SERIOUS BUSINESS ENGLISH

 

🎯 Mastering Business Meeting Comprehension in English

A Proven Method for Non-Native Speakers to Understand Business English—Word by Word, Meeting by Meeting

by
Robert Farmilo,
Founder,
The English Language Workout

🧩 Executive Summary – What You Will Learn

  • A step-by-step strategy for improving your listening comprehension in real business meetings

  • How to use recordings, transcripts, and short segment practice to improve retention

  • Free tools and real-world examples to support your learning

  • The power of repetition, deep listening, and vocabulary tracking

  • How to build real-time listening fluency for fast-paced business meetings

This guide is packed with what you need to do...and how to do it. Plus it comes with all the FREE tools you will need.

🧠 Why This Method Works

Most business English learners feel overwhelmed during fast, technical meetings. This method breaks down the meeting into short, understandable segments you can master one by one—until you understand everything.

It uses:

  • 🎧 Real meeting audio

  • 📝 Transcribed text

  • 🔁 Repetition and segmentation

  • 🗣️ Out-loud speaking and listening

  • 📒 Vocabulary tracking and meaning extraction

🚀 Your Step-by-Step Guide

🔹 Step 1: Get the Meeting Audio


Okay, obviously you should check before you make any recording of any meeting. 

  • Can you record your business meeting?
    Ask:
    ✅ “Can I record this meeting for language study purposes?”

  • If yes: Record it.

  • If no: Find similar real-world meeting content (examples below).

🔗 TIP: Use Audacity (free recording software):
👉 https://www.audacityteam.org/download/windows/

Here are some FREE useful apps to create audio files from videos on Youtube:

https://ytmp3.cc/5Hcs/

https://moonlightyyc.ca/

https://going-places.ca/

🔹 Step 2: Transcribe the Meeting

  • Upload your recording to a transcription tool like:
    👉 https://turboscribe.ai/

  • Export the full transcript in text format.

🔹 Step 3: Read and Listen Together

  • Open the transcript on one side of your screen.

  • Play the audio and follow along with the text.

  • Do not try to understand everything the first time.

🔹 Step 4: Micro-Listening Segments (Under 30 Seconds)

  • Listen to just 30 seconds or less.

  • Pause.

  • Play it again. And again. Then again.

🚫 Don’t listen to long segments.
✅ Deep learning happens in small chunks.

 



🔹 Step 5: Speak What You See and Hear

  • Read the transcript out loud while the audio plays.

  • Try to match the speaker’s speed and rhythm.

  • Repeat 3 to 5 times.

🔹 Step 6: Focus Vocabulary Study

🖊️ Use a pen or digital highlighter.
Circle, underline, or highlight:

  • Unfamiliar words

  • Business phrases you don’t fully understand

  • Fast or unclear sections

📓 Copy these into a notebook or digital file for daily review.


✳️ DO NOT GUESS the meaning.
Use a dictionary, a translation tool, or ask your tutor.

🔹 Step 7: Repeat Until You Can Close Your Eyes

Ask yourself:

“Can I close my eyes and still understand every word in this 30-second segment?”

Make sure you test yourself.
Close your eyes and listen to the audio file. 
Can you understand each and every word? Really? 

If yes → proceed to the next 30-second piece.
If no → repeat again. Don’t skip. Stay on this piece until you get it.

🔹 Step 8: Combine Segments Slowly

Once you master:

  • Segment 1 ✅

  • Segment 2 ✅
    Now combine:

  • Segment 1 + Segment 2 → Practice again.

Continue like this until you work through the entire meeting.

🎯 Goal: Real-Time Understanding

By following this method, you will develop the ability to:

  • Understand fast native speakers

  • Recognize complex business vocabulary

  • Follow technical discussions

  • Participate more confidently in meetings

🧪 Example Use Case:

Let’s say you attend meetings about broadband infrastructure in Asia.
You can’t use your own meetings (confidential, possible enforcement of NDA), so search for similar topics:

🔍 Search Prompt Example:

“meetings about broadband technology in Taiwan”

Video Results:

Use these:

  • Download the audio

  • Transcribe

  • Follow the method above

📚 Suggested Free Tools

ToolPurposeLink
AudacityRecord audio from meetings or videos🔗 Download here
TurboscribeTranscribe meetings to text🔗 Visit site
YouTube DownloaderExtract audio from public videosSearch “YouTube to MP3 downloader”
Linguee / DeepLCheck meaning and context of difficult expressions🔗 www.linguee.com

Here are some FREE useful apps to create audio files from videos on Youtube:

https://ytmp3.cc/5Hcs/

https://moonlightyyc.ca/

https://going-places.ca/

📌 Tips for Success

  • Be consistent. Even 15 minutes a day adds up.

  • Don’t rush. Focus on deep understanding.

  • Speak out loud. This helps both listening AND speaking skills.

  • Review your vocabulary daily.

  • Use the same method with different meetings, every week.

🗣️ Practice Phrases for Meetings

Here are some business English expressions you might hear:

ExpressionMeaning
“Let’s circle back to that.”Revisit a topic later
“We need buy-in from the team.”Get approval/support
“Let’s put a pin in that.”Pause this discussion for now
“Bandwidth issue”Limited time or resources
“Take this offline”Discuss privately after the meeting

🎧 Additional Resources for Business English Listening Practice

1. Preply's Business English Listening Strategies

Preply offers practical tips to improve your business English listening skills, including active listening, note-taking, recording meetings, attending networking events, and utilizing podcasts and YouTube videos. Preply+1Preply+1

2. British Council's Listening Practice

The British Council provides a range of listening activities to help you improve your understanding of the language and your pronunciation. LearnEnglish - British Council+2LearnEnglish - British Council+2LearnEnglish - British Council+2

3. Business English Pod

Business English Pod offers over 600 audio and video lessons covering various business topics, including meetings, presentations, negotiations, and more. businessenglishpod.com

4. Coursera's Business English Specialization

Coursera provides a specialization course designed for non-native speakers to develop English language and communication skills for the workplace, including business case study analysis. Coursera

5. 5 Minute English Tips for ESL Learners

5 Minute English offers concise tips for ESL learners to use English effectively in business meetings, focusing on practical language usage. 5minuteenglish.com

📺 Recommended Videos for Listening Practice

  • Business English Listening Practice: A comprehensive 80-minute video to practice listening to common business English phrases spoken at native speed. YouTube

  • Business English Meeting Phrases: A video compiling 30 essential phrases used in business meeting scenarios. YouTube


By integrating these resources into your study routine, you can reinforce your listening skills and gain exposure to various business English contexts. Remember to practice consistently and actively engage with the materials to maximize your learning outcomes.

📈 Final Words: Progress Is Inevitable if You Stay Consistent

“Every 30 seconds you master brings you closer to full comprehension of a real business meeting.”

This method is not magic. But it works. If you commit to consistent short practice, your listening comprehension in fast-paced English meetings will dramatically improve.


No comments:

İngilizceyi Gerçekten Öğrenmek İçin Dizi ve Filmler Nasıl İzlenmeli?

 

1. Neden Dizi ve Film İzlemek Zaman Kaybı Olabilir?

by Robert Farmilo, 
The English Language Workout

Çoğu İngilizce öğrencisi, sadece İngilizce dizi ve film izleyerek dil becerilerini otomatik olarak geliştireceğini düşünür. Ancak, doğru teknikler kullanılmazsa bu yöntem genellikle etkisiz olur.

Sık Yapılan Hatalar (Boşa Zaman Kaybı)

❌ Altyazısız veya ana dilinizde altyazılı izlemek

  • İçerik çok zor olursa, yeterince anlayamaz ve öğrenemezsiniz.
  • Ana dilinizde altyazı kullanırsanız beyniniz İngilizceye değil çeviriye odaklanır.

❌ Pasif izleme yapmak

  • Sadece eğlenmek için izliyorsanız beyniniz yeni kelimeleri veya cümle yapılarını işlemiyor demektir.
  • Kelimeleri tanıyabilirsiniz, ancak gerçekten anlamaz ve hatırlamazsınız.

❌ Seviyenize uygun olmayan içerik seçmek

  • Konuşma hızı çok yüksekse veya fazla argo içeriyorsa, anlamakta zorlanabilirsiniz ve bu da motivasyon kaybına yol açar.

❌ Öğrendiklerinizi tekrar etmemek veya pekiştirmemek

  • Yeni kelime ve ifadeler tekrar edilmezse hızla unutulur.

📌 Bilimsel Çalışmalar Ne Diyor?

  • Vanderplank (2016)'nın araştırması, pasif bir şekilde İngilizce dinlemenin sınırlı fayda sağladığını, ancak aktif katılımın öğrenmeyi güçlendirdiğini gösterdi.
  • Peters, Heynen & Puimège (2016) çalışması, altyazılı içerik izlemenin kelime bilgisini geliştirebileceğini, ancak bunun yalnızca öğrencilerin anlamaya ve kelimeleri pekiştirmeye odaklandığında etkili olduğunu belirtti.

📝 Kaynaklar:

  • Vanderplank, R. (2016). Captioned Media in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching. Bağlantı
  • Peters, E., Heynen, E., & Puimège, E. (2016). Learning vocabulary through audiovisual input. Bağlantı

2. İngilizceyi Gerçekten Geliştirmek İçin Nasıl Dizi ve Film İzlenmeli?

Etkili bir öğrenme için aktif izleme stratejisi kullanmalısınız. Aşağıda, dizi ve filmleri verimli bir şekilde izleyerek gerçekten İngilizcenizi geliştirmenizi sağlayacak adımlar bulunmaktadır.

Adım 1: Doğru İçeriği Seçin

  • Seviyenize uygun diziler ve filmler seçin

  • İngilizce altyazı kullanın (Ana dilinizde altyazı kullanmayın!)

    • Başlangıçta İngilizce altyazı kullanabilirsiniz, ancak zamanla azaltmalısınız.
    • Bilmediğiniz bir kelimeyle karşılaşırsanız, önce anlamını tahmin etmeye çalışın, sonra sözlükten kontrol edin.

📌 İngilizce Öğrenmek İçin En İyi Diziler:

  • Başlangıç seviyesi: Peppa Pig, Friends, The Simpsons
  • Orta seviye: How I Met Your Mother, The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • İleri seviye: Sherlock, Breaking Bad, House of Cards

📝 Kaynak: BBC Learning English İngilizce öğrenenler için harika içerikler sunuyor. BBC Learning English

Adım 2: "3 Aşamalı İzleme Yöntemi" ile Aktif Öğrenme

Sadece izlemek yerine bu 3 aşamalı yöntemi uygulayarak kelime bilginizi artırabilir ve anlama becerinizi geliştirebilirsiniz.

🔹 1. Aşama: İngilizce Altyazılı İzleme (Anlamaya Odaklanın)

  • İlk izleyişinizde İngilizce altyazı kullanın.
  • Bilmediğiniz kelimeleri not alın ve anlamlarını tahmin etmeye çalışın.
  • Diyalogları dikkatle dinleyin ve vurgulara odaklanın.

🔹 2. Aşama: Altyazısız İzleme (Dinleme Becerilerinizi Geliştirin)

  • Aynı sahneyi tekrar izleyin, altyazıları kapatın.
  • Telaffuz, vurgu ve konuşma hızına odaklanın.
  • Cümleleri yüksek sesle tekrar edin (shadowing tekniği).

🔹 3. Aşama: Kelimeleri Pekiştirin ve Pratik Yapın

  • 3-5 yeni kelime ve ifadenin anlamlarını öğrenin.
  • Bunları cümle içinde kullanarak yazın ve konuşun.
  • Sahneyi tekrar izleyerek öğrendiklerinizi pekiştirin.

Adım 3: Öğrenmeyi Destekleyen Araçları Kullanın

📌 Dizi ve Filmlerle İngilizce Öğrenmek İçin En İyi Kaynaklar:

  • Netflix Language Reactor (Netflix Language Reactor)

    • Netflix’te interaktif altyazılar ekleyerek kelimeleri anında çevirme imkanı sunar.

  • BBC Learning English – Drama ve Kısa Videolar (BBC Learning English)

    • İngilizce öğrenenler için hazırlanmış ücretsiz diziler içerir.

  • TED Talks (Altyazılı videolar) (TED)

    • Altyazılı, ilgi çekici kısa konuşmalar içerir.

3. Sonuç: Pasif İzleme mi, Aktif İzleme mi?

Pasif İzleme (Zaman Kaybı)Aktif İzleme (Etkili Öğrenme)
Sadece eğlence için izlemekAnlamaya ve öğrenmeye odaklanmak
Ana dilde altyazı kullanmakİngilizce altyazı veya altyazısız izlemek
Not almamak ve kelimeleri unutmamakYeni kelimeleri yazıp tekrar etmek
Telaffuza dikkat etmemekTelaffuz pratiği yapmak (shadowing)

🎯 Özet: Dizileri ve filmleri dikkatli dinleyerek, analiz ederek ve pratik yaparak izlerseniz, gerçek bir öğrenme aracı haline getirirsiniz! 🚀

Ödev: Aktif İzleme Yöntemini Deneyin!

1️⃣ 5 dakikalık bir sahne seçin
2️⃣ 3 Aşamalı Yöntemi uygulayın
3️⃣ 5 yeni kelime öğrenin ve kullanın
4️⃣ Gölgeleme (shadowing) tekniği ile 3 cümle tekrar edin

Bu yöntemleri uygulayarak İngilizce öğreniminizi hızlandırabilirsiniz!

No comments:

How to Watch TV Series and Movies to Actually Learn English

1. Why Watching TV Series and Movies Can Be a Waste of Time

by Robert Farmilo, 
The English Language Workout

Many English learners believe that simply watching TV series and movies in English will automatically improve their listening and comprehension skills. However, without the right techniques, this method is often ineffective.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Wasted Time:

  • Watching without subtitles (or using your native language subtitles)

    • If the content is too difficult, you won’t understand enough to learn effectively.
    • Using native language subtitles means your brain is focused on translation, not English.

  • Watching passively

    • If you're just watching for entertainment, your brain isn't actively processing new words or structures.
    • You may recognize words but not truly understand them or remember them later.

  • Choosing content that is too difficult

    • If the dialogue is too fast or full of slang, it can be overwhelming, leading to frustration.

  • Not reviewing or reinforcing what you learn

    • Without repetition and practice, new words and expressions are quickly forgotten.

📌 Studies Supporting This:

  • Research by Vanderplank (2016) found that passive exposure to English through media has limited benefits unless learners actively engage with the material.
  • A study by Peters, Heynen & Puimège (2016) concluded that watching subtitled content can improve vocabulary, but only when learners focus on understanding and reinforcing new words.

📝 Reference Links:


  • Peters, E., Heynen, E., & Puimège, E. (2016). Learning vocabulary through audiovisual input. 
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Learning-vocabulary-through-audiovisual-input%3A-The-Peters-Heynen/ad8e88a6d4dc09323d1fc0c1be1fefd3aa89e4a7

2. How to Watch TV Series and Movies to Actually Learn English

To maximize learning, you need to use an active watching strategy. Below is a step-by-step method that ensures you actually improve your English while watching TV shows and movies.

Step 1: Choose the Right Content

  • Pick a show or movie that matches your level

    • Beginner (A1-A2): Choose content with simple dialogue (e.g., children’s shows, sitcoms like Friends).
    • Intermediate (B1-B2): Choose series with clear pronunciation and common vocabulary (e.g., The Office, How I Met Your Mother).
    • Advanced (C1-C2): Challenge yourself with natural, fast-paced dialogue (e.g., Breaking Bad, Sherlock).

  • Use English subtitles (NOT your native language!)

    • Start with English subtitles if needed, but gradually reduce reliance on them.
    • If you don’t understand a word, pause and look it up.

📌 Great TV Shows for Learning English:

  • For Beginners: Peppa Pig, Friends, The Simpsons
  • For Intermediate Learners: How I Met Your Mother, The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • For Advanced Learners: Sherlock, Breaking Bad, House of Cards

📝 Resource: BBC Learning English provides great TV content designed for learners. 

Step 2: Use the "3-Pass Method" for Active Learning

Instead of watching passively, use this structured 3-pass method to retain vocabulary and improve comprehension.

🔹 Pass 1: Watch with English Subtitles (Focus on Understanding)

  • Watch the episode or scene with English subtitles.
  • Pause when you hear an interesting phrase or word and write it down.
  • Try to guess the meaning from context before checking a dictionary.

🔹 Pass 2: Watch Without Subtitles (Focus on Listening Skills)

  • Rewatch the scene without subtitles.
  • Pay attention to pronunciation, intonation, and tone.
  • Try to repeat sentences aloud (shadowing technique).

🔹 Pass 3: Review and Practice

  • Write 3-5 new phrases in a notebook.
  • Try to use them in sentences.
  • Speak the phrases aloud to reinforce pronunciation.

Step 3: Use Interactive Tools for Reinforcement

To make sure you remember what you learn, use these interactive resources:

📌 Websites & Apps for Practicing with TV Shows and Movies:

3. Final Tips to Make TV & Movies an Effective Learning Tool

✅ Repeat frequently – Watch the same episode multiple times to reinforce understanding.
✅ Use the shadowing technique – Repeat sentences immediately after hearing them.
✅ Turn audio into a podcast – Extract the audio and listen again later to reinforce listening skills.
✅ Engage with the content – Try summarizing what you watched in English.

🎯 Key Takeaway: If you actively engage with TV series and movies—pausing, repeating, analyzing, and practicing—you will turn entertainment into real language learning progress!

Summary Table: Passive Watching vs. Active Watching

Passive Watching (Wasted Time)Active Watching (Effective Learning)
Watching for entertainment onlyWatching for learning and comprehension
Using native language subtitlesUsing English subtitles or none
Not pausing or taking notesPausing to write down new words
Forgetting new words quicklyReviewing and practicing new words
Ignoring pronunciationPracticing pronunciation with shadowing

4. Homework: Try the Active Watching Method

1️⃣ Choose a 5-minute scene from a TV show or movie in English.
2️⃣ Watch it 3 times using the "3-Pass Method."
3️⃣ Write down 5 new words or phrases and use them in a sentence.
4️⃣ Shadow 3 sentences from the scene (repeat them aloud).

🎯 Bonus Challenge: Record yourself summarizing the scene in English!

By following these techniques, you will transform TV shows and movies into powerful English learning tools instead of wasting time. Start today and take control of your English learning journey!

No comments:

Unleash the Power of Active Listening

 

The Difference Between Active Listening and Passive Listening When Learning English

by Robert Farmilo, 
The English Language Workout

Listening skills are very important when learning English, and there are two different methods to improve this skill: active listening and passive listening. Understanding the differences between these two methods can help you create an effective learning process.

1. What is Active Listening?

Active listening is a method in which you consciously listen to English and try to understand it. In this method, you focus carefully and try to make sense of the words and phrases you hear.

How to practice active listening?

  • You must fully focus on the content you are listening to.
  • Take notes of unfamiliar words and look up their meanings in a dictionary.
  • Pay close attention to the speaker’s intonation, emphasis, and voice.
  • Repeating what you hear (the shadowing technique) helps improve your pronunciation.
  • You can write small summaries or ask yourself questions about what you’ve listened to.

Free Resources for Active Listening:

  • BBC Learning English – English at the Movies (BBC Learning English)
  • ESL Fast Listening (ESL Fast)
  • ELLLO – English Listening Lessons (ELLLO)
  • TED-Ed (TED-Ed) – Offers short educational videos with English subtitles.

2. What is Passive Listening?

Passive listening is a method where you listen to English in the background without consciously analyzing it. This method helps you develop an ear for English, and over time, your brain starts to recognize words and sentence structures. However, passive listening alone is not enough; it should be supported by active listening.

How to practice passive listening?

  • You can listen to English while doing daily activities (e.g., cooking, walking, or driving).
  • You can watch content without subtitles or with English subtitles.
  • You can listen to English songs and pay attention to the lyrics.
  • You can play podcasts or radio programs in the background.

Free Resources for Passive Listening:

Which Method is More Effective?

Both methods have different advantages. If you want to learn English faster, you should prioritize active listening and support it with passive listening.

  • If you are at a beginner level (A1 – A2): You should focus more on active listening because your vocabulary is not yet extensive, and you need to make an effort to understand the content you listen to.
  • When you reach an intermediate level (B1 – B2): Passive listening will also benefit you greatly because your brain has started recognizing English sounds and structures.

Recommended Strategy:

  1. Do at least 30 minutes of active listening daily.
  2. Listen passively for 1-2 hours during daily activities.
  3. Choose content appropriate for your level and make sure you understand it.
  4. Write down and review new words and phrases.
  5. Practice pronunciation by repeating the phrases you hear.

By applying these methods regularly, you can improve your English listening skills. Good luck!

No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Go to top ⬆️ Top