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61 - Decision time

Language relating to being offered and accepting a promotion

Mr Socrates has sacked Paul from his position as manager of Tip Top Trading and he's offered Anna a promotion to be the new boss. But will she accept the offer?

Intermediate · 170830 · 2017-08-30

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Context

Mr Socrates has sacked Paul from his position as manager of Tip Top Trading and he's offered Anna a promotion to be the new boss. But will she accept the offer? Language relating to being offered and accepting a promotion This episode focuses on the language that you may hear if you are offered a promotion and what to say in return.

Vocabulary Cards
Phrase, meaning, example, and common mistakes with personal flags.
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  • 1. This promotion recognises your achievements at the company.

    US: This promotion recognizes your achievements at the company.

  • 2. It's an opportunity of a lifetime.

    US: It's an opportunity of a lifetime.

  • 3. You would be my right-hand man/woman.

    US: You would be my right-hand man/woman.

  • 4. And what you might say:

    US: And what you might say:

  • 5. I'd be delighted to accept. Thank you.

    US: I'd be delighted to accept. Thank you.

  • 6. When would I start?

    US: When would I start?

  • 7. Could we discuss the terms and conditions of the new job?

    US: Could we discuss the terms and conditions of the new job?

Transcript
Speakers: Narrator, Anna, Mr Socrates, Tom, Denise, Paul

1. Narrator

Hello again and welcome back to the final English at Work. Mr Socrates has sacked Paul from his position as manager of Tip Top Trading and he's offered Anna a promotion – to be the new boss. But will she accept? What's wrong Anna?

US: Hello again and welcome back to the final English at Work. Mr. Socrates has sacked Paul from his position as manager of Tip Top Trading and he's offered Anna a promotion - to be the new boss. But will she accept? What's wrong Anna?

2. Anna

I feel bad about replacing Paul. He's been good to me.

US: I feel bad about replacing Paul. He's been good to me.

3. Narrator

It's business Anna. He's just not up to the job – but you are.

US: It's business Anna. He's just not up to the job - but you are.

4. Anna

Thanks. But why me? Can I do the job? I'm not as experienced as Tom.

US: Thanks. But why me? Can I do the job? I'm not as experienced as Tom.

5. Narrator

I think we have seen over the year that you definitely have more experience than Tom! Go on Anna, you can do it.

US: I think we have seen over the year that you definitely have more experience than Tom! Go on Anna, you can do it.

6. Anna

Hmmm.

US: Hmmm.

7. Mr Socrates

So Anna… what do you say? Will you replace Paul as the new boss of Tip Top Trading? Come on Anna. This promotion recognises your achievements at the company. It's an opportunity of a lifetime.

US: So Anna... what do you say? Will you replace Paul as the new boss of Tip Top Trading? Come on Anna. This promotion recognizes your achievements at the company. It's an opportunity of a lifetime.

8. Anna

I know.

US: I know.

9. Mr Socrates

You'll be my right-hand man.

US: You'll be my right-hand man.

10. Narrator

I think he means right-hand woman! It means you'd be his most trusted and invaluable assistant.

US: I think he means right-hand woman! It means you'd be his most trusted and invaluable assistant.

11. Anna

I see.

US: I see.

12. Narrator

Anna, if you need time to think you could say "thank you for your kind words" and, "could I have time to consider your offer?"

US: Anna, if you need time to think you could say "thank you for your kind words" and, "could I have time to consider your offer?"

13. Anna

Erm, Mr Socrates. This news has come as a bit of a shock. Thank you for your kind words but please could I have some time to consider your offer?

US: Erm, Mr. Socrates. This news has come as a bit of a shock. Thank you for your kind words but please could I have some time to consider your offer?

14. Mr Socrates

Oh… OK Anna. But don't leave it too long. I have a habit of changing my mind.

US: Oh... OK Anna. But don't leave it too long. I have a habit of changing my mind.

15. Anna

OK, Mr Socrates… I mean Brad… I'll call you back soon. Bye.

US: OK, Mr. Socrates... I mean Brad... I'll call you back soon. Bye.

16. Tom

Oh… has Mr S offered you Paul's job by any chance?

US: Oh... has Mr. S offered you Paul's job by any chance?

17. Anna

Yes!

US: Yes!

18. Tom

And you said you'd think about it?

US: And you said you'd think about it?

19. Anna

Yes. I'm not sure if I can take on that much responsibility.

US: Yes. I'm not sure if I can take on that much responsibility.

20. Tom

It's easy peasy. I could do it standing on my head.

US: It's easy peasy. I could do it standing on my head.

21. Denise

But he's not offering­ you the job Tom.

US: But he's not offering­ you the job Tom.

22. Anna

Please don't mention this to Paul… not yet… he's very upset.

US: Please don't mention this to Paul... not yet... he's very upset.

23. Tom

I know nothing!

US: I know nothing!

24. Anna

You know nothing? About what?

US: You know nothing? About what?

25. Tom

I mean, I'll remain tight lipped… I won't say a word… until it's all official like. You can count on me.

US: I mean, I'll remain tight lipped... I won't say a word... until it's all official like. You can count on me.

26. Anna

"You can count on me"!?

US: "You can count on me"!?

27. Tom

Uh?

US: Uh?

28. Anna

"You can count on me". That was the message with that that bunch of flowers someone sent me. It was you wasn't it?!

US: "You can count on me". That was the message with that that bunch of flowers someone sent me. It was you wasn't it?!

29. Tom

Well… err… I suppose… yes… it was me Anna. I couldn't help it. I… I… love you Anna.

US: Well... err... I suppose... yes... it was me Anna. I couldn't help it. I... I... love you Anna.

30. Anna

Do you know what Tom… I quite like you too… I think you're… sweet. Now come on and give me a kiss.

US: Do you know what Tom... I quite like you too... I think you're... sweet. Now come on and give me a kiss.

31. Paul

Oh crumbs, shall I come back later?!

US: Oh crumbs, shall I come back later?!

32. Tom

No it's ok Paul. We’re just… getting to know each other a bit better. In fact, Anna… I'd like to ask you something.

US: No it's ok Paul. We’re just... getting to know each other a bit better. In fact, Anna... I'd like to ask you something.

33. Denise

Oh, why is Tom getting down on one knee?

US: Oh, why is Tom getting down on one knee?

34. Paul

I expect he's dropped one of his contact lenses.

US: I expect he's dropped one of his contact lenses.

35. Tom

No it's not that. Anna, I'd like to ask you something… err… will you… will you marry me?

US: No it's not that. Anna, I'd like to ask you something... err... will you... will you marry me?

36. Anna

What?!

US: What?!

37. Narrator

Crikey, what a dilemma. Now Anna's got two important questions to answer. Will she take the job as Tip Top Trading's newest and youngest manager? And will she marry Tom? Here's a reminder of what Mr Socrates had to say about her: This promotion recognises your achievements at the company. It's an opportunity of a lifetime. You would be my right-hand man.

US: Crikey, what a dilemma. Now Anna's got two important questions to answer. Will she take the job as Tip Top Trading's newest and youngest manager? And will she marry Tom? Here's a reminder of what Mr. Socrates had to say about her: This promotion recognizes your achievements at the company. It's an opportunity of a lifetime. You would be my right-hand man.

38. Narrator

And if Anna accepts the job, here's what she could say: I'd be delighted to accept. Thank you. When would I start? Could we discuss the terms and conditions of the new job?

US: And if Anna accepts the job, here's what she could say: I'd be delighted to accept. Thank you. When would I start? Could we discuss the terms and conditions of the new job?

39. Narrator

Let's find out what Anna has to say.

US: Let's find out what Anna has to say.

40. Anna

Oh Tom, I don't know what to say. It's come as a bit of a shock. Can I have some time to think about it?

US: Oh Tom, I don't know what to say. It's come as a bit of a shock. Can I have some time to think about it?

41. Tom

I suppose.

US: I suppose.

42. Paul

Well, while you think about that, I've got some good news. I've been offered a new job.

US: Well, while you think about that, I've got some good news. I've been offered a new job.

43. Denise

That's fantastic news Paul. What is it?

US: That's fantastic news Paul. What is it?

44. Paul

It's to be Head Taster at a company called Better Biscuits.

US: It's to be Head Taster at a company called Better Biscuits.

45. Anna

That's fantastic news Paul.

US: That's fantastic news Paul.

46. Tom

Yeah, well done Paul. That's right up your street.

US: Yeah, well done Paul. That's right up your street.

47. Denise

So Anna, does that mean you'll do Paul’s job now?

US: So Anna, does that mean you'll do Paul’s job now?

48. Tom

Don't answer that. Answer my proposal first.

US: Don't answer that. Answer my proposal first.

49. Denise

No, I think she should sort out her work first.

US: No, I think she should sort out her work first.

50. Tom

But I've been waiting to ask her for months.

US: But I've been waiting to ask her for months.

51. Paul

I think it's up to Anna to say what she wants.

US: I think it's up to Anna to say what she wants.

52. Anna

Quiet! Look everyone, I can't decide what to say to you Tom, or Mr Socrates. So I've decided I'm going to take a short holiday to have some time to think.

US: Quiet! Look everyone, I can't decide what to say to you Tom, or Mr. Socrates. So I've decided I'm going to take a short vacation to have some time to think.

53. Tom

Good idea. Where shall we go?

US: Good idea. Where shall we go?

54. Anna

On my own Tom. When I return I will give you my answers.

US: On my own Tom. When I return I will give you my answers.

55. Paul

Crumbs. I think I'd better get a biscuit.

US: Crumbs. I think I'd better get a cookie.

56. Narrator

A good idea Anna. But we’re going to have to wait a while to find out what she decides. She needs a rest after learning so much during her year at Tip Top Trading. We hope you've enjoyed learning with her and now feel more confident in using English at work! That’s all from me and the team at Tip Top Trading for now. Until we meet again, bye!

US: A good idea Anna. But we’re going to have to wait a while to find out what she decides. She needs a rest after learning so much during her year at Tip Top Trading. We hope you've enjoyed learning with her and now feel more confident in using English at work! That’s all from me and the team at Tip Top Trading for now. Until we meet again, bye!

Listening Challenge
Check your understanding before looking at the answer.

Question

What new job is Paul going to do?

Answer

He's going to be Head Taster at Better Biscuits.