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Business English Essentials with Higher English

Business English Essentials with Higher English

Craig Branch 73 episodes Nov 10, 2026

Higher English is a podcast for professionals who want to improve their business English communication skills. Hosted by CELTA-qualified trainer Craig Branch, it covers vocabulary, idioms, phrasal verbs, and fluency for workplace situations. The show also promotes a Business English Essentials course and offers free lessons to help learners express themselves confidently and effectively in English.

Episodes

Your To-Do List Isn't the Problem. Here's What Is.
Your To-Do List Isn't the Problem. Here's What Is. Nov 10, 2026 03:41 A quick episode for anyone whose to-do list feels more like a weight than a help. Five practical tips for feeling more organised, focused and calm, in under four minutes.
The First 3 Seconds: Alternative & Indie Song Intros
The First 3 Seconds: Alternative & Indie Song Intros Nov 5, 2026 18:17 Think about the last time a song stopped you in your tracks. Not the lyrics. Not the chorus. The first three seconds.In this episode of The Language Room, Craig explores ten alternative and indie song intros, from The Smiths to The Stone Roses, and the English language hidden inside them: culture, history, nuance and vocabulary that sticks.Songs include How Soon Is Now, Enjoy The Silence, A Forest
10 Phrasal Verbs for Work, in Three Minutes
10 Phrasal Verbs for Work, in Three Minutes Nov 1, 2026 03:01  A fast, no-nonsense episode: ten three-word phrasal verbs with clear definitions and examples, built for meetings, emails, presentations and small talk. Short enough to listen to on a coffee break.
Does Advanced English Make You Sound More Professional?
Does Advanced English Make You Sound More Professional? Oct 25, 2026 01:57 Does using more advanced English make you sound more professional in meetings? Not necessarily.In this episode, we challenge a common belief among intermediate English speakers: that complicated vocabulary makes a stronger impression.In reality, complex language can make ideas harder to follow, especially in fast-moving meetings and international teams.The strongest communicators focus on clarity,
Borrowed Time — The Language Room, Episode 3
Borrowed Time — The Language Room, Episode 3 Oct 19, 2026 09:58 Time is one of the most powerful themes in music — and inEnglish. In this episode we explore ten songs built around the theme of time, from Pink Floyd to The KLF, and ask what each one reveals about the way English handles urgency, nostalgia, regret, and hope. This episode is free to watch on YouTube. The companionworkbook is available free on Substack. Subscribe at: https://open.substack.com/pub/
The Great Meeting Debate: Should You Always Speak?
The Great Meeting Debate: Should You Always Speak? Oct 19, 2026 02:24 Is staying quiet in meetings a mistake, or is it sometimes the smarter move? Part 2 of our Meetings series weighs up both sides of the debate, with international teams in mind.
How to Lead a Meeting in English (Without Hesitating)
How to Lead a Meeting in English (Without Hesitating) Oct 14, 2026 07:15 Leading a meeting in English is a very different skill from attending one.In this episode, we walk through six key moments every meeting leader faces, and the kind of language that helps you handle each one smoothly. It's practical, it's workplace-focused, and it's designed to help you sound clear and in control, even when you're thinking in another language.Part 1 of a 3-part mini
More Small Words, More Big Mistakes
More Small Words, More Big Mistakes Oct 6, 2026 02:59  Part 2 of our series on describing graphs and trends in English. More of the small prepositions that make a big difference to what your data actually says.
The Grammar Behind Every Good Data Presentation
The Grammar Behind Every Good Data Presentation Sep 27, 2026 03:09 One small preposition can completely change what your data means. Part 1 of a 2-part series on the essential words for describing graphs, trends and changes in business English.
The Real Skill for International English
The Real Skill for International English Sep 19, 2026 03:16 Most workplace English isn't native-to-native — it's international, and that changes what "good English" actually means. Five practical habits for clearer communication when you're both working in your second language.
Hearing vs. Listening: The English Skill You've Been Missing
Hearing vs. Listening: The English Skill You've Been Missing Sep 12, 2026 04:58 There's a difference between hearing someone and actually listening to them — and most of us don't notice which one we're doing. This week's video looks at a few natural phrases that signal real listening in English, and why they matter more in business settings than most people realise.
Stop Starting Your Presentations Like This
Stop Starting Your Presentations Like This Sep 5, 2026 02:42 Most presentations lose people before the first slide even loads. This episode covers 8 ways to open that keep the room with you from the first line — sharp, practical, no fluff.

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