Around the office. In this lesson, you'll learn vocabulary for things in the office, as well as some essential phrases for interacting with colleagues. Listen and repeat to practice your pronunciation. Chair. Desk. You will probably have a chair to sit in and a desk on which to do your work. The desk may have several drawers where you can keep documents and supplies. Lamp. Outlets. You can plug in your electronic devices. Printer. Photocopier or copy machine. Calendar. Scissors. Tape. The green thing is a tape dispenser and the white or clear strip is the tape. Stapler. Staples. Staple remover. Post-it notes or sticky notes. Folder. Binder. Filing cabinet. Bulletin board. Rubber bands. Paper clips. Tacks or thumbtacks. Highlighter. Pen drive, thumb drive or USB drive. Conference room. A conference room is mainly used for meetings. Your office might also have a break room or lounge that is used for taking a few moments to relax. Whiteboard. Markers. Eraser. Cubicle. Some offices have open spaces that are divided into cubicles, small square shaped areas, and a small square shaped box. If you are at a workplace, you might need to show a badge to get in or type a pass code onto a keypad. You can test your memory of these vocabulary words with the quiz at the end of the lesson.

Now let's learn some phrases for interacting with colleagues. These phrases are called functions because they are useful phrases that can be used in other everyday situations, both inside and outside work. Function number one, asking for help. A polite way to ask for help is to start with, could you? For example, could you show me how to use the copy machine? Could you tell me where the conference room is? Could you help me prepare this presentation? Could you lend me your stapler? Function number two, promising. To make promises, use I'll. For example, I'll send you the information by Friday. I'll call the client and resolve the problem. I'll put these documents in the mail. I'll schedule a meeting for the project team.

Function number three, asking for clarification. When you didn't hear what the other person said, you can use these phrases. Pardon? Sorry, I didn't catch what you said. Could you say that again? When you heard what the other person said, but you didn't understand it, you can use these phrases. What do you mean? Sorry, I'm a bit lost. Could you explain and then say the specific topic for which you need more information? For example, could you explain how the process works? Function number four, checking understanding. To confirm that the other person understood you, use these phrases. Are you with me so far? Are you following me? Does that make sense? In general, use the phrases, are you with me so far? And are you following me? in the middle of your explanation. The phrase, does that make sense? can be used in the middle of your explanation or at the end.

Function number five, arranging a meeting. We'll study more specific phrases to use in meetings in lesson 13. But right now, let's learn how to arrange a time to meet. You can use these phrases to ask about someone's availability. Are you available on Monday at 2 o'clock? Or are you free on Monday at 2 o'clock? Can we meet next Tuesday afternoon? Would Friday the 17th be okay? If someone asks you and you need a moment to find out if you're available or busy, you can say, let me check my schedule or let me check my calendar. To agree to the proposed meeting time and date, say, yes, that would be fine. That works, I'll put it on my calendar. Alright, I'll see you then, or I'll talk to you then. If you're not going to be available, decline politely and then propose an alternate time and date. For example, I'm afraid I can't. How about the following Tuesday? That won't work for me. Could we do 10.30 instead? I'm not available at 4, but I'm free any time in the morning. What should you say if you need to change a meeting? Use these phrases. Sorry about this, but we're going to have to reschedule our meeting. I'm afraid I won't be able to make our meeting on Wednesday. Could we change it to a different day or a different time? You've finished lesson three. Now take the quiz to practice and review.

The above is a collection of English listening material on business English courses, presentations, meetings, negotiations, and phone calls, compiled by Xiao Wu from Qicai.com. I hope you gain something after listening!