Updating the Team While Your Manager Is Away
Your manager is on holiday — and suddenly you are running the Monday update in English. How to keep it short, clear and professional.
Updating the Team in English
Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test.
✓ To the comprehension testYou may also like
Comprehension test
Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.
Sorry — ___ Friday! In German we say 'bis Freitag', so I always mix that up.
The test version went ___ on Friday, and so far we have found only two small bugs.
Transcript
Key phrases
Language notes
In this episode an employee stands in for his team lead and gives the weekly update in English: three topics, clear deadlines, cover arrangements. You learn the phrases for confident status updates — and the difference between "by Friday" and "until Friday", the classic German "bis" mistake (level B1).
The three-point structure
Lukas opens with a one-sentence agenda: "Three things: the website relaunch, the customer survey, and the monthly figures." This announcement gives the update instant structure — listeners know how long it will take and when their topic comes. Each point follows the same pattern: status ("The test version went live"), assessment ("only two small bugs") and next step with a date ("a fix by Wednesday").
By or until? The German "bis" mistake
German "bis" has two English translations, and the choice changes the meaning: "by Friday" = no later than Friday (deadline), "until Friday" = continuously up to Friday (duration). "I will send the figures until Friday" sounds to English ears as if Lukas will be sending numbers non-stop all week. Memory aid: deadline → by, state or absence → until ("She's on holiday until the end of next week" is correct!).
Cultural note: making the cover arrangement visible
In German teams, holiday cover is often arranged quietly; in English-speaking business it is stated actively: "I'm running the team update while she's away" plus a clear escalation rule ("please send urgent topics directly to me"). This protects the absent manager and reassures the team. Susan's reaction shows the expectation: short, clear, with dates — "short and clear" is a real compliment in a British office.
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 give a team update in English when my manager is on holiday?
In four steps: name the cover arrangement ("I'm running the update while she's away"), announce the agenda ("Three things: …"), give status + next step with a date per topic, and set an escalation rule for urgent topics.
What is the difference between "by Friday" and "until Friday"?
"By Friday" means no later than Friday (a deadline). "Until Friday" means continuously up to Friday (a duration). German "bis" covers both — which is why it is one of the most common German-speaker mistakes.
Where can I practise status updates in 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.