Episode notes
"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…
Podcast
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…
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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…
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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…
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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: ✔️…
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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: ✔️…
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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: ✔️…
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