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Business English Podcast · Meetings & Status Updates · Episode 07

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.

B1 · Dialogue · 3 Min. · free

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Editorially reviewed by James Simmonds – English teacher since 2004Published

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. · Worksheet (PDF)

✓ To the comprehension test
Ben — Project coordinator, UK teamMiriam — Sales team member, German team

Responsibilities and next steps are concrete speaking tasks to discuss when planning English courses for your 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 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.

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.

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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