Lesson Level: B1 [Intermediate]

English at Work: Talking to Colleagues, Bosses, and Office Places!

Hi everyone! Today we’re going to learn about how to talk to people at your workplace and also about common things and places you find in a modern office. This is very important for a good working environment. We’ll look at some common phrases and situations, and new vocabulary.

Talking to Colleagues (People you work with)

Your colleagues are your friends at work! It’s good to be friendly and polite.

Common Phrases:

• “Good morning/afternoon, [Colleague’s Name]!” (Always start the day nicely)
• “How are you today?” (A friendly question)
• “Can you help me with this, please?” (When you need help)
• “Thank you for your help!” (Always say thanks!)
• “No problem!” / “You’re welcome!” (When someone thanks you)
• “Would you like a coffee/tea?” (Being kind)
• “How was your weekend?” (Friendly chat on Monday)
• “See you tomorrow!” / “Have a good evening!” (Say goodbye)

Example Conversation:

Sarah: Good morning, Tom! How are you today?

Tom: Good morning, Sarah! I’m good, thanks. And you?

Sarah: I’m fine, thank you. Tom, can you help me with this report, please? I don’t understand this part.

Tom: Of course! Let me see. Ah, yes, you need to add the numbers here.

Sarah: Oh, I see! Thank you for your help, Tom!

Tom: No problem!

Talking to Your Boss (Your Manager/Supervisor)

Talking to your boss is a little more formal. You need to be respectful.

Common Phrases:

• “Good morning/afternoon, [Boss’s Name].”
• “Excuse me, [Boss’s Name], do you have a moment?” (To ask for their time)
• “I have a question about…” (When you need information)
• “Can I ask you something?” (Another way to ask for their time)
• “When do you need this by?” (To understand deadlines)
• “I will finish it by [Time/Day].” (To tell your boss when you will complete a task)
• “Thank you for your time.” (When the conversation is finished)

Example Conversation:

Mark (Employee): Good morning, Ms. Davies.

Ms. Davies (Boss): Good morning, Mark.

Mark: Excuse me, Ms. Davies, do you have a moment? I have a question about the new project.

Ms. Davies: Yes, Mark. What is it?

Mark: I need to know when you need the first part of the report.

Ms. Davies: Please try to finish it by Friday afternoon.

Mark: Okay, I will finish it by Friday afternoon. Thank you for your time, Ms. Davies.

Ms. Davies: You’re welcome, Mark.

Common Items in a Modern Office

These are things you often see on a desk or in the office space:

• Desk: Where you sit and work.
• Chair: For sitting at your desk.
• Computer / Laptop: For working on documents, emails, internet.
• Monitor: A screen connected to your computer.
• Keyboard: For typing.
• Mouse: For moving the cursor on the screen.
• Headphones: For listening to calls or music, or for quiet work.
• Notebook: For writing notes.
• Pen: For writing.
• Phone: For making calls.
• Printer: For printing documents on paper.
• Whiteboard: A large board for writing notes or drawing ideas.
• Projector: For showing presentations on a wall or screen.

Common Places in a Modern Office

Offices have different rooms or areas for different activities:

• Desk (or Workstation): Your personal area where you work.
• Open-plan office: A large room where many people work together at their desks.
• Meeting Room / Conference Room: A room for meetings with many people. Often has a large table, a projector, and a whiteboard.
• Small Meeting Room / Huddle Room: A smaller room for quick meetings with a few people.
• Kitchen / Break Room: A place where you can eat, drink coffee, and relax. It has a fridge, microwave, and coffee machine.
• Restroom: The toilet.
• Reception / Lobby: The first area you see when you enter the office. Visitors wait here.
• Server Room: A special room for computers that store data (usually not for employees to enter).
• Quiet Zone / Focus Room: A special area for very quiet work or deep concentration.

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Questions for You!

Part 1: Match the Phrase

Match the phrase on the left with the best response on the right.

1. “Good morning, Sarah!”
2. “Can you help me with this?”
3. “How was your weekend?”
4. “Thank you for your help!”
5. “Excuse me, do you have a moment?”

a. “No problem!” b. “It was good, thanks! And yours?” c. “Good morning, Tom!” d. “Yes, of course! What do you need?” e. “Yes, I do. What can I do for you?”

Part 2: Choose the Best Answer

Choose the best word or phrase to complete the sentence.

1. When you want to ask your boss a question, you should say: a) “Hello!” b) “Excuse me, [Boss’s Name], do you have a moment?” c) “Hey, boss!”
2. If your colleague helps you, you should say: a) “Thank you!” b) “Okay.” c) “Bye!”
3. At the end of the day, you can say to your colleague: a) “See you later!” b) “What’s up?” c) “Where are you going?”
4. To be polite at work, you should always use: a) “Please” and “Thank you” b) Loud voice c) Short answers

Part 3: Complete the Conversation

Complete the conversation using words from the box below. (Some words may be used more than once.)

• thank you
• morning
• help
• how
• problem
• excuse

Conversation 1: Colleagues

Anna: Good __________, Ben! _________ are you today? Ben: Good __________, Anna! I’m fine, thanks. Anna: Ben, can you _________ me with this email? I’m not sure what to write. Ben: Of course! Let’s look together. Anna: Oh, perfect! _________ for your _________, Ben! Ben: No _________!

Conversation 2: Employee and Boss

David: __________ me, Mr. Lee, do you have a moment? Mr. Lee: Yes, David. What is it? David: I have a question about the schedule next week. Mr. Lee: Okay. David: _________ you for your time, Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee: You’re welcome.

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New Questions for Office Items and Places!

Part 4: Identify the Item

What is this item? Choose from the words below.

• printer
• headphones
• keyboard
• monitor
• pen

1. You use this to type words on a computer.
2. You use this to hear sounds from your computer, or to talk on a call privately.
3. This is the screen that shows you what is on your computer.
4. You use this to write notes on paper.
5. You use this machine to put digital documents onto paper.

Part 5: Where are they?

Where do these actions happen? Choose from the places below.

• Meeting Room
• Kitchen / Break Room
• Reception / Lobby
• Quiet Zone / Focus Room
• Open-plan office

1. You make coffee and eat your lunch here.
2. Many people work at their individual desks in this big room.
3. You wait here when you first come into the office.
4. You go here for a big presentation with many colleagues and your boss.
5. You go here when you need to concentrate very hard and don’t want noise.

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Answer Key

Part 1: Match the Phrase

1. c
2. d
3. b
4. a
5. e

Part 2: Choose the Best Answer

1. b
2. a
3. a
4. a

Part 3: Complete the Conversation

Conversation 1: Colleagues

Anna: Good morning, Ben! How are you today? Ben: Good morning, Anna! I’m fine, thanks. Anna: Ben, can you help me with this email? I’m not sure what to write. Ben: Of course! Let’s look together. Anna: Oh, perfect! Thank you for your help, Ben! Ben: No problem!

Conversation 2: Employee and Boss

David: Excuse me, Mr. Lee, do you have a moment? Mr. Lee: Yes, David. What is it? David: I have a question about the schedule next week. Mr. Lee: Okay. David: Thank you for your time, Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee: You’re welcome.

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New Questions Answer Key

Part 4: Identify the Item

1. keyboard
2. headphones
3. monitor
4. pen
5. printer

Part 5: Where are they?

1. Kitchen / Break Room
2. Open-plan office
3. Reception / Lobby
4. Meeting Room
5. Quiet Zone / Focus Room