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topic 19.2

Unit 20 :
Small talk with a Colleague

 Pre-intermediate

Summary

To know the importance of communication in the workplace.

  • Brain Storm : Share your ideas with your teacher. Try to make sentences.

How would you communicate key issues to colleagues?

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Vocabulary

Repeat these words/ phrases after your teacher.

topic 19.3
  • busy (adj)
  • bored (adj)
  • task (n)
  • project (n)
  • happened (v)
  • weekend (n)
  • pool (n)
  • realize (v)

 

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Dialogue 1

Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.

John

Judy

Oh hey Judy. How’s it going?

Good, how about you? How’s work been?

It’s been ok. We’ve been really busy in the IT department.

Well it’s better than being bored, right?

Yeah, you could say that. So do you have any plans this weekend?

Nothing special. I’m taking the kids to the pool tomorrow and Ben has a soccer game on Sunday. What about you?

My parents are having a big BBQ for my grandfather’s birthday. But that’s about it.

Sounds fun though. Well, I’m getting off here. Enjoy your weekend!

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Let’s practice

Answer the following questions.

  1. In what department does Judy work in?
  2. Who has a soccer game on Sunday?

 

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Dialogue 2

Role-play Dialogue 2  with your teacher.

Jack

Jackie

Hey Jack. How’s your day going?

Just finishing the project. Other than that, not much. How about you?

I’m just about finished for the day. I have one more task to do, but I wanted to take a break first.

Did you have to work with Jake on that project?

Unfortunately, yes.

Oh my gosh. I feel so sorry for you.

Don’t remind me. I’m just glad it’s over.

Yeah. I remember when I worked on the data conversion tool with him. Everything he did, I had to re-do. It would have been faster if I did it alone.

That’s exactly what happened to me. It took me longer because I had to re-do everything he did. That really pissed me off.

Next time the manager wants me to do a project with him, I’m going to tell him that I will do it myself.

That’s a good idea. Hopefully, the manager will realize how useless he is.

Exactly. If you’re not busy, you can do my work.

Ha ha. I got enough to do.

Yeah. I’m just kidding.

Alright dude. I better finish my work. I’ll talk to you later.

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Let’s Practice

What does the following sentences mean?

  1. “That really pissed me off.”
  2. “I wanted to take a break first.”
  3. “I feel so sorry for you.”
  4. “I’m just kidding.”
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Discussion：

Share your idea with your teacher. Try to make sentences.

  1. Do you know any workaholics? What makes them work so much?
  2. How important is it to get along with co-workers? Is it a good idea to socialize with them outside work?
  3. What qualities should a good boss have?