56 - Pushed to the limits
Language to use when trying to set priorities
At the offices of Tip Top Trading, things are a bit tricky. Denise has been reinstated at the company but now wants to do more than just ordering pens. Tom has other ideas and Anna is just caught in the middle. She needs to get organised and get her priorities straight!
Intermediate · 170726 · 2017-07-26
At the offices of Tip Top Trading, things are a bit tricky. Denise has been reinstated at the company but now wants to do more than just ordering pens. Tom has other ideas and Anna is just caught in the middle. She needs to get organized and get her priorities straight! Language to use when trying to set priorities This episode focuses on the language that you might use or hear when you are busy at work and need to set priorities.
1. I've got to prioritize. This task is the most important so I'm going to concentrate on this first.
BBC UK: I've got to prioritise. This task is the most important so I'm going to concentrate on this first.
2. It would be a great help if you could do this for me please.
BBC UK: It would be a great help if you could do this for me please.
3. I'm going to have to put that off until tomorrow I'm afraid.
BBC UK: I'm going to have to put that off until tomorrow I'm afraid.
1. Narrator
Welcome back to English at Work. At the offices of Tip Top Trading, things are a bit... tricky. Denise has been reinstated at the company but now wants to do more than just ordering pens. Tom has other ideas and Anna is just caught in the middle. Who can she turn to? Paul maybe... or maybe not?
BBC UK: Welcome back to English at Work. At the offices of Tip Top Trading, things are a bit… tricky. Denise has been reinstated at the company but now wants to do more than just ordering pens. Tom has other ideas and Anna is just caught in the middle. Who can she turn to? Paul maybe… or maybe not?
2. Paul
So Denise, let's get this straight. You don't want to order the pens anymore, right?
BBC UK: So Denise, let's get this straight. You don't want to order the pens anymore, right?
3. Denise
Well, I did say if I came back, I wanted to have a go at doing sales.
BBC UK: Well, I did say if I came back, I wanted to have a go at doing sales.
4. Paul
Err, yes, you did. That's right.
BBC UK: Err, yes, you did. That's right.
5. Tom
Yeah but we got Denise back because we didn't have anyone to order our pens and stuff. That's her main job.
BBC UK: Yeah but we got Denise back because we didn't have anyone to order our pens and stuff. That's her main job.
6. Paul
Err yes, absolutely. I see your point.
BBC UK: Err yes, absolutely. I see your point.
7. Anna
Excuse me Paul, could I suggest we all take it in turns to order things like pens and paper... share the responsibility?
BBC UK: Excuse me Paul, could I suggest we all take it in turns to order things like pens and paper… share the responsibility?
8. Denise
That's a good idea Anna.
BBC UK: That's a good idea Anna.
9. Tom
Yeah but...
BBC UK: Yeah but…
10. Paul
No buts Tom, that's a good solution. Well done Anna... could you draw up a rota so we know who's going to be ordering the pens and when? And don't forget to order cookies too! Phew, I'm glad I got that sorted out. Right, back to work everyone.
BBC UK: No buts Tom, that's a good solution. Well done Anna… could you draw up a rota so we know who's going to be ordering the pens and when? And don't forget to order biscuits too! Phew, I'm glad I got that sorted out. Right, back to work everyone.
11. Tom
I can't believe I've got to order pens, it's Denise's responsibility... err, are you OK Anna?
BBC UK: I can't believe I've got to order pens, it's Denise's responsibility… err, are you OK Anna?
12. Anna
No I'm not. I can't draw up a rota, not now. I've got too much to do.
BBC UK: No I'm not. I can't draw up a rota, not now. I've got too much to do.
13. Tom
Alright don't panic Anna. Just do what I do.
BBC UK: Alright don't panic Anna. Just do what I do.
14. Anna
What's that?
BBC UK: What's that?
15. Tom
Nothing! Just do what you can do and then pretend you've forgotten about the other stuff. Easy!
BBC UK: Nothing! Just do what you can do and then pretend you've forgotten about the other stuff. Easy!
16. Narrator
Oh dear, Tom's not that professional is he? Not like you Anna. You just need to get organized and prioritize.
BBC UK: Oh dear, Tom's not that professional is he? Not like you Anna. You just need to get organised and prioritise.
17. Anna
I need to prioritize?
BBC UK: I need to prioritise?
18. Narrator
Yes. Decide what tasks need doing first and maybe delegate some tasks to others. You could say to people "I've got to prioritize. This is the most important so I'm going to concentrate on this first.", then you could say to someone "It would be a great help if you could take on this other task". You could also say "I'll have to put off some tasks until tomorrow". And if you still feel under pressure, say to your boss "I need help, I have too much to do".
BBC UK: Yes. Decide what tasks need doing first and maybe delegate some tasks to others. You could say to people "I've got to prioritise. This is the most important so I'm going to concentrate on this first.", then you could say to someone "It would be a great help if you could take on this other task". You could also say "I'll have to put off some tasks until tomorrow". And if you still feel under pressure, say to your boss "I need help, I have too much to do".
19. Anna
Thanks, good advice. I'm just writing a list of all the things I need to do on my new mini me-pad.
BBC UK: Thanks, good advice. I'm just writing a list of all the things I need to do on my new mini me-pad.
20. Narrator
Writing a list is a good place to start. Good luck!
BBC UK: Writing a list is a good place to start. Good luck!
21. Anna
There, that's my list finished. Ah, Denise, sorry to bother you, but you know that rota I was talking about?
BBC UK: There, that's my list finished. Ah, Denise, sorry to bother you, but you know that rota I was talking about?
22. Denise
The one for ordering pens?
BBC UK: The one for ordering pens?
23. Anna
That's it. Well, I'm so busy, I was wondering... it would be a great help... if you could make a start on this? Please?
BBC UK: That's it. Well, I'm so busy, I was wondering… it would be a great help… if you could make a start on this? Please?
24. Denise
Of course Anna. As it's you. If it was Tom asking, I would have said no!
BBC UK: Of course Anna. As it's you. If it was Tom asking, I would have said no!
25. Tom
What's that Denise? Hey Anna, what are we going to do about the designs for that plastic aubergine?
BBC UK: What's that Denise? Hey Anna, what are we going to do about the designs for that plastic aubergine?
26. Anna
Gosh, our new aubergine. Hmm, I'm going to have to put that off until tomorrow I'm afraid.
BBC UK: Gosh, our new aubergine. Hmm, I'm going to have to put that off until tomorrow I'm afraid.
27. Tom
Oh right. Why, have you got something more important for us to do together, eh?
BBC UK: Oh right. Why, have you got something more important for us to do together, eh?
28. Anna
No Tom. I've just got to prioritize. This new order from Nice'n'Cheesy is the most important, so I'm going to concentrate on that first. OK?
BBC UK: No Tom. I've just got to prioritise. This new order from Nice'n'Cheesy is the most important, so I'm going to concentrate on that first. OK?
29. Tom
Oh right, yeah sure. Me and you will have to wait until tomorrow! So... so... how's it going with Dave from Computer Support?
BBC UK: Oh right, yeah sure. Me and you will have to wait until tomorrow! So… so… how's it going with Dave from Computer Support?
30. Anna
Very well thanks Tom. Last night he took me somewhere I've never been to before.
BBC UK: Very well thanks Tom. Last night he took me somewhere I've never been to before.
31. Tom
Really. Nice.
BBC UK: Really. Nice.
32. Anna
Yes, a discount computer shop - he bought me a mini me-pad.
BBC UK: Yes, a discount computer shop – he bought me a mini me-pad.
33. Tom
Oh. Just a 'mini' one hey.
BBC UK: Oh. Just a 'mini' one hey.
34. Anna
Now, if you could take more interest in our Nice'n'Cheesy contract than you do in Dave, it would be a great help.
BBC UK: Now, if you could take more interest in our Nice'n'Cheesy contract than you do in Dave, it would be a great help.
35. Tom
Oh yeah, sure, of course... nice'n'sleazy, that's a good name for Dave!
BBC UK: Oh yeah, sure, of course… nice'n'sleazy, that's a good name for Dave!
36. Narrator
Idiot! Getting organized is important when you have a lot to do. Tell people what you're doing and don't forget to ask for help. Here's a reminder of what Anna said: I've got to prioritize. This task is the most important so I'm going to concentrate on this first. It would be a great help if you could do this for me please. I'm going to have to put that off until tomorrow I'm afraid.
BBC UK: Idiot! Getting organised is important when you have a lot to do. Tell people what you're doing and don't forget to ask for help. Here's a reminder of what Anna said: I've got to prioritise. This task is the most important so I'm going to concentrate on this first. It would be a great help if you could do this for me please. I'm going to have to put that off until tomorrow I'm afraid.
37. Narrator
And don't forget, when you simply have too much to do, tell your boss!
BBC UK: And don't forget, when you simply have too much to do, tell your boss!
38. Anna
Hello Paul, sorry to bother you. I'm a bit worried... I just have too much to do and need some help.
BBC UK: Hello Paul, sorry to bother you. I'm a bit worried… I just have too much to do and need some help.
39. Paul
Yes of course. I don't want you feeling stressed. Let me think... erm... I know, why don't I do the pen rota?
BBC UK: Yes of course. I don't want you feeling stressed. Let me think… erm... I know, why don't I do the pen rota?
40. Anna
It's OK, Denise has offered to do that.
BBC UK: It's OK, Denise has offered to do that.
41. Paul
Phew, I mean super! Erm... hmm... well, maybe Tom could help you with the launch party?
BBC UK: Phew, I mean super! Erm… hmm… well, maybe Tom could help you with the launch party?
42. Anna
Launch party? What launch party?
BBC UK: Launch party? What launch party?
43. Paul
Didn't Tom tell you?
BBC UK: Didn't Tom tell you?
44. Anna
No, he didn't.
BBC UK: No, he didn't.
45. Paul
We're launching the plastic aubergine on Friday.
BBC UK: We're launching the plastic aubergine on Friday.
46. Anna
Oh no!
BBC UK: Oh no!
47. Narrator
Keep calm Anna! We're here to help - although organizing a launch party in a week is quite a challenge. Find out how it goes on the next English at Work. Bye!
BBC UK: Keep calm Anna! We're here to help – although organising a launch party in a week is quite a challenge. Find out how it goes on the next English at Work. Bye!
Question
When is Anna going to look at the designs for the plastic aubergine?
Answer
Tomorrow.