English for Video Calls
Full masterclass video above…synopsis below!
In-depth tips, phrases and vocabulary for:
- Arranging a Video Call
- Scheduling & Rescheduling
- Being Late
- Starting & Greetings
- Small Talk
- Technical Check & Issues
- Introductions
- Giving Input
- Asking for Repetition & Clarification
- Buying Time to Think
- Managing the Meeting Flow
- Wrapping up & Goodbyes
- Arranging a Video Call
If you are arranging the meeting:
“Would you be open to a quick call sometime this week?”
“Let’s jump on a quick video call to go over it.”
“How about we set up a call to go through it?”
If someone is asking you to join the meeting
“Happy to connect—what days/times are best on your end?”
VOCABULARY
Set up – arrange
“I’ll set up a call for Friday afternoon.”
Jump on (a call) – casually join
“Let’s jump on a call to sort it out.”
- Scheduling & Rescheduling a Call
Scheduling:
“Can we lock in a time for our call?”
“Does [Day] at [Time] work for you?”
“Would [X time] suit you better?”
Rescheduling:
“Would it be possible to move our meeting?”
“Something’s come up—can we reschedule?”
“Can we push the meeting back an hour?”
“Sorry for the change—what’s a better time for you?”
VOCABULARY
Move (some things/other meetings) around – rearrange your schedule to fit something
“I’ll need to move some things around.”
Push back – delay
Push forward/ahead– start earlier
“Can we push the call back/ahead 30 minutes?”
- Being Late
If you are running late for the meeting:
“Apologies—I’m running a few minutes behind.”
“Just a heads-up, I might be [X] minutes late.”
When you are joining late:
“Thanks for your patience—I’m jumping on now.”
“Sorry about the delay—had some [tech/traffic] issues.”
VOCABULARY
Heads up – warning
Running behind – be delayed
“I’m running behind—be there shortly.”
Jump on / hop on – quickly join
“I’m hopping on the call now/ in the meeting now.”
- Starting the Call & Greeting People
When you know all the people on the call:
“Hi everyone, great to see you.”
Whether you know the people or not..for all calls:
“Thanks for joining—hope everyone’s doing well.”
For a reoccurring call:
“Great to see everyone again. How have you all been?”
Mixture of people you know and don’t know:
“Great to see some new and old faces here. Thanks everyone for coming.”
Waiting for people to join:
“Let’s give it a minute for everyone to log in.”
VOCABULARY
Glad we could all connect – Happy we are all together here
Starting the Call & Greeting People
- Small Talk
When there are a lot of people on the call:
“How’s your day going so far?”
When it’s a small group (under 30):
“How is everyone’s day going so far?”
“Has it been a busy week on your end?”
A group under 5 of people you know well:
“Is it just me, or has this week/month been flying by?”
“Hope it’s not too early/late where you are.”
VOCABULARY
Pipe up – speak
Fly by – go quick
Chime in – join the conversation
- Technical Checks and Issues
Audio
“Can you hear me okay?”
“Looks like you’re on mute.”
“Sorry I missed that, can you say that again.”
Video
“You’re frozen—try reloading your page / turning your camera off and on / rebooting your computer.”
“Sorry, I missed that—can you say it again?”
“Sorry, your internet seems a little bit patchy. Try turning off your video to up your signal.”
VOCABULARY
Paramount – of the highest importance
Choppy – when audio is in and out (not consistent)
Refresh a page / Reboot a computer
Patchy – when the internet signal isn’t consistently steady
Up (verb) – improve
- Introductions
Mix of new and old people:
“If we haven’t met—I’m [Name], I handle [Role].”
A group of mostly new people:
“Let’s go around quickly and introduce ourselves.”
Introducing another person:
“Joining us today is [Name] from [Team/Location/Department].”
All situations & groups:
“Let me kick off with a quick intro.”
“I’ll kick things off with a quick intro.”
VOCABULARY
Kick (things) off- start
- Giving Input
Adding to another person’s point/topic/speech:
“Just to add to that…”
“That’s a great point—I’d like to build on it.”
When you don’t agree or need to offer your insight:
“Here’s what we’ve been seeing on our side.”
“If I may, I’d like to offer another angle.” (formal)
“I’d like to offer another angle.”
VOCABULARY
Two cents – opinion
Jump in – join the conversation
Angle – perspective/point of view/opinion
- Asking for repetition and clarification
When you’ve understood everything, you just need to hear it again:
“Sorry—could you repeat that last part?”
When you haven’t understood all the words:
“Just to clarify, are we saying that…?”
“Would you mind walking me through that again?”
“I just want to make sure I’m understanding you correctly.”
VOCABULARY
Would you mind – can you please
Walk through – explain in greater detail
Concisely/Concise- brief/briefly
Angle – perspective/point of view/opinion
- Buying time to think
You need a moment to get your response ready:
“Great question—let me think for a sec.”
“Hmm, I’ll need a moment to gather my thoughts.”
When you need to find the answer:
“Let me quickly pull that up…”
When you need more time to respond:
“That’s a great question. Let me get back to you on that.”
VOCABULARY
Gather your thoughts – think about what you’re going to say
Out of left field – unexpected
- Managing the meeting flow
Get people to refocus on the topic/meeting:
“Let’s try to stay on track.”
One topic is being discussed too long:
“Shall we move to the next item?”
When a topic is relevant for this meeting or there’s not enough time to discuss it:
“Let’s circle back to that later.”
“Let’s park that for now and come back to it.”
“We’ll park that for now and come back to it.” (more direct)
Reminding of the time:
“We’ve got about [time] left.”
VOCABULARY
On track – progressing as planned, staying on schedule
Tic Toc – means time passing, let’s be quick. YES! this is where TikTok comes from (meaning quick videos)
Park a topic – discuss a topic later
- Wrapping up the call and saying goodbye
Wrapping up
“I think that’s everything on my end.”
“That’s everything on my end.”
“Great discussion—thanks for everyone’s input.”
“I’ll send a follow-up & a summary shortly.”
“Really appreciate everyone making time today. Thanks so much for your collaboration.”
Saying Goodbye
“Thanks again—take care, everyone.”
“Talk soon!”
“Bye for now—enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Catch you next time.”
VOCABULARY
Wrap up – finish
Input – contribution to a discussion/meeting
Catch you next time – see you next time
I hope you found all these tips useful. Happy learning!
Melissa B Duarte, Duarte Business English
DUARTE BUSINESS ENGLISH 