A.S.K. — Ask. Speak. Know.
A Professional Guide to Improving English Communication in Business
More than a Business English workbook. A practical approach to thinking, speaking and communicating with greater confidence.
Why I wrote A.S.K. — and what it can help you achieve
After more than two decades of teaching Business English, I've noticed something that many professionals have in common.
They often understand English very well. They can read reports, follow presentations and recognise sophisticated vocabulary. Yet when they need to express an opinion, respond to an unexpected question or explain a complex idea, communication can become surprisingly difficult.
I wrote A.S.K. — Ask. Speak. Know. to help close that gap.
Rather than focusing exclusively on what you know about English, the book encourages you to consider what you can actually do with it.
The approach is built around three connected principles:
ASK — Explore ideas, ask meaningful questions and challenge assumptions.
SPEAK — Develop your thoughts, explain your reasoning and express yourself clearly.
KNOW — Check your understanding, reflect on what you've learnt and identify what to improve.
The aim is not simply to speak more English, but to become a more effective communicator.
What's inside the book?
A.S.K. contains 12 practical chapters organised into three parts.
Part One — Starting and Developing Conversations
Learn how to begin conversations naturally, ask better questions, describe your work and tell stories that make an impression.
Part Two — Making Yourself Clear at Work
Practise contributing to meetings, explaining changes, checking understanding and expressing disagreement professionally.
Part Three — Working Towards an Outcome
Explore realistic workplace challenges involving problem-solving, negotiating priorities, handling difficult conversations and reaching decisions.
The book also includes sample answers, useful expressions and a personal communication progress record.
It is designed primarily for upper-intermediate and advanced English users (B2–C1), particularly professionals who want to develop greater fluency, accuracy and confidence.
A glimpse inside — adapted from the preface
Knowing the right English doesn't always mean being able to use it at the right moment.
Imagine being asked an unexpected question during a meeting. You understand the subject, you have an opinion and you know the vocabulary. But finding the right words quickly enough is another matter.
A.S.K. approaches this challenge through practical situations, meaningful questions and repeated speaking opportunities.
You'll be encouraged to explore different perspectives, explain your decisions and adapt your language to the people you're communicating with.
The emphasis is on learning through communication, rather than waiting until your English feels perfect before participating.
Already have a copy? Here's how to use it.
You don't need to complete the book from beginning to end. Start with a chapter that reflects a situation you would like to handle more confidently.
1. Speak before you prepare. Give an initial answer aloud rather than writing a complete script.
2. Develop your response. Use the follow-up questions, expressions and scenarios to explore the subject more deeply.
3. Review and improve. Compare your ideas with the sample answers, identify useful language and try again.
4. Return to the exercise. Revisit activities after a few days and consider how your responses have changed.
You can work independently, with a colleague or with a teacher. If you're studying alone, try recording your answers and listening critically to your explanations.
Remember, the objective isn't to complete every exercise as quickly as possible. It's to become more confident and effective in real conversations.
What is coming to this page?
This page is being developed as a companion to A.S.K.
Over time, I hope to share occasional practical speaking challenges, suggestions for making the most of individual chapters and additional examples of the A.S.K. approach.
Whether you already own the book or are simply interested in improving your professional communication, you're welcome to explore the ideas presented here.
Try the A.S.K. Approach
Your colleague says: “I don't think this proposal will work.”
How would you respond?
ASK: What would you want to understand before offering your opinion?
SPEAK: How would you express your initial reaction constructively?
KNOW: What would you need to establish before deciding on the next step?
What might a good response sound like?
ASK: “Which part of the proposal concerns you most?”
SPEAK: “I think the overall idea has potential, although I agree that the delivery schedule may be ambitious.”
KNOW: “So, if I understand correctly, your main concern is the deadline rather than the proposal itself?”
Notice how the conversation develops. Instead of immediately agreeing or disagreeing, you explore the concern, express your position and check your understanding.
That's the A.S.K. approach in practice: use English to move a conversation forwards.
Ready to explore A.S.K.?
A.S.K. — Ask. Speak. Know. is available in paperback on Amazon.
Discover a practical approach to Business English that encourages you to question, think, speak and develop the confidence to communicate more effectively.