Teach on Udemy

Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.

Learn More

Your cart is empty.

Keep shopping

Essential Business English

Name: Essential Business English
Rating: 4.5 (6470 reviews)

Learn the English you need to communicate effectively in everyday professional situations

Role Play

Created byJeffrey Hill

Last updated 5/2025

English

What you'll learn

Understand the English used in a wide range of business and professional situations.
Learn and practise key language expressions for use in business and professional contexts.
Learn over 500 words of vocabulary.
Improve speaking, listening, reading and grammar skills.

Course content

12 sections • 52 lectures • 2h 59m total length

Introduction4:40
In this video I introduce myself, explain how the course is organized, and give some recommendations on how to get the most from the course.

Dialogue3:18
Watch the video and answer the multiple-choice questions. You will find a transcript of the video (with language notes) and a word list in the PDF workbook for this lesson. The workbook also contains a number of language activities which will help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
Dialogue (subtitled)3:12
This version of the dialogue has subtitles to help you understand what is being said. Note that the multiple-choice questions that follow the dialogue are different from those in the version without subtitles.
Language Notes4:46
Speaking Activities4:52
The Speaking Activities video has three activities. First, you will hear the key phrases for this lesson. You should repeat them, doing your best to imitate the intontation of the native speakers. Secondly, there is a role play, which will give you the opportunity to use the key phrases in a more spontaneous way. It will be your turn to speak when you hear the chime. And finally, there are some questions related to the topic of the lesson for you to answer. No sample answers are given as the questions are fairly general, but if you like, you can record your answers and send them to me for feedback.
Listening Passage — The Fashion Business2:03
Listen to the article being read aloud and try to understand as much as possible. You will find the text of the article and a series of TRUE/FALSE questions in the PDF workbook for this lesson.
Informal discussion about the company you work for
Lesson One — Final Quiz

Dialogue3:32
Watch the video and answer the multiple-choice questions. You will find a transcript of the video (with language notes) and a word list in the PDF workbook for this lesson. The workbook also contains a number of language activities which will help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
Dialogue (subtitled)3:14
This version of the dialogue has subtitles to help you understand what is being said. Note that the multiple-choice questions that follow the dialogue are different from those in the version without subtitles.
Language Notes3:04
Speaking Activities4:14
The Speaking Activities video has three activities. First, you will hear the key phrases for this lesson. You should repeat them, doing your best to imitate the intontation of the native speakers. Secondly, there is a role play, which will give you the opportunity to use the key phrases in a more spontaneous way. It will be your turn to speak when you hear the chime. And finally, there are some questions related to the topic of the lesson for you to answer. No sample answers are given as the questions are fairly general, but if you like, you can record your answers and send them to me for feedback.
Listening Passage — Are Your Meetings a Waste of Time?1:50
Listen to the article being read aloud and try to understand as much as possible. You will find the text of the article and a series of TRUE/FALSE questions in the PDF workbook for this lesson.
A meeting with the marketing manager
Lesson Two — Final Quiz

Dialogue3:06
Watch the video and answer the multiple-choice questions. You will find a transcript of the video (with language notes) and a word list in the PDF workbook for this lesson. The workbook also contains a number of language activities which will help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
Dialogue (subtitled)2:44
This version of the dialogue has subtitles to help you understand what is being said. Note that the multiple-choice questions that follow the dialogue are different from those in the version without subtitles.
Language Notes3:58
Speaking Activities4:29
The Speaking Activities video has three activities. First, you will hear the key phrases for this lesson. You should repeat them, doing your best to imitate the intontation of the native speakers. Secondly, there is a role play, which will give you the opportunity to use the key phrases in a more spontaneous way. It will be your turn to speak when you hear the chime. And finally, there are some questions related to the topic of the lesson for you to answer. No sample answers are given as the questions are fairly general, but if you like, you can record your answers and send them to me for feedback.
Listening Passage — Job Interviews2:16
Listen to the article being read aloud and try to understand as much as possible. You will find the text of the article and a series of TRUE/FALSE questions in the PDF workbook for this lesson.
An interview for a job in sales
Lesson Three — Final Quiz

Dialogue2:58
Watch the video and answer the multiple-choice questions. You will find a transcript of the video (with language notes) and a word list in the PDF workbook for this lesson. The workbook also contains a number of language activities which will help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
Dialogue (subtitled)2:45
This version of the dialogue has subtitles to help you understand what is being said. Note that the multiple-choice questions that follow the dialogue are different from those in the version without subtitles.
Language Notes3:38
Speaking Activities4:15
The Speaking Activities video has three activities. First, you will hear the key phrases for this lesson. You should repeat them, doing your best to imitate the intontation of the native speakers. Secondly, there is a role play, which will give you the opportunity to use the key phrases in a more spontaneous way. It will be your turn to speak when you hear the chime. And finally, there are some questions related to the topic of the lesson for you to answer. No sample answers are given as the questions are fairly general, but if you like, you can record your answers and send them to me for feedback.
Listening Passage — The Professional Way to Answer a Business Phone Call2:39
Listen to the article being read aloud and try to understand as much as possible. You will find the text of the article and a series of TRUE/FALSE questions in the PDF workbook for this lesson.
A telephone call about a delayed delivery
Lesson Four — Final Quiz

Dialogue2:50
Watch the video and answer the multiple-choice questions. You will find a transcript of the video (with language notes) and a word list in the PDF workbook for this lesson. The workbook also contains a number of language activities which will help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
Dialogue (subtitled)2:34
This version of the dialogue has subtitles to help you understand what is being said. Note that the multiple-choice questions that follow the dialogue are different from those in the version without subtitles.
Language Notes4:04
Speaking Activities4:10
The Speaking Activities video has three activities. First, you will hear the key phrases for this lesson. You should repeat them, doing your best to imitate the intontation of the native speakers. Secondly, there is a role play, which will give you the opportunity to use the key phrases in a more spontaneous way. It will be your turn to speak when you hear the chime. And finally, there are some questions related to the topic of the lesson for you to answer. No sample answers are given as the questions are fairly general, but if you like, you can record your answers and send them to me for feedback.
Listening Passage — Greetings from Britain2:08
Listen to the article being read aloud and try to understand as much as possible. You will find the text of the article and a series of TRUE/FALSE questions in the PDF workbook for this lesson.
Lesson Five — Final Quiz

Dialogue3:47
Watch the video and answer the multiple-choice questions. You will find a transcript of the video (with language notes) and a word list in the PDF workbook for this lesson. The workbook also contains a number of language activities which will help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
Dialogue (subtitled)3:31
This version of the dialogue has subtitles to help you understand what is being said. Note that the multiple-choice questions that follow the dialogue are different from those in the version without subtitles.
Language Notes5:12
Speaking Activities4:34
The Speaking Activities video has three activities. First, you will hear the key phrases for this lesson. You should repeat them, doing your best to imitate the intontation of the native speakers. Secondly, there is a role play, which will give you the opportunity to use the key phrases in a more spontaneous way. It will be your turn to speak when you hear the chime. And finally, there are some questions related to the topic of the lesson for you to answer. No sample answers are given as the questions are fairly general, but if you like, you can record your answers and send them to me for feedback.
Listening Passage — Picking and Packing at Amazon2:04
Listen to the article being read aloud and try to understand as much as possible. You will find the text of the article and a series of TRUE/FALSE questions in the PDF workbook for this lesson.
Showing a visitor around your company
Lesson Six — Final Quiz

Dialogue3:33
Watch the video and answer the multiple-choice questions. You will find a transcript of the video (with language notes) and a word list in the PDF workbook for this lesson. The workbook also contains a number of language activities which will help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
Dialogue (subtitled)2:53
This version of the dialogue has subtitles to help you understand what is being said. Note that the multiple-choice questions that follow the dialogue are different from those in the version without subtitles.
Language Notes5:20
Speaking Activities4:13
The Speaking Activities video has three activities. First, you will hear the key phrases for this lesson. You should repeat them, doing your best to imitate the intontation of the native speakers. Secondly, there is a role play, which will give you the opportunity to use the key phrases in a more spontaneous way. It will be your turn to speak when you hear the chime. And finally, there are some questions related to the topic of the lesson for you to answer. No sample answers are given as the questions are fairly general, but if you like, you can record your answers and send them to me for feedback.
Listening Passage — How to Handle an Irate Customer on the Phone2:02
Listen to the article being read aloud and try to understand as much as possible. You will find the text of the article and a series of TRUE/FALSE questions in the PDF workbook for this lesson.
Dealing with a phone call from an angry customer
Lesson Seven — Final Quiz

Dialogue3:44
Watch the video and answer the multiple-choice questions. You will find a transcript of the video (with language notes) and a word list in the PDF workbook for this lesson. The workbook also contains a number of language activities which will help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
Dialogue (subtitled)3:07
This version of the dialogue has subtitles to help you understand what is being said. Note that the multiple-choice questions that follow the dialogue are different from those in the version without subtitles.
Language Notes4:34
Speaking Activities5:01
The Speaking Activities video has three activities. First, you will hear the key phrases for this lesson. You should repeat them, doing your best to imitate the intontation of the native speakers. Secondly, there is a role play, which will give you the opportunity to use the key phrases in a more spontaneous way. It will be your turn to speak when you hear the chime. And finally, there are some questions related to the topic of the lesson for you to answer. No sample answers are given as the questions are fairly general, but if you like, you can record your answers and send them to me for feedback.
Listening Passage — Giving a Presentation2:08
Listen to the article being read aloud and try to understand as much as possible. You will find the text of the article and a series of TRUE/FALSE questions in the PDF workbook for this lesson.
Pitching a business idea to a potential investor
Lesson Eight — Final Quiz

Dialogue3:23
Watch the video and answer the multiple-choice questions. You will find a transcript of the video (with language notes) and a word list in the PDF workbook for this lesson. The workbook also contains a number of language activities which will help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
Dialogue (subtitled)3:01
This version of the dialogue has subtitles to help you understand what is being said. Note that the multiple-choice questions that follow the dialogue are different from those in the version without subtitles.
Language Notes5:13
Speaking Activities4:20
The Speaking Activities video has three activities. First, you will hear the key phrases for this lesson. You should repeat them, doing your best to imitate the intontation of the native speakers. Secondly, there is a role play, which will give you the opportunity to use the key phrases in a more spontaneous way. It will be your turn to speak when you hear the chime. And finally, there are some questions related to the topic of the lesson for you to answer. No sample answers are given as the questions are fairly general, but if you like, you can record your answers and send them to me for feedback.
Listening Passage — Purchasing Manager Job Description1:38
Listen to the article being read aloud and try to understand as much as possible. You will find the text of the article and a series of TRUE/FALSE questions in the PDF workbook for this lesson.
Arranging an appointment
Lesson Nine — Final Quiz

Requirements

You should have at least an intermediate level of English (minimum B1 under the Common European Framework of Languages).
You should be able to understand simple everyday conversations and texts relating to topics you are familiar with.
You should be willing to spend time working on the additional resources provided in addition to watching the video lectures.

Description

Do you already have a reasonable command of general English, but want to improve your ability to communicate in business or professional situations? And do so in an effective yet enjoyable way? Then Essential Business English is just the course for you!

Each of the ten lessons begins with a fully animated dialogue, set in a fictional UK fashion company called Chic Boutique. The dialogues present the key language you need to communicate effectively in a wide range of common business situations.

The situations include:

making a presentation
participating in a meeting
speaking on the phone
negotiating an order
scheduling an appointment
taking part in a job interview
making and dealing with complaints

Each dialogue is presented in two versions: with and without subtitles, and is complemented by:

a quiz to test your comprehension
a listen and repeat activity to help you improve your pronunciation and intonation
a role play where you will have the opportunity to use the key language in a simulated dialogue
a series of questions for you to answer about the lesson topic
an interactive AI-generated role play with feedback related to the lesson topic
a listening comprehension passage related to the topic of the lesson

All the audio material has been recorded by professional voice actors with authentic British or American accents and the dialogues and listening passages are also available as downloadable MP3 files. But that's not all! Each lesson comes with a ten-page downloadable PDF workbook, which contains:

a full transcript of the dialogue
language notes explaining key grammar and vocabulary points
a word list featuring definitions of the vocabulary used in the lesson
language exercises
a crossword
a word search puzzle

Several of these activities can also be done online, and the extra resources include Quizlet flashcard sets featuring the vocabulary used in each lesson.

At the end of each lesson, there’s a Final Quiz, to test what you have learnt. And as a special bonus, you will be able to download a 45-page PDF guide to learning English online.

So, enrol today, and start learning the English you need for your professional career.

UPDATES (May 2025)

Interactive AI-generated role play for each lesson

Who this course is for:

Intermediate-level students who wish to improve their business or professional English skills.

Essential Business English

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 5min

Lesson One — A Television Interview6 lectures • 18min

Lesson Two — The Marketing Meeting6 lectures • 16min

Lesson Three — The Job Interview6 lectures • 17min

Lesson Four — A Telephone Call6 lectures • 16min

Lesson Five — Making Introductions5 lectures • 16min

Lesson Six — A Visit to the Warehouse6 lectures • 19min

Lesson Seven — Problems with a Delivery6 lectures • 18min

Lesson Eight — The Sales Review6 lectures • 19min

Lesson Nine — Scheduling an Appointment6 lectures • 18min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: