Get unlimited worksheets

Category: Business English

  • Business English: Risk and Decision-Making (PDF)

    Business English: Risk and Decision-Making (PDF)

    Risk and decision-making is the C1 senior-management communication skill. The worksheet covers the analytical-language toolkit for evaluating risks (the downside risk is, the worst-case scenario, the probability of, the potential impact), comparing options (on balance, all things considered, weighing the trade-offs), and committing to decisions (based on this analysis, our recommendation is, we should proceed with).

    This worksheet builds C1 fluency with risk-analysis and decision communication.

    What’s inside:

    • A phrase bank organised by analytical phase (identify, evaluate, compare, decide)
    • Case-study analysis: read a scenario and write a structured recommendation
    • Multiple-choice on hedging strength and commitment level
    • Strategic-summary writing task
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Hedging precision at C1 — likely (60–70%), probable (70–80%), almost certain (90%+). Each modifier carries specific weight. Balancing analysis with decisiveness: thorough doesn’t mean indecisive. Avoiding over-qualification that hides the recommendation.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR C1, in advanced classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly senior professionals and MBA candidates. Maps onto BEC Higher and C1 Advanced (CAE). Part of the Daily Business Communication collection — the natural next step is Handling Difficult Conversations.

  • Business English: Writing a Report (PDF)

    Business English: Writing a Report (PDF)

    Writing a report is the B2 structured-document business-writing skill. The worksheet covers the standard report architecture (Executive Summary, Introduction, Findings, Analysis, Recommendations, Conclusion), section-specific language conventions, and the neutral-analytical register that institutional reports require. Learners build the formal-document writing skill every B2 professional needs.

    This worksheet builds B2 fluency with business-report writing.

    What’s inside:

    • A reference template with all standard sections
    • Phrase bank by section (executive-summary openers, findings phrases, recommendation framings)
    • Section-construction drills: write findings and recommendations from raw data
    • Original-writing task: produce a 400-word report on a workplace topic
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes with band-level criteria

    Common challenges: Findings-vs-recommendations distinction at B2 — findings describe what is; recommendations propose what should be. Neutral-analytical voice: minimising opinion in findings, expressing it explicitly in recommendations. Executive-summary compression: condensing the entire report into 150 words.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly working professionals. Maps onto Cambridge B2 First (FCE) Writing Part 2 and BEC Vantage. Part of the Business Writing collection — the natural next step is Formal vs Informal Email.

  • Business English: Handling Difficult Conversations (PDF)

    Business English: Handling Difficult Conversations (PDF)

    Handling difficult conversations is the B2–C1 high-stakes communication skill — delivering bad news, addressing underperformance, managing conflict, declining requests firmly. The worksheet covers the diplomatic-language toolkit: setting tone (I appreciate this isn’t easy to hear), framing the issue without blame (from my perspective, what I’m observing is), inviting response (how do you see this?, what’s your perspective?), and reaching agreement on next steps.

    This worksheet builds B2–C1 fluency with difficult-conversation skills.

    What’s inside:

    • A phrase bank organised by conversation phase (opening, framing, listening, agreeing)
    • Role-play scenarios: performance feedback, declining a request, escalating an issue
    • Tone-shifting task: convert blunt statements into diplomatic alternatives
    • Self-assessment checklist for difficult-conversation performance
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Hedging without weakening at B2–C1 — diplomatic doesn’t mean unclear. The message must be firm and the tone soft. Active listening cues: I hear what you’re saying, that’s a valid concern, I understand why you feel that way. Cultural variation in directness norms.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2–C1, in upper-intermediate and advanced classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly managers and senior professionals. Maps onto BEC Higher and C1 Advanced (CAE). Part of the Daily Business Communication collection — the natural next step is Risk and Decision-Making.

  • Business English: Cross-Cultural Communication (PDF)

    Business English: Cross-Cultural Communication (PDF)

    Cross-cultural communication is the B2–C1 international-business skill that distinguishes effective global professionals from those who only succeed locally. The worksheet covers cultural-variation dimensions (directness norms, hierarchy expectations, time orientation, relationship-vs-task focus), recognising L1 patterns in colleagues’ English, adapting communication style without losing authenticity, and avoiding stereotype while acknowledging tendencies.

    This worksheet builds B2–C1 fluency with cross-cultural workplace communication.

    What’s inside:

    • A cultural-dimensions reference with examples
    • Case studies of cross-cultural communication challenges
    • Reflection task: how do you communicate, and how does that match your colleagues?
    • Adaptation-strategy practice: navigate culturally different communication styles
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Avoiding stereotype at B2–C1 — cultures vary internally, and tendencies aren’t rules. Recognising one’s own cultural assumptions: every professional has a default communication style they assume is “normal”. Adapting without performing: shifting style to bridge cultural gaps while staying authentic.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2–C1, in upper-intermediate and advanced classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly international professionals. Maps onto BEC Higher and C1 Advanced (CAE). Part of the Networking & Communication collection — the natural next step is Small Talk and Networking.

  • Business English: Interviews Questions and Answers (PDF)

    Business English: Interviews Questions and Answers (PDF)

    Interviews questions and answers is the B2 high-stakes spoken-business skill — the productive English that decides whether learners land jobs. The worksheet covers standard interview questions (Tell me about yourself, What’s your greatest strength?, Why do you want this role?, Where do you see yourself in five years?), the STAR method for behavioural questions (Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult situation), salary-negotiation language, and the candidate questions that strong applicants ask back.

    This worksheet builds B2 fluency with interview Q&A.

    What’s inside:

    • A bank of 25 standard interview questions with model-answer frameworks
    • STAR-method template for behavioural questions
    • Salary-discussion phrase bank
    • Role-play interview practice with feedback rubric
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: STAR-method discipline at B2 — every behavioural answer needs Situation, Task, Action, Result. Avoiding vague claims: I’m a hard worker (weak) vs I delivered three projects on time last quarter (strong). Salary-conversation comfort: most learners find this culturally awkward.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly job-seekers. Maps onto BEC Vantage and BEC Higher. Part of the Job Search & Specialised collection — the natural next step is Contracts and Legal Language.

  • Business English: Apologies and Complaints (PDF)

    Business English: Apologies and Complaints (PDF)

    Apologies and complaints is the B2 high-stakes business-writing skill. The worksheet covers two parallel genres: writing apology letters/emails (acknowledging the issue, expressing regret, explaining without excusing, offering remedy, committing to prevention) and writing complaint letters/emails (stating the issue, providing evidence, expressing impact, requesting remedy, expecting next steps). Learners build the controlled-firmness register that distinguishes professional from emotional correspondence.

    This worksheet builds B2 fluency with apology and complaint writing.

    What’s inside:

    • Phrase banks for both apology and complaint structures
    • Sample apology and complaint texts with annotated features
    • Rewriting task: convert defensive apologies into accountable ones
    • Tone-calibration task: balance firmness with diplomacy in complaints
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Apology authenticity at B2 — I’m sorry if you felt offended is defensive; I’m sorry that I caused this issue is accountable. Complaint clarity: specific evidence (dates, amounts, references) beats vague frustration. Both genres need clear next-step requests.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly professionals. Maps onto BEC Vantage and C1 Advanced (CAE) Writing. Part of the Business Writing collection — the natural next step is Writing a Report.

  • Business English: Formal vs Informal Email (PDF)

    Business English: Formal vs Informal Email (PDF)

    Formal vs informal email is the central B1–B2 business-writing skill — and a daily decision every professional makes. The worksheet covers the register spectrum: external-formal (Dear Mr Smith, Kind regards), internal-professional (Hi Sarah, Best), team-casual (Hey team, Cheers), and quick-message (Just a quick one — can we move the meeting?). Learners build the register-matching fluency that workplace email demands.

    This worksheet builds B1–B2 fluency with email register matching.

    What’s inside:

    • A register-spectrum reference with examples
    • Sample emails across the register range with annotated features
    • Register-shifting task: rewrite the same content for three different audiences
    • Mismatched-register error correction
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Greeting-sign-off mismatching — Dear Mr Smith with Cheers sounds odd. Body-register consistency: the opening sets a register the body must maintain. CC etiquette: who needs to see the message vs who doesn’t.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B1–B2, in intermediate and upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly professionals. Maps onto BEC Vantage. Part of the Business Writing collection — the natural next step is Apologies and Complaints.

  • Business English: Problem-Solving at Work (PDF)

    Business English: Problem-Solving at Work (PDF)

    Problem-solving at work is the B2 daily-business skill that runs through every meeting, email thread, and project update. The worksheet covers vocabulary for diagnosis (the root cause is, the issue stems from), proposal (I’d suggest, we could try, one option would be), and resolution (this should address, that would resolve). Learners build the structured-thinking communication that distinguishes B2 professional English.

    This worksheet builds B2 fluency with workplace problem-solving language.

    What’s inside:

    • A phrase bank organised by problem-solving phase (define, analyse, propose, decide)
    • Meeting-transcript gap-fill with workplace scenarios
    • Role-play scenarios: team meeting on a current challenge
    • Sentence-completion drill with structured-thinking phrases
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Problem-vs-solution structure at B2 — clear professional communication separates problem definition from solution proposal. Diplomatic disagreement: That’s one view, but I think we should also consider. Modal verbs for hedging: we might want to, we could potentially, we should probably.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly working professionals. Maps onto BEC Vantage. Part of the Daily Business Communication collection — the natural next step is Handling Difficult Conversations.

  • Business English: Job Ads Reading and Writing (PDF)

    Business English: Job Ads Reading and Writing (PDF)

    Job ads reading and writing is the B1–B2 job-market navigation skill. The worksheet covers reading job ads (decoding must-have, nice-to-have, self-starter, team player, hit the ground running, results-driven, fast-paced environment), matching your experience to requirements, and writing your own job-ad-style summaries for LinkedIn or CV. Learners build the genre-specific reading-and-writing skill the job market demands.

    This worksheet builds B1–B2 fluency with job-ad genre.

    What’s inside:

    • Sample job ads in different industries with annotated features
    • Decoding task: translate HR shorthand into plain meaning
    • CV-summary writing: produce your own ad-style profile
    • Requirement-matching drill: align your experience with stated requirements
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: HR shorthand at B1–B2 — self-starter, results-driven, dynamic environment are compressed claims that need unpacking. Reading between the lines: fast-paced may signal high pressure, family atmosphere may signal expected overtime. Requirement-matching without overstating: claiming skills you don’t have.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B1–B2, in intermediate and upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly job-seekers. Maps onto BEC Vantage. Part of the Job Search & Specialised collection — the natural next step is Interviews: Questions and Answers.

  • Business English: Graphs and Trends Describing Data (PDF)

    Business English: Graphs and Trends Describing Data (PDF)

    Graphs and trends describing data is the B2 data-commentary skill that supports presentations, reports, and analytical discussions. The worksheet covers the verbs of movement (rise, increase, climb, fall, decline, plummet, plateau, fluctuate), adverbs of degree (slightly, gradually, sharply, dramatically, considerably), and comparison language (X was significantly higher than Y, the gap narrowed). Learners build the productive vocabulary every B2 business presenter needs.

    This worksheet builds B2 fluency with data-commentary language.

    What’s inside:

    • A reference table of movement verbs and adverbs of degree
    • Chart-description tasks with model commentary
    • Sentence-completion drills with data-vocabulary slots
    • Production task: present a chart in 2 minutes
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Verb-adverb collocation at B2 — rose sharply (sudden, large); rose gradually (slow, continuous); rose dramatically (large, often used hyperbolically). Specific numbers vs trends: approximately, roughly, just over, in the region of. Avoiding over-claim from limited data.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly professionals and IELTS Task 1 candidates. Maps onto Cambridge B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), and IELTS Academic Writing. Part of the Meetings & Presentations collection — the natural next step is Writing Meeting Minutes.

  • Business English: Describing Company Structure (PDF)

    Business English: Describing Company Structure (PDF)

    Describing company structure is the B2 daily-business skill every consultant, new hire, and stakeholder needs. The worksheet covers vocabulary for organisational layers (board, executive team, department, division, subsidiary, branch), reporting relationships (reports to, is responsible for, oversees, manages), and structural types (hierarchical, flat, matrix, decentralised). Learners build the productive vocabulary that workplace introductions and reorganisation discussions require.

    This worksheet builds B2 fluency with company-structure description.

    What’s inside:

    • A vocabulary box with 30+ structural terms
    • Organigram-reading task: describe the chart in prose
    • Workplace-introduction gap-fill: complete an onboarding briefing
    • Comparison task: contrast two different company structures
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Structural vocabulary varies by industry — partner, principal, senior, director mean different things across firms. Reporting-relationship language: reports to (chain of command) vs works with (collaboration). Distinguishing roles from people: the role of CFO vs our CFO.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly business professionals. Maps onto BEC Vantage. Part of the Daily Business Communication collection — the natural next step is Problem-Solving at Work.

  • Business English: Making and Responding to Requests (PDF)

    Business English: Making and Responding to Requests (PDF)

    Making and responding to requests is the central B1 daily-business skill. The worksheet covers polite request structures (Could you possibly, I was wondering if, Would it be possible to), responses (full agreement, qualified agreement, polite refusal), and the follow-up moves that resolve workplace coordination. Learners build the politeness-machinery fluency every professional context demands.

    This worksheet builds B1 fluency with workplace requests and responses.

    What’s inside:

    • A phrase bank organised by request strength and response type
    • Email-and-conversation gap-fill in workplace contexts
    • Role-play scenarios: deadline pushback, resource requests, scheduling
    • Multiple-choice on register and politeness levels
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Bluntness at B1 — Send me the report is rude; Could you send me the report when you have a moment is professional. Polite refusal: I’m afraid I won’t be able to, unfortunately that won’t be possible. Hedging without losing clarity.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B1, in intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly working professionals. Maps onto BEC Preliminary. Part of the Daily Business Communication collection — the natural next step is Describing Company Structure.

  • Business English: Presenting Structure and Phrases (PDF)

    Business English: Presenting Structure and Phrases (PDF)

    Presenting structure and phrases is the B2 formal-presentation skill that powers every product launch, project update, and conference talk. The worksheet covers the canonical presentation structure (hook opening, agenda, main points with signposting, conclusion, Q&A), signposting language (To begin with, Moving on to, This brings us to, In conclusion), and audience-engagement techniques (rhetorical questions, illustrative examples, summary checkpoints).

    This worksheet builds B2 fluency with presentation structure and language.

    What’s inside:

    • A presentation-structure template with timing
    • Phrase bank for each presentation phase
    • Signposting-identification task: spot the structural moves in a model presentation
    • Production task: deliver a 5-minute presentation on a familiar topic
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes with assessment rubric

    Common challenges: Signposting at B2 is the band-discriminator — strong presenters signal structure explicitly; weaker ones don’t. Audience-pacing: avoiding both over-fast (no time to absorb) and over-slow (boredom). Q&A handling: bridging from question to answer with grace.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly working professionals. Maps onto BEC Vantage, BEC Higher, and Cambridge B2 First (FCE) Speaking. Part of the Meetings & Presentations collection — the natural next step is Graphs and Trends: Describing Data.

  • Business English: Writing Meeting Minutes (PDF)

    Business English: Writing Meeting Minutes (PDF)

    Writing meeting minutes is the B2 documentation skill that supports every workplace meeting. The worksheet covers minutes structure (header with date, attendees, apologies, agenda items, decisions, action items, next meeting), the neutral-summarising register required, and the conventions for representing different speakers and contributions. Learners build the documentary-writing skill professional minutes require.

    This worksheet builds B2 fluency with meeting-minutes writing.

    What’s inside:

    • A meeting-minutes template with annotated sections
    • Phrase bank for summarising contributions, decisions, and action items
    • Practice task: write minutes from a meeting transcript
    • Action-item formatting drill: assignee, deadline, dependency
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Summarising without quoting at B2 — minutes paraphrase rather than transcribe. Neutral voice: X raised concerns about Y rather than X complained. Action-item precision: every action needs an owner and a deadline.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly working professionals. Maps onto BEC Vantage and BEC Higher. Part of the Meetings & Presentations collection — the natural next step is Chairing a Meeting.

  • Business English: Chairing a Meeting (PDF)

    Business English: Chairing a Meeting (PDF)

    Chairing a meeting is the B2 leadership-language skill that turns a discussion into a productive session. The worksheet covers the chair’s standard moves: opening the meeting (Right, shall we get started?), setting the agenda (We’ve got four items today), managing turn-taking (Sarah, what’s your view?), keeping focus (Let’s come back to that — can we move on?), summarising decisions (So we’ve agreed that), and closing (Same time next week). Learners build the meeting-leadership fluency that professional contexts require.

    This worksheet builds B2 fluency with meeting-chair language.

    What’s inside:

    • A phrase bank organised by chair function
    • Meeting-transcript analysis: identify the chair’s structural moves
    • Role-play scenarios: chair a 15-minute meeting on a workplace topic
    • Self-assessment checklist for meeting-chair performance
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Time-management language at B2 — We’re running short on time, let’s wrap this up, in the interest of time. Polite turn-management: Let me hear from someone who hasn’t spoken yet. Decision-summarising: So just to be clear, we’ve decided to X by Y.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly managers and team leaders. Maps onto BEC Vantage and BEC Higher. Part of the Meetings & Presentations collection — the natural next step is Presenting: Structure and Phrases.

  • Business English: Telephone Phrases (PDF)

    Business English: Telephone Phrases (PDF)

    Telephone phrases is the B1 functional-business skill that covers professional phone interactions. The worksheet covers the formulaic phrases that anchor professional calls: identifying yourself (This is X from Y), asking for someone (Could I speak to Z, please?), screening (May I ask who’s calling?), holding (Could you hold the line a moment?), transferring (I’ll put you through), taking messages (Can I take a message?), and closing (Thanks for calling, have a good day).

    This worksheet builds B1 fluency with professional telephone phrases.

    What’s inside:

    • A phrase bank organised by phone-call function
    • Role-play dialogues: caller and receiver in workplace scenarios
    • Voicemail-leaving practice
    • Multiple-choice on the most professional phone phrase
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Phone-specific phrases that aren’t predictable from general English — bear with me, hold the line, put you through. Spelling-out conventions for names and email addresses. Politeness register that’s slightly more formal than face-to-face professional English.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B1, in intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly professionals. Maps onto BEC Preliminary and BEC Vantage. Part of the Networking & Communication collection — the natural next step is Cross-Cultural Communication.

  • Business English: Small Talk and Networking (PDF)

    Business English: Small Talk and Networking (PDF)

    Small talk and networking is the B1–B2 professional-relationship skill that turns first meetings into ongoing connections. The worksheet covers networking conversation openers (How’s your conference going? What brings you here?), follow-ups that show interest (Tell me more about that, how did that come about?), graceful transitions (Lovely to meet you — I should let you mingle), and follow-up phrases for after the event (It was great to meet you, I’d love to continue the conversation).

    This worksheet builds B1–B2 fluency with networking and small-talk skills.

    What’s inside:

    • A phrase bank organised by networking phase (open, develop, transition, follow up)
    • Role-play scenarios: networking at a conference, workplace event, after-work drinks
    • Topic-suitability sort: professional small talk vs over-personal
    • Card-exchange protocol practice
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Calibrating professional intimacy at B1–B2 — networking is friendly but not intimate. Asking follow-ups that show genuine interest: what attracted you to that field? Polite exit: I should circulate, I won’t keep you.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B1–B2, in intermediate and upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly professionals. Maps onto BEC Vantage. Part of the Networking & Communication collection — the natural next step is Telephone Phrases.

  • Business English: Contracts and Legal Language (PDF)

    Business English: Contracts and Legal Language (PDF)

    Contracts and legal language is the C1 specialised-business skill for navigating formal-legal documents. The worksheet covers legal-register vocabulary (hereinafter, henceforth, notwithstanding, shall be deemed, in accordance with, subject to, without prejudice to), common contract sections (parties, definitions, obligations, term, termination, governing law), and the skill of identifying meaning behind formal phrasing.

    This worksheet builds C1 fluency with contracts and legal language.

    What’s inside:

    • A reference table of legal-register vocabulary with plain-English equivalents
    • Sample contract excerpts with annotated key clauses
    • Decoding task: translate legalese into plain English
    • Multiple-choice on contract-clause meaning
    • Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes

    Common challenges: Legal-register density at C1 — the Party of the First Part hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Party of the Second Part. Avoiding mis-translation: subject to (conditional on), without prejudice to (without affecting). Specialist knowledge: legal phrasing carries weight beyond literal meaning.

    For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR C1, in advanced classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly professionals in legal, HR, procurement, or partnership roles. Maps onto BEC Higher and C1 Advanced (CAE). Part of the Job Search & Specialised collection — the natural next step is Job Ads: Reading and Writing.