Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Mei: Hello, Mum and Dad. Well, I did it! First day at work in a new office, a new city, a new country. I hope you're proud of your daughter! I'm proud of myself. I was sooo nervous, but I tried hard not to show it. Today was just an introduction, really – I didn't have much to do, but I met the team I'll be working with and saw some of the apps that they've designed recently. They're friendly people and the work will be interesting – I think. The office boss is called Steve – he's … , well, he isn't really a traditional boss …
Steve (boss): So, this is the shared working area. We don't believe in cubicles here – we want people to engage.
Mei: Engage ... I see. OK.
Steve (boss): Shared workspace adds to the collaborative vibe, don't you think? Everyone feels they have buy-in.
Mei: Um, yes, I think so.
Mei: I don't understand anything he says!! 'Shared workspace adds to … something collab … , something "buy-in".' Oh dear. I'll have to work hard on my English now. And then …
Steve (boss): And here's the games area. Table tennis table, billiards table. It's a fast-paced environment and these guys need to play sometimes – we all do. And here's one of your team members. Steve, this is Mei – she's joining your team.
Steve (colleague): Hey, Mei!
Mei: Hello. I'm pleased to …
Steve (colleague): I hope you play table tennis. Welcome to the team. Hey, Steve …
Steve (boss): Yep?
Steve (colleague): That project description you gave us yesterday … I think I've got some better ideas. Can I come and talk them over with you?
Steve (boss): Sure, Steve! You know where I usually sit! See what I mean by 'buy-in', Mei? Now, through here we've got the kitchen area. You can …
Mei: So I think you can see it's a bit different from an office in China! Ping pong and billiards! And a kitchen area? And telling your boss his ideas aren't very good and you've got some better ones! Remember your boss, Daddy, Dr Chen? He wouldn't be very happy if you did that! I think it's going to take a while for me to get used to this. Anyway, I'm sure it will all be OK. It's a good job, and I'm very happy here in London. I like my flat and my crazy neighbour. I saw him again last night on the stairs …
Milton: Oh! Hello, Mei.
Mei: Hello. Oh! So you've got a part in a play! Congratulations!
Milton: Well, no … I mean, I went to another audition yesterday, but I don't think they want me. They said I was too old. Imagine!
Mei: But you're wearing funny clothes. Isn't that a … how do you say … custom … costume? For the play. Is it about a hotel?
Milton: Ah, this? This jacket and trousers? No, Mei. Ha! I wish it was a costume for a play about a hotel! No, it's my uniform – for when I deliver pizzas. That's my job. I'm a pizza delivery boy – well, man – well, person. That's what I do every evening. I didn't want to tell you.
Mei: Why not?
Milton: Because I want to be an actor – that's my job, not delivering pizzas. But now you've caught me! It's quite funny really, I suppose.
Mei: Yes, it is.
Milton: Oh well. What about you? Have you started the new job yet?
Mei: Oh, yes.
Milton: And?
Mei: It's OK. Let's say it's different for me. What does 'buy-in' mean?
Milton: 'Buy-in'? Something to do with buying a company, I think. I'm not sure. Why?
Mei: My boss uses it a lot. I think he means he wants people to share ideas, be involved – but I'm not sure. Anyway … Do you ever bring pizzas home?
Milton: Just let me know when you want one – I'm very good at delivering them.
Mei: OK. Good night, then.
Milton: Night.
Mei: So that was funny. Milton delivers pizzas and he didn't want to tell me. So, Mum and Dad, I'm fine, the job is fine – so I don't want you to worry about me at all. Give my love to Jiang if you see her and tell her I'll speak to her soon …
Dear Team,
in relation to the Task 2, sentence 7(''Mei thinks Milton has been to an acting audition''. ), the answer might be ''False'', because, according to their previous chatting, she was thinking Milton had ''got part in a play'', not in ''an acting audition'',
Am I right?
Ever thankful,
Nikos
Hello Nikos,
The correct answer is true. To get a part in a play you need to go to an audition. It is like an interview for a job, so when Mei says Milton has got a part in a play we understand that he had an audition and that the audition was successful, just as if someone said a person has got a job we would understand that they had had an interview.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
well, in the first day of my actual job I felt a bit nervous because I wasn't completely prepared for it but I remember to have done a great effort to be part of the team an been collaborative with the tasks and demonstrate my ability to engage with the team work, eventually with the pass of the week I get used to the work and felt more and more confident. Nowadays my team share a common working area so we don't have cubicles and all of us practice the buy-in in our goals.
Thanks for the episode!
Great site!