Telling the Team What You Will Finish This Week
Monday morning stand-up: how to say clearly in English what you will finish this week — and why "until Wednesday" is the wrong deadline.
Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)
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Comprehension test
Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.
So: I'll finish the onboarding guide ___ Wednesday, end of day.
I'll send you a first ___ by Wednesday afternoon, so you have two days for feedback before I build the final version.
Transcript
Key phrases
Language notes
In this episode a product manager gives his weekly update in the Monday meeting: three tasks, three dates, one blocker. You learn the standard structure of an English status update (level B1) — and the difference between "by" and "until" that almost every German learner gets wrong.
The trap: German "bis Mittwoch" is not "until Wednesday"
German "bis" covers two English words. A deadline — a latest point in time — needs "by": "I'll finish it by Wednesday." "Until" describes a duration up to a point: "I'm working on it until Wednesday." Saying "I'll finish it until Wednesday" in a meeting sounds off to English ears — and at worst the team misunderstands the date. Memory aid: deadline → by, duration → until.
The three-part update: task, date, risk
Jonas's update follows a pattern that international teams treat as the gold standard: a concrete task ("the onboarding guide"), a firm date ("by Wednesday, end of day") and — crucially — the risk: "If the test finds problems, Friday is not realistic, and I'll flag it on Thursday." Naming risks early ("to flag something") does not sound insecure; it sounds reliable. Ben's reaction proves it: "That's exactly what I want to hear."
Raising blockers and summing up
The question "Are you blocked on anything?" belongs in every good stand-up. Jonas answers with the proven pattern: what is missing ("the logo files"), from whom ("from marketing") and what the consequence is ("Without them I can't finish the slides"). Ben closes with "to sum up" and repeats all three commitments — the usual signal in an English meeting that the agreements are now binding.
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Frequently asked questions
What language level is this episode for?
Level B1 (CEFR). The meeting uses clear, everyday team English; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.
How do I give a good weekly update in English?
In three parts per task: the task ("I'll finish the onboarding guide"), the date ("by Wednesday, end of day") and the risk or blocker ("I'm still waiting for the logo files"). Close with a short summary: "To sum up …".
When do I say "by" and when "until"?
"By" = no later than (deadline): "Send it by Friday." "Until" = the whole time up to (duration): "I'm in the office until five." German "bis" translates both — which is why "I'll finish it until Friday" is the most common German deadline error.
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.
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. Start with a free consultation — serving companies and individuals across Germany since 2004.
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.