20 Easy & Fun Business Conversations Your ESL Class Needs

If you’re looking for business conversations that are easy to understand and perfect for the ESL classroom, you’re in the right place. This post gives you 20 real-life conversations that people actually have at work. You can use these to help students build their speaking and listening skills in a natural way.

These conversations are filled with useful vocabulary, questions, and common expressions. They are long enough to practice different types of responses and include examples that your students will hear in real offices, meetings, and workplaces. This helps learners feel more confident in real-life situations.

Each conversation can be used for role-plays, speaking activities, or even debate practice. Teachers can turn these into pair work, group work, or even reading aloud tasks. They are simple enough for beginners and realistic enough to keep intermediate students engaged.

You can also use these conversations to teach useful idioms and polite business phrases. From asking for a promotion to talking to a customer, the topics are real, useful, and classroom-ready. If you’re an ESL teacher looking to make your lessons practical and engaging, this is the perfect resource for you.

Why Business Conversations Matter in ESL

Many English learners need to speak English at work. They may talk to customers, managers, coworkers, or business partners. That’s why learning business conversations is very important.

These conversations help students learn the right words and phrases for work. Regular English is not always the same as business English. In business, people use special vocabulary, common expressions, and idioms.

Practicing business conversations also helps students ask and answer questions in a polite and professional way. This builds confidence and helps them do well in meetings, interviews, and phone calls.

Many learners want to get better jobs or grow in their careers. If they can speak well in business situations, they have more chances to succeed.

For teachers, using business conversations in class means students get real practice. It makes learning more useful, fun, and connected to real life.

1. Meeting a New Client

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: Two coworkers meet a new client at the office for the first time.

James: Hello! Welcome to our office. I’m James.

Sarah: Nice to meet you. I’m Sarah.

Mr. Lee: Hello James, hello Sarah. I’m Mr. Lee. Thank you for having me.

James: It’s our pleasure. Would you like something to drink? Coffee or tea?

Mr. Lee: A glass of water would be great, thank you.

Sarah: No problem. I’ll get it for you. Please have a seat.

Mr. Lee: Thank you. This is a nice office.

James: Thank you. We moved here last year.

Sarah: Here is your water, Mr. Lee.

Mr. Lee: Thank you, Sarah.

James: So, let’s talk about your project. How can we help you?

Mr. Lee: I want to make a website for my company.

Sarah: That sounds interesting. What kind of company do you have?

Mr. Lee: I have a small bakery. We sell cakes and bread.

James: Great! We can make a simple website to show your products.

Sarah: Do you have some pictures of your cakes?

Mr. Lee: Yes, I do. I can email them to you.

James: Perfect. We will look at them and make a plan.

Sarah: Do you want the website in English or another language too?

Mr. Lee: English is good for now. Maybe more languages later.

James: Okay, we will start with English. We’ll send you a draft next week.

Mr. Lee: That sounds good. Thank you both.

Sarah: You’re very welcome. We’re happy to help!

2. Talking About a Business Trip

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: Two coworkers talk about an upcoming business trip.

Emma: Are you ready for the trip tomorrow?

Liam: Almost. I still need to pack my things.

Emma: Don’t forget your laptop and charger.

Liam: Yes, I wrote a checklist.

Emma: Good idea. What time is our flight?

Liam: It’s at 9 in the morning.

Emma: Should we meet at the airport at 7?

Liam: Yes, that gives us time to check in.

Emma: Do you have the hotel information?

Liam: Yes, it’s called Grand City Hotel.

Emma: And the meeting is on Friday, right?

Liam: Yes, at 10 a.m.

Emma: Great. I hope everything goes well.

Liam: Me too. Let’s do our best.

3. Ordering Office Supplies

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: A manager asks an assistant to order office supplies.

Mr. Carter: Hi Lily, can you order some office supplies today?

Lily: Sure. What do we need?

Mr. Carter: We need paper, pens, and folders.

Lily: How many packs of paper?

Mr. Carter: Let’s get five packs.

Lily: And pens? Black or blue?

Mr. Carter: Get both. Ten of each.

Lily: Okay. What kind of folders?

Mr. Carter: Plastic folders in different colors.

Lily: I will check the website and order now.

Mr. Carter: Thank you. Please send me the receipt.

Lily: No problem. I’ll email it to you later.

Mr. Carter: Thanks, Lily. You’re very helpful.

Lily: You’re welcome, Mr. Carter.

4. At the Coffee Machine

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: Two coworkers chat during a coffee break.

Sophie: Good morning, Tom!

Tom: Morning, Sophie. How are you?

Sophie: I’m fine. Just a little tired.

Tom: Me too. I need this coffee!

Sophie: Did you see the new project email?

Tom: Yes, it looks interesting.

Sophie: Are you working on it?

Tom: I think so. I have a meeting later.

Sophie: Me too. Maybe we’ll be in the same team.

Tom: That would be nice.

Sophie: What kind of coffee did you get?

Tom: Just black. No sugar.

Sophie: I like it with milk.

Tom: Enjoy your coffee!

Sophie: You too, Tom. See you later.

5. Booking a Meeting Room

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: A team member asks for help booking a meeting room.

Nina: Hi Jake, do you know how to book a meeting room?

Jake: Yes, I do. Do you need one now?

Nina: Yes, for tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Jake: Okay, let me check the calendar.

Nina: Thanks. It’s for a client call.

Jake: Room B is free at that time.

Nina: That’s great. Can you book it for me?

Jake: Sure. I’ll add your name.

Nina: Thanks a lot, Jake.

Jake: No problem. Do you need a screen or whiteboard?

Nina: A screen, please.

Jake: Done! You’re all set.

Nina: You’re a lifesaver!

Jake: Anytime, Nina!

6. Giving a Simple Presentation

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: A new employee gives a short presentation to their team.

Anna: Hello everyone, my name is Anna.

Michael: Hi Anna, welcome to the team.

Anna: Thank you. Today, I will talk about our sales.

Sophie: Great! We are ready.

Anna: This chart shows the sales from January to April.

Michael: I see the numbers go up in March.

Anna: Yes, we had a new product that month.

Sophie: That’s good news.

Anna: In April, sales dropped a little.

Michael: Do you know why?

Anna: I think it was because of the holiday.

Sophie: That makes sense.

Anna: I will send this chart by email.

Michael: Thanks, Anna. Nice job!

7. Talking About Work Hours

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: Two coworkers talk about their daily schedules.

Ben: What time do you start work, Carla?

Carla: I start at 8 a.m.

Ben: That’s early. I start at 9.

Carla: I like to finish early.

Ben: What time do you leave?

Carla: Around 4:30.

Ben: I leave at 6.

Carla: Do you take a lunch break?

Ben: Yes, around 1 p.m.

Carla: I eat lunch at 12.

Ben: Do you work on weekends?

Carla: No, only Monday to Friday.

Ben: Same here. I enjoy my weekends.

Carla: Me too!

8. Asking for Help at Work

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: A new employee asks for help with a task.

Rachel: Hi David, can I ask you something?

David: Of course. What do you need?

Rachel: I don’t understand this report.

David: Let me take a look.

Rachel: I don’t know where to put these numbers.

David: They go in this column here.

Rachel: Oh, I see. That makes sense.

David: Just follow the pattern.

Rachel: Okay. What about this part?

David: That’s the summary. Write two or three sentences.

Rachel: Got it. Thanks for your help.

David: No problem at all. Happy to help!

9. Receiving a Phone Call at Work

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: An office worker answers a phone call from a client.

Mark: Hello, this is GreenTech Office. Mark speaking.

Client: Hello Mark, this is Lisa from City Foods.

Mark: Hi Lisa. How can I help you today?

Client: I have a question about my invoice.

Mark: Okay, do you have the invoice number?

Client: Yes, it’s 1023.

Mark: One moment, let me check.

Client: Thank you.

Mark: Yes, I see it. What’s the problem?

Client: I think the amount is wrong.

Mark: I’ll talk to our finance team.

Client: Great. Can you email me later?

Mark: Sure. I’ll get back to you soon.

Client: Thanks, Mark. Bye.

Mark: You’re welcome. Goodbye!

10. Talking to the Boss

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Context: An employee asks their boss for a day off.

Olivia: Excuse me, Mr. Grant.

Mr. Grant: Yes, Olivia. What is it?

Olivia: Can I take next Friday off?

Mr. Grant: May I ask why?

Olivia: I have a family event.

Mr. Grant: Okay. Have you finished your work?

Olivia: Yes, I finished all my tasks.

Mr. Grant: That’s good. Did you tell your team?

Olivia: Not yet, but I will.

Mr. Grant: Alright. You can have the day off.

Olivia: Thank you very much!

Mr. Grant: You’re welcome. Enjoy your day.

Olivia: I will. Thanks again!

11. Preparing for a Business Presentation

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: Two colleagues prepare a presentation for a business meeting.

Jason: Hey Mia, how’s the presentation coming along?

Mia: I’ve finished most of the slides. Just need to add the sales data.

Jason: Do you have the final numbers from April?

Mia: Yes, I got them this morning. Sales increased by 15%.

Jason: That’s great. We should highlight that on the first slide.

Mia: Good idea. I’ll use a bar chart to show the growth.

Jason: Nice. What about the new product launch?

Mia: I included a timeline for that. It starts next month.

Jason: Perfect. Do you want me to review the slides once you’re done?

Mia: Yes, that would be helpful. I want to make sure everything’s clear.

Jason: When’s the meeting again?

Mia: Tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the main conference room.

Jason: Okay. Let’s run through it once this afternoon.

Mia: Sounds good. Thanks for your help, Jason.

Jason: Anytime! We’re going to do great.

12. Discussing a Project Delay

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: Two coworkers discuss why their project is behind schedule.

Tina: Hey Leo, do you have a minute to talk about the marketing project?

Leo: Sure, what’s going on?

Tina: We’re falling behind schedule. The design team missed their deadline.

Leo: Again? That’s the second time this month.

Tina: I know. It’s starting to affect the rest of the timeline.

Leo: Should we talk to their team leader?

Tina: I already sent an email this morning. No reply yet.

Leo: Maybe we should escalate it to management.

Tina: I’d rather try solving it directly first.

Leo: That makes sense. In the meantime, can we move forward with anything else?

Tina: Yes, we can start writing the campaign copy.

Leo: Alright, I’ll get started on that today.

Tina: Great. Let’s meet again tomorrow to review progress.

Leo: Okay. Hopefully the design team gets back to us soon.

13. Negotiating with a Supplier

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: An employee speaks with a supplier to discuss better prices.

Carla: Hello Mr. Singh, thanks for joining the call.

Mr. Singh: Of course, Carla. How can I help you today?

Carla: We’ve been reviewing our budget, and we’re hoping to discuss your pricing.

Mr. Singh: I see. Are you looking for a discount?

Carla: Yes. If we increase our order size, can you offer a better rate?

Mr. Singh: That depends on the quantity. What are you thinking?

Carla: We’d like to order 30% more than usual.

Mr. Singh: In that case, I can offer you a 10% discount.

Carla: That’s helpful, but is there any chance we could get 15%?

Mr. Singh: Hmm, 15% is difficult, but I might agree if payment is made in advance.

Carla: I’ll need to check with our finance department.

Mr. Singh: Sure. Let me know by the end of the week.

Carla: Will do. Thanks for working with us on this.

Mr. Singh: No problem. I value your business.

14. Talking About Career Goals

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: Two coworkers talk during lunch about their future goals.

Ethan: So, Julia, where do you see yourself in five years?

Julia: Good question. I’d like to become a team leader.

Ethan: That’s a great goal. Are you doing anything to get ready for that?

Julia: Yes, I’m taking a leadership course online.

Ethan: Smart move. Have you talked to your manager about it?

Julia: Not yet, but I plan to during our next review.

Ethan: You should. They might support your growth.

Julia: What about you? Any long-term plans?

Ethan: I’m thinking about switching departments—maybe marketing.

Julia: Oh really? Why marketing?

Ethan: I like creative work, and I want to try something new.

Julia: That sounds exciting. I hope it works out.

Ethan: Thanks! Let’s both go for what we want.

15. Handling a Customer Complaint

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: An employee responds to a customer who is unhappy with a product.

Diana: Hello, thank you for calling customer support. This is Diana.

Customer: Hi, I ordered a chair, but it arrived with a broken leg.

Diana: I’m really sorry to hear that. Can you tell me your order number?

Customer: Yes, it’s #40216.

Diana: Thank you. Let me check your order.

Customer: I was really looking forward to using it this weekend.

Diana: I understand. I see your order here. We’ll send a replacement right away.

Customer: How long will it take?

Diana: It should arrive in 3 to 5 business days.

Customer: That’s a bit late. Can I get a refund instead?

Diana: Yes, we can process a full refund. I’ll send the return label to your email.

Customer: Thank you. I appreciate your help.

Diana: You’re welcome. Again, we’re very sorry for the inconvenience.

Customer: It’s okay. Thanks for handling it quickly.

Diana: Have a good day. Let us know if you need anything else.

16. Brainstorming New Product Ideas

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: Two coworkers meet to brainstorm ideas for a new product.

Nina: Hey James, ready to throw around some ideas?

James: Definitely. We need something fresh for the next quarter.

Nina: What if we create a portable version of our current model?

James: Like a compact one people can use on the go?

Nina: Exactly. It would work well for students and travelers.

James: That’s smart. Maybe with a foldable design?

Nina: I love that. And maybe a longer battery life.

James: Good point. People hate charging things all the time.

Nina: What about the price? We need to keep it affordable.

James: Maybe under $100 to stay competitive.

Nina: Let’s sketch this out and share it with the team.

James: I’ll start a document and send it to you.

Nina: Awesome. This could be a big win!

17. Conducting a Job Interview

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: A manager interviews a candidate for an open position.

Tom: Good morning, Rachel. Thanks for coming in.

Rachel: Good morning. Thank you for having me.

Tom: Let’s start with your background. Can you tell me about your last job?

Rachel: I worked as a marketing assistant at a small agency.

Tom: What were your main responsibilities?

Rachel: I handled social media, created reports, and helped plan campaigns.

Tom: Sounds like good experience. Why are you leaving that position?

Rachel: I’m looking for a new challenge and more room to grow.

Tom: What are your strengths?

Rachel: I’m organized, creative, and good at working with teams.

Tom: How do you handle deadlines?

Rachel: I always plan ahead and communicate clearly with my team.

Tom: Great. We’ll be in touch after we finish the interviews.

Rachel: Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.

18. Discussing a Performance Review

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: An employee and manager meet to talk about the employee’s performance.

Manager: Hi Kevin, thanks for joining me for your review.

Kevin: Of course. I’ve been looking forward to our talk.

Manager: You’ve done well this quarter—especially with the Johnson account.

Kevin: Thank you. That project took a lot of effort.

Manager: You handled it professionally. You also met all your deadlines.

Kevin: I’ve been working on my time management skills.

Manager: I noticed. One area for growth is team communication.

Kevin: I agree. I sometimes get too focused on my tasks.

Manager: Maybe try giving regular updates to the team.

Kevin: That’s a good idea. I’ll do that moving forward.

Manager: Overall, excellent work. I’ll be recommending a raise.

Kevin: That’s great to hear. I appreciate your support.

Manager: Keep up the great work, Kevin.

19. Planning a Business Trip

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: Two coworkers make travel plans for a business trip.

Emma: So, we’re all set for the Chicago conference next week?

Liam: Almost. Have you booked the flights?

Emma: Yes, we’re flying out Tuesday morning at 9:30.

Liam: Perfect. Did you get hotel reservations too?

Emma: Yes, we’re staying at the West Loop Inn—close to the venue.

Liam: Great. Do we need to bring anything special?

Emma: Just your laptop and business cards.

Liam: Are we presenting at the conference?

Emma: No, but we have meetings with two suppliers.

Liam: Okay, should I prepare some notes for those?

Emma: That would be helpful. We want to make a good impression.

Liam: Got it. I’ll print a few materials too.

Emma: Sounds good. Let’s go over everything again on Monday.

20. Asking for a Promotion

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Context: An employee speaks to their manager about getting a promotion.

Maya: Hi Lisa, do you have a few minutes to talk?

Lisa: Sure, Maya. Come in. What’s on your mind?

Maya: I’d like to discuss the possibility of a promotion.

Lisa: Okay. Tell me more.

Maya: I’ve been in my current role for two years now.

Lisa: Yes, and you’ve done excellent work.

Maya: Thank you. I’ve taken on extra responsibilities, and I think I’m ready to grow.

Lisa: Have you thought about a specific role you’d like?

Maya: Yes, I’d like to move into a team lead position.

Lisa: That could be a good fit. Let me speak with HR.

Maya: I’d really appreciate that.

Lisa: Keep doing what you’re doing, and I’ll see what I can do.

Maya: Thanks, Lisa. I’m excited about the next step.

Conclusion

Using business conversations in the ESL classroom is one of the best ways to prepare students for real-world situations. These conversations teach useful vocabulary, polite questions, helpful idioms, and common expressions that are used in many jobs.

Whether students are beginners or intermediate learners, these dialogues help them practice speaking clearly and professionally. They also build confidence and improve communication skills.

Teachers can use these conversations for role-plays, pair work, group work, or even short debates. Each activity becomes more meaningful when the language is real and connected to everyday business life.

If you want your ESL lessons to be practical and engaging, this post is a perfect place to start.

FAQs About Using Business Conversations in the ESL Classroom

1. How can I use these business conversations in class?
You can use them as reading practice, pair speaking tasks, listening activities, or even role-play scenarios.

2. Are these conversations too hard for beginners?
No. Ten conversations are written for A1 (beginner) level and are easy to follow. The other ten are for B1 (intermediate) learners.

3. What skills can students improve with these conversations?
They help with speaking, listening, vocabulary building, asking questions, and understanding idioms and expressions used in business.

4. Can I use these for writing practice too?
Yes. Ask students to write their own version of a conversation or continue one of the examples.

5. Do these conversations include real business topics?
Yes. Topics include job interviews, meetings, customer service, teamwork, and more. These are real conversations used in real workplaces.