Shadowing Practice: 100 Common Business English Questions | How to Ask and Answer Questions Professionally in English - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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Hello lovely students and welcome back to English with Lucy.
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Today's video is perfect for you if you're looking to improve your business English or your professional English.
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Today my husband is going to ask me 100 of the most common business English questions.
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I'm going to give genuine answers so that you can learn real English.
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As always there is a free pdf that goes with today's video.
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It's got all of the questions so you can use them to practice yourself, plus a transcript of my answers and extra information and activities.
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If you'd like to download that PDF, just click on the link in the description box, you enter your name and your email address,
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you sign up to my mailing list and the PDF will arrive directly in your inbox.
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After that, you'll automatically receive my free weekly lesson PDFs along with all my news, course offers and updates.
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Hey, Future Lucy here, I wanted to tell you about something really exciting that I've been working on for quite a while.
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I know that lots of you want to improve your English in order to get a job or improve your career prospects.
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I also know that lots of you have an aim to sound professional and experienced when you speak.
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Nearly all of you want to use vocabulary that is appropriate and relevant for the workplace.
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Those are the reasons why I have created my 30 day business English challenge.
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This business English challenge will teach you to speak and understand professional English in context using a really fun,
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interesting and effective methodology that will help you to retain and remember what you've learnt.
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In the challenge, we cover 10 topics.
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Each topic lasts for three days
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and in those three days I will teach you between 22 and 40 new vocabulary words and phrases.
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Business vocabulary.
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Every three days you get two video days and one listening day.
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So that's two reading and vocabulary video days and one listening practice day.
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On the reading and vocabulary days, I read you a text that contains lots of relevant vocabulary.
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We then discuss all of the vocabulary, their meanings, examples, how you use them.
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Because you're listening to me reading the texts, you're not only improving your vocabulary, but also your pronunciation.
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On each of these days, you also receive 20 exercise questions testing you on the vocabulary that you've just learnt and importantly,
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the vocabulary that you've learned in previous days.
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This is really important for helping you to remember and retain that vocab.
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You also have extra reading opportunities, discussing English workplace culture.
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On the listening days, you'll participate in some amazingly effective listening exercises using the vocabulary you've just learned,
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so it will be further cementing it in your brain.
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Every day for the 30-day challenge, you can access the comment section and ask questions to me and my teachers and we can give you feedback.
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By the end of the 30 days, you will have learned over 280 new vocabulary phrases,
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including idioms, phrasal verbs, collocations, slang terms, you name it.
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You'll have taken over 400 vocabulary exercises and 230 listening exercises.
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Imagine the progress that you'll make in just 30 days.
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But don't worry, if 30 days is too intense for you, or you can't start immediately, you have lifetime access to the course content.
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Once you buy it, it's yours to keep.
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Another nice feature is that when you complete the course, you get a digital certificate of completion.
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Previous challenge students love to use this alongside their CV to prove that they've taken a certain amount of classes.
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Now, the price of this business English challenge will be $129 plus taxes.
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However, as it's new, I'm doing a special introductory offer and it's a big discount.
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you can save $40 taking the price down to $89 plus your country's tax.
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If you want to claim this discount, you have to apply the code 40BizYT.
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There is a deadline.
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The challenge starts on the 1st of May, 2022.
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And after that first day, the code will expire and enrollment will close.
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Thousands and thousands of students have participated in my previous challenges and they have the most amazing feedback.
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It has been wonderful meeting them all.
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I love having that smaller group of students that I can talk to.
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I can recognise their names.
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Don't miss out.
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Sign up before the 1st of May.
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Invest in yourself and enjoy the benefits of the Business English Challenge.
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Right, let's get started with the questions.
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Where do you work?
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I work for a teaching company.
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What is your job title?
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CEO.
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Do you like your job?
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I love my job.
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What is the most important part of your job?
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I love teaching my wonderful students.
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How many days a week do you work?
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Five to seven.
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Do you have a boss?
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I am my boss, but I work with my husband.
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Sometimes he bosses me around.
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What was your first job?
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I was a waitress at the local pub.
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What job would you never, ever do?
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I don't think I'd like to be a chef.
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It's too much pressure.
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Would you like a new job?
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No, I'm really happy with this one.
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Would you recommend your line of work to others?
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If you enjoy teaching, then I think it's a fabulous career path.
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What did you do this weekend?
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This weekend we did a little bit of work in the morning and then we relaxed.
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What will you do after work?
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Well, it's quite late right now.
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I think we'll eat dinner and go to bed.
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How was traffic today?
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I didn't drive today.
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I work from home.
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When are you taking time off?
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We are going away next month on a holiday.
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What will you do on your holiday?
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Relax, explore and hopefully visit some vineyards.
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Any plans for the weekend?
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This weekend it's Easter and we're going to see our families.
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What will you do for lunch?
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Normally I have a salad for lunch.
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Would you like to go to lunch with me? With you.
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Every day.
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Are you working late tonight?
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Yes, I'm working unusually late tonight.
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What time did you clock in this morning?
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I started work at around 8.30 this morning.
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Did you find a good parking spot?
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I didn't have to park.
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I work from home.
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What time do you get home from work?
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I normally try to finish working at around 5 to 6 o'clock.
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How do you get to work?
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I leave my bed, go downstairs and sit down at the table.
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Would you get public transport to work?
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If I didn't work from home, I would absolutely get public transport to work.
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How are your kids?
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I don't have any yet.
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Do you ever work overtime?
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Yes.
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I think it's the nature of running your own business.
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How many meetings do you attend in a week?
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Probably seven to ten.
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Did you receive training?
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Yes, I did receive training.
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Do you think the company is run well?
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I hope so.
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How long have you been working here?
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I started this business in January 2016, so is that six years?
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Have you received a promotion?
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No. I've always been the CEO.
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How often do you get a raise?
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I like to pay myself slightly more each year.
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How well do you get on with your boss?
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With my business partner, my husband, extremely well.
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Do you get on with your co-workers?
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I have a lovely team.
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What does your average day look like?
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I like to break up my day with exercise and dog walks.
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Would you change anything about your daily routine?
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Yes, I'd like slightly more free time.
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Do you get to travel for work?
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Before the pandemic, I travelled quite a lot.
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It's starting to pick up now.
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What is the most challenging part of your job?
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Receiving criticism from strangers.
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Do you have to work at the weekends?
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Sometimes I do.
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In fact, oftentimes I do.
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Does management support you?
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My husband is very supportive.
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How did you find this job?
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I think I was very lucky and a bit lost as a 21-year-old.
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Are you interested in a full-time or a part-time position?
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I enjoy working in a full-time position, but one day I might like to move to a part-time position.
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Did you bring your CV?
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Do you know what?
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I don't have a CV or a resume.
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Maybe I should make one.
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Do you have a degree?
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Yes, I do have a degree.
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What is your degree?
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It is a first-class honours in marketing communications.
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What was your last job?
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My last job was an English teacher.
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How long did you work there?
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I worked as an English teacher for three years before starting my business.
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Why did you leave your last job?
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It was a natural progression.
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Do you have references?
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I'm sure I could ask some of my previous bosses for you.
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Do you work well with others?
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I'd like to think I do, but I do like being alone.
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Can you work in a group setting?
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I can, but I'd prefer not to.
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What is your biggest strength?
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I think I'm very creative.
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What is your biggest weakness?
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Sometimes I get a bit stressed.
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Have you always worked in the education industry?
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No. Before I was a teacher, I worked in marketing.
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Do you like to work outdoors?
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No, because the wind makes an awful noise with my camera.
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Are you an organised person?
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In my work life, yes.
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In my personal life, no. What are your short-term goals?
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I would like to release a fantastic intermediate English course.
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What are your long-term goals?
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To live a happy life.
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Why should we hire you?
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I think I'm proactive, creative and enthusiastic.
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When can you start?
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Immediately.
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Are you comfortable using a computer?
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I'm very comfortable using a computer.
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Can you use Microsoft Office?
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Yes, I can use that quite well.
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Are you proficient in using spreadsheet software?
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Yes, I have quite a lot of experience using spreadsheets.
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How fast can you type?
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Very quickly.
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What other software are you familiar with?
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You name it, I've probably tried it.
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Do you own a laptop?
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I do.
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Hooray!
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Are you comfortable using social media?
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I guess so.
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Have you managed a social media account?
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Yes, I've managed quite a few in my time.
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Can you edit videos?
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Yes, I started off editing my own videos.
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Have you ever used Photoshop?
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I have.
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I wouldn't say it's my biggest strength.
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How do you plan your days?
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I use Google Calendar and I put everything I need to do in it.
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How are you with time management?
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I'm quite good.
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I could be better.
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Do you always meet your deadlines?
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Not always, but I try my best.
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Are you comfortable asking for help?
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I always ask for help.
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Do you like helping people?
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Yes, it's my job.
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Do you often feel overwhelmed?
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I sometimes feel overwhelmed, but I think I'm quite good at managing it.
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Do you consider yourself to be a good leader?
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I'm new to being a leader and I'm learning a lot.
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How do you balance your work and personal life?
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With a bit of difficulty, but I'm working on it.
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How do you prioritise tasks?
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When's the nearest deadline?
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How do you handle stress at work?
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I go on a dog walk and I talk to my husband.
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Are you optimistic?
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I'd say I'm very optimistic, sometimes too optimistic.
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Do you enjoy public speaking?
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I don't enjoy the build-up, but I enjoy having done it.
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Do you finish what you start?
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Not always.
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If I don't see something as going somewhere, then why finish it?
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Would your friends describe you as trustworthy?
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Yes, I think most of my friends would describe me as trustworthy.
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Is your personality suited for this job?
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I think so, otherwise I would have given up.
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What makes a good friend?
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I think good friends are people that you can go a long time without seeing, but you see each other and it's like no time has passed at all.
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Are you easy to anger?
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No, but if you repeatedly disappoint me, then I will become angry.
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What makes you angry?
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Bad customer service and over-promising and under-delivering.
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Is there an absolute right and wrong?
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Hardly ever.
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Do you pay your bills on time?
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I always pay my bills on time.
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Do you prefer variety or routine?
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I like a bit of both, but probably more of a routine.
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Do you prefer to work quickly or focus on details?
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It depends what I'm doing, but in general I prefer to work quickly.
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Is it ever okay to lie?
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Yes, it's sometimes okay to lie, if it stops people from having their feelings hurt.
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What traits are important in a boss?
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Patience, good communication skills, the ability to teach and the ability to praise.
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What makes a good leader?
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Somebody who leads by example.
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Who is a business leader that you admire?
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I really admire Marcia Kilgore.
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Describe yourself in one word.
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Happy.
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What is your greatest achievement?
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Creating a business that helps people around the world.
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If you could have dinner and talk with anyone, who would it be?
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Probably Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
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She seems hilarious.
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If you could go back and change anything in your life, what would it be?
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I don't think I would change anything because I'm happy with how everything is right now.
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Your email address?
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Email address.
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Would you like to carpool karaoke?
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24 would you like to carpool with me?
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Did you say karaoke automatically?
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No carpooling is like sharing cars to work Would you like to carpool with me why should we hire you?
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Why should you hire me?
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Creating a business.
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Business.
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Creating a business.
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The help of people to speak.
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I actually have a lift.
Context & Background
In today's fast-paced global marketplace, effective communication is essential for professional success. As workplaces become increasingly diverse, mastering business English has never been more critical. The speaker, an experienced English teacher, presents a video aimed at improving business English skills through a unique format of question and answer. This dialogue provides learners with practical vocabulary and conversational strategies that can be directly applied in the workplace, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their professional communication.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- “Could you please clarify that for me?” - A polite way to ask for more information.
- “I’d like to schedule a meeting to discuss this further.” - Useful for planning discussions with colleagues.
- “Can we take this offline?” - Indicates that a topic requires further discussion outside of the current meeting.
- “What are the next steps?” - A great way to prompt action and clarity in a project.
- “Thank you for your input.” - A respectful way to acknowledge contributions during discussions.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
To maximize your learning from the video, consider using a shadowing technique, which is an effective method for improving your English speaking practice and pronunciation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
- Watch the Video: Start by watching the video without pausing. Take note of the context and the questions answered.
- Listen Actively: In the second round, focus on the speaker's pronunciation and rhythm, ideal for IELTS speaking practice. Pay attention to intonation and emphasis.
- Pause and Repeat: Pause at intervals and repeat what you hear. This will help you improve your pronunciation and speaking capabilities.
- Practice with Shadowing: As you listen to the speaker, try to imitate their speech. This method, known as shadowspeak, enhances your fluency and builds your confidence in real-time communication.
- Engage with Additional Resources: Utilize accompanying materials such as PDFs provided in the video description. These often contain exercises that can further solidify your understanding and recall of business vocabulary.
By regularly practicing with these techniques, you will not only improve your business English but also gain the skills necessary to navigate professional environments confidently. Remember, the key to effective learning is consistency, so make shadowing a part of your daily routine!
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.