BUSINESS ENGLISH
TOPIC 1 – LEADERS AND ENTREPRENEURS (UNIT 6 – 12, 42-46)
Skilled labour Work that requires special training, education, or Geschoold arbeid
technical expertise
Semi-skilled labour Work that requires some training, but not full Halfgeschoold arbeid
professional qualifications
Unskilled labour Work that requires no specific training or qualifications Ongeschoold arbeid
To be skilled at something To be good at a particular task because of experience or Ergens goed in zijn
ability
Repetitive work Work that involves doing the same tasks again and Repetitief werk
again, often routine-based
Full-time job A job with the standard number of weekly hours (usually Voltijdse job
35–40)
Part-time job A job with fewer hours than a full-time position Deeltijdse job
Permanent job A job with no fixed end date, offering long-term Vaste job
employment
Temporary job / freelance Short-term work or independent work done for different Tijdelijke job / freelance
clients
Nine-to-five Traditional office hours, typically 9 AM to 5 PM Standard kantooruren
Flexitime / flexible A system where employees can choose their start and Glijdende uren
working hours finish times within set limits
To work in shifts To work in scheduled time blocks, such as morning, In ploegen werken
evening, or night shifts
Overtime Working more hours than the standard schedule, often Overuren
paid extra
Working hours The total number of hours someone works per day or Werktijden
week
Downshift To reduce work responsibilities or hours to improve work- Bewust minder gaan
life balance werken / lagere functie
Conversation test Pagina 1 van 85
, kiezen
Office in the city centre A workplace located in the central part of a city Kantoor in het
stadscentrum
Working from home / Doing your job remotely from home using digital tools Thuiswerken
teleworking /
telecommuting
Office with separate work An office where employees have individual desks or work Kantoor met aparte
stations areas werkplekken
Open-plan office A large, open workspace without internal walls, shared by Landschapskantoor
many employees
Main office / headquarters The central office where a company’s main management Hoofdvestiging
(HQ) and operations are located
In-house Work or services done within the company, not Intern binnen het bedrijf
outsourced
Commuting to work Travelling between home and the workplace on a regular Naar het werk pendelen
basis
The financial business Refers to The City of London, the UK’s main financial Financieel zakencentrum
centre in London district van Londen
Salary / wages A salary is a fixed amount paid monthly or annually and Salaris / loon
wages are pay based on hours worked or weekly
earnings.
Bonus / commission A bonus is extra money given for good performance and Bonus / commissie
commission is extra pay based on sales or results.
Fringe benefits / perks Extra advantages such as company car, meal vouchers, Extralegale voordelen
laptop, phone, etc.
Health insurance / heath A plan that covers medical costs for employees Ziekteverzekering
plan
Fixed income / stable A regular and predictable amount of money earned over Vast / stabiel inkomen
income time, usually monthly, that does not change much.
A recruiter / a recruit / - a person whose job is to find and attract candidates Recruiter / rekruut /
Conversation test Pagina 2 van 85
, recruitment / to recruit for a company. rekrutering / rekruteren
- a new employee who has just joined the company.
- the process of finding, selecting, and hiring new
employees.
- to search for and hire new staff
A selection process The steps used to choose the best candidate, such as Selectieprocedure
interviews, tests, and assessments
To hire an employee To give someone a job and officially bring them into the Een werknemer
company aannemen
Qualifications / degree / - the skills, certificates, and experience that show Kwalificaties / diploma /
degree acquired someone is suitable for a job behaald diploma
- an academic diploma from a university or college
- the specific degree someone has earned (e.g.,
Bachelor of Business Administration)
To qualify as To meet the requirements to become something (e.g., Zich kwalificeren als
“to qualify as an accountant”)
Entrepreneur / founder Someone who starts and runs a business, often taking Ondernemer / oprichter
financial risks
Entrepreneurship / The activity of starting and managing new businesses. Ondernemerschap /
entrepreneurial ondernemend
Mogul / tycoon/ magnate A powerful and wealthy businessperson who dominates Zakenmagnaat
an industry (e.g., media mogul, real-estate tycoon).
Business leader / captain A highly influential person who leads a major company or Industrieleider
of industry plays a big role in the economy.
Businessman / Someone who works in business, either running a Zakenman / zakenvrouw /
businesswoman / company or working in a commercial role. zakenpersoon
businessperson
Manager / director/ - supervises a team or department. Manager / directeur /
executive / boss / vice- - oversees a larger part of the company, often leidinggevende / baas/
president strategic vicepresident
- senior decision-maker (e.g., CEO, CFO).
Conversation test Pagina 3 van 85
, - informal word for someone’s direct superior
- high-level executive responsible for a major
division.
Employer A person or company that hires and pays employees. Werkgever
Employees / staff / - people who work for a company. Werknemers / personeel /
personnel / workers / - Workers: general term for employees, often manual arbeiders / werkpaard
workhorse or operational.
- Workhorse: informal term for someone who works
very hard and carries a heavy workload.
Freelancer / sole trader A person who works independently, not as an employee, Freelancer /
often selling services to multiple clients. eenmanszaak
Blue-collar workers / Workers who perform physical or manual labour, such as Arbeiders / handenarbeid
manual jobs construction, manufacturing, or technical repair.
White-collar workers / Employees who perform professional, administrative, or Bedienden / kantoorwerk
office jobs office-based work, usually involving mental rather than
physical tasks.
Leadership / several - the ability to guide, motivate, and influence others Leiderschap
leadership toward achieving goals.
- refers to multiple leadership styles or qualities
within an organisation.
Motivated Having a strong desire to work hard and achieve goals Gemotiveerd
Self-driven Able to work independently, without needing constant Zelfgemotiveerd
supervision or encouragement
Resilient Able to recover quickly from difficulties, stress, or Veerkrachtig
setbacks
Adapt to change To adjust your behaviour or approach when Zich aanpassen aan
circumstances or environments shift. verandering
Circumstances The conditions or factors that affect a situation or Omstandigheden
decision
Innovation The process of creating new ideas, products, or ways of Innovatie
working to improve performance.
Conversation test Pagina 4 van 85
, High-performing Achieving excellent results, often above expectations. Hoog presterend
Assess To evaluate or judge something, such as performance, Beoordelen
skills, or risks
Challenging Difficult in a way that requires effort, skill, or problem- Uitdagend
solving, but can also be rewarding.
Hospitality The industry or behaviour focused on welcoming and Gastvrijheid
serving customers, such as hotels, restaurants, and
events.
Teamwork Working effectively with others to achieve shared goals Teamwork
Work-life balance The ability to manage work responsibilities and personal Werk-privébalans
life in a healthy, sustainable way
Prioritize To decide which tasks are most important and should be Priotiteiten stellen
done first
Trust with employees A positive relationship where employees and managers Vertrouwen met
rely on each other, communicate openly, and feel safe to werknemers
share concerns
Company structure The way a company is organised, including its hierarchy, Bedrijfsstructuur
departments, reporting lines, and decision-making
processes
Hierarchy The levels of authority within an organisation, showing Hiërarchie
who reports to whom.
Management The group of people responsible for planning, organising, Management
and controlling the company’s activities
Employers Individuals or organisations that hire and pay employees Werkgevers
Supervision The act of overseeing employees’ work, giving guidance, Toezicht
and ensuring tasks are completed correctly
Downsizing Reducing the number of employees to cut costs or Inkrimpen
improve efficiency
To restructure To change the organisation’s structure, departments, or Herstructureren
processes to improve performance
To delay To postpone a decision, action, or project to a later time Vertragen
Conversation test Pagina 5 van 85
, To become flatter and To reduce layers of management and remove Platter en efficiënter
leaner unnecessary roles so the company becomes more worden
efficient and flexible
Working your way up the Progressing to higher-level positions over time through Opklimmen op de
career ladder experience and performance. carrièreladder
To get a promotion To be moved to a higher position with more responsibility Promotie krijgen
and usually higher pay
Junior or senior position - Junior position: a role for someone with less Junior- of seniorfunctie
experience.
- Senior position: a role for someone with more
experience and responsibility.
Demotion Being moved to a lower-level position, often with less Degradatie
responsibility or lower pay
Workload The amount of work an employee is expected to Werkdruk
complete
Unions Organisations that represent employees, negotiate Vakbonden
working conditions, and protect workers’ rights.
Discrimination Unfair treatment of someone based on gender, race, age, Disriminatie
religion, disability, or other personal characteristics.
Labour dispute A conflict between employees and employers, often Arbeidsconflict
about pay, working conditions, or rights.
Bullying Repeated behaviour that intimidates, humiliates, or Pesten
harms an employee
Harassment Unwanted behaviour (verbal, physical, or written) that Intimidatie
creates a hostile or uncomfortable work environment.
Glass ceiling An invisible barrier that prevents certain groups (often Glazen plafond
women or minorities) from reaching top positions,
despite being qualified
Health and safety Rules and procedures designed to protect employees Veiligheids-en
measures from accidents, injuries, and workplace hazards gezondheidsmaatregelen
Fire hazards Situations, materials, or conditions in the workplace that Brandgevaar
Conversation test Pagina 6 van 85
TOPIC 1 – LEADERS AND ENTREPRENEURS (UNIT 6 – 12, 42-46)
Skilled labour Work that requires special training, education, or Geschoold arbeid
technical expertise
Semi-skilled labour Work that requires some training, but not full Halfgeschoold arbeid
professional qualifications
Unskilled labour Work that requires no specific training or qualifications Ongeschoold arbeid
To be skilled at something To be good at a particular task because of experience or Ergens goed in zijn
ability
Repetitive work Work that involves doing the same tasks again and Repetitief werk
again, often routine-based
Full-time job A job with the standard number of weekly hours (usually Voltijdse job
35–40)
Part-time job A job with fewer hours than a full-time position Deeltijdse job
Permanent job A job with no fixed end date, offering long-term Vaste job
employment
Temporary job / freelance Short-term work or independent work done for different Tijdelijke job / freelance
clients
Nine-to-five Traditional office hours, typically 9 AM to 5 PM Standard kantooruren
Flexitime / flexible A system where employees can choose their start and Glijdende uren
working hours finish times within set limits
To work in shifts To work in scheduled time blocks, such as morning, In ploegen werken
evening, or night shifts
Overtime Working more hours than the standard schedule, often Overuren
paid extra
Working hours The total number of hours someone works per day or Werktijden
week
Downshift To reduce work responsibilities or hours to improve work- Bewust minder gaan
life balance werken / lagere functie
Conversation test Pagina 1 van 85
, kiezen
Office in the city centre A workplace located in the central part of a city Kantoor in het
stadscentrum
Working from home / Doing your job remotely from home using digital tools Thuiswerken
teleworking /
telecommuting
Office with separate work An office where employees have individual desks or work Kantoor met aparte
stations areas werkplekken
Open-plan office A large, open workspace without internal walls, shared by Landschapskantoor
many employees
Main office / headquarters The central office where a company’s main management Hoofdvestiging
(HQ) and operations are located
In-house Work or services done within the company, not Intern binnen het bedrijf
outsourced
Commuting to work Travelling between home and the workplace on a regular Naar het werk pendelen
basis
The financial business Refers to The City of London, the UK’s main financial Financieel zakencentrum
centre in London district van Londen
Salary / wages A salary is a fixed amount paid monthly or annually and Salaris / loon
wages are pay based on hours worked or weekly
earnings.
Bonus / commission A bonus is extra money given for good performance and Bonus / commissie
commission is extra pay based on sales or results.
Fringe benefits / perks Extra advantages such as company car, meal vouchers, Extralegale voordelen
laptop, phone, etc.
Health insurance / heath A plan that covers medical costs for employees Ziekteverzekering
plan
Fixed income / stable A regular and predictable amount of money earned over Vast / stabiel inkomen
income time, usually monthly, that does not change much.
A recruiter / a recruit / - a person whose job is to find and attract candidates Recruiter / rekruut /
Conversation test Pagina 2 van 85
, recruitment / to recruit for a company. rekrutering / rekruteren
- a new employee who has just joined the company.
- the process of finding, selecting, and hiring new
employees.
- to search for and hire new staff
A selection process The steps used to choose the best candidate, such as Selectieprocedure
interviews, tests, and assessments
To hire an employee To give someone a job and officially bring them into the Een werknemer
company aannemen
Qualifications / degree / - the skills, certificates, and experience that show Kwalificaties / diploma /
degree acquired someone is suitable for a job behaald diploma
- an academic diploma from a university or college
- the specific degree someone has earned (e.g.,
Bachelor of Business Administration)
To qualify as To meet the requirements to become something (e.g., Zich kwalificeren als
“to qualify as an accountant”)
Entrepreneur / founder Someone who starts and runs a business, often taking Ondernemer / oprichter
financial risks
Entrepreneurship / The activity of starting and managing new businesses. Ondernemerschap /
entrepreneurial ondernemend
Mogul / tycoon/ magnate A powerful and wealthy businessperson who dominates Zakenmagnaat
an industry (e.g., media mogul, real-estate tycoon).
Business leader / captain A highly influential person who leads a major company or Industrieleider
of industry plays a big role in the economy.
Businessman / Someone who works in business, either running a Zakenman / zakenvrouw /
businesswoman / company or working in a commercial role. zakenpersoon
businessperson
Manager / director/ - supervises a team or department. Manager / directeur /
executive / boss / vice- - oversees a larger part of the company, often leidinggevende / baas/
president strategic vicepresident
- senior decision-maker (e.g., CEO, CFO).
Conversation test Pagina 3 van 85
, - informal word for someone’s direct superior
- high-level executive responsible for a major
division.
Employer A person or company that hires and pays employees. Werkgever
Employees / staff / - people who work for a company. Werknemers / personeel /
personnel / workers / - Workers: general term for employees, often manual arbeiders / werkpaard
workhorse or operational.
- Workhorse: informal term for someone who works
very hard and carries a heavy workload.
Freelancer / sole trader A person who works independently, not as an employee, Freelancer /
often selling services to multiple clients. eenmanszaak
Blue-collar workers / Workers who perform physical or manual labour, such as Arbeiders / handenarbeid
manual jobs construction, manufacturing, or technical repair.
White-collar workers / Employees who perform professional, administrative, or Bedienden / kantoorwerk
office jobs office-based work, usually involving mental rather than
physical tasks.
Leadership / several - the ability to guide, motivate, and influence others Leiderschap
leadership toward achieving goals.
- refers to multiple leadership styles or qualities
within an organisation.
Motivated Having a strong desire to work hard and achieve goals Gemotiveerd
Self-driven Able to work independently, without needing constant Zelfgemotiveerd
supervision or encouragement
Resilient Able to recover quickly from difficulties, stress, or Veerkrachtig
setbacks
Adapt to change To adjust your behaviour or approach when Zich aanpassen aan
circumstances or environments shift. verandering
Circumstances The conditions or factors that affect a situation or Omstandigheden
decision
Innovation The process of creating new ideas, products, or ways of Innovatie
working to improve performance.
Conversation test Pagina 4 van 85
, High-performing Achieving excellent results, often above expectations. Hoog presterend
Assess To evaluate or judge something, such as performance, Beoordelen
skills, or risks
Challenging Difficult in a way that requires effort, skill, or problem- Uitdagend
solving, but can also be rewarding.
Hospitality The industry or behaviour focused on welcoming and Gastvrijheid
serving customers, such as hotels, restaurants, and
events.
Teamwork Working effectively with others to achieve shared goals Teamwork
Work-life balance The ability to manage work responsibilities and personal Werk-privébalans
life in a healthy, sustainable way
Prioritize To decide which tasks are most important and should be Priotiteiten stellen
done first
Trust with employees A positive relationship where employees and managers Vertrouwen met
rely on each other, communicate openly, and feel safe to werknemers
share concerns
Company structure The way a company is organised, including its hierarchy, Bedrijfsstructuur
departments, reporting lines, and decision-making
processes
Hierarchy The levels of authority within an organisation, showing Hiërarchie
who reports to whom.
Management The group of people responsible for planning, organising, Management
and controlling the company’s activities
Employers Individuals or organisations that hire and pay employees Werkgevers
Supervision The act of overseeing employees’ work, giving guidance, Toezicht
and ensuring tasks are completed correctly
Downsizing Reducing the number of employees to cut costs or Inkrimpen
improve efficiency
To restructure To change the organisation’s structure, departments, or Herstructureren
processes to improve performance
To delay To postpone a decision, action, or project to a later time Vertragen
Conversation test Pagina 5 van 85
, To become flatter and To reduce layers of management and remove Platter en efficiënter
leaner unnecessary roles so the company becomes more worden
efficient and flexible
Working your way up the Progressing to higher-level positions over time through Opklimmen op de
career ladder experience and performance. carrièreladder
To get a promotion To be moved to a higher position with more responsibility Promotie krijgen
and usually higher pay
Junior or senior position - Junior position: a role for someone with less Junior- of seniorfunctie
experience.
- Senior position: a role for someone with more
experience and responsibility.
Demotion Being moved to a lower-level position, often with less Degradatie
responsibility or lower pay
Workload The amount of work an employee is expected to Werkdruk
complete
Unions Organisations that represent employees, negotiate Vakbonden
working conditions, and protect workers’ rights.
Discrimination Unfair treatment of someone based on gender, race, age, Disriminatie
religion, disability, or other personal characteristics.
Labour dispute A conflict between employees and employers, often Arbeidsconflict
about pay, working conditions, or rights.
Bullying Repeated behaviour that intimidates, humiliates, or Pesten
harms an employee
Harassment Unwanted behaviour (verbal, physical, or written) that Intimidatie
creates a hostile or uncomfortable work environment.
Glass ceiling An invisible barrier that prevents certain groups (often Glazen plafond
women or minorities) from reaching top positions,
despite being qualified
Health and safety Rules and procedures designed to protect employees Veiligheids-en
measures from accidents, injuries, and workplace hazards gezondheidsmaatregelen
Fire hazards Situations, materials, or conditions in the workplace that Brandgevaar
Conversation test Pagina 6 van 85
