IN THIS LESSON, YOU WILL
2. Meet your friend and catch up with him/her.
3. Give your friend advice about his/her problems at work.
PRACTICE
STEP A EXERCISE
Replace the underlined parts with expressions from the box.
- Peyton needs to make a written statement about her damaged suitcase.
- Sheila and Anthony should have an intimate talk about their next step as a couple.
- Recently, Pete gets easily annoyed with minor problems with the project. I heard he’s been having problems at home, so I reminded him not to let those things affect his performance.
- Allan is almost 50, but he’s still really dependent on his dad. It seems like he’s with him all the time!
STEP B EXERCISE
Follow the instructions in parentheses using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.
1.
Tutor: I want to get my life straight, but I don’t know where to start.
Student: (Say that he/she just needs to take some time to think about how he/she feels about things.)
2.
Tutor: My coworkers, family, and friends demand so much from me. I’m exhausted.
Student: (Say that he/she ought to schedule a chance to just be by himself/herself.)
3.
Tutor: The airline lost one of my suitcases!
Student: (Say that he/she should be paid back for that.)
4.
Tutor: My classmates keep on making me do all the work for our project.
Student: (Say that he/she should defend himself/herself.)
5.
Tutor: My kids argue about every single thing. What should I do?
Student: (Say that he/she should listen to both without supporting one over the other.)
MISSION
Challenge 1
You received an email from your friend who just moved to France for work. Read the email.
Remember?
- bring personal issues to work
- 24/7
- do some soul-searching
- be too much for someone
- alone time
- bug someone
Hi!
How’s it going? I’m sorry I’m emailing you just now. I’ve been busy getting settled here in Paris. There’s so much to do: learning the train and bus routes, buying stuff for my apartment, etc.
As for work, well… Last week, my French boss talked to me about doing overtime—in front of the entire team! He said I should try to be more productive so I won’t have to work until 10 pm every day. I told him I just want to finish as many tasks as possible. Also, I end up staying late because he doesn’t reply to my emails quickly. He always leaves at 6 or 7, and he never checks his email from home! Can you believe he actually complained about my evening emails too? He said I should stop bugging him about work 24/7.
I’m still struggling with life in a foreign country, and now I also have to deal with a different work culture. I know I shouldn’t bring personal issues to work, but it’s just so hard to focus when there’s a lot going on.
I think I need some alone time so I could do some soul-searching, but I’m too busy right now… You’ve lived here for a while, right? Do you think you could give me some advice on how I can adjust to French work culture?
Challenge 2
You and your friend decided to meet and catch up. Talk about what’s happened recently.
Remember?
- file a claim
- stand up for oneself
- get reimbursed for something
- feel awkward
- bug someone
Challenge 3
You’re still catching up with your friend. Now, he’s/she’s complaining about his/her difficulties at work. Give your friend some advice.
Remember?
- bring personal issues to work
- take sides
- have a heart-to-heart
- 24/7
- do some soul-searching
- alone time
FEEDBACK
Comfort a friend who just moved to France a few months ago and is having a hard time.
MISSION ACHIEVEMENT
-
4
Very GoodCould complete the task with ease
-
3
GoodCould complete the task with some clarifications
-
2
FairCould complete the task with additional instructions
-
1
PoorCould somehow complete the task with difficulty
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
- RANGE
the ability to use a wide variety of vocabulary - ACCURACY
the ability to speak correctly - FLUENCY
the ability to speak smoothly without pauses or fillers - INTERACTION
the ability to manage a conversation
