English is a very important language for your career. Most businesses around the world use it. If you wish to work at a big company, you should learn English for the workplace.
Do you want to improve your English communication skills and get a better job? Alison’s English Vertical can help you learn English for business! They have free classes that teach non-native speakers:
- Grammar – How to put words together correctly.
- Vocabulary – How to use the most suitable words.
- Pronunciation – How to say words correctly and clearly.
- Talking – How to have proper conversations.
The modules are fun and easy to learn how to speak and understand English for meetings and presentations. You can complete them at your own pace. Practice conversations can prepare you for real-life situations at work. Whether you are at a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level in learning English as a Second Language (ESL), Alison has a course that will suit you.
Making Small Talk in the Office
At work, you can talk to colleagues in a casual way to be friendly. This is called “small talk“. It helps “break the ice” and fill the awkward silence that can happen in various settings. For instance:
Talk about the weather: “Nice weather today!”
Talk about sports: “Did you see the game this weekend?”
Talk about work: “Which department do you work in?”
Here is an example of small talk at the office.
Bob: Good morning.
Jane: Good morning. Are you new? I haven’t seen you around the office before.
Bob: No, I’m not new. I’ve been working here for four months.
Jane: Which department do you work in?
Bob: I’m in the IT department.
Jane: IT sounds like an interesting job.
Bob: It is. It can also be technical and requires long hours.
Jane: With such long hours, were you able to watch the game this weekend?
Bob: Unfortunately, not. I was working overtime. But I heard it was a great match.
Jane: It was. And the weather was great too. Would you like a cup of coffee?
Bob: Yes, please. I’d love a cup of coffee.
This short and basic conversation between Jane and Bob covers three light topics: work, sports, and the weather. As you learn more English, you can talk about the game in more detail, like who played well or what strategies they used.
Getting Help From IT
If you need help with something at work, you can ask a co-worker for help. Be clear about the problem. For example, you can talk to a co-worker from the IT department: “My laptop screen is frozen. Can you help me?” Here is an example:
Jane: Hi, Bob. How are you today?
Bob: I am doing well, thank you. How can I help you today?
Jane: I’m having a problem with my laptop. Will you be able to help?
Bob: Sure, what seems to be the problem?
Jane: My laptop screen is frozen. I powered it on and off to reboot, but now the screen is black and won’t switch on.
Bob: Sure, no problem. I will come to your desk and assess what the problem could be.
Jane’s English skills have passed the beginner stage, and she can describe the problem in some detail, using phrases such as ‘powered’ and ‘reboot’ in the proper context.
Setting up a Meeting
Meetings are important at work. You can schedule meetings with co-workers to discuss things. You might want to find a time that works for everyone.
Sarah: Hi Jane, how are you today?
Jane: I’m doing well, thanks, Sarah. How are you?
Sarah: Great, thanks for asking. How’s your schedule this week?
Jane: I have several meetings and a few tasks to complete this week.
Sarah: Okay, please check your schedule and my calendar availability, and when you find a gap, book the time for us.
Jane: I have a hybrid schedule, so I’m not in the office every day. Does it have to be in person?
Sarah: Ideally, yes. I’m in the office all week, and I’d like to meet next time you’re here as well.
Jane: Sure. Have I done anything wrong?
Sarah: We need to discuss a few matters regarding the presentation you gave earlier today.
How to Give and Receive Feedback
Giving and receiving feedback is important at work. It can help you do your job better. If you get feedback, listen carefully. Ask questions if you don’t understand something. Alison’s free course on Speaking and Writing English Effectively can help you practice workplace communication techniques.
Sarah: Jane, thanks for making time to come and see me. As I mentioned, I’d like to talk to you about the presentation you gave to the team and client earlier.
Jane: Okay.
Sarah: Your contribution to the presentation seemed disorganised and rushed. Many of the team members could not follow what you were saying.
Jane: What do you mean? Was I unclear about anything?
Sarah: You are an eloquent speaker and know your work very well. However, the client has expressed their dissatisfaction with your presentation and said that the strategies you presented were unclear, and you provided no research to support your strategies and plan going forward.
Jane: It’s just that there’s a lot going on, and I worked late all week to meet my deadlines. This was too much for me to do in time.
Sarah: Okay, I understand. Next time, please let the team know if you are under pressure and unable to prepare a presentation. We are a team that supports each other.
Jane: I know everyone is busy, and I wasn’t sure they’d be able to help.
Sarah: I understand that, but it’s always better to ask than assume. Doing otherwise makes the team look unprofessional.
Jane: Will I receive any disciplinary action?
Sarah: No, not disciplinary, but Peter will be taking the lead on the project going forward, and you will take on a more supportive role. This will allow you to focus your attention on less demanding tasks and give you the opportunity to find time management tools and presentation skills for future projects.
Jane: I understand Sarah. Thank you for letting me know.
The text discusses how to give and receive feedback positively. However, the advanced use of English phrases and sentence structure can make the conversation difficult to understand. You can click on how to give and receive feedback for more business English conversation practice. Alison offers a wide range of free online English courses that can help you learn English for work by improving your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
Want to know how good your English is before you begin Alison’s free online English courses? Click the link for our free English assessment and join the millions of learners who have learned the English Language with Alison.
These courses follow the best English teaching methods used by Cambridge, TOEFL, and TOEIC, so you can improve your English for work or fun.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How can Alison’s free online English courses improve my career?
Alison’s free online English courses can significantly enhance your career by improving your English communication skills. With courses tailored to teach grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation skills, you can confidently engage in workplace discussions, meetings, and presentations. Better English skills can open doors to job opportunities in global companies and enhance your professional interactions.
- What are the benefits of learning English for the workplace with Alison?
Learning English for the workplace with Alison offers numerous benefits. The courses are designed for non-native speakers and are completely free. You can learn at your own pace with fun and engaging modules. There are courses for speakers of all ability – beginner, elementary, intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced.
- What topics are covered in Alison’s English courses for business?
Alison’s English courses for business cover a range of essential topics:
Grammar: Learn how to structure sentences correctly.
Vocabulary: Use the most appropriate words for different contexts.
Pronunciation: Improve your ability to say words clearly and accurately.
Conversation: Develop skills for having effective discussions and casual chats at work. These topics help you communicate effectively in professional settings.
- Can I learn English for free with Alison?
Yes, you can learn English for free with Alison. Alison offers a variety of free online courses designed to improve your English for the workplace. These courses are accessible to anyone and cover essential skills such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation techniques. You can start learning immediately and at your own pace without any cost.
- What level of English proficiency do I need to start Alison’s courses?
Alison’s English courses are suitable for all levels of English proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Whether you are just starting to learn English or looking to refine your skills, Alison has a course that matches your level. The courses are designed to be easy to follow and are structured to help you gradually improve your English communication skills.
