Business English Pod (9to5English) / ESL Podcast / Page 31

BEP 51 – Strategically Using Vague Language (Part 1)

Business English, ESL Podcast, Functions, Intermediate English /

Today is the first in a two-part Business English Podcast lesson on using vague language. “Vague” means not clearly defined. For example, if you ask someone what time it is and they say “About 7 or so,” they are being vague. There are lots of reasons to be vague. Sometimes you need to be vague because you don’t know some information or because the information is not important. And sometimes vague language is just more polite.

In these two episodes, we’ll be looking at how to speak in a vague way, but different situations require different styles. You’ll have to use your knowledge of the culture, the people and the situation that you are dealing with to decide which style is most appropriate. Our goal is to give you the communication tools you need to succeed in different environments. In future episodes, we’ll also be looking at other styles of speaking.

You’ll be listening to Jen and Mike, two employees at Nexus communications. Jen is inviting Mike to a party.

Listening Questions

1) What do you think Jen means by “ulterior motive?”
2) Is Mike a computer expert?

[tp no_translate=”y”]PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]

Business News 10 – Viacom Sues YouTube for 1 Billion Dollars

Business English, Business English Vocabulary, Business News, ESL Podcast, Intermediate English, Legal English /

Today we have a Business English News story on a company that’s been in the news quite a bit recently – YouTube. In particular, we refresh and discuss some of the key vocabulary we covered in our Video Vocab series on the law and legal vocabulary:

Video Vocab 04 – Basic Legal Terms
Video Vocab 05 – Court Cases
Video Vocab 06 – Commercial Law

[tp no_translate=”y”]PDF Transcript: Study Notes

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]

BEP 50 – Softening Negative Replies (Part 2)

A2, Business English, ESL Podcast, Functions, Intermediate English /

This is the second in a two-part Business English Podcast lesson on softening negative replies. Last time you worked on softening negative replies in conversation to keep the atmosphere friendly and cooperative. Also, you practiced refusing an offer of help and letting someone down gently.

Today, we’ll be looking at refusing and disagreeing politely.

All these skills form part of a soft or gentle speaking style, which should form part of your communicative repertoire or toolbox.

Listening Questions

1) Why is the GM of Avitek unable to meet with Nick on Thursday.
2) How is the weather in Kiev?

[tp no_translate=”y”]PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]

BEP 49 – Softening Negative Replies (Part 1)

A2, Business English, ESL Podcast, Functions, Intermediate English /

This is the first in a two-part Business English Podcast lesson 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.

In the dialog we meet up again with Nicholas Fisher, the European sales director for Harper-Tolland from BEP 35 and 36. He is flying into Kiev to support local sales staff by meeting with a large potential customer, Avitek. This is a Ukrainian company that manufactures cargo and firefighting aircraft. In our dialog, Nick is being met at the airport by Harper-Tolland’s sales manager in the Ukraine, Oksana Ivanchuk.

Listening Questions

1) Has Nick been to the Ukraine before?
2) What day of the week is it?

[tp no_translate=”y”]PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]

BEP 48 – Cold Calling: Dealing with Objections and Closing the Call

Advanced, Business English, ESL Podcast, Sales, Telephone English /

This is the last in our three-part Business English Podcast series on cold calling. In today’s lesson, you’ll learn how to deal with several typical kinds of objections that a potential customer might raise.

When Steve first asked for an appointment, Linda didn’t agree right away, did she? As you know, it’s normal for even a good prospect to give you one or two negative responses, so it’s important to be ready to deal with these and “turn them around” skillfully.

Today we’ll be listening to the last part of the cold calling dialogue between Linda and Steve. As you listen, pay attention to how Steve turns around Linda’s objections.

Listening Questions

1. When Steve asks for an appointment, what is Linda’s first response?
2. What is Linda’s second objection?
3. How does Steve deal with Linda’s objections?

[tp no_translate=”y”]PDF Transcript

Download: Podcast MP3[/tp]