[bad word]  [bad word] englistening

(Anna on [bad word]  singing to herself) 
 
Narrator:  [bad word] back to English at Work where Anna is very… well, very happy! 
You’re in a good mood Anna.  
 
Anna:  Well, I’m just back from France, where everything went really well. It was 
quite an experience. 
 
Narrator:  Good. You got the contract for that big order. All you need to do now is to 
deliver what you’ve promised.  
 
Anna:  I know (singing to herself again). 
 
Denise:  Hello Anna. Is Tom OK, he seems really [bad word] since he got back from 
France? 
 
Anna:  He’s fine. He just had to sleep on the sofa last night. 
 
Denise:  Really?! I’m sure that’s not what he was planning. Now, did Paul mention 
he’s got a new member of staff for you to meet this morning?  
 
Anna:  No. 
 
Denise:  Typical! Well, [bad word] up in the lift with Paul now. 
 
Anna:  Oh, so who is she? 
 
Denise:  It’s Rachel. Do you remember? She’s the woman who Mr Socrates  [bad word]  He says she’s brilliant and allegedly one of his best 
employees… oh, here [bad word] now. 
 
Paul:  …and this is our office. Ah, Anna, there you are. Did I mention before you 
went to France, that Rachel is joining us for a while? 
 
Anna:  No. 
 
Paul:   Ah… well… here she is. This is Rachel. 
 
Rachel:  Hi! 
 
Anna:  Hi. I’m Anna. I work here as a Sales Executive. 
 
Rachel:  I know. You’re quite new aren’t you, ya? 
 
Paul:  Not that new. She’s just won a great contract for us. Anyway, looks like 
you two are going to get on like a house on fire. Anna, I’d like you to, sort 
of, work alongside Rachel. 
 
Rachel:  Alongside? Shouldn’t I be in charge? 
 
Paul:  Yes… it’s just, you know, you’re not familiar with our office and Anna is, 
sort of, across this new contract… so… if you don’t mind? 
 
Rachel:  OK. Just for now, but don’t think I’m going to be told what to do. 
 
Anna:  I’m sure you won’t be Rachel but maybe we could help each other? 
 
Rachel:   I’ll try. 
 
Anna:  Good! (To herself) Oh dear. This is awkward. I’ve never worked with 
anyone like this before. 
 
Narrator:  Well, now’s your chance Anna. Rachel may be awkward to manage but try 
these phrases which may help things go more smoothly. Say “I understand 
you have lots of experience so I would like to use your skills to help with 
the task.” And “together we can do this job really well.” But why not just 
start by making her a cup of tea. Good luck! 
 
Anna:  Oh thanks. (To Rachel) Rachel, would you like a cup of tea? And then we 
could talk about this contract. 
 
Rachel:  I don’t drink tea. Let’s just get down to business. 
 
Anna:  Oh, right. 
 
Rachel:  Now, I think you need to check your stock and make sure you’ve got your 
oranges. 
 
Anna:   Err… It’s lemons actually. 
 
Rachel:  Whatever. Just get them and… you know… put them in a… thingy… a box. 
 
Anna:  Well, actually… I understand you have lots of experience so maybe we 
could you use your skills for this task? 
 
Rachel:  Well, it’s [bad word]  I do have lots of experience. Thanks for recognising that. 
 
Anna:  So maybe… we could work on this job… together? 
 
Rachel:  Oh ya, sure. Great. Of course. I can get hold of these oranges… err… 
lemons, pronto. I know a man who can get some second-hand ones, it’ll 
save us loads of money. 
 
Anna:  But what about the quality?  
 
Rachel:  Quality?! It’s the cost we’ve got to worry about. Keep up Hannah. Anna:   Anna. 
 
Narrator: [bad word] on Anna. Don’t let her boss you around. It’s time to stand your 
ground. If she causes trouble say “let’s discuss this so we can agree on a 
plan of action” or “please respect my decision and let’s move on.” 
 
Anna:  Hmm, OK, I’ll give it a try. (To Rachel) Rachel, I like your enthusiasm but… 
can we discuss this so we can agree on a plan of action? 
 
Rachel:  Of course. Why didn’t you [bad word] on discuss… discuss… talk! 
 
Anna:  Well, we pride ourselves on quality products and our Imperial Lemon is 
particularly good… and I think our client is expecting that. So I would like 
to send them what I had promised in the contract. 
 
Rachel:  Oh ya, I see. But I’m not really sure you’re right. 
 
Anna:  Well, if you could just respect my decision this time and we can move on? 
 
Rachel:  Well, just this once Hannah. But I think I’m going to have to talk to Mr 
Socrates about you. 
 
Narrator:  Well done Anna for standing your ground. It can sometimes be tricky 
working with a new member of staff, but it’s important to try and develop a 
good working relationship – remember [bad word] first! Let’s hear 
those phrases again: 
 
I understand you have lots of experience, so I would like to use your skills 
to help with the task. 
Together we can do this job really well. 
Let’s discuss this so we can agree on a plan of action.  
Please respect my decision and let’s move on. 
 
Tom:  Hi Anna. Can’t believe we were in France this time yesterday. 
 
Rachel:  Oh hello, Tommy boy. Long time no see! This is a nice surprise. 
 
Tom:  Err… mmmm… 
 
Anna:  Have you two met before?  
 
Rachel:  We certainly have. Hey Tommy boy? 
 
Tom:  (To himself) Oh no! 
 
Narrator:  Ha ha. Looks like Tom is lost for words – let’s hope he finds them in time 
for the next episode of English at Work. Bye!