English for Video Calls and Meetings: Listening Practice

Intermediate · B1–B2 Episode 27 · about 2 minutes · Hosts: Mel and Josh

1. Before you listen: key words

Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.

on mute your microphone is turned off
breaking up the sound keeps cutting out
choppy not smooth, with gaps
unstable not steady
jump in start speaking in a conversation
share my screen show others what's on your computer
to sum up to give a short summary

2. Listen to the episode

Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.

3. Check your understanding

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4. Shadow the hosts

Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.

5. Talk about it

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Listening Room, episode 27: English for video calls and online meetings

Intermediate (B1–B2) · englishcoaching.au

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

on mute: ________________________
breaking up: ________________________
choppy: ________________________
unstable: ________________________
jump in: ________________________
share my screen: ________________________
to sum up: ________________________

2. Questions

What does 'you're breaking up' mean?
☐ Your sound keeps cutting out ☐ You're ending a relationship ☐ You're late
Which is a polite way to interrupt?
☐ Stop talking. ☐ Sorry to jump in, but... ☐ Me now.
What can you say if you missed something?
☐ Sorry, could you repeat the last part? I missed it. ☐ What? ☐ Never mind.
What does 'to sum up' introduce?
☐ A short summary ☐ A joke ☐ A new topic
Why say the time zone?
☐ It saves confusion ☐ It's funny ☐ It's required

3. Talk or write about it

You're in an online meeting. Join politely, interrupt once to add an idea, and finish with a short summary.

Transcript

Mel: Hi, welcome to the Listening Room. I'm Mel.

Josh: And I'm Josh. Today: video calls. Online meetings are everywhere now, and they have their own English.

Mel: Let's start with joining. 'Hi everyone, sorry I'm a minute late.' Or, 'Hi, can everyone hear me okay?'

Josh: And the most famous sentence of the decade: 'You're on mute!'

Mel: Ha! If someone's sound is bad, you can say, 'Sorry, you're breaking up a bit' or 'Your audio's a bit choppy.'

Josh: 'Breaking up' means the sound keeps cutting out.

Mel: If your internet is bad: 'Sorry, my connection is unstable. I'll turn my camera off.'

Josh: Now, interrupting. It's harder online because everyone talks at once.

Mel: Use a polite starter: 'Sorry to jump in, but...' or 'Can I just add something here?'

Josh: Or use the raise-hand button, then say, 'Thanks. I just wanted to say...'

Mel: If you didn't understand: 'Sorry, could you repeat the last part? I missed it.'

Josh: And to share your screen: 'I'll share my screen. Can you see it now?'

Mel: At the end, someone usually summarises: 'So, to sum up, Priya will send the report on Friday.'

Josh: Then: 'Thanks, everyone. Have a good afternoon.' And everyone waves at the camera, which is a bit funny.

Mel: It is! One more tip: in meetings across time zones, say the time zone. 'Let's meet at nine a.m. London time.'

Josh: That saves a lot of confusion.

Mel: So: you're on mute, breaking up, sorry to jump in, share my screen, and to sum up.

Josh: Thanks for joining our call! See you next time.

Answers: 1. Your sound keeps cutting out · 2. Sorry to jump in, but... · 3. Sorry, could you repeat the last part? I missed it. · 4. A short summary · 5. It saves confusion

Frequently asked questions

Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?

Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.

What English level is this episode?

Intermediate (about B1–B2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.

Which words will I learn in this episode?

on mute, breaking up, choppy, unstable, jump in, share my screen, to sum up. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.