Business English sounds big. It is really your job, described in clear words. You do not need long, formal sentences. You need the words for your work, and a polite tone.
Learn your own job first
Write ten things you do every week. Learn to say them.
I check orders. I call customers. I make the weekly plan.
Learn meeting phrases
Four phrases cover most meetings.
Can I add something? Sorry, could you repeat that? I agree. Can we come back to this?
Learn email phrases
Short and polite is best.
Thank you for your email. Could you confirm the date?
Practise one situation
Choose one situation and practise it out loud: a call, a meeting, a presentation.
Hello, this is Mei from KiiTOS. I am calling about the order.
Do not use big words to sound clever
Clear words show confidence.
We need more time. (Not: We require an extended period.)
Words to remember
- meeting — a time when people talk about work
- confirm — to say that something is fixed
- customer — a person who buys something
- order — a request for goods
Questions & answers
Q: Is business English very formal?
Only in some places. Most workplaces use clear, friendly English.
Q: How do I sound polite?
Use "could" and "please". Say "I am afraid..." for bad news.
Q: What if I do not know a technical word?
Describe it simply. Clarity matters more than the exact word.
Q: How can I practise alone?
Record a one-minute update about your work, as if to your team.
Q: Should I learn idioms for business?
A few are fine, but clear language is better in work.