Think about these questions before listening. Share your ideas with a partner.
What do you usually talk about with your colleagues on Monday mornings?
What are good topics for a short chat with a colleague?
How is your Friday at work different from your Monday?
2
Weekend Chat
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.
3
Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the audio recording.
01What did Marco do last weekend?
Sample answerHe went to see a film.
02What did Emma do last weekend?
Sample answerShe just relaxed at home.
03Why is this week busy for Emma?
Sample answerBecause she is preparing a new class in the afternoon.
04What does Marco have to do next Saturday?
Sample answerHe has to run errands.
4
Key vocabulary
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you talk about your week at work.
Examples
look forward to something — to feel happy and excited about something that is going to happen
Usage note: We often use this with a noun ('I look forward to the weekend') or a verb in the -ing form ('I look forward to relaxing').
a busy week — a week with a lot of work or many activities
Usage note: This is a common answer to the question, 'How is your week going?'. For example: 'It's been a busy week so far.'
catch up on something — to do something that you did not have time to do before
Usage note: People often use this for sleep, work, or TV shows. For example: 'On Saturday, I want to catch up on sleep.'
Sounds nice — a phrase you say to show you think someone's plan or experience is good
Usage note: Use this as a friendly reply when a colleague talks about their weekend. You can also say 'Sounds fun' or 'Sounds relaxing'.
run errands — to make short trips to do necessary tasks, like going to the supermarket or the bank
Usage note: This is a common way to describe weekend activities. For example: 'I spent Saturday morning running errands.'
5
Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.
Word bank
01This has been a very week, I have so much to do.
02I'm going to the post office and the bank. I have a few to run.
03Our manager wants to talk about the new project in the this afternoon.
04We haven't spoken in a while. Let's over coffee soon.
05I'm really looking to my holiday next month.
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Grammar: Present simple vs. present continuous
Grammar
We use the present simple for routines and things that are always true, like your normal work schedule. We use the present continuous for actions happening now or for temporary situations, like a special project this week.
Examples
I usually have meetings on Monday mornings.
Use the present simple for regular habits or routines.
I am preparing a presentation for the meeting right now.
Use the present continuous for an action happening at the moment of speaking.
She works in the marketing team, but this week she is helping the sales team.
Here, 'works' is her permanent job (present simple) and 'is helping' is a temporary situation (present continuous).
Key points
Use the present simple with words like 'always', 'usually', and 'every day'.
Use the present continuous with words like 'now', 'at the moment', and 'this week'.
Remember that some verbs like 'like', 'want', or 'need' are not usually used in the present continuous.
7
Find the mistake
Read the sentences below. Can you spot the error in each one?
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01I am usually getting the bus to work.
Corrected version
I am usually getting get the bus to work.
02My colleague don't work on Fridays.
Corrected version
My colleague don't doesn't work on Fridays.
03I'm looking forward for the weekend.
Corrected version
I'm looking forward for to the weekend.
04What do you do at the moment?
Corrected version
What do are you do doing at the moment?
05I had a very busi week at the office.
Corrected version
I had a very busi busy week at the office.
06I need to make some errands after work today.
Corrected version
I need to make run some errands after work today.
07He is often working from home on Tuesdays.
Corrected version
He is often working works from home on Tuesdays.
8
A week in the life of Maria
Read the passage below, then answer the comprehension questions.
Maria is a graphic designer. She usually has a busy week at her office in London. She works from 9 AM to 5 PM every day. This week is different because she is working on a new project for a big client. On the weekend, she likes to relax. She doesn't work on Saturday or Sunday. She often uses her free time to run errands, like going to the supermarket, and to catch up on cleaning her apartment. She always looks forward to the weekend. On Monday morning, her colleague asks, "Did you have a good weekend?" Maria tells him about her relaxing time. He says, "Sounds nice!"
01What is different about Maria's work this week?
Sample answerShe is working on a new project for a big client.
02What are two things Maria does on the weekend?
Sample answerShe runs errands and catches up on cleaning her apartment.
03Why does Maria probably look forward to the weekend?
Sample answerBecause she has a busy week at work and she can relax on the weekend.
9
Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
What is better after a busy week: a weekend with many plans, or a quiet weekend to catch up on rest? Why?
In your country, is it common to talk about your weekend with colleagues? What topics are okay to discuss?
Think about next weekend. What is one thing you look forward to doing?