A1 · Beginner · Work
Things in an office
6 short A1 English scripts to practise how to things in an office. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase Can you… the…, please?
Welcome to Monday
This is your desk, Amira. Here's your computer, your keyboard and your mouse. The printer is by the window. It's old, and it hates Mondays. The socket is under your desk. Please don't kick it.
Welcome to the team! The kitchen is on the left. The coffee machine is the real boss. Be nice to it.
American English
This is your desk, Amira. Here's your computer, your keyboard and your mouse. The printer is by the window. It's old, and it hates Mondays. The outlet is under your desk. Please don't kick it.
Welcome aboard! The break room is on the left. The coffee machine is the real boss. Be nice to it.
Three jobs for Ali
Morning, Ali. Three jobs, please. First, I need a stapler. Mine is missing. Mr Brown has it, I think.
Next, scan this file and put it in the red folder. The scanner is next to the photocopier.
Last job: find my stapler. Mr Brown says he doesn't have it. Oh, never mind. It's in my bag.
American English
Morning, Ali. Three jobs, please. First, I need a stapler. Mine is missing. Mr. Brown has it, I think.
Next, scan this file and put it in the red folder. The scanner is next to the copy machine.
Last job: find my stapler. Mr. Brown says he doesn't have it. Oh, never mind. It's in my purse.
Wrong attachment
Okay, Monday. First, I log in. Then I print the report for Mr Evans. Then I send an email to Sam with the sales numbers.
Wait. Did I attach the file? Yes. But it's the Christmas party menu, not the numbers. Oh no. Please don't open it, Sam.
American English
Okay, Monday morning. First, I log in. Then I print the report for Mr. Evans. Then I send an email to Sam with the sales numbers.
Wait. Did I attach the file? Yes. But it's the Christmas party menu, not the numbers. Oh no. Please don't open it, Sam.
Grandad on the computer
Grandad, listen. Click the blue button. No, not on the screen. Use the mouse. Good.
Now copy the photo. Copy, not delete! Please don't click delete.
Wait. Your laptop has two per cent. Plug in the charger first. Grandad? Grandad, are you there?
American English
Grandpa, listen. Click the blue button. No, not on the screen. Use the mouse. Good.
Now copy the photo. Copy, not delete! Please don't click delete.
Wait. Your laptop has two percent. Plug in the charger first. Grandpa? Grandpa, are you there?
Calling IT, five minutes to go
Hello, IT? It's Priya. I'm in the meeting room, and the screen's dead. It's not working. The client arrives in five minutes.
Yes, I did restart it. Twice. No, I didn't hit it. Well, a little.
And the printer in here has a paper jam again. Can you come now? Please? I'll bring biscuits.
American English
Hello, IT? It's Priya. I'm in the meeting room, and the screen's dead. It's not working. The client arrives in five minutes.
Yes, I did restart it. Twice. No, I didn't hit it. Well, a little.
And the printer in here has a paper jam again. Can you come now? Please? I'll bring cookies.
Who ate the cake?
Someone took my cake from the fridge. I'm a detective now. Clue one: a sticky note on my monitor. It says, "Sorry!" Clue two: a paper clip on the floor by the fridge.
Clue three: chocolate on the whiteboard. I write the names there. Only one man has chocolate on his tie. Dave!
Dave says, "It wasn't me." I say, "Then who is Sorry?"
American English
Someone took my cake from the break room fridge. I'm a detective now. Clue one: a sticky note on my monitor. It says, "Sorry!" Clue two: a paper clip on the floor by the fridge.
Clue three: chocolate on the whiteboard. I write the names there. Only one guy has chocolate on his tie. Dan!
Dan says, "It wasn't me." I say, "Then who is Sorry?"
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| computer noun | a machine for work, email and the internet |
| printer noun | a machine that puts words on paper |
| keyboard noun | the buttons you press to write on a computer |
| mouse noun | a small thing you move to use a computer |