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Learning English For Work

Short podcasts to improve your English at work. Want to write better emails? Confused by the jargon at your office? Need to apply for a job in English? We talk about the language used in international workplaces and help you improve your business English. Find more at bbclearningenglish.com…

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 9 min
Latest: 17 Aug 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

17 Aug 2026 · 8 min

Office English: Plans and strategies

Do you talk about the future at work? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about targets, objectives and how to plan for the future. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260817 Want to learn more informal English? Try The English We Speak, our series for learning conversational English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026/ep-260817 Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

10 Aug 2026 · 9 min

Office English: Formal or informal?

Is everyone at your office formal and polite, or do they speak more informally? Pippa and Phil talk about how formal you need to be at work. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260810 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters
20 Jul 2026 · 7 min

Office English: Pitching

Do you know how to share your ideas at work? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about pitching ideas at work. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250609 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters This programme was originally…
13 Jul 2026 · 8 min

Office English: Client management

How do you deal with customers and clients at work? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about keeping customers happy. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250602 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters This programme was…
6 Jul 2026 · 9 min

Office English: Deadlines and logistics

Are your organised at work? Pippa and Phil talk about setting deadlines, working with other people and organising things in English.Learn some useful English phrases to talk about time and logistics at work. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250526 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter…
29 Jun 2026 · 9 min

Office English: Help

How do you ask for help at work? Pippa and Phil talk about asking for and offering help at work. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250519 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters This programme was originally broadcast in May 2025.
22 Jun 2026 · 11 min

Office English: Feedback

Do you know how to talk about other people's work politely? Pippa and Phil talk about giving and receiving feedback at work in a constructive and professional way. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250512 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters…
15 Jun 2026 · 10 min

Office English: Cold calls

Do you ever have to call or email people you don't know at work? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about cold calling and building relationships with new people at work. Learn some helpful English phrases for contacting people you don't know. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250505 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest…
8 Jun 2026 · 9 min

Office English: Misunderstandings

What do you do if you don't understand something at work? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about miscommunication and how to check you understand your colleagues, and that they understand you. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250428 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter…
1 Jun 2026 · 8 min

Office English: Delegating

Learn how to give instructions to other people at work who might be able to help with your workload. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250421 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters This programme was originally broadcast in April 2025.
25 May 2026 · 7 min

Office English: Presentations

Do you find giving presentations at work stressful? Learn ways you can prepare. Find a full transcript for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250414 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters This programme was originally broadcast in April 2025.
18 May 2026 · 8 min

Office English: Saying no

Is it OK to say no at work? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about setting boundaries at work. Find a transcript and subtitles at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250407 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters This programme was originally broadcast in April…
11 May 2026 · 8 min

Office English: Career development

Do you have goals for your career? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about training, promotions and networking. Get a free transcript for this episode: www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260511 Try the Leadership series. From visionaries to cults and the unexpected power of ordinary individuals, we explore the many sides of leadership: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/leadership Learn a new English phrase or expression with our podcast 'The English We Speak':…
4 May 2026 · 10 min

Office English: Writing notes

Should you write down every word that people say in a meeting? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil discuss meeting notes, action points and minutes. Get a free transcript for this episode and find more programmes for Business English on our website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260504 Have you tried 'The English We Speak'? Learn phrases and expressions used by fluent English speakers: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2026 And don't forget to sign up to our newsletter. Get weekly tips from your…
27 Apr 2026 · 10 min

Office English: Extra work

A new challenge at work can be exciting, but sometimes it's stressful. Pippa and Phil talk about discussing new opportunities and what to do when you have too much work. Find more programmes to improve your business English here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/business-english Try one of our other podcasts, including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Grammar Subscribe to our free newsletter to get more tips and resources to help you improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599
20 Apr 2026 · 9 min

Office English: Clear communication

If you see someone doing something wrong at work, should you get involved? Pippa and Phil talk about making suggestions to colleagues and giving advice without sounding rude. Find more programmes to improve your business English here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/business-english Try one of our other podcasts, including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Grammar Subscribe to our free newsletter to get more tips and resources to help you improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599
13 Apr 2026 · 8 min

Office English: Suggestions and advice

If you see someone doing something wrong at work, should you get involved? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about making suggestions to colleagues and giving advice without sounding rude. Find more programmes to improve your business English here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/business-english Try one of our other podcasts, including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Grammar Subscribe to our free newsletter to get more tips and resources to help you improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599
6 Apr 2026 · 9 min

Office English: Ideas

What's the best way to share idea at work? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about coming up with and developing ideas, and making sure they actually happen. Subtitles and transcript: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260406 Subscribe to our free email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 More business English programmes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/business-english
30 Mar 2026 · 7 min

Office English: Describing your job

Not sure how to describe your job to your friends or even those at your workplace? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about explaining what you do to people in and outside of work. Subtitles and transcript: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260330 Subscribe to our free email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 More business English programmes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/business-english
23 Mar 2026 · 8 min

Office English: Socialising

Do you have friends at work? Or do you prefer to keep your work and personal lives separate? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about making friends and keeping things professional. Subtitles and transcript: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260323 Subscribe to our free email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599 More business English programmes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/business-english
16 Mar 2026 · 6 min

Office English: Disagreements

"I don't mind it too much when people disagree. I think it can be really healthy, and especially if everyone feels able to disagree in a kind of calm way." Do you know how to disagree politely at work? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about being diplomatic and compromising. You can find a free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260316 Improve your speaking skills with our special series 'Beating Speaking Anxiety'. Search for it on your favourite podcast app, or find the episodes with transcripts and…
9 Mar 2026 · 7 min

Office English: Goals

"One thing I think I excel at is..." In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about language for performance reviews and career conversations. You can find a free transcript for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260309 Improve your speaking skills with our special series 'Beating Speaking Anxiety'. Search for it on your favourite podcast app, or find the episodes with transcripts and explainer videos on our website here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Don't forget to…
2 Mar 2026 · 8 min

Office English: Apologies

When should you apologise at work, and what's the best way to do it? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about the language of workplace apologies and if it's ever wrong to apologise at work. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260302 Want to boost your speaking skills? Try Beating Speaking Anxiety, our series to help fight your fears of speaking English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/beating_speaking_anxiety Get our…
23 Feb 2026 · 10 min

Office English: Rules

When do rules need to be followed and when are they just guidelines? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about the language of rules at work and how to tell how serious a rule is from the way people talk about it. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/office_english/260223 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️…
16 Feb 2026 · 11 min

Office English: Organising meetings

It's sometimes hard to organise meetings and some people feel like meetings are a waste of time. Pippa and Phil talk about planning meetings and how to keep them on track. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/office_english/260216_OfficeEnglish_organising_meetings_transcript_.pdf FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️…
9 Feb 2026 · 10 min

Office English: Small talk

It sometimes feels difficult to start conversations in the office. That's why we use small talk! Pippa and Phil talk about which topics to use at work (and which to avoid) with people you don't know. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/office_english/260209_OfficeEnglish_small_talk_transcript__.pdf FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️…
2 Feb 2026 · 10 min

Business Jargon: Should we use jargon?

Lots of people find jargon annoying. Is it useful in the workplace? Pippa and Phil talk about when to use jargon and when to avoid it, with help from journalist Anna Maloney, Anne Curzan from the University of Michigan and John Fiset from St Mary's University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Listen to the Business Daily epsiode on jargon here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct5znh Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/business-jargon/241216 This programme was originally broadcast in…
26 Jan 2026 · 9 min

Business Jargon: Jargon about technology

Technology is a big part of many workplaces. Pippa and Phil talk about remote working has impacted language at work. Learn some jargon phrases for the modern office. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/business-jargon/241209 This programme was originally broadcast in December 2024. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️…
19 Jan 2026 · 7 min

Business Jargon: Jargon about success

Pippa and Phil talk about common phrases for goals, measuring them and how we succeed. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/business-jargon/241202 This programme was originally broadcast in December 2024 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular…
12 Jan 2026 · 7 min

Business Jargon: Jargon about delays

Pippa and Phil talk about some common business jargon that is used to talk about delays and priorities at work. Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/business-jargon/241125 This programme was originally broadcast in November 2024. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some…

About Learning English For Work

Learning English For Work is a English learning podcast from BBC News. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: BBC News
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 9 min
Latest episode: 17 Aug 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1726947236
Website: bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0h6ffwg
Rights: (C) BBC 2026

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