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Business English Essentials with Higher English

Business English Essentials with Higher English

Craig Branch 73 Episodes Sep 19, 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

The Real Skill for International English
The Real Skill for International English Sep 19, 2026 00:03:16 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 00:04:58 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 00:02:42 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.
What Colour Sounds Like — The Language Room, Episode 2
What Colour Sounds Like — The Language Room, Episode 2 Sep 3, 2026 00:01:43 What Colour Sounds Like — The Language Room, Episode 2.Colour words in English carry far more than their dictionarymeaning. In this episode we explore ten iconic songs — from Elvis Presley toJimi Hendrix to Fleetwood Mac — and ask what the colour in each title is really telling us.This episode is part of The Language Room — a free monthlyvideo series for curious English learners, available on Subs
Is your social media strategy actually working?
Is your social media strategy actually working? Aug 31, 2026 00:03:19 That's the question two colleagues are trying to answer in this week's Higher English lesson.Rather than simply studying a list of vocabulary, you'll hear a realistic workplace conversation about social media marketing and the language professionals use when discussing campaigns and results.A practical way to develop your Business English through realistic workplace communication.
Numbers. Results. Performance.
Numbers. Results. Performance. Aug 22, 2026 00:01:29 How do you talk about quantities and results naturally in English?It's not always as straightforward as it looks.When you're discussing things like performance, activity and results, the language you use depends on what exactly you're talking about.This week's Higher English lesson explores that problem through social media marketing, giving you practical language you can use when
Want your Business English to sound more natural?
Want your Business English to sound more natural? Aug 16, 2026 00:01:39 Knowing the vocabulary doesn't necessarily mean you can use it naturally.One of the secrets of fluent English is knowing which words naturally belong together.That's where collocations come in.This week's Higher English lesson focuses on useful collocations for talking about social media marketing, giving you practical language you can use in professional conversations.
What Are Phrasal Verbs? | Business English Focus
What Are Phrasal Verbs? | Business English Focus Aug 8, 2026 00:02:37 Why can you know the words but still not understand what someone means?Phrasal verbs are often part of the problem.They're a huge part of everyday spoken English, including the English you hear at work — but they're not always as easy to understand or use as they look.In this Higher English lesson, we take a practical look at phrasal verbs and how you can use them more naturally in a busin
Introducing The Language Room — A New Free Monthly Series for English Learners
Introducing The Language Room — A New Free Monthly Series for English Learners Aug 5, 2026 00:01:42 Welcome to The Language Room — a free monthly video seriesfor curious English learners.Each month I explore English from a different angle.Sometimes through music. Sometimes through culture. Sometimes through thefascinating stories behind the language we use every day.This introduction tells you exactly what The Language Roomis, what you'll get as a subscriber, and why I built it.The full seri
What Are Phrasal Verbs? | Business English Focus
What Are Phrasal Verbs? | Business English Focus Aug 1, 2026 00:02:51 There are some parts of English that simply don't behave the way you expect.Phrasal verbs are a perfect example.You can know the verb. You can know the small word that follows it. And yet the meaning of the expression can still be unclear.They're also a huge part of everyday spoken English, including the English used in professional situations.In this Higher English lesson, we look at why
What Are Idioms? (And How Should Professionals Use Them?)
What Are Idioms? (And How Should Professionals Use Them?) Jul 24, 2026 00:03:20 Idioms are everywhere in English.From meetings and presentations to everyday conversations, native speakers use them constantly—often without even noticing.In this episode, we explore what idioms really are, why they can be confusing, and how professionals can use them naturally and appropriately in the workplace.
Narrative Tenses for Business English
Narrative Tenses for Business English Jul 18, 2026 00:04:14 Explaining what happened isn't always easy—especially in English.In this episode, we explore narrative tenses and show how they help professionals explain meetings, projects, unexpected changes, and workplace situations more clearly.Whether you're preparing for presentations or simply want to sound more confident at work, this episode will help you tell clearer, more natural stories.

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