Business English Pod (9to5English) / Functions

Functions

Lessons on key business English functions and phrases. Learn essential functional English phrases for effective communication in business settings.

Business English Functions Lessons

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All lessons for Business English language functions. Our English functions lessons are listed below with the older lessons first.

925 English Lesson 39 – Expressing Doubt in English

925 English, A2, Business English, English Video, Functions /
YouTube video

In today’s 925 English lesson, we’re going to learn how to express doubt in English.

Have you ever been in a meeting when someone says something and you think “hmm… I’m not really sure about that.” You might be unsure about whether it’s true, or whether it’s a good idea. We call that feeling “doubt.” And it’s important that you are able to express doubt confidently and politely.

Now, if you’re a little bit unsure of something, you can use the expression I just used, and say something like “I’m not really sure” or “I’m not 100% sure.” Or you could say very directly “well, I have a few doubts.” Another way to express doubt is with a question, like “Are you certain that would work?” Just by asking the question, you are telling people you have doubts.

925 English is a series of English video lessons for beginners (CEFR level A2). With 925 English you can learn business English expressions and vocabulary for business and work.

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925 English Lesson 25 – Asking for and Giving Directions

925 English, A2, Business English, English Video, Functions /
YouTube video

In today’s 925 English video lesson, we’re going to learn how to ask for and give directions in English.

It would be great if the map apps on our phones were perfect. But even with the help of technology, we can get confused in a new city, a new neighborhood, or a new office building. And when we do, we need to be able to ask for help.

One simple way to ask for directions in English is to ask if someone “knows where something is.” Or you can just say that you’re looking for a certain place, whether it’s a building, or a room inside a building. One other polite way to ask for directions is with the expression “could you tell me how to get to” a place.

925 English is a course of video English lessons for beginner level (CEFR A2) English learners. With 925 English lessons you can learn business English expressions to use in work and business.

[tp no_translate=”y”]Members: PDF Transcript | Lesson Module | Quiz | MP3 Audio

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925 English Lesson 24 – How to Clarify Meaning in English

925 English, A2, Business English, English Video, ESL Podcast, Functions /
YouTube video

In today’s 925 English video lesson, we’re going to learn some ways of clarifying what someone means.

Sure, you can just nod and smile when you don’t understand. People do that all the time. But they also feel foolish later, especially when the speaker realizes what has happened. Or when you have to ask a question that clearly shows you didn’t understand the first time.

Sometimes it’s just a matter of one word you don’t know. In this case, don’t be afraid to stop someone for clarification. You can always begin by saying you’re sorry, then just ask what the word means. Or you can say you’re “not quite clear what you mean by” a certain word.

925 English is a course of video English lessons for beginner level (CEFR A2) English learners. With 925 English lessons you can learn business English expressions to use in work and business.

[tp no_translate=”y”]Members: PDF Transcript | Lesson Module | Quiz | MP3 Audio

Download: Podcast Video[/tp]

925 English Lesson 23 – How to Clarify Understanding in English

925 English, A2, Business English, English Video, Functions /
YouTube video

In today’s 925 English video lesson, we’re going to learn how to clarify something you didn’t hear properly.

If you don’t hear what someone says, the easiest thing to do is just let it go. Move on. Let them keep talking. But that can be a very dangerous strategy. I mean, what if they asked you to do something important? Or what if they told you some important information? Do you really want to miss that?

So rather than letting it go, it’s easy to just ask the person to repeat what they said. To do that politely, we might say “Could you repeat that please?” Or you can use the expression “I beg your pardon?” Then the person knows you haven’t heard them, and they’ll repeat it for you.

925 English is a course of English video lessons for beginner level English learners. With 925 English lessons you can learn business English expressions to use in work and business.

[tp no_translate=”y”]Members: PDF Transcript | Lesson Module | Quiz | MP3 Audio

Download: Podcast Video[/tp]

925 English Lesson 22 – Making Requests in English

925 English, A2, Business English, English Video, Functions /
YouTube video

In today’s 925 English video lesson, we’re going to learn how to make requests in English.

There’s a reason why making requests is one of the first things English-speaking parents teach their children. It’s because we can’t get along in life – and that includes work – without asking people to give us things or to do things for us.

In some situations, our requests are quite direct. For example, with people you know well or colleagues, you don’t need to be too formal. In this case, you can make a question with “Can you” or “Could I get you to.” That’s a simple and direct way to ask someone to do something.

925 English is a course of English video lessons for beginner level English learners. With 925 English lessons you can learn business English expressions to use in work and business.
[tp no_translate=”y”]
Members: PDF Transcript | Lesson Module | Quiz | MP3 Audio

Download: Podcast Video[/tp]