How do I give good feedback in English?
Think in three steps. First, say specifically what worked: "I really liked the way you handled the questions." Then name one point to improve: "One thing you could work on is the timing" or "It might be worth adding a summary at the end." Finally, ask for the other person's view and agree a next step: "How do you see it?" Watch the German traps: "feedback" is normally uncountable ("some feedback", not "feedbacks"), and "a critic" is a person, not a comment.
- The three steps: say what worked, improve one point, ask for their view.
- "Some feedback", not "feedbacks" or "a feedback".
- "A critic" is a person; for German "Kritik" say "criticism" or "feedback".
B2 · Customer Contact · 10 minGiving feedback in English, taught brick by brick.
A structured ten-slide lesson for B2 learners. Hear how to announce feedback in a friendly way, learn the three steps from a tutor — say what worked, name one thing to improve, ask and agree the next step — then practise them in the interactive drills before a final quiz. The whole arc is under ten minutes and nothing requires a signup.
- CEFR levelB2 · Upper intermediate
- Time to completeAbout 10 minutes
- SkillsSpeaking, Writing, Vocabulary, Business English
- Bricks10 blocks
01 / 06
Why feedback needs its own phrases
Feedback is part of everyday working life: after a presentation, on a report, in an annual review or in passing after a customer meeting. In English, many learners find it harder than small talk, because two things matter at the same time. The point has to be clear, and the relationship should not suffer. If you only think about the point, you easily sound harsh; if you only want to be friendly, you may never say what should change. This lesson therefore splits feedback into three steps. In the first step, you say specifically what worked, for example "I really liked the way you handled the questions." In the second step, you name one point the other person could improve: "One thing you could work on is the timing." In the third step, you ask for their view and agree what happens next: "How do you see it?" and "Shall we look at it again on Friday?" On top of that come a few German traps, above all "feedbacks" and "critic". This order is not a fixed law, but it gives you a structure to hold on to, even when you are nervous or the topic is sensitive.
02 / 06
Step 1: say specifically what worked
Specific praise helps the other person see exactly what worked. "Good job" or "Nice presentation" is friendly, but afterwards the other person does not know what to repeat next time. A sentence that names an action or a detail is better. The pattern "I really liked the way you …" is very useful here: "I really liked the way you handled the questions" or "I really liked the way you opened the meeting." Sentences that describe a detail work just as well: "The structure was very clear", "The customer example at the start worked well" or "Your summary made the decision easy." If you want to say what effect something had, add "… and it got everyone's attention" or "… and that really helped the client." Stay honest. One or two real strengths are more convincing than a long list of compliments, and exaggerated praise right before a criticism can easily feel like a ritual. Specific praise has a second advantage: it shows that you looked closely. The other person will then take the suggestion in the next step more seriously, because it comes from careful observation rather than a vague impression.
03 / 06
Step 2: name one thing to improve
Now comes the part many people find hard. A good way in is "One thing you could work on is …": "One thing you could work on is the timing." The phrase limits the criticism to one point, and "could" offers an option instead of giving an order. With "should", advice sounds more definite: "You should check the figures again" is a clear recommendation. For a suggestion, "It might be worth + -ing" works well: "It might be worth adding a summary at the end." In this pattern, "worth" is followed by the -ing form, not "to add". "Next time, you could start with the key figures" looks forward rather than back. A question can be a suggestion too: "Have you thought about shortening the introduction?" Talk about the work, not the person: "The second half felt a bit long" is easier to hear than "You were boring." One softener per sentence is enough. "It might perhaps possibly be worth considering …" does not sound more polite; it sounds unclear, and in the end the other person does not know what you actually mean. Clear on the facts, friendly in tone: that is what this step is about.
04 / 06
Step 3: ask, agree — and take feedback yourself
Feedback becomes a conversation when you end with a question: "How do you see it?" or "What do you think?" That way you find out whether the other person shares your view, and perhaps they know a reason you had not seen. Then you agree the next step: "Shall we look at it again on Friday?" or "Let me know if you'd like me to read the next version." The other role matters just as much. When you receive feedback yourself, thank the person first: "Thanks, that's really helpful" or "Thanks for taking the time to read it." If you agree, say "That's a fair point" and add what you will do: "I'll add a summary." If you want to know more, ask: "Could you give me an example?" or "What would you change first?" You do not have to agree with everything. If you see it differently, a calm sentence helps: "I see your point, but I think the detail is important for this client." Listening first and answering second keeps the conversation factual, even if you do not agree on every point in the end.
05 / 06
The German traps: feedbacks, critic and "Das ist falsch"
Three places where German gets in the way. First, "Feedbacks": in German you sometimes hear "die Feedbacks", but in English "feedback" is normally uncountable. You say "some feedback", "a lot of feedback" or "any feedback"; "feedbacks" and "a feedback" are not usual. If you want to count individual points, say "a piece of feedback", "two points" or "a few comments". Second, "Kritik": the similar-looking "critic" is a person who judges something, such as a film critic, or "my biggest critic". For criticism of someone's work, say "criticism", either uncountable or as "a criticism", or more neutrally "feedback". "Constructive criticism" and "constructive feedback" are both common. Third, the direct verdict: "Das ist falsch" easily becomes "This is wrong". For a calculation error, that is perfectly fine. When it is a matter of judgement, such as structure or style, a sentence such as "I'm not sure this part works yet" or "It might be worth checking this figure" sounds less harsh in feedback and invites a conversation. Keeping these three points in mind helps you avoid the literal-translation traps shown here.
06 / 06
Feedback in writing, in a team and to your manager
The three steps also work in an email or a comment in a document. In writing there is no tone of voice and no smile, so a friendly frame is worth it: "Thanks for sending this over. I really liked the way you structured the timeline." Then comes the point: "One thing you could look at is the budget table; some of the totals don't match." Finally, an offer: "Happy to go through it together if that helps." Comments in a document can be shorter, but they should say what you suggest: "Maybe move this paragraph to the start?" rather than just "Unclear". In a team, it helps to give feedback in private and to ask first: "Have you got five minutes? I'd like to give you some feedback on the workshop." When you give feedback to your manager, you can start with a question: "Would it be helpful if I shared a thought on the new process?" After that, the same three steps apply. And when you ask for feedback, be specific: "Could you give me some feedback on the first section?" That way you get concrete answers instead of a general "Looks good".