If you are an upper-intermediate to advanced student of business English, you should definitely listen to the Manager Tools podcast over at www.manager-tools.com. This cast is aimed at native speakers of English, so they don’t provide transcriptions or vocabulary lists, but if you are at all interested in management, productivity or business etiquette, you should find these casts an interesting and fun way to improve your business English listening skills and learn new business English vocabulary.

The two hosts, Mark Horstman and Mike Auzenne, use an informal conversation format, but they are meticulously well prepared and their content is always thought-provoking and interesting. If you listen actively, you can learn lots of idiomatic American English as well as business English vocabulary. The Manager Tools website also has a forum you can sign up for (it’s free), and there you will be able to learn more business English vocabulary as well as discuss business topics in English with other listeners. Here is the blurb from the Manager Tools website:

Manager Tools is a weekly podcast focused on helping you become a more effective manager and leader. Each week we’ll be talking about new tools and easy techniques you can use to help achieve your management and career objectives. If you’re tired of a lot of management theory and would rather learn specific actions you can take TODAY to improve your management performance, we think you’ll enjoy the manager tools podcast.

I hope you’ll enjoy the Manager Tools casts as much as I do!

Here is the link to their list of all previous Manager Tools Podcasts.

Copyright 2008 L. Linstruth - www.betteratenglish.com.

Advanced listening tip for students of Business English

When researching new content for Better at English, I come across a lot of great listening material on the net. Unfortunately, a lot of it is impossible to use for podcasts here because of copyright issues. But that doesn’t stop me linking to these listening resources so that you can listen on your own. So each week I will summarize the interesting links that I come across.

Note that these audio files will be most suitable for upper-intermediate to advanced learners, because transcripts and vocabulary lists, and other supported learning material are usually not included.

OMG: IM Slang Is Invading Everyday English

This is an interesting article discussing how Instant Messaging (IM) slang is spreading to other contexts. It features some interview quotes with David Crystal, and interviews with native speakers on what they think about people using IM slang.

• Read the article on NPR.
• Direct direct link to the audio. [Windows Media Player]

English as a Global Language

Hear David Crystal discussing his book, English as a Global Language. It’s from a few years ago, but the topic still highly relevant to many visitors here at Better at English. And David Crystal (one of my favorite authors on language) is always interesting.

• Link to article on NPR. From there you can click to listen to the audio [Real Media Format]

Orwell on Writing: ‘Clarity Is the Remedy’

From the NPR series, You Must Read This. Hear author Lawrence Wright singing the praises of Orwell’s classic essay, “Politics and the English Language.”

• Read the article on NPR.
• Direct link to the audio [Windows Media Format].
• Read the Wikipedia article about Orwell’s essay.
• Read Orwell’s original essay.

Copyright 2008 L. Linstruth - www.betteratenglish.com.

Listening resources for advanced learners of English: 6 Oct 2006