 494: Feedback That Tastes Better Than a Compliment Sandwich
Exploring how people react to feedback, the hosts reveal that the way it's delivered greatly impacts openness. They delve into the often ineffective feedback sandwich technique, highlighting its potential to come off as insincere. A five-step feedback model is introduced, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and connecting feedback to specific goals. Role-play scenarios illustrate the power of constructive conversations. Ultimately, they stress that feedback should be an ongoing, collaborative process rather than a one-time event.
13 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 18min
BE 493: Reserve, Preserve, Conserve - What's the Difference?
Dive into the nuances between reserve, preserve, and conserve. Learn how to reserve means booking or holding something for later. Discover conservation as saving resources to avoid waste. Find out how to preserve by protecting items over time, like keeping jam from spoiling. Enjoy a fun role-play that illustrates these terms in action at an event. Get inspired with study tips, including jam-making and observing native speakers for deeper understanding.
18 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 16min
BE 492: How to Make an Email Introduction in Business
Discover the art of email introductions and why they're essential in business. Learn the difference between casual and formal opening phrases. Hear tips on providing context and concise descriptions to foster connections. Explore how to conclude your email effectively and best practices for replying. The hosts also discuss when to ask for permission before introducing people and share real-life examples. Get inspired to connect more and cultivate an abundance mentality in your networking efforts!
28 snips
Nov 16, 2025 • 18min
BE 491: Can You Use the Word Guess at Work?
Discover the nuances of using the word 'guess' in business communication. The hosts explain its everyday meanings and how it may imply uncertainty in professional contexts. Through role plays, they illustrate when 'I guess' can sound unprofessional and offer alternatives like 'venture a guess' to convey confidence. Tune in for insights on how tone and context are key in language use at work, and learn the importance of connecting with colleagues effectively.
