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Transcript: Dialogue
Many of us are working from home these days. And for those who have not worked from home previously, this can be quite a change of lifestyle. We have to set up new routines and ways of keeping in contact with each other.
Listen to this short conversation between two colleagues, Mark and Lynn, who are now working from home. They discuss how things are going and their working relationship with their boss, Jenny.
Mark: How are things going?
Lynn: I had some problems at first. But it’s OK once you get used to it.
Mark: I’ve made myself a dedicatedspeziell eingerichtetdedicated workspace in the spare roomGästezimmerspare room. The only problem I have is remembering to to take a breakeine Pause machentake breaks.
Lynn: I set the alarm to take a short break every 90 minutes. I usually to hit the wallan seine Grenzen stoßenhit the wall if I go two hours without a break.
Mark: I think I’ve had more contact with Jenny when to work remotelynicht vom Büro aus arbeitenworking remotely than when we were in the office!
Lynn: Me, too. She likes to touch base with sb.zu jmdm. Kontakt aufnehmentouch base with me every day to see how I’m to get onzurecht-, klarkommengetting on.
Mark: She probably thinks she needs to to keep an eye on sb.ein Auge auf jmdn. habenkeep an eye on everyone.
Lynn: Especially you! But seriously, she runs our virtual stand-up meetingkurzes Meeting im Stehenstand-up meetings really well each Monday morning.
Mark: I agree. I’m to be all earsganz Ohr sein, aufmerksam zuhörenall ears for her weekly update on how things are going.
Transcript: Exercise
Let’s look now at some of the expressions that Mark and Lynn use to discuss working from home. First, you will hear a term or expression that one of them uses. Then you will hear two explanations a) and b). In the pause, choose the explanation that best matches the term or expression. You will then hear the correct answer and an example of the word used in a sentence. This is followed by a pause for you to repeat the example sentence. OK?
1. To get used to something. What does this mean?
a) To become skilled at doing something.
b) To become familiar with something.
b) is correct. To “get used to something” means to become familiar with something so that it is no longer strange or unusual. Listen and repeat.
It took time to get used to working at home.
2. OK, next one. A dedicated workspace. What is this?
a) A space you use instead of your normal workspace.
b) A space made just for the purpose of working.
b) is correct. A “dedicated workspace” is a space made just for the purpose of working. Listen and repeat.
You need to set up a dedicated workspace where you won’t be disturbed.
3. Next one. To set the alarm. What does this mean?
a) To adjust a clock so that it makes a noise at a certain time.
b) To warn someone about a possible danger.
a) is correct. To “set the alarm” means to adjust a clock so that it makes a noise at a certain time. Listen and repeat.
I set the alarm for 6.30 every weekday morning.
4. Good. Next one. To hit the wall. What does this mean?
a) To become completely exhaustederschöpftexhausted.
b) To to run out of ideaskeine Ideen mehr habenrun out of good ideas.
a) is correct. To “hit the wall” means to become completely exhausted. Listen and repeat.
After working intensely for several hours, I hit the wall and had to rest.
5. Next one. To touch base. What does this mean?
a) To get in contact with your boss.
b) To get in contact with someone to update them or be updated.
b) is correct. To “touch base” is to get in contact with someone to update them or be updated. Listen and repeat.
I just called to touch base and see how you’re doing.
6. OK, next one. To keep an eye on something. What does this mean?
a) To to monitor sth.etw. überwachenmonitor something closely or carefully.
b) To be watchful for something that might come in the future.
a) is correct. To “keep an eye on something” is to monitor something closely or carefully. Listen and repeat.
I also need to keep an eye on the kids when I’m working from home.
7. Next one. Stand-up meetings. What are these?
a) Meetings that are held at very short noticesehr kurzfristigat very short notice.
b) Meetings at which everyone stands up rather than sitting down.
b) is correct. “Stand-up meetings” are meetings where everyone stands up rather than sitting down. Listen and repeat.
The good thing about stand-up meetings is that they are usually very short.
8. OK, last one. To be all ears. What does this mean?
a) To be very eagerbegierig, erpichteager to hear what is going to be said.
b) To concentrate intensely on what is being said.
a) is correct. To “be all ears” means to be very eager to hear what is going to be said. Listen and repeat. I’m all ears for the latest news.
How did you get on? Did you know all of these terms and expressions? If not, go back and learn any that you were not familiar with.
