English video lessons
Every Simmonds video in one place: video lessons with transcripts, the films that open a lesson, the Berlin and Hannover industry films, the specialist English films from the online training and the video podcasts. Each video sits on the page it belongs to — with the player, a written summary and, where the video has one, the full transcript. James Simmonds has taught English in Hannover, Berlin and online since 2004.
Video lessons with transcripts
One page per video: player, chapters and the full transcript to read along.
Films inside the lessons
Short intro films that open a Lego Principle lesson.

Describing Charts in English: Key Phrases | Simmonds
Introduce a chart, name its parts, and highlight the figure that matters most.
· 1 min

Signposting for Presentations: Key Phrases | Simmonds
Guide your audience aloud from one point to the next slide and back again.
· 1 min

Present Perfect Signal Words: Full List & Quiz | Simmonds
Ten small words give the tense away — already, yet, since and their group.
· 1 min
Industry films
One film per industry — what English training actually has to deliver there.

Business English for automotive in Hannover: Audits & Suppliers
Business English for automotive teams in Hannover: live training for safety communication, quality audits and supplier negotiations.
· 1 min

Business English for Consulting, Legal & Tax in Hannover
Business English for consulting, legal and tax in Hannover: live training for client advisory, patent law and tax compliance.
· 2 min

Business English for Energy in Hannover: ESG & HSE
Business English for the energy sector in Hannover: live training for ESG reporting, joint ventures and HSE briefings.
· 1 min

Business English for Renewable Energy in Hannover: Live Training
Business English for renewable energy in Hannover: live training for wind energy, sustainability reports and investor presentations.
· 2 min

Business English for IT & Software in Hannover: Teams & Demos
Business English for IT and software companies in Hannover: live training for agile teams, technical documentation and stakeholder communication.
· 2 min

Business English for logistics in Hannover: Freight & Customs
Business English for logistics teams in Hannover: live training for freight forwarding, customs and international client communication.
· 1 min

Business English for Media in Hannover: Licensing & Production
Business English for the media and creative sector in Hannover: live training for licensing, productions and press relations.
· 1 min

Business English for healthcare in Hannover: Patients & Research
Business English for healthcare in Hannover: live Medical English training for clinics, practices and medical teams.
· 1 min

Business English for trade fairs in Hannover: Booths, Demos & Networking
Business English for trade fairs in Hannover: live training for booth presentations, networking and product demos.
· 2 min

Business English for Telecoms in Hannover: Networks & B2B Sales
Business English for telecoms and electronics in Hannover: live training for network negotiations, procurement and B2B sales.
· 2 min

Business English for Insurance in Hannover: Underwriting & Claims
Business English for insurance in Hannover: live training for underwriting, claims and reinsurance.
· 1 min

Business English for automotive in Berlin: Audits & Suppliers
Business English for automotive teams in Berlin: live training for safety communication, quality audits and supplier negotiations.
· 1 min

Business English for Consulting in Berlin: Pitches, ESG & M&A
Business English for consulting in Berlin: live training for strategy pitches, stakeholder workshops, ESG reporting and cross-border M&A.
· 2 min

Business English for FinTech in Berlin: Compliance, Pitches & Audits
Business English for FinTech in Berlin: live training for investor presentations, compliance and contract negotiations.
· 2 min

Business English for Real Estate in Berlin: Investors & ESG
Business English for real estate in Berlin: live training for investor presentations, due diligence and ESG reporting.
· 2 min

Business English for IT companies in Berlin: stand-ups, pitches, architecture
Business English for IT companies in Berlin — tech English for developers, engineering teams and start-ups. Live training with native-speaker trainers for stand-ups, investor pitches and architecture discussions, using real scenarios from your day-to-day.
· 2 min

Business English for Creative Teams in Berlin: Pitches & Briefs
Business English for creative teams in Berlin: live training for agencies, media and international creative projects.
· 1 min

Business English for healthcare in Berlin: Patients & Research
Business English for healthcare in Berlin: live Medical English training for clinics, practices and medical teams.
· 1 min

Business English for Pharma & Biotech in Berlin: Research & Regulation
Business English for pharma and biotech in Berlin: live training for research, regulation and scientific communication.
· 2 min

Business English for startups in Berlin: Pitches, Teams & Contracts
Business English for startups in Berlin: live training for investor pitches, international team communication and contract negotiations.
· 2 min
Specialist English films
One film per field — the scenarios and specialist terms the online training covers.

Business English for Renewable Energy: Projects & Negotiations
Business English for renewable energy: live training for international projects, technical specifications and negotiations.
· 2 min

Business English for finance: Compliance, Presentations & Audits
Business English for finance: live online training for your financial teams.
· 2 min

Business English for Hospitality: Guests, Menus & Reservations
Business English for hospitality: live online training for hotels, restaurants, catering and tourism.
· 1 min

English for Engineers: Specifications, Audits & Projects
English for engineers: live training for technical presentations, specifications and quality audits.
· 2 min

Business English for IT & Software: Sprints, Reviews & Demos
Business English for IT and software teams: live online training for sprint planning, code reviews and client demos.
· 2 min

Business English for Journalists & Media: Interviews and Reports
Business English for journalists and media professionals: live online training for interviews, reporting and PR.
· 2 min

Business English for logistics: Freight, Customs & Supply Chain
Business English for logistics and supply chain teams: practise freight enquiries, customs documentation and delivery updates live online.
· 1 min

Business English for Pharma & Biotech: Research & Regulation
Business English for pharma and biotech: live online training for research, regulation and scientific communication.
· 2 min

Business English for Tourism: Tour Operations, Airlines & Destinations
Business English for tourism teams: live online training for tour operations, airlines and destination management.
· 2 min

Business English for insurance: Underwriting, Claims & Treaties
Business English for insurance: live training for underwriting, claims handling and reinsurance.
· 2 min

Business English for Sales: Calls, Objections & Pricing
Business English for sales: online training for sales representatives, sales managers and key account managers.
· 2 min
Skill films
One film per skill — the typical situations, the vocabulary and how the training practises them.

Emails in English: Salutations, Subject Lines and Tone
Emails in English: practise salutations, subject lines and a professional tone with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English Conversation Training: Speak with Confidence
English conversation training: practise small talk, networking and spontaneous conversations with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English for Meetings: Open, Chair and Recap
English for meetings: practise opening, chairing and summarising meetings with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English Presentations: Structure, Figures and Q&A
English presentations: practise structure, figures, transitions and questions with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English for Phone Calls: Answer, Transfer, Take Messages
English for phone calls: practise answering, transferring callers, taking messages and conference calls with native-speaking trainers.
· 1 min

Negotiation English: Say No Diplomatically and Reach Agreement
Negotiation English: state your position, decline diplomatically and find compromises with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min
Films for your profession
One film per target group — the situations where English counts at work and how the training addresses them.

Medical English for Doctors: Patients, Congress, Publication
Medical English for doctors: practise patient consultations, specialist presentations and research communication with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English for Procurement: Suppliers, Quotations & Contracts
English for procurement: practise supplier negotiations, quotation comparisons and contract language with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English for Executives: Discreet 1:1 Coaching
English for executives and senior leaders: discreet one-to-one coaching for your role, your industry and your calendar.
· 2 min

English for CEOs: Investors, Press and Board
English for CEOs and business owners: prepare for investor pitches, press conferences and board meetings with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English for HR: Interviews, Onboarding and Reviews
English for HR and people teams: practise interviews, onboarding and performance reviews with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English for Marketing: Briefing, Brand and Launch
English for marketing professionals: present campaign briefings, shape your brand voice and prepare international launches with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English for Project Managers: Sprints, Stakeholders, Risks
English for project managers: practise sprint reviews, stakeholder updates and risk assessments with native-speaking trainers, for agile and classic projects.
· 2 min

English for Secretaries & Assistants: Office English
English for secretaries and assistants: communicate professionally at reception, on the phone and by email — with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min
Films about the courses
One film per course format — who it suits, how it runs and what it costs.

Corporate English Course Berlin: Costs & Group Prices
What does a corporate English course in Berlin cost? One fixed group rate per booked session, even when attendance changes.
· 1 min

English Course Costs: Transparent Prices, No Hidden Fees
What does an English course cost? See our prices upfront: VAT-exempt, with no enrolment or material fees.
· 1 min

Corporate English in Hanover: group price on request
One price for the whole group: corporate English course costs in Hannover. Prices updated August 2026.
· 1 min

Online Corporate English: Costs per Group & Employee
Groups / corporate courses: priced per group, not per person — on request. In-house: on request (travel included in the quote). All prices are net; language lessons are VAT-exempt under §4 Nr. 21 UStG.
· 2 min

English Evening Course: Learn After Work, 6–8 pm
English evening course: learn after work, from 6 to 8 pm, once or twice a week with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English B2 Course: Discuss, Defend Your View, Understand
English B2 course: discuss independently, defend your opinions and understand specialist texts with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English C1: Fluent, Nuanced and Persuasive
English C1: practise nuanced argumentation, complex negotiations and spontaneous communication with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

English Crash Course: 1–2 Weeks of Intensive Live Training
English crash course: one to two weeks of intensive live training with native-speaking trainers, four hours a day from Monday to Friday.
· 2 min

Business English for Finance: Reports, Markets and Presentations
Business English for finance: practise financial reports, market analyses and presentations with native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min
Films about online training
One film per online format — private lessons and team courses live with native-speaking trainers.

Private English Lessons Online: 1:1 with Native Speakers
Private English lessons online, one to one with native speakers: your goal, your pace, your weekly slot.
· 2 min

Online English Courses for Teams & Startups: Groups of up to 5
Online English courses for teams and startups: live training with native-speaking trainers in groups of up to five.
· 2 min
Films about the courses in Hannover and Berlin
One film per course page — which format actually fits on the ground, what it costs and how a lesson runs.

In-house English Training in Berlin: We Come to Your Office
English training right at your Berlin office. Native-speaking trainers come to your team before work, at lunch or after hours. No travel time, flexible scheduling and training with your company’s own materials and scenarios.
· 1 min

Intensive English Course Berlin: Your Goal in 1–4 Weeks
Intensive English in Berlin: one, two or four weeks of concentrated learning for your next interview, presentation, stay abroad or promotion.
· 1 min

Onboarding in English: Prepare Your Team in Berlin
Prepare your existing German team to welcome international colleagues in English. Practise meeting culture, emails, Slack, feedback and small talk with native-speaking trainers.
· 1 min

Business English Corporate Training in Hannover
Business English corporate training in Hannover: meetings, presentations, negotiations, emails and phone calls, tailored to your industry. Native-speaking trainers, since 2004.
· 1 min

English Teachers in Hannover: Business, Private & Online
Meet our English teachers in Hannover. Qualified native-speaking trainers for companies and private learners, led by James Simmonds. Simmonds since 2004.
· 1 min

In-house English Training Hannover: We Come to You
In-house English training in Hannover: your native-speaking trainer comes to your office. No commute for your team. Company-specific content and flexible times, since 2004.
· 1 min

Intensive English Course in Hannover: 1–4 Weeks
Intensive English course in Hannover: one to four weeks with native-speaking trainers. Morning or full-day options for trade fairs, relocation, presentations, negotiations and international assignments.
· 1 min

English in Mini Groups Hannover: 2–3 People
English lessons in mini groups in Hannover: two to three people, individual attention and plenty of speaking time. Ideal for teams with similar language levels.
· 1 min

International Team Onboarding in Hannover: English from Day One
International team onboarding in Hannover: Business English for new employees from day one. Training can start within 48 hours, with native-speaking trainers.
· 1 min

Business English in Berlin: Corporate Training & Online Courses
Business English in Berlin: live training for companies, in person, online or blended.
· 2 min

One-to-one English lessons in Berlin: private tuition online & in person
One-to-one English lessons in Berlin: private English lessons online and in person, €95–105 / 90 min.
· 2 min

English courses in Berlin: Compare formats for work & teams
English courses in Berlin: compare one-to-one, intensive and corporate courses with Simmonds.
· 2 min

English teacher in Berlin: James Simmonds & Learning Formats
English teacher in Berlin: personal live training with James Simmonds and native-speaking trainers.
· 2 min

One-to-one English lessons in Hannover: private tuition online & in person
One-to-one English lessons in Hannover: private English lessons online or in person, €95–105 / 90 min.
· 2 min

English courses in Hannover: Compare formats & find your course
English courses in Hannover compared: find a format for your goal, level and budget.
· 2 min
Video podcasts
The podcast episodes as video, each on its episode page with transcript and exercises.

The Call That Will "Eventually" Happen—But Not Perhaps Today
Two colleagues keep missing each other — they finally pin down a time. With a backup plan and the false friend "eventually".
· 2 min

Surfacing a Dependency Nobody Included in the Plan
The project plan is approved — but the key milestone depends on a vendor nobody accounted for. How to raise an overlooked dependency before it becomes a crisis.
· 3 min

Stopping People from Talking Over One Another
Three people talking at once and nobody listening — how to chair video calls in English without being rude.
· 3 min

Sharing Your Screen and Guiding a Client Through a Form
A consultant guides his client through an online form on a video call — sharing his screen, explaining the fields and securing the confirmation.
· 2 min

Revising the Project Forecast During the Meeting
Ten minutes before the steering meeting your numbers are out of date. How to revise a forecast live — and gain credibility while doing it.
· 4 min

Responding When the CEO Questions Your Data
The CEO challenges your numbers — in front of the whole room. How to defend your methodology in English: calm, precise and without sounding defensive.
· 3 min

Resolving Conflicting Updates from Two Department Heads
IT reports "complete", operations reports "blocked": how to resolve conflicting status updates in English — factually and without blame.
· 3 min

Reporting Bad News to Senior Management
Budget overrun, missed date: how to report bad news upwards — headline first, no drama, with a recommendation.
· 3 min

Recovering After You Send a Private Chat to the Whole Call
A private chat message goes to the whole video call — damage control in four steps, explained at C1 level.
· 3 min

Presenting an Honest Recovery Plan After a Major Project Failure
A major project has failed — how to present an honest recovery plan to the steering committee without losing your credibility.
· 3 min

Leading a Video Call When Half the Team Is Remote
A hybrid team meeting: how to chair a video call so remote colleagues are not forgotten — and why "aktuell" is not "actual".
· 3 min

Introducing Two Colleagues on a Conference Call
Two new faces on the project — how to introduce colleagues professionally on a conference call and make clear who is responsible for what.
· 2 min

Interrupting a Senior Colleague to Correct a Dangerous Misunderstanding
The managing director mixes up two figures on a video call: how to interrupt politely but firmly before the mistake becomes a decision.
· 3 min

Handling an Unexpected Sales Call Politely
A sales call out of the blue? Four rules for handling it in English — politely, professionally and in under three minutes.
· 3 min

Giving a No-Blame Account of a Failed Milestone
A milestone has failed — how to analyse causes instead of culprits: nuanced English for an honest post-mortem (C1).
· 3 min

Giving a Concise Project Update on Voicemail
A short, structured project update left on voicemail — and on the callback, the question of why "Handy" is not English.
· 3 min

Getting a Talkative Colleague to Commit to a Deadline
Interrupt politely, summarise, pin it down: how to get a firm date from a talkative colleague — in English.
· 2 min

Explaining Why a Green Dashboard Hides a Serious Problem
All metrics green — and yet there is a fire: how to explain in English why the dashboard hides the truth.
· 2 min

Explaining That Ninety Percent Complete Is Not Nearly Finished
"Ninety per cent complete" sounds like the home straight — it rarely is. How to explain in English why the last ten per cent is the hardest, without sounding like excuses.
· 3 min

Explaining a Simple Technical Problem by Phone
The printer is on strike and the hotline speaks English — how to describe a technical problem clearly on the phone in three steps.
· 3 min

Distinguishing a Temporary Delay from a Structural Problem
One-off slip or systemic fault? Three diagnostic questions and the English phrases for reporting the difference precisely (C1).
· 4 min

De-escalating an Angry Customer Without Seeing Their Face
An angry customer on the phone: how to de-escalate without face or body language — with your voice and the right phrases alone.
· 2 min

Clarifying a Number That Sounds Different over the Phone
Was that fifteen or fifty? How to say, dictate and check numbers on the phone safely — including the German traps "null" and "five and twenty".
· 3 min

Calling Back After You Missed a Customer's Call
Missed a call? How to call back professionally: apologise, clarify the request and sum up the next steps.
· 2 min

Ending a Conversation Without Seeming Rude
A networking evening, an interesting chat — but you want to move on. How to end a conversation politely in English.
· 2 min

Asking a New Colleague About Their First Week
A new colleague started on Monday — how to ask about her first week in friendly, natural English.
· 2 min

Delivering Confidential News on a Call That May Not Be Private
Confidential news on a line that may not be private — how to deliver sensitive information in English discreetly and under control.
· 2 min

Dictating a Friendly Email to Confirm Tomorrow's Meeting
Composing a short, friendly confirmation email out loud: subject line, greeting, key message, sign-off — sentence by sentence.
· 3 min

Redirecting a Meeting That Has Gone Off Topic
The meeting is drifting? How to bring it back to the agenda in English — friendly, firm, and without cutting anyone off.
· 2 min

Giving a Quick Update on a Routine Task
Reporting the status of a routine task in 60 seconds at the weekly meeting — clear, structured and without the classic "actually" mistake.
· 2 min

Giving an Update When Another Team Is Blocking Progress
Your team is waiting on another one: how to report a blocker in English — factually, without blame, with a clear escalation.
· 2 min

Reading Out a Short Thank-You Email After a Client Visit
A colleague reads his thank-you email after a client visit out loud — and stumbles over "eventually", which does not mean "eventuell".
· 2 min

Challenging a Status Report That Sounds Too Positive
All green, no risks? How to challenge an overly positive status report in English — without attacking anyone.
· 3 min

Calling a Customer to Confirm an Appointment
One short call, one confirmed appointment: securing the date, time and place — and ending the call professionally.
· 2 min

Admitting That Your Estimate Was Too Optimistic
Six weeks estimated, ten needed: an IT team lead corrects his estimate before the steering group — openly, precisely, without excuses.
· 3 min

Asking a Colleague to Repeat an Action Point
You missed a point at the end of the meeting — how to ask again in English without seeming inattentive.
· 2 min

Asking a Supplier for a Small Discount
A buyer asks his supplier for a small discount — politely, concretely and with a counter-offer.
· 2 min
