10 Business English Conversation Topics to Boost Your Career

Key takeaways:

• English is the lingua franca in the world of international business.
• Learning business English can help you unlock better career opportunities.
• Important business English conversation topics to master include proposals, presentations, meetings, and constructive feedback.

These days, English is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world. It’s almost impossible to avoid it, especially in the workplace. Companies on the global market often have to communicate in English, and that’s why being able to lead a business English conversation is so important.

In this article, we’re going to give you 10 business English conversation topics that will help you practice your skills and ace all those meetings, presentations, and interviews you have coming up.

Why business English conversations matter

Nowadays, English is considered to be the lingua franca in international business. It’s the language most people turn to when dealing with someone who doesn’t speak their native tongue. That’s why being proficient in English is so important for anyone who wants to succeed in their workplace.

But there’s more. Research shows that the higher the English fluency of a speaker, the better their business outcomes. This means that companies often value their employees’ language skills, as this can have a positive impact on their business.

To impress your boss and secure better deals with your clients, it’s important to master business English conversation. It will help you find more success and progress faster in your career.

What communication skills are essential for business

To have a successful business discussion, there are several skills you should develop. These include:

• Business jargon: Understanding specific business terms is crucial. These words and phrases will differ from one industry to the next, but they are important to learn if you want to succeed in your area of expertise.
• Clear communication: Whether you’re giving a presentation or writing an email, you need to stay on topic and express yourself as clearly as possible to avoid confusion.
• Listening skills: Being an active listener is crucial in the workplace. It allows you to fully understand instructions and respond appropriately.
• Professional etiquette: Having a conversation with your coworkers is different from talking to your friends. You need to learn how to be polite, professional, and respectful. This isn’t just about your overall attitude and demeanor. The words you use matter, too.

10 common business English conversation practice topics

Now that you understand why learning business English conversation skills is so important, it’s time to take a look at some practice topics and areas that you should focus on. These will help you become more proficient in handling everyday business conversations.

1. Introducing yourself

Making a good first impression is crucial. You want to come across as confident without being cocky, and friendly without seeming unprofessional. Simply saying, “Hey, I’m Steve,” just won’t cut it. Here are some examples of what to say instead:

• “Hello, my name is Steve Jones, and I manage the marketing team at ABC Company. It’s great to meet you.”
• “Good morning. I’m Mary Smith, and I specialize in narrative game design. I’d love to hear more about your work at XYZ Company.”
• “Hi, my name is Jesse Watson. I work in the sales department. I’ve heard a lot about your recent project and am looking forward to collaborating with you.”

To practice this English conversation topic, try answering the following questions:

• What is your name and role?
• What is your company or department?
• What project are you currently working on?

2. Introducing business and product

Once you’ve introduced yourself, it’s time to start a business discussion about your company or your product. Being able to explain yourself clearly and sell your ideas efficiently is a crucial part of any good business English conversation.

Here are some example sentences to help you get started:

• “ABC Company is a startup that specializes in sustainable energy products designed to reduce costs and environmental impact.”
• “At XYZ Company, we develop interactive mobile games for romance novel enthusiasts.”
• “We recently launched a new line of ergonomic office chairs that improve comfort and productivity.”

And here are some questions you should be able to answer:

• What does your company do?
• What products or services do you offer?
• Who are your main clients or target customers?

3. Small talk

Many people dread small talk, but like it or not, it’s a big part of most business English conversations. Having casual chats with your clients and coworkers can make you seem more friendly and open. It’s a great way to network and potentially even unlock doors to more work opportunities.

When it comes to small talk, keep it light, polite, and positive. Here are some examples to get you started:

• “How was your weekend?” — “It was great, thanks! I went to the lake with my family.”
• “Did you manage to catch the game last night?” — “Unfortunately, I missed it. Was it a good game?”
• “What are your plans for Christmas?” — “I’ll be spending time with my wife and her family. My mother-in-law is an amazing cook.”

1

4. Negotiations

Negotiations are an important business English conversation topic. At work, you basically have to negotiate all the time. Whether it’s salary, business deals, or project deadlines, being persuasive in conversation is an essential skill to have.

Here are some examples of what you might say:

• “Would it be possible to adjust the timeline to meet both our needs?”
• “Based on our previous discussions, I think a price of $5,000 would be fair.”
• “I understand your point, but could we explore an alternative solution?”

To practice your negotiation speaking skills, try answering the following prompts:

• You’ve been offered a salary that’s lower than you expected. How do you ask for more?
• A customer is unhappy with the current terms of a contract. How do you find a compromise?
• A client wants to shorten the project deadline by two weeks. How do you respond?

5. Job interviews

Job interviews can be stressful. Unfortunately, they are necessary. To impress a company’s hiring manager, here are some examples of how to present yourself well:

• “I’m drawn to this position because it would allow me to combine my technical skills with my passion for graphic design.”
• “One of my strengths is problem-solving under pressure, which I demonstrated when I worked on the ABC project.”
• “In my previous role, I led a team that successfully launched a new onboarding program.”

And here are some practice questions to help you prepare for an interview:

• What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• Why should we hire you instead of other candidates?
• Why do you want to work here?

6. Business and proposal presentations

When it comes to business speaking skills, being able to give a solid presentation is key. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking to potential clients or your coworkers. A presentation needs to be delivered confidently and with expertise. Here are some phrases that might come in handy:

• “There are three main points I want to focus on today…”
• “This diagram illustrates the workflow we propose for your team.”
• “This approach will provide long-term value for your company.”

To practice business English conversation for better presentations, answer the following questions:

• How would you introduce yourself and your topic at the start of a presentation?
• How can you emphasize the benefits of your proposal?
• How would you respond if someone challenges your proposal?

7. Meetings

Meetings are an unavoidable part of any office job. Some higher-ups even have several meetings a day. If you’re serious about your career in business, being ready to participate in (or perhaps even lead) a meeting is crucial.

Here are some useful sentences that one might use in a meeting:

• “Thank you all for joining me today. The purpose of this meeting is to…”
• “Could you please elaborate on that point?”
• “I understand your perspective, but my concern is…”

To prepare for a meeting, think about how you would answer the following questions:

• What is the main point you want to get across in this meeting?
• How would you politely disagree with someone?
• How would you summarize the next steps at the end of a meeting?

8. Colleagues

There are very few jobs that don’t involve interacting with your colleagues. Whether you’re working on a project together or just sitting next to each other in an office, chances are that you’ll have many conversations with your coworkers. For example, you might say:

• “How is your part of the project coming along?”
• “I can take care of this part if you’re busy with another task.”
• “I think your presentation was great, but maybe we could make some small changes to this part…”

To have a harmonious relationship with your colleagues, try answering these prompts:

• How would you politely ask a colleague for help on a task?
• How would you handle a disagreement with a coworker?
• How would you ask a coworker to collaborate on a new project with you?

9. Giving and receiving feedback

Feedback is a necessary but often tricky part of any job. That’s why it’s one of the most important business English conversation topics. When you’re giving someone feedback, you could say something like:

• “I think you did an excellent job with the report, but it might be even clearer if you added more visuals.”
• “One thing you could improve is time management during presentations.”
• “I really appreciate the effort you put into this. Your attention to detail is amazing.”

When you’re on the receiving end of feedback, you might respond with:

• “Thank you for your input. I’ll work on improving this.”
• “I appreciate you pointing that out. I hadn’t noticed it before.”
• “That’s a great point, thank you. I’ll add that to the slides.”

To practice this skill, answer the following questions:

• How would you give constructive feedback to someone without sounding rude?
• How would you respond if a client gave you negative feedback on your work?
• How would you ask your boss for feedback after completing a project?

10. Raises and sales

Finally, we have to talk about money. It’s what makes the business world go round. Here are some examples of what you might say on the topics of salary raises and sales:

• “I’d like to discuss the possibility of a salary increase based on my recent performance.”
• “Based on the value our solution provides, we can offer this package for $2,500.”
• “We can give you a discount if you commit to a longer-term contract.”

To work on this English conversation topic, think about how you would answer these prompts:

• How would you explain why you deserve a higher salary?
• How would you respond if a client tries to negotiate a lower price than you’re willing to accept?
• How would you negotiate a better deal with a client while still keeping them happy and on board?

How to improve your business speaking skills

Now that you know some of the business English conversation topics that you might come across, it’s time to start working on your speaking skills. There are several things you can do to improve your business communication.

Strategies to speak business English like a pro

To truly impress someone and secure a good business deal or job position, follow these strategies:

• Context matters: Speaking to a coworker you’re on friendly terms with is different from speaking to a potential client. Similarly, some clients may be more laid back, while others prefer politeness and professionalism at all times. Always take into account who you’re talking to and what kind of conversation style they might prefer.
• Speak clearly and don’t rush: To come across as skillful and confident, it’s important to communicate clearly and slowly. Don’t mumble and don’t rush through things. Take your time and make sure that everyone is able to follow what you’re saying.
• Ask relevant questions: It shows that you’ve been paying attention to others. It also ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Building confidence in business communication

If you’re not confident with public speaking or professional conversations, don’t worry. Most people get nervous in high-pressure situations like these. Luckily, there’s a way to work around your fears.

To build confidence in your business English conversation skills, try the following techniques:

• Practice and prepare: Going into a meeting without a plan won’t help relieve your anxiety. But if you know your goals and what exactly you want to address, you’ll feel more ready when it’s your turn to speak, especially if you practiced beforehand.
• Set realistic goals for yourself: Perfection doesn’t happen overnight. When working on your business speaking skills, come up with your own personal goals (e.g., learning tech buzzwords). Don’t set the bar too high, though. Smaller goals will keep you excited and motivated.
• Learn from feedback: Sometimes, we view feedback as criticism. It can be hard to swallow. But if you manage to overcome this initial feeling, feedback can actually be extremely useful. Don’t take it personally; instead, try to use it as a guide to improving your skills over time.

Resources for learning business English

Learning business English is important, but how should you go about it? Where can you find good language learning resources? We’ve prepared a list of some of the best places to start:

1. Hire a tutor

If you’re serious about improving your business English conversation skills, hiring a language coach is one of the best things you can do. The tutor can guide you through any weak spots you may have. They can also help you with your resume or get you ready for an upcoming interview.

2. Listen to podcasts

Immersion is one of the best ways to learn a language. Most people have to commute to work, and that journey is the perfect time to listen to a podcast. If you’re an ESL learner trying to improve your business speaking and listening skills, then put on the Business English Pod or any other business podcast you like.

3. Read business books and articles

This is a great way to practice your reading skills and expand your vocabulary. Pick up your favorite business book in English, or read articles online. For B1-B2 learners, the British Council has its own Business Magazine with plenty of articles for you to read. More advanced learners can try reading articles from popular publications like Business Insider or Forbes.

4. Memorize vocabulary lists

Sometimes, language learning comes down to memorizing a bunch of new words. Check out different business vocabulary lists and turn them into flashcards. You can practice these during your lunch break, on the train back home, or even in the waiting room at the doctor’s office.

5. Watch YouTube videos

YouTube is an amazing free resource for English learners. There are so many great teachers and tutors out there creating helpful content. To practice your business English conversation skills, simply look up “business English” on the platform and start watching.

For example, you can watch this great video all about navigating business negotiations:

Business English made simple with Promova

If you want to get better at business English conversation, try Promova! We can help you improve your communication and comprehension skills with our group courses and 1-on-1 lessons. We’re also ready to work with you on your interview skills, building a better CV, and even perfecting your field-specific vocabulary.

Try Promova today to get one step closer to your dream job.

Final thoughts

Business English conversation skills are important for anyone serious about their career. From navigating interviews to impressing your international clients, clear communication in the business lingua franca is essential. Practice makes perfect, so what are you waiting for? Dive straight in and improve your business speaking skills.