Category Archives: Functions

BEP 50 (Transcript & Exercises) – Softening Negative Replies 2

Click here to listen to the related podcast.

This is the second in a two-part series on softening negative replies. Last time you worked on softening negative replies in conversation to keep the atmosphere friendly and cooperative.

In this Business English Pod lesson, we’ll be looking at refusing requests and disagreeing politely.

Premium Members (Sign up for access): Online activities:

Study Notes
Phrases & Practice		 BEP 50: Softening Negative Replies 2 – Quiz

BEP 50 – Softening Negative Replies 2 – Gap-fill


Listening Quiz: (Click a question to see the answer)

1) Why is the GM of Avitek unable to meet with Nick on Thursday?

2) How is the weather in Kiev?

BEP 49 (Transcript & Exercises) – Softening Negative Replies 1

Click here to listen to the podcast for this lesson

This is the first in a two-part series on softening negative replies – saying “no” politely.

“No” is one of the strongest words in any language. Because it carries so much force, “no” is hard to say politely. Yet giving a negative reply, disagreeing or refusing a request are all things we have to do on a daily basis. So it’s important to learn how to say “no” in a way that enables you to maintain good relationships. In many cases this requires you to take a softer and more indirect approach. So today we’ll work on ways to soften negative replies in a variety of everyday situations.

Premium Members (Sign up for access): Online activities:

Study Notes
Phrases & Practice		 BEP 49: Softening Negative Replies 1 – Quiz

BEP 49: Softening Negative Replies 1 – Gap-fill


Listening Quiz: (Click a question to see the answer)

1) Has Nick been to the Ukraine before?

2) What day of the week is it?

BEP 39 INT (Transcript & Exercises) – Reporting on Progress

Download BEP 39 INT – Reporting on Progress

In today’s intermediate Business English Podcast episode you’ll practice reporting on progress. That means informing your boss or colleagues about your current work. This is also called updating someone on the status of a project.

Reporting on progress happens in formal settings, such as at meetings, but often also in informal settings, such as around the water cooler or maybe even over a drink after work.

Today’s listening provides an example of this very common kind of informal project update. It takes place in the offices of AirMech Services, a company that specializes in the maintenance, repair and modification of Passenger Loading Bridges, which are commonly called jetways. You’ll hear Rudi, a project manager, update his boss, Wolfgang, on the status of one such project. They meet each other during a break in the coffee room.

As you listen, pay attention to both the vocabulary and the verb tenses Rudi and Wolfgang use to discuss the progress of the project.

Answers to the listening comprehension questions will be published on this page: Listening Quiz.

Premium Members (Sign up for access): Online activities:

Study Notes
Phrases & Practice		 BEP 39 INT – Reporting – Quiz

BEP 39 INT – Reporting – Gap-fill


Listening Quiz:BEP 39 INT – Reporting (Click a question to see the answer)

BEP 38 INT (Transcript & Exercises) – Describing a Procedure

Today’s Business English Podcast episode focuses on explaining a procedure. We’ll also look at some common computer vocabulary.

In our jobs, we often have to tell people about procedures and processes – explaining how to do something. This can be more formal – for example giving government visitors a demonstration of a production line – or informal – for example showing a colleague how to use the photocopier.

Today’s dialogue is a common situation where describing a procedure is useful – giving someone help. It takes place at Elektra, a fashion design company. You’ll hear Sandy, an accountant, call Felipe, who works in the IT department. Sandy is having a problem with her computer and Felipe describes to her the procedure for fixing it.

Premium Members (Sign up for access): Online activities:

Study Notes
PhraseCast		 BEP 38 INT – Describing a Procedure- Quiz

BEP 38 INT – Describing a Procedure – Gap-fill


Listening Quiz:BEP 38 INT – Describing a Procedure (Click a question to see the answer)

BEP 35 INT – Meetings: Clarifying Meaning

Download BEP 35 INT – Meetings: Clarifying Meaning

In BEP 34, we talked about clarifying what was said, for example, “What did you just say? I didn’t catch that.”

In today’s Business English Pod show, we’ll look at clarifying what was meant, for example, “What do you mean by that?” or “What I’m trying to say is …”. Clarifying the meaning is an important part of all communication because it helps us avoid misunderstanding.

BEP 35: Study Notes.