Announcing That a Project Is Back on Schedule
After five days of delay the project has caught up — how to deliver good news credibly in English.
Announcing a Project Is Back on Schedule
Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test.
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Comprehension test
Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.
Right — I mean ___. Possibly this week.
Good morning, Sarah. And for once I have good news: we are back on ___.
Transcript
Key phrases
Language notes
In this episode a project manager reports in the Friday update that his project is back on schedule after five days of delay: message first, then the reasons, then the remaining risk. You learn the key phrases for positive status reports — and why "eventually" does not mean German "eventuell" (level B1).
Lead with the good news — then the evidence
Jonas does not start with the backstory but with the core message: "We are back on schedule." Only then does he give the three reasons — early delivery, parallel testing, weekend work. English-speaking managers expect this pattern (result first, reasons after) in status reports; the German habit of telling the story chronologically can easily read as evasion.
The eventuell/eventually trap
"Eventually" looks like German "eventuell" but means "at some point, in the end" — almost the opposite. Telling the board the printers will "eventually" arrive announces an open-ended delay instead of a possibility. The correct words are "possibly", "perhaps" or "maybe". Sarah corrects the slip immediately and explains its effect — which is exactly why this trap belongs in every status-report vocabulary.
Naming the remaining risk makes good news credible
When Sarah asks "Any risks I should know about?", Jonas names one small remaining risk — and immediately adds the safety net ("we borrow two printers from the Hamburg office"). In English business culture, a positive report with no risk at all sounds implausible; a report with a named risk plus a plan B sounds confident. Sarah's reaction shows the effect: she passes the news to the board without reservations.
Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.
Frequently asked questions
What language level is this episode for?
Level B1 (CEFR). The dialogue uses everyday project English with clear pronunciation; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.
How do I report in English that a project is back on schedule?
Message first ("We are back on schedule"), then the reasons ("We ran the tests in parallel"), then confirm the dates ("we hand over on the thirtieth — the original date") and name one remaining risk with a plan B.
What does "eventually" mean in German?
"Eventually" means "at some point / in the end" — not German "eventuell". For "eventuell", say "possibly", "perhaps" or "maybe". This mix-up is one of the most common German errors in status reports.
Where can I practise status updates like this live?
In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany — starting with a free consultation.
Is there a transcript to read along?
Yes, the full transcript with German support notes is on this page — listen first, then take the test, then read along.
Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?
The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.