Lesson 4: Office Issues
You can’t bring personal issues to work.

I can give advice about office issues.

INTRODUCE

Office issues are quite common, so it’s important to know how to help resolve them.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.

    1. To bring personal issues to work means to let your personal problems affect your attitude at the office.

     

    Evan yelled at one of the staff this morning. He’s in a bad mood because he had a fight with his wife. He always brings personal issues to work.

    Q: Which picture shows a person bringing personal issues to work? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    2. To have a heart-to-heart means to have an intimate talk about something.

     

    My best friend and I had a heart-to-heart after our big fight.

    Q: Which picture shows two people having a heart-to-heart? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    3. To take sides means to support one person or group that’s in an argument with another person or group.

     

    My boss said he didn’t want to take sides, so he told us to resolve our conflict by ourselves.

    Q:  Which picture shows someone taking sides? Why?

    A

    B

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When the end of one word and the beginning of the next word are the same consonant, the two sounds are often merged.
Phrase Example

heart-to-heart

/ hahr-too-hahrt /

We need to have a / hahr-too-hahrt /.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Toru is having a video call with his manager, who’s back in the US.

Manager:

Toru, I just want to know how things are going in France. Is everything okay there?

Toru:

It’s all good. Work is going well, and we haven’t had any problems communicating with the staff here.

Manager:

Really? Well, that’s not what I heard. I received a few messages from other staff saying that you’re not performing as well as you used to. People there told me that you and Holly had an argument during a sales meeting yesterday. I also heard that people are now taking sides and calling themselves “Team Toru” or “Team Holly.” What’s going on? You and Holly are both professionals—I’ve never had a problem like this with either of you. You’re supposed to be working together as a team!

Toru:

I apologize. To be honest, um… The two of us are not exactly okay.

Manager:

Couples fight, I get that. But you can’t bring personal issues to work. Have a heart-
to-heart with Holly if you must, but not at the office.

Toru:

Okay, I’ll do that. And I promise I won’t let this happen again.

TRIVIA

People often use the phrase Team [character’s name] to show support for their favorite movie or TV show character. This happens especially when two characters have a rivalry, like Harry and Draco or Thor and Loki.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Fill in the blanks using the expressions in the box.

bring personal issues to work
have a heart-to-heart
take sides
  1. My mom and I _____ every now and then. I’m comfortable telling her anything because she’s my best friend.
  2. When people fight, you should be neutral. Try your best not to _____.
  3. My boss told me not to _____ because it can affect my performance at the office.

STEP B EXERCISE

Are the rephrased sentences correct? If not, correct them.

1. I had a heart-to-heart with my sister yesterday.

→ I had a heart examination at the local hospital with my sister yesterday.

 

 

2. I advise you not to bring personal issues to work.
→ I advise you not to bring your personal belongings to work.

 

 

3. When your mom and dad fight, don’t take sides.

→ When your mom and dad fight, you should stay out of it.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your friend are having coffee. He’s/She’s been having some problems at work lately. Talk to your friend about them and give him/her some advice.

Today's Expressions

  • bring personal issues to work
  • have a heart-to-heart
  • take sides

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

OFFICE ISSUES
2

TAKING SIDES
3

HEART-TO-HEARTS
1

OFFICE ISSUES

  1. What are some common office issues in Japan?
  2. How can office issues affect companies?
  3. Should bosses always take sides in issues between employees?
  4. Is it important to resolve office issues quickly?

2TAKING SIDES

  1. In what situations would you take sides?
  2. Does taking sides always make a conflict worse?
  3. What things do you consider before taking sides in a conflict?
  4. Do you think your family would always take your side in an argument?

3HEART-TO-HEARTS

  1. Who are you comfortable having a heart-to-heart with?
  2. Do you think having a heart-to-heart always helps to resolve conflicts?
  3. Should employees have a heart-to-heart with their bosses?
  4. How would you feel if someone said they wanted to have a heart-to-heart with you (ex. nervous, happy)?

FEEDBACK

I can give advice about office issues.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK