E9 G - Follow a workplace conversation

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E9 G - Follow a workplace conversation

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E9 G - Follow a workplace conversation

Mini-Beschreibung: Understand a short fictional workplace conversation with instructions, questions and arrangements. You listen, read, respond, ask, improve and use the language again. Zielgruppe: Englisch als erste Fremdsprache, Klasse 9, G-Niveau, Baden-Württemberg.

Your route: English first → understand → respond → ask → hint → improve → use again.

Safety: All names, jobs and workplace data in this course are fictional. Do not use private social-media data. Recordings are optional and should stay private unless you choose to share them. Do not upload personal recordings or texts to external AI tools without permission. Keep your own original text and check AI facts, sources and feedback.

Einleitung

At work, people often give short instructions, ask questions and arrange times. You do not need perfect English. You need to understand the main point and react clearly.

Communication first: Be clear, polite and active. Ask again if you are not sure. Verständlichkeit ist wichtiger als Akzentfreiheit.

I can ...

1. I can understand the main idea of a short workplace conversation.
2. I can find who does what and when.
3. I can respond to a simple instruction.
4. I can ask for repetition or clarification.
5. I can arrange a simple time.
6. I can write a short workplace message.

Vorwissen: Quick start

Look at the office picture. Say three easy sentences in English.

1. Where are the people?
2. What may they be doing?
3. What words do you already know for work, time or help?

Useful start: “I can see …” / “Maybe they are …” / “I know the word …”

Listening and Viewing

First listening rule: Listen before you look for every word. First ask: Who? What task? What time?

Video laden

YouTube

YouTube sammelt möglicherweise persönliche Daten. Datenschutzrichtlinie

Fortfahren Ausblenden

This BBC Learning English video shows workplace language in a meeting. For G-level work, use a short part first.

Round 1: Watch about the first 60–90 seconds. Do not stop. What is the situation?

Round 2: Watch again. Listen for words about a meeting, tasks or order.

Round 3: Pause when needed. Note only three key words.

Help 1: You do not need every word.

Help 2: Listen for names, action words and time words.

Help 3: Use subtitles only after your first listening attempt.

Listening check

Choose one short answer.

1. The people are at work.
2. Someone has a task.
3. People need to organise what happens next.

Then say: “I heard …”

Core conversation: Green Box Services

The following conversation is fictional. Three people work for Green Box Services. They prepare a delivery.

Speakers:

1. Ben – supervisor
2. Maya – team member
3. Leo – colleague

Listen first in class: One person reads Ben, one reads Maya, one reads Leo at a moderate, clear speed. Read it twice. Keep the text covered during the first listening attempt.

Transcript after the listening attempt

Ben: Morning. We have a delivery at two. Maya, please check the boxes before lunch.

Maya: Sure. Which boxes should I check?

Ben: The five blue boxes near the door. Please count the items and write the numbers on this sheet.

Leo: Can I help?

Ben: Yes, please. Leo, can you print two labels?

Leo: Of course. When do you need them?

Ben: By eleven thirty, please. Then meet Maya by the door at eleven forty.

Maya: Okay. So I check the boxes, Leo prints the labels, and we meet at eleven forty. Is that right?

Ben: Exactly. If there is a problem, tell me before twelve.

Maya: Got it.

Understand the conversation

Answer in short English.

1. What does Maya have to check?
2. What does Leo have to print?
3. Where do Maya and Leo meet?
4. When do they meet?
5. What should they do if there is a problem?

Sentence help: “Maya has to …” / “Leo has to …” / “They meet …” / “They meet at …”

Context vocabulary

Do not learn a long list. Learn words inside useful chunks.

Chunk	Simple meaning	Example
check the boxes	look and make sure they are right	Please check the boxes.
count the items	find the number	Count the items, please.
print a label	make a label with a printer	Can you print a label?
by 11:30	not later than 11:30	I need it by 11:30.
meet by the door	come together at the door	Let’s meet by the door.
Is that right?	check your understanding	We meet at 11:40. Is that right?

Word-picture link

Point to a place in the picture and make one sentence:

“Let’s meet by the …”

Functional grammar

Use only a few central patterns.

Function	Pattern	Example
Instruction	Please + verb	Please check the boxes.
Polite request	Can you + verb?	Can you print two labels?
Clarification	Which + noun ...?	Which boxes should I check?
Time arrangement	by + time	By eleven thirty, please.
Check understanding	Is that right?	We meet at eleven forty. Is that right?

Accuracy focus: Use the base verb after please and can you. Keep time expressions clear.

Pronunciation and Fluency

Speak in short groups. Do not rush.

Model rhythm:

Please CHECK | the BLUE boxes | before LUNCH.

Can you PRINT | two LABELS?

We MEET | at eleven FORTY.

Fluency tip: Stress the important words. Small words can be lighter.

Repair language:

1. “Sorry, could you repeat that?”
2. “Which boxes?”
3. “What time?”
4. “Do you mean eleven forty?”
5. “Is that right?”

Speaking

Step 1: Respond

Your partner says: “Please check the boxes.”

Choose a natural answer:

“Sure.” / “Okay.” / “No problem.”

Step 2: Ask

You do not understand the time.

Say:

“Sorry, what time?”

Then improve it:

“Sorry, could you repeat the time?”

Step 3: Confirm

Say what you understood:

“So we meet at eleven forty. Is that right?”

Step 4: Use again

Change one detail.

New situation: The meeting is at 1:15 near the reception desk.

Make a two-line dialogue with your partner.

Hilfestufen

Level A – strong help:

Use the frame:

“Please ______ the ______.”

“Sorry, which ______?”

“By ______, please.”

“So I ______ by ______. Is that right?”

Level B – some help:

Use only these key words:

check – print – meet – before – by – repeat – right

Level C – little help:

Make your own short workplace exchange with one instruction, one question and one arrangement.

Feedback

Use two stars and one next step.

1. Star 1: I understood your task.
2. Star 2: Your time was clear.
3. Next step: Add one checking question.

Useful feedback: “Your message is clear.” / “Please say the time again.” / “Try ‘Can you …?’”

Do not replace a learner’s whole text. Mark one useful improvement and let the learner revise it.

Error analysis

Which version works better?

Less clear	Better	Why?
You print labels?	Can you print two labels?	Clear polite request.
Meet 11:40.	Let’s meet at 11:40.	Full arrangement.
Repeat.	Sorry, could you repeat that?	Polite repair phrase.
I check boxes, yes?	I check the boxes. Is that right?	Clear check of understanding.

Writing

Write a short workplace message. Use about 35–55 words.

Task: You and a colleague prepare a delivery. Write:

1. one task,
2. one time,
3. one meeting place,
4. one question.

Writing frame:

Hi Sam,

Please ______ before ______.

Can you also ______?

Let’s meet ______ at ______.

Is that okay?

Thanks, Alex

Alex and Sam are fictional names.

Optional mediation

Your German-speaking classmate asks what Maya and Leo must do. Explain the key information in simple German or easy English.

Do not translate every sentence. Give only the useful message: task, time and place.

More viewing: working with someone new

Video laden

YouTube

YouTube sammelt möglicherweise persönliche Daten. Datenschutzrichtlinie

Fortfahren Ausblenden

This video is harder. Use it as an optional extension.

Watch for one thing only: How do people suggest working together?

After watching, give one short answer in English.

Transfer

Imagine a different workplace: shop, workshop, office, hotel, sports centre or warehouse.

Create a 30-second conversation with:

1. one instruction,
2. one question,
3. one arrangement,
4. one checking phrase.

Avoid stereotypes. Workplaces and people are different.

Can-do check

I can ...	Not yet	With help	Yes
understand the main task in a short workplace talk	□	□	□
find a time and place	□	□	□
ask for repetition	□	□	□
check my understanding	□	□	□
write a short clear workplace message	□	□	□

If you choose Not yet, repeat one short section. If you choose With help, use the frame once more. If you choose Yes, change the situation and use the language again.

Folgekurs

Next step: Make and change workplace arrangements.

Use the same learning route: understand → respond → ask → improve → use again.

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

What does Ben ask Maya to check? (The boxes) (!The computer) (!The windows) (!The chairs)

What does Leo have to print? (Two labels) (!Two emails) (!Five maps) (!Three tickets)

Where do Maya and Leo meet? (By the door) (!At the bus stop) (!In the kitchen) (!Outside the school)

When do Maya and Leo meet? (At eleven forty) (!At ten fifteen) (!At twelve thirty) (!At two forty)

Which phrase checks understanding? (Is that right?) (!Open the door.) (!Good morning.) (!See you yesterday.)

Which phrase asks for repetition politely? (Sorry, could you repeat that?) (!Say again now.) (!You are wrong.) (!No talking.)

Which sentence is a polite request? (Can you print two labels?) (!You print two labels.) (!Two labels yesterday.) (!Printing labels now?)

What does by eleven thirty mean? (Not later than eleven thirty) (!Only after eleven thirty) (!Exactly at midnight) (!At any time tomorrow)

Which sentence makes an arrangement? (Let’s meet at eleven forty.) (!The box is blue.) (!I like lunch.) (!This label is new.)

What is most important in this course? (Clear communication) (!A perfect accent) (!Very long answers) (!Knowing every word)

Memory

instruction	Please check the boxes.
polite request	Can you print two labels?
clarification	Which boxes should I check?
deadline	By eleven thirty, please.
arrangement	Let’s meet by the door.
repetition	Could you repeat that?
confirmation	Is that right?
offer	Can I help?

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Funktion
Could you repeat that?	nach Wiederholung fragen
Please check the boxes.	Anweisung geben
By eleven thirty, please.	Frist nennen
Is that right?	Verständnis prüfen
Can I help?	Hilfe anbieten

Kreuzworträtsel

deadline	What is the latest time for a task called?
labels	What does Leo print?
repeat	What verb means say something again?
polite	How should a workplace request sound?
clarify	What verb means make something clearer?
meeting	What can colleagues arrange at a time and place?

Lückentext

Vervollständige den Text.

Ben asks Maya to the boxes.

Maya asks which she should check.

Leo has to print two .

The labels are needed by .

Maya and Leo meet by the .

Maya checks her understanding with “Is that ?”

A useful repair phrase is “Could you that?”

Clear is more important than a perfect accent.

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

1. Picture words: Wähle ein Arbeitsplatzbild aus dem Kurs und notiere sechs englische Wörter, die dazu passen.
2. Three-key-word listening: Höre einen kurzen Videoausschnitt zweimal und notiere nur drei Schlüsselwörter.
3. Ask again: Schreibe drei kurze Sätze, mit denen Du höflich nachfragen kannst.
4. Mini message: Schreibe eine Nachricht mit Aufgabe, Zeit und Ort in 30–40 Wörtern.

Standard

1. Workplace role play: Spielt zu zweit ein 30-sekündiges Gespräch mit Anweisung, Rückfrage und Termin.
2. Video detective: Wähle einen kurzen Abschnitt eines eingebetteten Videos und erkläre, wer mit wem spricht und was organisiert wird.
3. Clear speaking: Lies den fiktiven Dialog mit sinnvollen Pausen und betonten Schlüsselwörtern vor. Eine Aufnahme ist freiwillig und bleibt privat.
4. Message revision: Schreibe zuerst eine kurze Nachricht, markiere dann selbst eine unklare Stelle und verbessere sie.

Schwer

1. Repair challenge: Entwickle einen Dialog, in dem zuerst eine Zeit falsch verstanden und dann höflich geklärt wird.
2. Mini mediation: Vermittle die wichtigsten Informationen aus einem kurzen englischen Arbeitsplatzdialog mündlich auf Deutsch, ohne vollständig zu übersetzen.
3. Scenario change: Übertrage die Redemittel auf einen anderen Arbeitsplatz und erkläre, welche Formulierungen gleich bleiben können.
4. Feedback and revision: Gib einem Partner zwei konkrete Rückmeldungen zur Verständlichkeit. Der Partner überarbeitet danach selbst seinen Text.

Lernkontrolle

1. New listening situation: Du hörst einen unbekannten kurzen Arbeitsplatzdialog. Notiere Aufgabe, verantwortliche Person, Zeit und Ort und begründe, welche Wörter Dir geholfen haben.
2. Repair choice: In einem Gespräch verstehst Du eine Uhrzeit nicht. Formuliere zwei passende Rückfragen und erkläre, welche davon in einem freundlichen Arbeitskontext besonders klar ist.
3. Changed arrangement: Ein Termin wird von 11:40 auf 12:10 verschoben. Spiele die Änderung mit einem Partner durch und bestätige am Ende das neue Verständnis.
4. Short workplace email: Schreibe eine strukturierte Nachricht mit Aufgabe, Frist, Treffpunkt und einer Rückfrage. Prüfe anschließend selbst Verbform und Zeitangabe.
5. Improve communication: Überarbeite drei unklare Kurzsätze zu höflichen, verständlichen Arbeitsplatzäußerungen und erkläre jeweils Deine Änderung.
6. Key information: Gib für eine deutschsprachige Person nur die arbeitsrelevanten Kerninformationen eines englischen Gesprächs weiter, ohne Satz für Satz zu übersetzen.

Lernnachweis

Für einen Lernnachweis ist wichtig:

1. Du verstehst die Hauptaussage eines kurzen Arbeitsplatzgesprächs.
2. Du erkennst Aufgaben, Personen, Zeitpunkte und Orte.
3. Du reagierst passend auf einfache Anweisungen.
4. Du fragst höflich nach, wenn etwas unklar ist.
5. Du bestätigst Dein Verständnis.
6. Du kannst eine kurze Vereinbarung treffen oder ändern.
7. Du schreibst eine kurze strukturierte Arbeitsplatznachricht.
8. Du nutzt wenige zentrale Sprachmuster korrekt genug für klare Kommunikation.
9. Du kannst Deinen eigenen Text nach Feedback selbst verbessern.
10. Du kannst wichtige Informationen sinngemäß vermitteln, ohne vollständig zu übersetzen.

Medienhinweise

Die eingebetteten Bilder stammen aus Wikimedia Commons. Prüfe bei Weiterverwendung die jeweilige Dateiseite und Lizenzangabe. Die eingebetteten Videos stammen von BBC Learning English auf YouTube und werden hier als Lernmedien verlinkt.

Verknüpfte Lernbereiche

Englisch Hörverstehen Leseverstehen Sprechen Schreiben Sprachmittlung Wortschatz Aussprache Berufsorientierung Business English Kommunikationsstrategien