Business English with Dr. Jo

English for 1:1 Meetings | Essential Phrases for Managers & Colleagues

Struggling to find the right words in your one-to-one meetings? In this Business English lesson, you’ll learn natural, professional phrases that both managers and colleagues can use to make 1:1s more productive and confident.
You’ll hear examples for:
Opening the meeting
Sharing progress and challenges
Giving and receiving feedback
Agreeing next steps
Closing the conversation
These phrases will help you speak clearly, set the right tone, and build stronger workplace relationships in English. Perfect for managers, team leaders, and professionals who want to communicate with confidence in one-to-ones.
For the free resources that go with this episode, please go to:
https://onetoones.carrd.co/ and https://bigbangpartnership.co.uk/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-one-to-one-meetings-with-your-team-or-line-manager/
 

Stop Saying Yes to Everything! 6 Polite Business English Phrases for Work

To download the FREE resource pack that goes with this episode, please go to https://saynoatwork.carrd.co/
 
Do you ever say “yes” at work when you really want to say “no”? You’re not alone. Many professionals struggle to refuse requests without feeling guilty.
In this lesson, I’ll teach you six polite and professional ways to say no in English. You’ll learn how to decline requests respectfully, protect your time, and maintain good workplace relationships.
We’ll cover useful phrases like “I’m afraid I can’t…”, “I’d love to help, but…”, and “Can I get back to you on that?” You’ll also hear when and how to use them in real situations, plus tips on tone and body language so you sound confident and courteous.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to set boundaries in English without sounding rude — and without feeling guilty.
✅ Ideal for international professionals, managers, and executives who want to communicate clearly and assertively in English.

Speak English like a pro! 15 business idioms to help to sound more fluent at work.

Download the free resource pack that accompanies this episode here:https://15idioms.carrd.co/ .
 
Do your colleagues use confusing phrases like “hit the ground running” or “call it a day”?In this lesson, I’ll teach you 15 essential Business English idioms that will help you understand colleagues, speak more naturally, and boost your confidence at work.
We’ll cover idioms for meetings, projects, training, and daily workplace conversations — from “get your foot in the door” to “think outside the box.” You’ll hear clear examples and learn when and how to use each one in real business situations.
By the end, you’ll be ready to use these idioms in your own emails, presentations, and conversations to sound more fluent and professional.
✅ Perfect for international professionals, managers, and executives who want to sound natural and confident in English at work.

Polite Ways to Disagree in Meetings

Polite Ways to Disagree in Meetings
A clear lesson for EFL learners. Learn 15 meeting-ready phrases and the CARE method. Get repeat-after-me practice and intonation tips. Three real scenes: product, budget, and compliance.
What you’ll learn
How to use CARE: Confirm → Acknowledge → Reason → Explore
When to choose Soft / Neutral / Firm language
Intonation for polite disagreement (falling for Reason, rising for Explore)
Fast practice you can use in your next meeting
CARE in one minute
Confirm = check you’ve understood.Acknowledge = show something positive.Reason = give one clear concern.Explore = suggest a next step or question.
Practice scenes
Product: launch timing
Budget: training cuts
Compliance: sharing customer data (DPA)
How to use this video
Speak with me. Echo each phrase. Then build your own CARE response using the prompts.

Lead Meetings in English with Confidence. How to Chair a Meeting.

Need to chair a meeting in English? In this practical Business English lesson, Dr Jo shows you exactly what to say — from the moment you open the meeting to the final thank you.
You’ll learn:
How to open a meeting in English and get everyone’s attention
Phrases to introduce your topic and outline the agenda
Ways to move smoothly between agenda items
How to involve participants and encourage discussion
Phrases for handling distractions and staying on topic
How to summarise and close a meeting confidently
This lesson includes useful vocabulary, grammar tips, and pronunciation advice, plus real examples and time for you to practise.
Perfect for managers, team leaders, business professionals, and anyone who needs to run meetings in English.

50 Essential Business English Phrases for Zoom, Teams & Online Meetings

Learn 50 essential Business English phrases for Zoom, Google Meet, and online meetings. Perfect for professionals who want to sound natural, fluent, and confident in English during virtual business calls.
You’ll discover what to say when:
Starting a video call
Managing discussions
Handling tech problems
Closing meetings
Following up afterwards
📥 Free Download: Get the full slide deck with all 50 phrases and examples here:
https://50phrases-online-meetings.carrd.co/
If you work with colleagues or clients worldwide, these expressions will help you communicate clearly and professionally in every online meeting.
#BusinessEnglish #EnglishForWork #ZoomEnglish #OnlineMeetings

How to Introduce Yourself in Business English – Speak Clearly and Confidently

In this episode, I’ll show you how to introduce yourself in English at work using a simple 3-part structure. Whether you're in a meeting, on a video call, or at a networking event, you’ll learn how to explain who you are and what you do — clearly, confidently, and professionally.
You’ll hear strong example introductions, common mistakes to avoid, and tips to improve fluency and delivery.
Free Resource
Download the free Business English Introduction Builder to help you write and practise your own introduction: https://mailchi.mp/7747dec1000e/introductions-in-business-english
After you listen, write your own business introduction and send it to me! I’ll give you personal feedback and tips to help you improve.
What You’ll Learn
The three parts of a great business introduction
How to start with active, confident verbs
What to say about your company and your work
Examples you can copy and adapt
How to avoid vague, unclear, or overly detailed answers
Tips to sound natural and professional when you speak
Who This Is For
Professionals using English at work
Intermediate+ English speakers
Anyone preparing for interviews, meetings, or networking
Business leaders and team members alike