Workplace routines: talking about your day

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90 min
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1

Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. What time do you start your day?
  2. What is one thing you do every day at work or school?
  3. What do you do in the evening after work or school?
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A New Co-worker's First Day

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Answer the questions about the article.

01What do we talk about with the simple present tense?
Sample answerWe talk about routines and things we do every day.
02What are two workplace words from the article?
Sample answerTwo words are 'manager' and 'shift'.
03Who can you ask for help on your first day at a new job?
Sample answerYou can ask your manager for help.
04Why is 'I start work at 9 AM' a good example for a work routine?
Sample answerBecause it uses the simple present for a routine and 'at' for a time.
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Key vocabulary

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you talk about your work day.
Examples
have a meeting — to talk with people from your work about your job
Use this for a planned work conversation. For example: 'I have a meeting at 10 AM with my manager.'
check emails — to look at new messages on your computer or phone
This is a very common daily task. For example: 'I check my emails every morning.'
work from home — to do your job in your house, not at the office
This is a common way to work now. For example: 'On Fridays, I work from home.'
co-worker — a person you work with
This is a friendly word for people at your job. For example: 'My co-workers are very nice.'
lunch break — the time in the day when you stop work to eat lunch
You can ask: 'What time is our lunch break?' Or say: 'My lunch break is at 1 PM.'
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Workplace words

Learn some new words about jobs and offices.

Match each word on the left with its meaning on the right.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
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Grammar: Simple present and 'at' for time

Grammar
We use the simple present tense to talk about routines and habits, like your daily work schedule. To say when something happens, we use the preposition 'at' with a specific time.
Examples
I start my shift at 9 AM.
Use 'at' for a specific time on the clock.
My manager has a meeting at 3 PM.
Remember to add '-s' or '-es' to the verb for 'he', 'she', and 'it'.
We clock out at 5:30 PM every day.
The simple present is for actions that happen regularly.
Key points
  • Use the simple present for routines and habits.
  • Use 'at' before a clock time (e.g., at 8 o'clock, at 10:30 AM).
  • Add '-s' to the verb for he, she, and it (he starts, she works).
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Find the mistake

Read the sentences about work. Can you find the mistake in each one?

Each sentence has one mistake. Find it and write the correct sentence.

01My manager work from home on Fridays.
Corrected version
My manager work works from home on Fridays.
02I have a meeting on 10 o'clock.
Corrected version
I have a meeting on at 10 o'clock.
03I am check my emails every morning.
Corrected version
I am check my emails every morning.
04My co-workers is very friendly.
Corrected version
My co-workers is are very friendly.
05We clock on at 9 AM.
Corrected version
We clock on in at 9 AM.
06She is a manager at big company.
Corrected version
She is a manager at a big company.
07My lunch brek is at 1 PM.
Corrected version
My lunch brek break is at 1 PM.
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Odd one out

Read the groups of words below.

Which word or phrase does not belong in each group? Think about the common connection.

01with the nounPeople at work
02with the nounWork tasks
03with the nounPlaces in an office
04with the nounTimes at work
05with the nounThings on a desk
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Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01The first thing I do in the morning is check my .
02I have a with my team every Monday at 10 AM.
03My is very friendly and helps me with my work.
04I usually take a short for coffee at 11 o'clock.
05On Fridays, I don't go to the office. I work from .
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. What is a normal lunch break in your country? Is it long (one hour) or short (30 minutes)?
  2. Is it good to work from home? Why or why not?
  3. At work, what is more important: talking to your co-workers or checking your emails?