1. Skills
  2. Speaking
  3. B2 speaking
  4. Dealing with a problem

Dealing with a problem

In this video, Vanya goes to Yuna with a problem. Listen to the language they use for dealing with a problem and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Preparation

Speaking B2: Dealing with a problem – preparation

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say! 

Do you know what to say when you need to deal with a problem? Listen out for useful language for dealing with a problem. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Vanya: Yuna!

Yuna: Oh, morning!

Vanya: I've got a bit of a problem. 

Yuna: What's wrong?

Vanya: Can we talk in private?

Yuna: Of course.

Yuna: Right, so, what's the matter? 

Vanya: Well, I've made a mistake. A big mistake.

Yuna: OK. I'm sure we can work it out.

Vanya: It was such a silly thing to do! 

Yuna: I'm getting worried now. What's going on here? 

Vanya: OK. It was late last night and I was tired. I wasn't concentrating and I accidentally used my company credit card instead of my own to buy something! 

Yuna: Don't worry, these things happen. There's a procedure to deal with this. How much did you spend? 

Vanya: It was quite expensive.

Yuna: How expensive?

Vanya: It was very expensive.

Yuna: Vanya, how expensive?

Vanya: £3,782 … and 56 pence.

Yuna: What? You spent £3,782?! 

Vanya: … and 56 pence. 

Yuna: What was it? Vanya?

Vanya: Just a weekend break! I just like a really nice hotel!

Yuna: OK, I see. Thanks for letting me know.

Vanya: Ah! I feel so much better now I've told you. Please don't tell Noelia.

Yuna: Oh, I'm definitely going to tell her!

Noelia: Hi!

Vanya: Hi!

 

Ana: Hello again! Wow, that's a lot of money for a weekend break. So, did you notice the useful phrases used for dealing with a problem? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

What's wrong?

I've got a bit of a problem.

Could we talk in private?

What's the matter?

I've made a mistake.

I'm sure we can work it out.

Don't worry, these things happen.

Thanks for letting me know.

I feel so much better now I've told you.


Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you need to deal with a problem in English. Bye for now!

Task 1

Speaking B2: Dealing with a problem – 1

Task 2

Speaking B2: Dealing with a problem – 2

Task 3

Speaking B2: Dealing with a problem – 3

Discussion

When was the last time you helped someone with a problem at work?

Download
Worksheet103.03 KB

Language level

B2 Upper intermediate
Average: 4.3 (56 votes)

Submitted by M19 on Sun, 29/08/2021 - 12:21

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Recently, a work colleague became sick and wasn't able to finish a project plan that was due for submission. I had to step in and ensure that it was handed in time. It wasn't much of an issue for me as I had some past experience and skills on project development.

Submitted by MikhailZatopliaev on Sat, 10/04/2021 - 04:19

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1 hello, Mike 2 Hi Anna 1 Mike, I have a problem, can we talk in private? 2 Of course, what's the matter? 1 I made a mistake. Big mistake. 2 Ok, what's going on here? 1 I lost my key. 2 Oh, don't worry these things happen. I have extra. 1 Really? I am so happy. I feel so much better, that I've got told you. 2 Thank that you let me know.

Submitted by hany947b on Thu, 25/03/2021 - 00:20

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honestly, 2 days ago i've helped one of my colleagues in her problen, she had a problem with her bank account, and she always do have such these problems ,eventually i did my best ,but eventually, i had to guide her to another colleague who is more perfect than me.

Submitted by Rano on Thu, 11/03/2021 - 12:49

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Hello lam new here. some problem soluvie myself.

Submitted by Berry Phyu on Thu, 04/03/2021 - 06:54

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Nice lesson. I've learned new vocabulary.

Submitted by guitardude on Wed, 03/03/2021 - 11:56

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hello. as I know ''a bit of'' is being used for uncoubtale, but in the sentence ''I've got a bit of a problem'' it is used with ''a problem'' which is countable I think because of ''a'' . Why there is such a difference in usage ? Could you explain the reason ?

Hi guitardude,

If you're talking about foods, it's true that a bit of is usually used with uncountable nouns (e.g. a bit of cake / a bit of carrot). But actually, it can be used with countable nouns too, especially outside the area of food. Here are some more examples:

  • The meeting was a bit of a waste of time.
  • My presentation went wrong. It was a bit of a nightmare.
  • I'm a bit of a perfectionist.
  • The news was a bit of a shock.

I hope that helps :)

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by German on Tue, 09/02/2021 - 01:06

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The last time that I helped to someone with a problem in the work was when a workmate had to sent a report and he was delayed. I helped him with some things about the report and he achived to send the report in time

Submitted by Mustafa Ghreiri on Fri, 15/01/2021 - 17:32

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Hi, I'm new here! I'm not that good at English, so trying to improve, by finding foreign friends. Any one interested in English conversation, I am too, so we can add each other on Skype: (************) Thanks.