A number is missing from the weekly report — how to explain the reason in English before anyone asks, and stay credible.
B1 · Monologue · 3 Min. · free
Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)
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Transcript
Key phrases
Language notes
In this episode an employee proactively explains why a number is missing from the weekly report: give the reason, commit to a new date, protect the rest of the report. You learn the phrases for transparent reporting — and why German "bekommen" is never "become" in English (level B1).
Martin's message follows the basic rule of professional reporting: explain a visible gap yourself before questions arise ("I want to explain why, so nobody thinks we simply forgot it"). The formula has three parts: fact ("one number is missing"), cause ("we did not receive the data on time") and a new date with a source ("They confirmed … by Tuesday, ten o'clock at the latest"). That turns a glitch into proof of reliability.
"To become" means "werden" ("She became team lead"), never "bekommen". Writing "We will become the numbers" literally says "Wir werden zu den Zahlen." Correct are "to receive" (more formal) or "to get" (neutral): "We will receive the numbers on Tuesday." The mistake is so common among German speakers that British colleagues usually understand it — but it still does not look professional, especially in official reports and emails.
Martin's ending shows an attitude that builds trust in German and British companies alike: he offers the rough estimate personally ("please call me directly") but refuses to put the unchecked number in the official document. The vocabulary: "a rough estimate", "unchecked", "complete and checked". Using these words actively makes the status of every number instantly clear — and protects your credibility.
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Frequently asked questions
Level B1 (CEFR). The monologue uses clear everyday business English; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.
In three steps: raise the gap yourself ("You will see that one number is missing"), give the cause ("we did not receive the data on time") and commit to a confirmed new date ("by Tuesday, ten o'clock at the latest").
No. "To become" means "werden". "Bekommen" is "to receive" or "to get": "We will receive the numbers on Tuesday." One of the most common false friends in business English.
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