Dialogue

Vocabulary

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Lesson Transcript

INTRODUCTION
Becky: Going Out to Meet Clients in the United States. Becky here.
John: Hi, I'm John.
Becky: In this lesson, you’ll learn how to offer to help your co-worker. The conversation takes place at the office.
John: It's between Linda and Thomas Gray.
Becky: The speakers are co-workers, therefore, they will speak informal English. Okay, let's listen to the conversation.
DIALOGUE
Linda: I have an appointment at three o'clock at our client's.
Thomas Gray: I see. If you have something urgent to do at the office, let me know.
Linda: No, I'm just waiting for some new samples.
Thomas Gray: Okay! I'll check with the delivery company for you.
Linda: That would be great. Thank you!
Thomas Gray: Any time! And good luck!
Becky: Listen to the conversation one more time, slowly.
Linda: I have an appointment at three o'clock at our client's.
Thomas Gray: I see. If you have something urgent to do at the office, let me know.
Linda: No, I'm just waiting for some new samples.
Thomas Gray: Okay! I'll check with the delivery company for you.
Linda: That would be great. Thank you!
Thomas Gray: Any time! And good luck!
POST CONVERSATION BANTER
Becky: So Linda has a business meeting at her client’s.
John: It’s very common to have business meetings in American companies.
Becky: Yeah, there are often regular meetings that are scheduled every week.
John: Some companies might even have short daily meetings.
Becky: Not all of these meetings are formal though.
John: No, some might be formal meetings in a business room, whereas others might be informal meetings in a break area.
Becky: What kind of thing happens at formal meetings?
John: Co-workers might present important information and figures.
Becky: Details of formal meetings are often noted down by a secretary.
John: At a formal meeting, you should be quiet and attentive, and only speak when it’s your turn or when free talking is permitted.
Becky: So during a time when people are asking for opinions or questions.
John: Informal and casual meetings are different; you can often speak whenever you want to at those.
Becky: Okay, now onto the vocab.
VOCAB LIST
Becky: Let’s take a look at the vocabulary from this lesson. The first word is...
John: appointment [natural native speed]
Becky: a booking or reservation
John: appointment [slowly - broken down by syllable]
John: appointment [natural native speed]
Becky: Next, we have...
John: urgent [natural native speed]
Becky: of pressing need
John: urgent [slowly - broken down by syllable]
John: urgent [natural native speed]
Becky: Next, there’s...
John: sample [natural native speed]
Becky: an example of a product, usually given for free
John: sample [slowly - broken down by syllable]
John: sample [natural native speed]
Becky: Next, there’s...
John: delivery [natural native speed]
Becky: act of taking something to a person or place
John: delivery [slowly - broken down by syllable]
John: delivery [natural native speed]
Becky: Next, we have...
John: any time [natural native speed]
Becky: at whatever time
John: any time [slowly - broken down by syllable]
John: any time [natural native speed]
Becky: And lastly...
John: good luck [natural native speed]
Becky: a phrase used to wish someone well
John: good luck [slowly - broken down by syllable]
John: good luck [natural native speed]
KEY VOCAB AND PHRASES
Becky: Let's have a closer look at the usage of some of the words and phrases from this lesson. The first word is...
John: urgent
Becky: ...meaning "of pressing need" or “important.”
John: This word is an adjective.
Becky: It describes something that needs to be done as soon as possible.
John: There is also a related adverb - “urgently.”
Becky: Can you give us an example using this word?
John: Sure. For example, you can say “This work is urgent and needs to be completed first.”
Becky: ...which is like saying "This work is important and needs to be completed first."
Becky: Okay, what's the next word?
John: sample
Becky: ...meaning "an example of a product, usually given for free."
Becky: This word is a noun.
John: It means a small amount of something that is used as an example of what the whole product is like.
Becky: You’ll hear this a lot in manufacturing companies.
John: Yes, any company that makes something physical, will probably make samples.
Becky: There is also the verb “to sample.”
John: This means the action of trying a little of something to see if you like it.
Becky: Can you give us an example using this word?
John: Sure. For example, you can say “Once the samples have been checked, we can begin manufacturing.”
Becky: Okay, what's the next word?
John: delivery
Becky: ...meaning "act of taking something to a person or place."
Becky: This is a noun.
John: It refers to the act of taking something, like a letter or parcel, from one place to another.
Becky: There is also a verb - “to deliver.”
John: This means the action of sending the letter or parcel.
Becky: Can you give us an example using this word?
John: Sure. For example, you can say “I'm waiting for a delivery.”
Becky: Okay, now onto the lesson focus.

Lesson focus

Becky: In this lesson, you'll learn about how to offer to help your co-worker. There may times when you see your co-workers in the office needing help.
John: It’s nice if you can help them.
Becky: Yes, it is! Let’s go through some phrases to help you when you offer help.
John: “Do you need any help?” “Do you want any help?”
Becky: These are quite general questions. You can also ask more directly.
John: “Can I help you?” “Shall I help you?”
Becky: You can change the pronouns in these sentences to talk about other people, too.
John: Yes, you can change “Can I help you?” into “Can you help Mr. Baker?”
Becky: This is asking someone else to help.
John: Sometimes, the task is small and obvious, so you don’t really need to ask if they want help.
Becky: Even if you don’t ask though, you should still tell them what you’re doing, in case they don’t want you to do it.
John: You can use the pattern “I’m going to… for you.”
Becky: Or “I will… for you.”
John: For example, “I’ll call the bank for you.”
Becky: If someone offers help to you, you can either accept their help or decline it. First, let’s look at accepting help.
John: Of course, the first thing you should say is “Thank you.”
Becky: And then tell them what you want them to do.
John: “Thank you! Can you pick up that box?”
Becky: “I really appreciate it. Can you copy these notes?” And say “thank you” one more time after they’ve finished.
John: Next, let’s look at how to decline.
Becky: Maybe you don’t need help, but even if this is the case, you should say “thank you.”
John: And then give a reason why you don’t want their help.
Becky: It doesn’t have to be an in-depth explanation.
John: For example, “Thank you, but I’m fine.”
Becky: Can you give us another example?
John: “Thank you, but I can handle it.”
Becky: Thank you!

Outro

Becky: Okay, that’s all for this lesson. Thank you for listening, everyone, and we’ll see you next time! Bye!
John: See you!

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