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Business English Podcast · Meetings & Status Updates · Episode 03

Asking a Colleague to Repeat an Action Point

You missed a point at the end of the meeting — how to ask again in English without seeming inattentive.

B1 · Dialogue · 3 Min. · free

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Editorially reviewed by James Simmonds – English teacher since 2004Published

SceneTeam lead Anna sums up the action points at the end of the meeting. Daniel missed one — and asks professionally instead of guessing.
0:00 / 3 Min.

Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)

✓ To the comprehension test
Daniel — Project team member, marketing teamAnna — Team lead, marketing team

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Transcript

The full transcript opens after the comprehension test — so you train real listening instead of reading along.

Key phrases

action point
a task agreed in a meeting, with an owner
Every action point needs a name and a deadline.
to sum up
to give a short summary
To sum up: we launch in May and review in June.
I didn't quite catch it
polite way to say you did not hear or understand something
Sorry, I didn't quite catch it — could you say the number again?
due
expected to be finished by a certain time
The report is due on Friday morning.
currently
at the moment, right now
The budget is currently under review.
under review
being checked or examined
The contract is still under review by the legal team.
in writing
in written, documented form
Please confirm the action points in writing.
just to confirm
phrase to check you understood a task correctly
Just to confirm: the meeting starts at nine, not ten?

Language notes

In this episode a team member misses an action point and asks again professionally: request a repeat, clarify the deadline, get it in writing. You learn the polite checking phrases ("I didn't quite catch it", "just to confirm") — and why German "aktuell" is "currently" in English, not "actually" (level B1).

Asking again is professional, not weak

Many learners avoid asking again because it might look inattentive. In English-speaking work culture the opposite is true: "Sorry, could you repeat that last point?" and "I didn't quite catch it" signal that you take ownership of your task. Anna's closing line sums up the culture: "It's always better to ask than to guess." Guess instead of asking, and you deliver the wrong thing on Friday.

"Aktuell" ≠ "actually" — the status-update classic

Daniel says "the budget is actually under review" meaning "aktuell" — at the moment. But "actually" means "in fact" and often sounds like a correction or a surprise. Anna replies with the right word: "It's currently under review." Her own "And actually, the client has already asked …" shows the true meaning: introducing a surprising fact. Remember the pair: aktuell → currently, tatsächlich → actually.

Making tasks binding: confirm + in writing

Two tools lock in the results in this episode. First, oral confirmation with "just to confirm" plus a full repeat of the task ("cost overview for the Berlin project, by Friday at twelve"). Second, the written record: "Then everyone has them in writing." This combination — confirm aloud, then document — is standard practice in international teams, especially when not everyone is a native speaker.

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 meeting dialogue uses clear everyday business English; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.

How do I politely ask for a repeat in English?

With "Sorry, could you repeat that last point?" or "I didn't quite catch it". Then repeat the task in your own words with "just to confirm" — that shows you really understood.

What is the difference between "currently" and "actually"?

"Currently" = at the moment ("The budget is currently under review"). "Actually" = in fact ("Actually, the client wants a lower total"). German speakers mix them up because of the false friend "aktuell".

Where can I practise meeting English 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.

Are the voices real?

Episodes are produced with high-quality AI voices (Hume) and editorially reviewed by our trainer team — the same method as our interactive lessons.

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.

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