What level of English do I need for business communication?
Most workplace communication requires B1–B2 level English for everyday tasks such as emails, meetings, and phone calls. Senior roles involving negotiations, presentations, and report writing typically demand B2–C1 level. Use our CEFR level test to find your starting point, then work through the relevant guides on this page.
What is business English and how is it different from general English?
Business English is a variety of English used in professional and commercial contexts. It emphasises formal vocabulary, specific genres (emails, reports, presentations, negotiations), and conventions such as hedging language, diplomatic phrasing, and formal register. While the grammar rules are the same, the vocabulary and style differ significantly from everyday conversational English.
How do I write a professional email in English?
A professional English email follows a clear structure: subject line, salutation (Dear Mr Smith / Dear Sarah), opening purpose statement, body paragraphs, closing statement (I look forward to hearing from you), and sign-off (Yours sincerely / Kind regards). Use formal vocabulary, avoid contractions in very formal emails, and keep sentences concise. See the English Email Vocabulary guide for full templates and phrase lists.
What phrases are most useful in a job interview in English?
Key interview phrases include: opening answers with 'I have extensive experience in…' or 'One of my key strengths is…'; using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for competency questions; closing with 'I'm very enthusiastic about this role because…'. The English for Job Interviews guide covers 50+ phrases with model answers for the most common interview questions.
What are the most important business English phrases to learn?
The most essential business English phrases cover: meeting language (Let's get started / Shall we move on?), emails (I am writing with regard to… / Please find attached…), negotiations (I'd like to propose… / That's not quite what we had in mind.), presentations (I'd like to draw your attention to… / To summarise…), and small talk (How was your trip? / Shall we grab a coffee?). See the Business English Phrases guide for a full categorised list.
How do I improve my negotiation skills in English?
Improve English negotiation skills by mastering four phrase categories: making proposals (I'd like to suggest… / How about…?), responding to offers (That sounds reasonable / I'm afraid that doesn't quite work for us.), making concessions (We could consider… / If you could… then we'd be able to…), and reaching agreement (I think we've found common ground / Let's put that in writing.). The English Negotiation Language guide covers all stages with ready-to-use phrases.
How should I structure a presentation in English?
A professional English presentation has four parts: Introduction (greet the audience, state your topic and objectives), Body (2–4 main points with signposting language like 'Moving on to…' and 'Another key point is…'), Conclusion (summarise key takeaways: 'To wrap up…'), and Q&A (Thank you for your question. That's a great point…). The English for Presentations guide provides full phrase banks for each stage.
What is the best way to learn business English vocabulary?
Learn business English vocabulary in context by: reading authentic materials such as business news and company reports; practising with topic-based flashcard sets on LexFizz (/vocabulary/business/); studying collocations (make a proposal, reach an agreement, submit a report) rather than isolated words; and actively using new phrases in writing practice. Aim for 10–15 new collocations per week rather than memorising long word lists.
What is the difference between formal and informal English in the workplace?
Formal English uses full forms (I am, do not), Latinate vocabulary (commence, terminate, endeavour), impersonal structures (It has been decided that…), and avoids contractions or slang. Informal workplace English uses contractions, phrasal verbs, and conversational phrases. The appropriate register depends on your audience: formal for senior management, clients, and official documents; informal for close colleagues and internal messaging.
Can I practise business English interactively on LexFizz?
Yes. LexFizz has a dedicated Business vocabulary set at /vocabulary/business/ with interactive flashcards, quizzes, and word-match exercises — all free, no registration required. The exercises cover essential workplace vocabulary, professional collocations, and email phrases. Visit /exercises/ to browse the full exercise library by topic.