Podcast Archive

• TOPICS
• FUNCTIONS

Business English is about more than begin able to speak English – it is about communicating your ideas in ways other people will want to listen to and accept. In this lesson we examine a basic way to change the structure of your sentence – not the meaning – so that it is softer and more acceptable in a work environment.

LINK TO DOWNLOAD THIS LESSON (right-click, save as) :
epod_biz148_A55.mp3(5.47mb)

In this podcast Scott and Jessica discuss “downtoning” or speaking diplomatically. Often there are things we want to and have to say but know that it might offend someone. If you are able to tone down your language and speak diplomatically, you’ll be able to express your ideas in a way that someone else will accept.

LINK TO DOWNLOAD THIS LESSON (right-click, save as) :
epod_biz144_C24.mp3(5.10mb)

In this podcast lesson, we are looking at how to give an employee a performance evaluation. While it is very easy to tell someone what they do well, it is not always easy to point out areas that need improvement. The right choice of words can leave an employee feeling inspired and eager to work harder in the future. The wrong choice of words can leave him or her feeling unappreciated or undervalued. Evaluating an employee’s performance requires using diplomatic language and choosing your words carefully.

LINK TO DOWNLOAD THIS LESSON(right-click, save as) :
epod_biz44_A17.mp3(13.53mb)

Firing someone is hard to do. You have to do it, but you don’t want the employee to feel devasted by it. However, sometimes you just want them to go, and you don’t care how you tell them. Today’s mp3 looks at the language of firing and the difference in vocabulary and tone in two different dialogues about firing.

LINK TO DOWNLOAD THIS LESSON (right-click, save as) :
epod_biz30_B11.mp3(11.17mb)

In today’s lesson we are going to discuss Douglas McGregor’s XY management theory. Are you an X manager or a Y manager? Which type would you prefer to have as your manager? Find out in this lesson.

LINK TO DOWNLOAD THIS LESSON (right-click, save as) :
epod_biz5_C2.mp3(9.60mb)

A difficult responsibility for all managers is giving feedback to their staff when the staff performance is unsatisfactory. This is even more difficult if you don’t speak English as your first language, but your staff do. In this podcast you can listen to two managers discuss how to give effective feedback in English.

LINK TO DOWNLOAD THIS LESSON (right-click, save as) :
epod_biz3_C1.mp3(14.06mb)