Learn English quickly with podcast | English learning Conversation | Episode 11

Summary

In this English lesson, Marco and Erica teach learners how to ask for more time in professional settings, especially when working with deadlines. The lesson focuses on essential phrases like 'deadline,' 'extension,' 'ran into problems,' 'delayed,' 'beyond my control,' and 'put something off.' Through a dialogue about a project delay, viewers learn how to explain delays effectively and request extra time. The lesson also includes practical examples and exercises, making it a useful resource for English learners aiming to improve their fluency in discussing time management and delays at work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Asking for more time is a common professional scenario, especially when facing tight deadlines.
• 😀 A **press kit** is a collection of materials, like photos and logos, prepared for media use.
• 😀 A **deadline** is the last date by which something must be completed.
• 😀 When you can't meet a deadline, you can request an **extension** to have more time.
• 😀 To explain delays, use phrases like **'I ran into problems'** to show you encountered unexpected issues.
• 😀 **'Beyond my control'** is used when explaining that something was outside your ability to manage or influence.
• 😀 To **delay** something is to postpone it, and **'putting something off'** is a casual way of expressing this.
• 😀 The phrase **'I've been meaning to'** indicates that you intended to do something but haven't gotten around to it yet.
• 😀 When asking for more time, be honest but polite to avoid sounding like you're making excuses.
• 😀 Common professional language involves asking for extensions, discussing delays, and explaining problems effectively.

Q & A

What is a 'press kit' as mentioned in the script?

A press kit is a collection of materials like pictures, logos, and company information that the marketing department prepares to give to newspapers or magazines when they want to write an article about the company.

What does the word 'deadline' refer to in the context of the script?

'Deadline' refers to the last possible date by which something must be completed, such as submitting a project or finishing a task at work or school.

How is the term 'extension' used in the script?

'Extension' refers to the act of extending the deadline, meaning asking for more time to complete something if the original deadline cannot be met.

What does 'ran into' mean in the context of the dialogue?

'Ran into' means encountering or facing a problem or obstacle unexpectedly. In the dialogue, Casey says she 'ran into a lot of problems' while working on the press kit.

What does 'beyond my control' mean?

'Beyond my control' means that the situation could not be controlled by the person, often used to explain reasons for delays or issues that were not the fault of the person involved.

What is the meaning of 'delayed' in the script?

'Delayed' means that something has been made late or postponed beyond the expected or planned time, like a flight or a project that was not finished on time.

What does 'put this off' mean in the context of the lesson?

'Put this off' means to postpone or delay something, usually a task or responsibility, until later.

What did Casey apologize for in the dialogue?

Casey apologized for the delay in finalizing the press kit, explaining that some issues were out of her control, such as problems with the photographer, sickness, and lost files.

What phrases can be used when asking for more time, as seen in the script?

Some useful phrases for asking for more time include 'I've been meaning to,' 'I need an extension,' and 'Can I put this off?'

How does the boss react to Casey's reasons for the delay?

The boss appears frustrated, stating that she wants the photos 'ASAP,' and is not willing to accept further delays, despite Casey's explanations.