B1Dialogue3 Min.

Asking Who Is Responsible for the Next Step

At the end of the meeting nobody knows who does what — how to clarify responsibilities in English before everyone leaves the room.

Editorially reviewed by James Simmonds – English teacher since 2004Published 24 August 2026

Asking Who Is Responsible

SceneEnd of a project meeting: Ben goes through the open points and clarifies with Miriam who is responsible for which next step — including a small misunderstanding about the word "Chef".

0:00 / 3 Min.

Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test.

✓ To the comprehension test

Ben — Project coordinator, UK teamMiriam — Sales team member, German team

Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.

01What are Ben and Miriam doing at the end of the meeting?

02Why can't Stefan finish the price list this week?

03Miriam can decide alone whether she takes over the price list from Stefan.

04Ben will book the next meeting with the customer.

05Which word is missing?

Oh no — my ___! In German we say 'Chef', but in English a chef cooks in a kitchen, right?

06Which word is missing?

Yes, I'll ___ with her this afternoon and follow up with you by email before five o'clock.

07Put the steps of the conversation in the correct order.

Transcript

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

German support

BenOkay, before we finish, let's go through the action points from today. We have five minutes left, so let's keep it short. First one: who is responsible for the next step with the customer?Wer ist für den nächsten Schritt beim Kunden zuständig?

MiriamI think that's me. I'll send the updated offer to Mr. Krüger tomorrow morning, together with the new delivery times. He wants to make a decision before the end of the month.

BenPerfect. Second point: who is in charge of the new price list? The version on the server still shows the old numbers.Wer ist für die neue Preisliste verantwortlich?

MiriamStefan is taking care of that, but he's on holiday until Wednesday. So the new list won't be ready this week, I'm afraid. And I don't want to change his files without asking him first.

BenHmm, that's a problem. The customer wants the new prices before Friday. Could you take it over from Stefan, just this once? It's really just the new numbers from the system — maybe two hours of work.

MiriamI can try, but I need to ask my chef first. It's her decision, not mine.Vorsicht, falscher Freund: „Chef" heißt auf Englisch nicht „chef"!

BenYour chef? I didn't know you had a restaurant, Miriam!

MiriamOh no — my boss! In German we say 'Chef', but in English a chef cooks in a kitchen, right?Auf Englisch: „boss" oder „manager" – ein „chef" kocht in der Küche.

BenExactly, a chef cooks. Your boss is Mrs. Albers, and I saw her in the office this morning. Can you ask her today?

MiriamYes, I'll double-check with her this afternoon and follow up with you by email before five o'clock. If she says no, I'll tell you immediately, and we can find another solution.Ich kläre das heute Nachmittag und melde mich per E-Mail bei Ihnen.

BenGreat. So, to sum up: you send the offer tomorrow morning, and you ask your boss about the price list today. I'll follow up with Stefan when he's back on Wednesday.

MiriamSounds good. One more thing — who is responsible for booking the next meeting with the customer? That point is still open.

BenGood catch, that's my action point. I'll send an invitation for Friday morning by the end of the day. Then we can all look at the new price list together.

MiriamPerfect. Now every task has a name next to it. Thanks, Ben — short meeting, clear results!

Key phrases

action point

a task agreed in a meeting, with an owner

Every action point needs a name and a date.

Who is responsible for …?

the standard question to clarify who owns a task

Who is responsible for the next step with the supplier?

to be in charge of

to have responsibility for something

She is in charge of the new price list.

to take care of

to deal with a task or problem

Stefan is taking care of the server update.

boss

your manager — the correct word for German "Chef"

I need to ask my boss before I can confirm the price.

to double-check

to check something a second time to be sure

I'll double-check the numbers before I send the report.

to follow up

to contact someone again about an open point

I'll follow up with you by email tomorrow.

to sum up

to repeat the main points briefly at the end

To sum up: two tasks for me, one for you.

Language notes

In this episode two colleagues clarify at the end of a meeting who is responsible for which next step: going through action points, asking who owns a task, summing up. You learn the key phrases for clear task allocation — and why the German "Chef" does not work in an English office (level B1).

Asking who owns a task: Who is responsible for …?

The three core phrases of the episode cover almost every situation: "Who is responsible for …?" (neutral standard question), "Who is in charge of …?" (stresses ownership) and "Who is taking care of …?" (stresses the practical doing). The answer formula needs a name and a date: "Stefan is taking care of that" alone is not enough — only "by Wednesday" makes the point checkable.

Cultural note: Chef, boss or manager?

German "Chef" is one of the best-known false friends: an English "chef" works in a restaurant kitchen. In the office you say "my boss" (informal, very common) or "my manager" (more neutral, often preferred in British companies). Culturally, note that British teams often refer to their manager by first name — "I'll check with Sarah" rather than "with my boss".

Closing meetings cleanly: to sum up

Ben's closing formula "So, to sum up: …" is the strongest tool against fuzzy meetings: every task is repeated with a name and a date ("you send the offer tomorrow morning"). Miriam shows the second good habit: raising open points actively before the meeting ends ("That point is still open"). Combine both and you leave the room without surprises.

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

How do I ask in English who is responsible for a task?

With "Who is responsible for …?", "Who is in charge of …?" or "Who is taking care of …?". The answer should always contain a name plus a date: "Miriam sends the offer tomorrow morning."

Is the German "Chef" a "chef" in English?

No. An English "chef" is a cook. The correct translation is "boss" or "manager" — one of the most common false friends in business English.

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. You start 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.

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