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Simmonds · live on simmonds.onlineB15 min · English

Video calls in English: vocabulary, dialogue and typical phrases

Editorially responsible: James Simmondspublished 8 Nov 2026AI-generated text (learn more – how we use AI on these pages)

Live rounds with a trainer and a small group. To warm up: Theo asks, you answer.

Allow the microphone – Theo asks the first question.

Find a live round with a trainer – Opens simmonds.online: conversation classes in small groups

AI conversation partner, synthetic voice · your voice is processed live by Google Gemini, we store no audio and no transcript · max. 5 minAbout the AIWith headphones you can interrupt Theo. Without them, the microphone only listens once Theo has finished.

Video callsB1 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about video calls (level B1)Dream jobsA2 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about dream jobs and no-gos (level A2)Phone messagesA2 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about phone messages (level A2)

Question of the day

According to the intro, what is a classic problem during video calls?

  1. People eating loudly
  2. People talking at the same time
  3. Cats walking across the keyboard
Show the answer – Open the answer to the question of the day

Correct answer: People talking at the same time

You can find the answer in the English introduction.

Listen to the introduction

Speed

Transcript

Hi, I'm Theo. Today: video calls. With remote work – Jump to the vocabulary entry for remote work, many people spend more time on video calls. But tech trouble – Jump to the vocabulary entry for tech trouble is still everywhere. Sometimes your microphone is on mute – Jump to the vocabulary entry for on mute, or your internet connection – Jump to the vocabulary entry for internet connection drops and you suddenly freeze mid-sentence – Jump to the vocabulary entry for freeze mid-sentence. Then there is video call etiquette – Jump to the vocabulary entry for video call etiquette. Is it rude to eat during a meeting? Should you always blur your background – Jump to the vocabulary entry for blur your background? Some people love seeing a colleague's cat walk across the keyboard, while others find it totally unprofessional. And let's not forget the classic problem: people talking at the same time – Jump to the vocabulary entry for talking at the same time because of a delay. How do you handle these situations? Do you have clear rules in your team, or is it a free-for-all?

Vocabulary

remote work/rɪˌməʊt ˈwɜːk/
Meaning: Working from home or another place outside the office.
Example: Remote work has changed how we communicate with our team.
tech trouble/tek ˈtrʌb.əl/
Meaning: Problems with computers, software or equipment.
Example: We started the meeting late because of some tech trouble.
on mute/ɒn ˈmjuːt/
Meaning: With the microphone switched off so others cannot hear you.
Example: I was talking for a minute before I realised I was on mute.
internet connection/ˌɪn.tə.net kəˈnek.ʃən/
Meaning: The link that allows a device to join the global network.
Example: My internet connection is very slow today, so I will turn off my camera.
freeze mid-sentence/ˌfriːz mɪdˈsentəns/
Meaning: To stop moving on screen while you are speaking.
Example: During yesterday’s call, I saw my colleague freeze mid-sentence.
video call etiquette/ˈvɪdiəʊ kɔːl ˈetɪket/
Meaning: Rules for polite behaviour during video calls.
Example: Our team discussed video call etiquette before the client meeting.
blur your background/ˌblɜː jɔː ˈbækɡraʊnd/
Meaning: To make the area behind you look unclear on screen.
Example: You can blur your background before you join the call.
talking at the same time/ˌtɔːkɪŋ ət ðə seɪm ˈtaɪm/
Meaning: Speaking while someone else is speaking.
Example: We missed the final question because two colleagues were talking at the same time.

Dialogue

  1. AnnaHi Mark, can you hear me clearly?
  2. MarkYes, but your video just started to freeze.
  3. AnnaOh no, not again. I think my internet connection is unstable.
  4. MarkTry turning off your camera. That usually helps with tech trouble.
  5. AnnaGood idea. Is the audio better now?
  6. MarkMuch better. I think you were on mute for a second there, too.
  7. AnnaSorry about that! Let's look at the report before we get disconnected.
  8. MarkSure, I'll share my screen with you now.

Questions for your conversation

Partner A

Easier: Do you often have problems with your internet connection? Why or why not?

What do you say when someone freezes on screen?

More challenging: How can companies ensure their staff have the right equipment for remote work without spending too much?

Partner B

Easier: Is it okay to drink coffee during a video call? Why or why not?

What are the most important rules of video call etiquette in your team?

More challenging: How might strict rules about blurring the background impact team culture and trust?

Partner A

Easier: Are video calls better than phone calls? Why or why not?

How do you politely tell someone that they are on mute?

More challenging: In what situations could a traditional face-to-face meeting never be replaced by a video call?

Useful phrases

  • You're on mute.
  • My screen has frozen.
  • Could you repeat that, please?
  • I'll share my screen with you.
  • We have a slight delay on the line.
  • Can everybody see the presentation?
  • Your audio is cutting out.

Topic quiz

Five quick questions check vocabulary and listening comprehension.

All conversations – Back to all English conversations

Questions

Who is Theo?

Theo is an AI conversation partner for warming up, not a teacher. The voice is synthetic. In the live rounds, a trainer talks with you.

Is my conversation stored?

We store neither audio nor a transcript. During the conversation, your voice is sent to Google (Gemini) for processing. The conversation ends after no more than five minutes.

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