Pratique du Shadowing: Master Project Management in English Essential Phrases for Professionals [BEL218] - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

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Have you ever been part of a project that felt out of control?
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Too many tasks, no one knows the deadline, and everyone seems to be in a different meeting.
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Yeah, and it gets even harder when you need to talk about it in English.
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Project management comes up in almost every job—tech, marketing, finance, even small startups.
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And when things go wrong—a missed deadline, a surprise problem—you need the right words fast.
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Ha! In English.
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Right.
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Without clear language, small problems turn into big ones.
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But when you have the right phrases, you can flag issues early, keep your team on track, and sound confident doing it.
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And your manager, your team, your client—they'll all trust you more.
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Today, you'll learn exactly what to say when a project gets complicated.
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We have six key vocabulary words, two real business conversations, and practical tips you can start using right away.
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These are phrases that project managers and team members actually use at work every day.
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I'm Tom.
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And I'm Mary.
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Let's get into it.
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Before we hear the conversations, let's run through today's six key vocabulary words.
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Number one.
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Scope.
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defined work and goals of a project.
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Right, and scope can grow.
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When new tasks keep getting added, that's called scope creep.
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The project went over budget because the scope kept changing.
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Oh, that happens on almost every project.
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Number 2.
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Milestone – a key checkpoint or target date in a project.
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I love this one.
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It's like a mini finish line.
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We hit the first milestone when the beta version went live.
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Exactly.
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Milestones help you see your progress.
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Number 3.
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Blocker.
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An issue that stops progress on a task.
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Ugh, every project has one.
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There's a blocker on the design side.
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We're waiting for the final assets.
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And the sooner you say it, the better.
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4. Deadline – the final date by which work must be done Simple but critical.
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The client confirmed the deadline is the end of the month.
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No extensions.
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No extensions!
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5. Deliverable – a specific output the project must produce This is a classic PM word.
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It's not just work.
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It's something concrete you can hand over.
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The main deliverable for this phase is a working prototype.
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Exactly.
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A deliverable is something you can actually show.
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And number six, priority.
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The order of importance for tasks or goals.
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This one comes up all the time when there's too much to do.
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Can you confirm which task is the top priority this week?
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Knowing the priority saves so much time and stress.
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Next scene.
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John is a project manager and Sarah is the tech lead at a software company.
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They're in their weekly status meeting.
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There are blockers, a tight deadline, and a scope question on the table.
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See if you can catch all six vocabulary words and notice how they handle the pressure professionally.
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Let's listen in.
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Good idea.
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The scope is still the MVP – login, dashboard, and the report export feature, right?
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Correct.
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Let's track each milestone from today.
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We have the code freeze on Thursday and the QA sign-off next Friday.
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Got it.
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I should flag a blocker, though.
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The API from the payment team isn't ready yet.
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Okay.
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How much does that affect the deadline?
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It could push us two days, but I think we can still protect the deadline if they deliver by Wednesday.
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I'll follow up with the payment team today.
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While I have you, can we review the deliverables for Thursday's code freeze?
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Sure.
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The deliverables are the login flow, the dashboard layout, and the initial export API.
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We should be ready for all three.
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Good.
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One more thing.
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Marketing is asking for the email feature as well.
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How should we align on priority here?
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I'd say the export feature is the top priority.
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The email feature can go into the next sprint.
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Agreed.
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I'll let marketing know.
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Let's check in again on Wednesday.
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Sounds good.
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I'll send a quick update by end of day.
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Okay, that scene was packed with real project management language.
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Let me flag one thing that many learners miss on the first listen.
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The first key phrase was, define the scope.
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John used it right away to say exactly what what work is included and what is not.
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I love this phrase.
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Scope is the boundary of the project.
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Before you start working, you need to agree on what's in and what's out.
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In a meeting, you might say, Let's define the scope before we start so everyone is on the same page.
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And if new things keep getting added, you can say, Wait, that's outside the scope we agreed on.
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Milestone.
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Polite but firm.
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Exactly.
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Define the scope saves a lot of confusion later.
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Next was Track each milestone.
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John used it to make sure the team checks in on key dates, not just the final deadline.
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A milestone is like a checkpoint.
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Tracking them means you review progress regularly, not just at the end of the project.
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You might say, let's track each milestone in the project doc so everyone can see where we are.
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Right.
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It's semi-formal and works well in team meetings or manager updates.
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Then Sarah said, I should flag a blocker.
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This is one of the most useful phrases in any project.
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Flag means to officially bring something to attention.
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A blocker is something stopping you from moving forward.
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So, flag a blocker means, I need to tell you about a problem that is stopping my work right now.
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The key is to say it early.
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Try, I just want to flag a blocker on my end.
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We're waiting on the payment team.
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Perfect.
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Then came protect the deadline.
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Sarah used it to show she was still committed to the final date.
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Right.
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Deadlines are under pressure in almost every project.
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Protect the deadline means let's do what we can to keep the date.
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You might say we need to move fast to protect the deadline.
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Let's cut the low-priority tasks for now.
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It sounds confident and proactive.
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You're not saying, I hope we make it.
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You're saying, here's how we will make it.
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Next, John asked Sarah to review the deliverables.
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That's a clear, professional way to check what work is actually due.
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A deliverable is something real you can hand over.
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A report, a prototype, a document.
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Review the deliverables means, let's go through the list together.
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In a formal meeting, could we take a moment to review the deliverables for this phase?
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And in a quick check-in, can we quickly review the deliverables for Thursday?
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Same phrase, two different tones, very flexible.
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And the last phrase was align on priority.
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The team had too many requests and needed to decide what to focus on.
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Right.
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Align on priority means everyone agrees on what is most important right now.
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Great for team meetings.
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Try, before we wrap up, let's align on priority for next week. and clear.
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Next scene, we're switching to a totally different energy.
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Alex is a product lead at a startup, and Emma is a developer.
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They're on a quick call, and things are starting to go wrong.
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The scope is growing, and they need to make a decision fast.
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Notice how the tone is much more casual, and see how they handle the pressure differently from John and Sarah.
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By the way, if this episode is helpful, a like or subscribe really helps us keep making content like this.
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Let's listen.
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week if we take on all those screens.
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Okay, what's blocking you right now?
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What can we do to clear the blocker?
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The design assets are missing.
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If we get them by tomorrow, we can move fast.
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Got it.
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I'll push design today, but if we don't hear back, the deadline will slip, and that affects the whole launch.
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Exactly.
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So, if that happens, I think we should just cut a deliverable. Which one?
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The notification system.
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It's not a priority right now anyway.
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Yeah, it's not on the priority list.
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If we need to reprioritize fast, that's the first thing to drop.
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Agreed.
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Better to ship something clean than rush everything.
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I'll ping design now and update you by 2 p.m.
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Same topic, totally different energy.
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And that's the whole point of scene 2.
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Emma started with avoid scope creep.
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This is one of the most important phrases in all of project management.
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Scope creep is when a project keeps getting bigger because people keep adding new requirements without adjusting the timeline.
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Avoid scope creep means, let's stick to what we agreed on.
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You might say, can we avoid scope creep and keep new requests for the next phase?
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It's casual but firm.
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It sets a clear boundary without sounding aggressive.
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Next was, push the milestone back.
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This is how you tell someone a target date needs to move.
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When things aren't on track, say it clearly.
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We'll need to push the milestone back one week.
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The design assets aren't ready yet.
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It's honest and professional.
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You're not hiding the delay.
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You're managing it.
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Much better than going quiet and hoping no one notices.
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Then, Alex said, what can we do to clear the blocker?
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That's a great way to move from problem to solution.
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A blocker stops work.
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Clear the blocker means remove the problem so work can continue.
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You might say, can you help me clear the blocker on the design side?
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I need those assets by tomorrow.
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It's direct and action-oriented.
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You're asking for help, not just reporting a problem.
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Next, the deadline will slip.
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Alex Let's use this as a warning before things got worse.
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This is a professional way to say the final date is in danger.
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If we don't hear back by Wednesday, the deadline will slip.
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Right.
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Slip sounds calmer than, we're going to miss the deadline.
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It gives people a chance to respond.
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Then Emma suggested they cut a deliverable.
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That's a tough but smart decision.
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When time is short, you can't do everything.
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Cut a deliverable means remove one output from the list to save the rest of the project.
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Try.
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To protect quality, I think we should cut a deliverable this sprint.
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It shows strategic thinking.
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And finally, Alex said reprioritize fast.
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When plans change, you need to decide quickly what matters most.
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This is casual and urgent.
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The client just changed the requirements.
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We need to re-prioritize fast.
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Both scenes showed the same thing.
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Clear project language helps a team make good decisions, even under pressure.
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Whether you're in a formal meeting or a quick call, the goal is the same.
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Say the right thing at the right moment.
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Let's turn these words into practical habits.
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Here are six tips to help you use Project Management English every day.
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First tip, raise blockers early.
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The sooner you name a blocker, the sooner the team can help.
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Just say, I want to raise a blocker before we go further.
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short, clear, and professional.
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Don't wait until the deadline is tomorrow.
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Say it early and people will respect you for it.
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Tip 2.
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Confirm the deadline.
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Always check the exact deadline before you start any work.
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Try, just to confirm, the deadline for this deliverable is Friday, right?
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It sounds careful, not anxious.
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I love that.
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And if the milestone changes, you find out early instead of at the last minute.
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Exactly.
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A quick confirmation saves a lot of problems later.
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Tip 3.
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Name your deliverable.
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Don't just say, I'll work on it.
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Say what you will actually produce.
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For example, by Thursday, my deliverable is the first draft of the proposal.
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That's so much clearer.
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Right.
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It helps your manager know what to expect, and it helps you stay focused.
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Tip 4.
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Set one priority.
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When you have too many tasks, ask which one to do first.
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A great question.
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Can you help me set the top priority for this week?
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It sounds professional, not overwhelmed.
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It's better to ask than to spend three days working on the wrong thing.
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Oh, definitely.
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Tip 5.
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Repeat the scope.
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At the start of a meeting, say what the project is and what it is not.
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You can say, just to repeat the scope, we're building the login flow only, not the full dashboard.
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This prevents scope creep before it starts, a small habit that saves a lot of time and energy.
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And tip six, celebrate milestones.
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When the team hits a milestone, say something.
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Yes, this is so easy, but people forget it.
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A milestone is a win.
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Treat it like one.
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Even just, we hit this milestone on time.
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Great work, everyone.
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It's short, but it really matters.
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Happy teams move faster.
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A little recognition keeps the energy going.
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Which of these tips will you try first in your next project meeting?
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Leave a comment and tell us.
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You just learned six key project management words and 12 phrases that real project managers use every day.
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Our six vocabulary words were scope,
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milestone, blocker, deadline, deliverable, and priority.
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From Scene 1, define the scope, track each milestone, and flag a blocker.
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Also, protect the deadline, review the deliverables, and align on priority.
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From Scene 2, avoid scope creep, push the milestone back, and clear the blocker.
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Plus, the deadline will slip, cut a deliverable, and reprioritize fast.
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For your practice, raise blockers early, confirm the deadline, and name your deliverable.
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And, set one priority, repeat the scope, and celebrate milestones.
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Here's your challenge.
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Before your next project meeting, choose two phrases from today and use them.
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Try flag a blocker if something is stopping you.
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Or, align on priority if your team has too much on its plate.
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If this episode was useful, please subscribe and leave a comment.
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We love hearing how you use these phrases at work.
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Until next time, keep your projects on track.
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I'm Tom.
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And I'm Mary.
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See you in the next episode.

Context & Background

Project management is a crucial skill across various fields, including technology, marketing, and finance. Professionals often find themselves in situations where they need to discuss complex projects in English, which can be daunting—especially when deadlines are tight and miscommunication can spiral into larger issues. In the video "Master Project Management in English: Essential Phrases for Professionals," the speakers address common challenges faced by project managers and their teams while providing practical phrases that can enhance clarity and confidence during communication.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • Scope: Refers to the defined work and goals of a project. Understanding scope can prevent issues like "scope creep," where additional tasks complicate the original objectives.
  • Milestone: A key checkpoint or target date, essential for tracking progress. Celebrating milestones can help motivate the team.
  • Blocker: An issue preventing progress on a task. Identifying blockers early can save time and resources.
  • Deadline: The final date for task completion. Being clear about deadlines helps prioritize work efficiently.
  • Deliverable: A specific output that a project must produce, representing tangible progress on project goals.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively learn English with YouTube videos like this one, consider adopting a shadow speak technique. This involves repeating phrases after hearing them, which aids in improving English pronunciation and fluency.

  1. Watch the Video: Start by watching the video without any interruptions, getting a sense of the context and flow of the dialogue.
  2. Identify Key Phrases: Take note of the top phrases provided. Focus on how each phrase is pronounced and used in context.
  3. Repeat Out Loud: After hearing a phrase, pause the video and repeat it out loud. This helps with IELTS speaking practice as well as building confidence.
  4. Record Yourself: To track progress, record your voice as you repeat the phrases. Listen to it later to identify areas for improvement.
  5. Engage with the Content: After practicing, try using these phrases in your project discussions, either in your mind or during actual conversations.

By following these steps, you can merge listening comprehension with speaking practice, ultimately leading to noticeable improvements in your project management discussions and professional interactions. Embrace shadowing as a dynamic method to enhance your English skills today!

Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?

Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.