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- You have 45 seconds to skim the text by reading only the title and the first sentence of each paragraph. Tell the main point of each paragraph in 5 words or less.

- Try to find the following in the text as fast as you can:

1. "Conflict resolution"

2. "Favoritism"

3. "Diverse groups"

4. "The World Cup"

- Task B: Sentence Simplification

Scan Paragraph 2 for the sentence:

"However, the impact of sports on social integration is not without challenges. Competitive environments can sometimes exacerbate social tensions, particularly when favoritism or exclusionary practices are present."

Question: Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted context above?

A) Competitive sports always lead to social integration, despite minor issues with favoritism.

B) Favoritism and exclusion are the main reasons why sports fail to bring communities together.

C) Sports can sometimes worsen social conflict rather than help it, especially if unfair practices occur.

D) Social tensions are naturally reduced when athletes compete in high-stakes environments.

Target Sentence (Paragraph 3):

"The visibility of athletes from diverse backgrounds during these events fosters a sense of global harmony."

Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the target sentence?

A) Global harmony is necessary before athletes from diverse backgrounds are allowed to participate in major events.

B) Seeing representation from different backgrounds in sports helps encourage international unity.

C) Athletes from diverse backgrounds often struggle to maintain global harmony during major international competitions.

D) Major sporting events replace traditional diplomacy by forcing diverse nations to agree on common goals.

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© 2021 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, TOEFL and TOEFL iBT are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the United States and other countries. IN ENGLISH WITH CONFIDENCE is a trademark of ETS.

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Ever wondered why some people seem to have all the luck?

We've been trying to improve our luck for centuries - lucky charms, amulets and talismans have figured in virtually every recorded civilization.

Early Europeans believed iron had magical qualities so hanging horseshoes in your house was meant to ward off spirits.

Touching or knocking on wood is said to date back to Celtic rituals that were designed to rouse the tree gods and call on their protection.

Throughout history, people have recognised that good and bad luck can transform lives.

A few seconds of bad luck can overturn years of hard work and moments of good luck can save years of striving.

Superstition represents people's attempts to improve and control their luck.

British psychologist and author Richard Wiseman undertook a ten year study on the science of luck.

In one experiment he asked people to look through a newspaper and count the number of photographs inside.

On average it took the people who thought of themselves as unlucky around two minutes.

People who thought of themselves as lucky on the other hand took a few seconds. Why?

Because on the second page there was a message that said, in a massive font, "Stop counting, there are 43 photographs in this newspaper."

The lucky people it seems were more open to possibilities other than the ones they were searching for.

There are four main psychological principles that separate lucky people from unlucky ones.

So .......... .... ........., lucky people are more open to opportunities, spotting them and making the most of them.

Second, they tend to be optimists and that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy - they're pushing forward, they're expecting the best.

Also differences in terms of intuition - lucky people tend to have lucky hunches and trust their intuition.

And finally, they're more resilient. When bad things happen, they're good at turning that bad luck into good fortune. So big differences in the way they think and the way they behave.

But whilst it's true that if you train hard you are more likely to win a sporting event, or the harder you swot for an exam the more you increase your chances of the best grade you're capable of.

Here's the kicker.

No amount of positivity, work or preparation will reduce the chance of say, being kept awake by noisy neighbours the night before an exam or slipping on a wet patch as you run during a race.

It would be wrong to think that all of someone's good or bad luck is entirely ....... ...... the way they're thinking and behaving.

When it comes to people who aren't quite so successful or happy in life we shouldn't think it's all their fault.

It could be ......... ..... where they're born or the society they're born into or chance accidents or illnesses, and you need to take all of those factors into account.

In 2012 at a campaign rally, Barack Obama caused controversy when he said, "If you're successful, you didn't get that on your own.

If you're successful, somebody along the line gave you some help." And he raises a key factor by considering the role of luck.

There's a whole bunch of hard-working, positive-thinking people out there who aren't successful and certainly aren't lucky.

Obama's statement sparked debate, with several online publications railing against him, and public figures like republican rival Mitt Romney openly rebuffing him.

For many, Obama's comments were seen as an insult to the American work ethic and the idea that success was achieved through merit.

But as the economist Robert H. Frank argues, talent and drive will get you so far but luck and life chances will also play a huge role.

What if you asked the question, "Where do your talents come from?" "Where does your propensity to work hard come from?"

If you're a hard working person who has a lot of talent you got those traits from the environment you grew up in

and from the genes you inherited. You're not in any strict sense in a position to claim moral credit for them.

And so we're comfortable enough saying that you're lucky to have those traits. But what about the person who works hard?

Is that person not entitled to congratulate herself for the effort she put forward?

What we know is that putting forth effort in trying circumstances is difficult.

It requires often a Herculean will to go forward in the face of one setback after another.

If you're the kind of person who's been taught that your temperament alone determines whether you'll be persistent

and your temperament is just a matter of luck, I think you're more likely to sit back and wait and see what happens.

If .......... you view yourself as the captain of your own fate and think, "It's up to me to make it happen" you're much more likely to persist against a series of setbacks.

So it's like Richard Wiseman said earlier, lucky and unlucky people are often determined by the way they think, which suggests that there is hope for change.

I think that anyone has the capability and the potential to make themselves luckier.

It's realising that lots of that good fortune is due to the way you're thinking, the way you're behaving.

Understand the mindset of the lucky person and you can bring more good fortune into your life.

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Unknown artist - Unknown album (9/4/2019 1:46:37 PM)

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Unknown artist - Unknown album (9/4/2019 1:46:37 PM)

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https://downloads.bbc.co.uk//learningenglish/features/conditionals_with_georgie/240906_cwg_third_conditional_worksheet.pdf

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The third conditional - Grammar: Conditionals with Georgie

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Before you listen, match the words and expressions on the left with their definitions on the right.

Words and Expressions:

1. Ward off ______

2. Resilient ______

3. Setback ______

4. Here's the kicker ______

5. Captain of your own fate ______

Definitions:

A. An unexpected problem that delays your progress or stops you from succeeding.

B. To prevent something bad, harmful, or dangerous from coming near you.

C. An expression used to introduce a surprising, shocking, or important fact.

D. Able to quickly recover and feel better after a difficult or bad situation.

E. A person who believes they control their own life, future, and decisions.

Part 1: First Listening (0:00 – 1:27)

Listen to the first part of the audio about the history of luck and the newspaper experiment. Fill in the missing words or numbers used in the study.

1. Throughout history, humans have used things like horseshoes, four-leaf clovers, and knocking on wood because we have always tried to _______________ our luck.

2. In his study, psychologist Richard Wiseman spent _______________ years researching the science of luck.

3. On average, the people who thought they were unlucky took _______________ minutes to count the pictures.

4. The people who thought they were lucky completed the exact same task in just a few _______________.

5. The large secret message on page two told the readers that there were exactly _______________ photographs in the newspaper.

Part 2: Second Listening – Segment A (1:27 – 3:13)

Listen to this short section about the psychology of lucky people. Choose the correct option based on the specific examples given.

1. According to the four main psychological principles, lucky people are different because they:

a) Avoid taking risks and stick to a strict, safe plan.

b) Are open to opportunities, expect the best, and trust their intuition.

c) Simply work double the hours of an unlucky person.

2. What is an example of bad luck that hard work and preparation CANNOT prevent?

a) Failing a test because you did not study the right topic.

b) Being kept awake by noisy neighbors the night before an exam.

c) Arriving late to a race because you missed your bus.

3. When discussing people who are not successful or happy, the speaker says we should consider:

a) Their lack of effort and negative attitude.

b) The advice they received from their parents.

c) Where they were born, chance accidents, or illnesses.

4. In 2012, Barack Obama caused a big debate because he said successful people:

a) Got some help from someone along the way.

b) Are simply luckier than everyone else.

c) Worked much harder than their rivals.

Part 3: Second Listening – Segment B (3:13 – 5:02)

Listen to the final section about talent and mindset. Write True (T) or False (F) based on the economist's and psychologist's arguments.

1. Economist Robert H. Frank argues that talent and drive are the only things you need to become successful. ( T / F )

2. The speaker says you cannot claim personal moral credit for your talents because you got them from your genes and your environment. ( T / F )

3. If you believe your persistence is just a matter of luck, you are more likely to sit back and wait to see what happens. ( T / F )

4. At the end, Richard Wiseman states that it is impossible for a person to change their mindset and make themselves luckier. ( T / F )

Part 4: Conversation Wrap-Up & Discussion

Discuss these questions :

1. In the newspaper experiment, the lucky people noticed the big message because they were open to unexpected things. Has there ever been a time when you found a great opportunity by accident because you were open-minded?

2. The video mentions that some people are born into better situations or inherit great genes, which is a form of luck. Do you think talent is just good luck, or do you have to work hard to create talent?

3. The speaker says: "Understand the mindset of the lucky person and you can bring more good fortune into your life." Do you believe you can train your brain to be luckier? What is one small thing you can change in your daily routine to test this?

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What do lucky people do differently? | BBC Ideas

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Complete the stories with the expressions. Then write your own examples with the missing words.

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Complete the stories with the expressions. Then write your own examples with the missing words.

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Story 1

When I was seven, my family was on vacation in the US and one day we drove to the Grand Canyon.

The car window was open, and ..... ..... ............., my favorite blanket flew out the window and was gone.

I was devastated. It was my security blanket and | couldn't sleep without it. Soon after, we stopped for gas at a service station. I was sitting in the car feeling miserable eating a sandwich when a biker gang, ...... .........., a group of guys on motorcycles in leather jackets, drove into the gas station. A huge, frightening man with a gray-and-black beard got off his bike and came to the car. He knocked on the window and then pulled my blanket from his jacket pocket and handed it to my mom. He then went back to his motorcycle. I was so happy l ran up to him and gave him my sandwich.

Story 2

This happened about 20 years ago, but the memory is still really ............ . I was recently married, my wife was pregnant, and we had very little money because I only had a part-time job. It was a few days before payday and I went to a food store to get only what we absolutely needed. In all, I bought about $10 ........... ...... stuff. At the checkout, I swiped my debit card. The cashier said, "Sorry. It says 'Declined'. Try again." I asked her to take one item out of the basket, and then I swiped again.

There was now a line of customers behind me. The cashier, said, "Sorry. Declined again." I went on taking things out until the only thing ! had left was a loaf of bread, and then the card was accepted. I took my bread and I left - ! was feeling absolutely humiliated. A few seconds later I heard the voice of a little girl behind me, a girl who was standing with her mother right behind me in the line. She gave me a grocery bag full of all the things I'd put back.

Her mother had bought them for me. I still cry when I remember that moment and think how such a small act can mean so much for a person in need.

Story 3

I'm a painter and ...... ............. ..... years ago I was traveling by plane to see friends and I'd taken my painting things with me. I forgot about the rules about not being able to take liquids in carry-on bags, so when I got to security at the airport, the man ......... ........ all my paints. I was really angry with myself for being so stupid. But when I came back a week later, the security man was there at the baggage claim area with my paints. ...... .......... had he kept them for me, but he'd also looked up the date and time of my return flight so that he could be there to meet me.

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Learn about the modal verbs will and would and do the exercises to practise using them.

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BBC Learning English - Conditionals with Georgie / Third conditional

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Imagine a different past using the third conditional

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AEF 3 10A

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Fill in the blanks using the words from the box.

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Fill in the blanks using the words from the box.

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Actually  |  In fact  |  Like  |  You know  |  I mean

1. "I don't hate general dentistry. _______________, I quite enjoy it, but orthodontics is where my real passion is."

2. "The patient said they brush every day, but _______________, their oral hygiene is quite poor and they have significant plaque build-up."

3. "You need to reduce your consumption of acidic drinks, _______________, sparkling water, soda, or lemon juice."

4. "We need to change your clinic schedule. _______________, we just can't keep working five clinical days straight without a break."

5. "I was so nervous before my first solo root canal. _______________, that feeling when your hands are shaking a little bit but you have to stay totally calm."

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Mini English Lessons: Connected Speech (part 1)

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Part 1: Warm-up Discussion

Answer these questions with your teacher before you listen:

1. Why did you choose dentistry? Was it a choice you made early in life, or a last-minute decision?

2. Do you think dentistry is more of a science, an art, or a perfect combination of both? Why?

Part 2: Listening for Comprehension

First Listening (0:00 – 2:18)

Listen to the first part of the interview and decide if the following sentences are True (T) or False (F).

1. Dentistry was always Nina’s top career choice when she was at school. ( T / F )

2. Nina’s father is a dentist and influenced her career decision. ( T / F )

3. She had to self-study an entire physics module at home before the exam. ( T / F )

4. Nina regrets her last-minute decision to study dentistry. ( T / F )

5. An inspiring tutor in her second year made her want to specialize in orthodontics. ( T / F )

Part 2: Second Listening (2:18 – 6:05)

Listen to the second part of the audio. Take short notes (1–2 words) to fill in the clinical and scheduling details.

The Specialty: Nina chose Orthodontics because it combines science with 1. _______________.

Clinical Skill: General dentistry is very hands-on and requires 2. _______________ work.

Aesthetic Focus: In orthodontics, you look at the smile and how it suits the patient's 3. _______________.

Clinic Schedule: Nina works full-time, but she is only in the clinic for 4. _______________ days.

Running the Business: She uses her days off to rest and do background 5. _______________.

Part 3: Language Focus – Question Formation

The interviewer asks several questions to keep the conversation flowing. Complete the missing words in these questions from the podcast.

1. "Why dentistry and ______ ______ ______ ______ into it?"

2. "______ ______ glad that that's the path you did take in the end?"

3. "______ ______ ______ that this mentor is the reason why you went in that direction...?"

4. "______ many clinical days ______ ______ ______?"

5. "How ______ ______ ______ in clinic?"

Part 4: Natural Speaking & Conversational Fillers

In natural spoken English, people use small words (fillers) to give themselves time to think, transition between ideas, or clarify a point. Match the expressions from the conversation to their functions.

Expressions used in the podcast:

"I mean..."

"In fact..."

"Like..."

"You know..."

"Actually..."

Functions:

To add extra emphasis or surprising truth to a statement: _______________

To check if the listener understands, or to point out something obvious: _______________

To introduce an explanation or clarify what you just said: _______________

To correct a misconception or state reality: _______________

To introduce examples: _______________

Part 5: Speaking Practice

Look at the notes below. Imagine you are interviewing a colleague about their career path. Make questions about the following topics:

1. (Ask about their favorite subject at university)

2. (Ask if they prefer working with children or adults)

3. (Ask how long they have been working at their current clinic)

4. (Ask why they decided to work in general dentistry instead of specializing)

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Dentistry Podcast – Nina Shaffie talks all things orthodontics

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Unknown artist - Unknown album (9/4/2019 1:20:17 PM)

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Unknown artist - Unknown album (9/4/2019 1:20:17 PM)

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Order the interview topics:

a) New Movie

b) Reason for the visit to Toronto

c) Relationship problems

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موسسه زبان راد تایم

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موسسه زبان راد تایم

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Mini English Lessons: Connected Speech (part 2)

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Mini English lessons : Stress timed and weak forms

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Cover letter for a faculty position : Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

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The faculty cover letter, as with cover letters for other positions, is the first part of your application to be read by the Faculty Search Committee. Therefore, the primary purpose of a faculty cover letter is to summarize your application by connecting your Research and Teaching Statements, CV, and references.

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Career Services | University of Pennsylvania

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Career Services | University of Pennsylvania

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Cover letters for faculty job applications

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The cover letter serves as an introduction to your application package and answers the following questions: Who are you? When will you defend your dissertation (if you’re currently ABD)? Why …

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What / you / do ?

You /do /how /have /many /patients /a / day?

When/ last/ did/ attend/ a/ you/ conference?

Do/ what/ you/ to/ like/ work/ do/ after ?

Chose a category:

🧺 Objects 🚶‍♀️ Activities 🧭 Places

Now a number from 1 - 5

A coffee mug

A backpack

A phone charger

A microwave

A pair of sunglasses

Taking a shower

Going for a walk

Watching Netflix

Grocery shopping

Cooking pasta

A pharmacy

A bus stop

A café

A bookstore

A kitchen

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This 5-Year-Old Drummer KILLS it on AGT! 🔥

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Practice

rearrange the words to make 'yes/no' and wh-questions.

1. anywhere did you weekend interesting last go?

2. grow up did you where?

3. did for your car new much how pay you?

4. into your when you did move new house?

5. listening to what you are?

6. the game basketball who won?

7. I borrow can your phone?

8. you do watch want movie a tonight to?
Answers
1. Did you go anywhere interesting last weekend?

[The order of yes/no questions is: auxiliary + subject + main verb.]

2. Where did you grow up?

[The order of object Wh-questions is: question word + auxiliary + subject + verb.]

3. How much did you pay for your new car?

[The order of object Wh-questions: question word + auxiliary + subject + verb.]

4. When did you move into your new house?

[The order of object Wh-questions is: question word + auxiliary + subject + verb.]

5. What are you listening to?

[The order of object Wh-questions is: question word + auxiliary + subject + verb.]

6. Who won the basketball game?

[The order of subject Wh-questions is: question word + verb + object.]

7. Can I borrow your phone?

[The order of yes/no questions is: auxiliary + subject + main verb.]

8. Do you want to watch a movie tonight?

[The order of yes/no questions is: auxiliary + subject + main verb.]

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BBC Learning English - Course: lower intermediate / Unit 1 / Grammar Reference

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1. anywhere did you weekend interesting last go? 2. grow up did you where? 3. did for your car new much how pay you? 4. into your when you did move new house? 5. listening to what you are? 6. the game basketball who won? 7. I borrow can your phone?

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Part 1: Quick Scan (Warm-up)

Read the introduction of the text and answer the following questions:

1. According to the text, what is the most common mistake candidates make?

2. Why is this question considered a "chance to control the narrative"?

Part 2: Vocabulary Match

Find these words/expressions in the text and match them to their meanings:

1. To ramble (verb)

2. Trajectory (noun)

3. Trapping (noun - implied context: "losing the room")

4. Forward-looking (adjective)

Meanings:

A. The path an object or a career follows over time.

B. To talk for a long time in a confused or boring way.

C. Thinking about or planning for the future.

D. A situation where you lose the audience's attention.

Part 3: The Framework Logic

Based on the Present-Past-Future framework, where would you place the following sentences?

A. "I started my career in customer service, which taught me how to handle difficult transitions."

B. "I’m currently managing a team of three and overseeing our digital curriculum."

C. "I’m looking to transition into a role where I can apply my organizational skills on a larger scale."

1. Present: __________

2. Past: __________

3. Future: __________

........................................................................

🎙️ Reading Activity Part 2: Delivery & Strategy

Part 1: True or False?

Based on the "Delivery Tips," decide if these statements are True (T) or False (F):

1. [ ] If you talk for 3 minutes, it shows you are very experienced.

2. [ ] You should avoid reading directly from your notes during the interview.

3. [ ] It is okay to mention that you dislike your current boss as a reason for leaving.

4. [ ] "Walk me through your resume" requires a chronological (time-order) approach.

Part 2: The "Do's and Don'ts" Table

Categorize the following behaviors into the correct column: Fidgeting — Varying your pace — Being too modest — Using a monotone voice — Making eye contact — Reciting your resume line-by-line

✅ The Green Light (Do)

❌ The Red Light (Don't)

Part 3: Identifying the "Question Trap"

Match the Interviewer's Question to the correct strategy:

Questions:

1. "Why should we hire you?"

2. "So, who is [Name]?"

3. "Walk me through your resume."

Strategies:

A. Go chronologically from your first job to your current one.

B. Give a direct "sales pitch" of your top 3 qualifications.

C. Feel free to add a small personal detail before getting professional.

Part 4: Vocabulary: The "Professional Shine"

The text mentions these phrases. Can you explain what they mean in a professional context?

1. "The Sweet Spot" (regarding timing)

2. "Filler words" (e.g., uhm, like, so, basically)

3. "Tailor your answer" (adjusting for a specific company)

>>My Pitch Blueprint:

Present: "I'm currently..."

Past: "Before this, I..."

Future: "I’m interested in this role because..."

Goal Time: 90 - 120 seconds.

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How to Answer ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ in Interviews: Complete Guide | EduAvenues

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Master the most common interview question with proven frameworks, examples, and strategies. Learn how to craft a compelling personal pitch for any interview situation.

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ESL Intermediate Advanced Grammar PDF Drive

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https://www.macmillanenglish.com/br/blog-resources/article/networking-skills-resources

b. Where is your company based?

c. Where are you staying?

d. Do you speak English?

e. Where is he? / Who is he talking to?

f. What do you do?

g. Do you have children? / Have you got children?

h. Where are you from?

i. Are you married? / Are you with anybody?

j. Do you play golf?

k. Have you seen her lately? / Have you met her? / Do you know her?

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Discussion Questions

1. The "Elevator Pitch" Challenge

"Imagine we are at a professional conference and we just met while mingling near the coffee station. Can you give me a 30-second elevator pitch about your current role and your professional background?"

2. Networking Strategy

"How do you usually stay in touch with your common contacts? Do you prefer to follow up via LinkedIn, email, or a casual coffee meeting to maintain the relationship?"

3. Building Rapport

"In your industry, how important is it to click with someone immediately versus having the right technical know-how? Is a good fit based more on personality or on specific skills?"

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Do job interviews stress you out? Do you want help with writing a CV or cover letter in English? In this series, Pippa and Phil take you through every step of getting a job from search, to interview, to your first day. Each episode features advice from a BBC World Service recruitment expert and useful vocabulary tips to help you apply for a job in English.

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Do job interviews stress you out? Do you want help with writing a CV or cover letter in English? In this series, Pippa and Phil take you through every step of getting a job from search, to interview, to your first day.

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Image: Getty

Introduction

It's important to be able to talk about our achievements at work. How do you talk about your strengths? What are interview questions really asking? In this episode of Office English, Pippa and Phil talk about phrases for selling yourself at work and when to use them.
TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is a transcript of a spoken conversation and is not a word-for-word script.

Pippa
How good are you at talking about your achievements?

Voicenote clips
I find it really painful to say, 'Oh, yeah. I'm really good at this' or 'I did a really good job at that.' I even find it embarrassing and painful to be told that, even if somebody thinks that I have done a good job.

I definitely think it's important to be able to sell yourself at work, not only for your managers and your bosses and even your colleagues to have confidence in you and your work and what you're able to produce, but also to give yourself that confidence.

Pippa
Hello and welcome to Office English from BBC Learning English. I'm Pippa.

Phil
And I'm Phil. In this podcast we discuss the language you need to help you succeed at work.

Pippa
OK, let's begin with how to talk about your strengths. What phrases can we use, Phil?

Phil
OK, so we have some ways to start talking about the positives, but in a job interview an employer might be looking for more evidence of the things that you're good at. What's the best approach here, Pippa?

Phil
Yeah, I think numbers and things like this are really good. Details are really important because anyone can go in and say 'I'm brilliant. Give me a job!' But here you're giving specific reasons, you're saying 'this happened, it happened by this much and that was a result of my actions'. You're... you're giving evidence as to why you would be good at a job.

Phil
Yes and it gives the hiring manager an idea of what kind of difference you could make to their organisation.

Pippa
And these phrases and examples would work the same in a conversation with your manager like an appraisal, which is where you talk about the work that you've done and talk about your goals for the future.

So we've got lots of ways to talk about our strengths. But when's the best time to do it? When we're in a job interview or an appraisal, sometimes it's not clear what the best answers are, Phil.

Phil
Yes and so other questions that you might be asked could be things like how did you feel about... a particular situation. Or maybe it's they've asked you about a mistake and they're asking you how did you feel about that? or how did you react to it? And it's not really asking about your feelings, it's asking what you've learnt from that situation, how you developed.

Pippa
Yeah. So what people want to know when they're asking these kinds of questions is how you might react in the future. So if you came across the same problem in the job today, you know, how might you be different, what have you learned. And often people ask about mistakes and that can be quite stressful because you don't really want to say 'I did this thing wrong', but yes, it is an opportunity to talk about how you've learned something.

Phil
In fact, a lot of these questions, you're basically telling a story about yourself, but a story that shows why you're really good for this job.

Pippa
Yeah and it's kind of the same even when you're already in a job, you're talking with your manager, you're reviewing your work. It's really about being able to tell the right kind of story about things that you've done and what you want to achieve in the future.

Voicenote clips
I find it really painful to say 'Oh, yeah, I'm really good at this' or 'I did a really good job that.' I even find it embarrassing and painful to be told that, even if somebody thinks that I have done a good job.

I had one instance where I was asked to introduce myself and talk about my work experience in a meeting and so I did that and my boss said that actually, I was being very modest about my achievements in a particular area and I, as a response, made it seem very negative. I said, 'Oh, no, no. It's this. It's this. Oh, this is really bad. This is really bad' when there was no need for that.

Pippa
Yeah so it's a balance between being modest and being able to boast or talk about your achievements to sell yourself. It could be different in different companies and different cultures, as we always say, but in a job interview probably you don't want to be too modest, you want to be able to sell yourself!

Phil
Well, that's the end of this episode of Office English.

Pippa
And the end of the series.

Phil
We'll be back soon with more programmes to help you with your business English. But for now, we'd love to hear from you. Have you enjoyed this series? Are there any situations at work where you would like help with your English?

Pippa
Perhaps you would like more tips on applying for and getting a job in English. Or maybe you'd like to hear from some successful entrepreneurs. Email us your suggestions and questions to learning.english@bbc.co.uk and we will do our best to cover your problem in a future episode.

Phil
And remember, there's loads more ways to improve your English with BBC Learning English. You can check out another of our podcasts, 6 Minute English, or head to our website for courses and activities: bbclearningenglish.com

Pippa
Thanks for listening to Office English. Bye for now!

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BBC Learning English - Office English / Selling yourself

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Learn how to talk about your achievements

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Instructions: Listen to the podcast (or read the transcript) and fill in the missing professional phrases and vocabulary.

1. Managing your reputation: It is important to be able to seel __yourself______ at work so that your managers have confidence in what you are able to produce.

2. Highlighting a specific skill: "In my current role, I think I _particularly_______ ___excell_____ at organizing large events and managing tight deadlines."

3. Talking about past success: "If you look at my history with the company, I’m really __proud___ ____of____ ____my____ ___record_____ on reducing customer complaints."

4. Proving your value with numbers: "I didn't just change the workflow; ___through_____ __my______ _actions_______, we saw a ten percent increase in productivity."

5. Improving based on advice: "It’s important to show your boss that you have taken ________ ________ ________ and used it to improve your performance."

6. The "Before and After" story: "___When_____ I __started______ in this role, the filing system was a mess, but through my hard work, now everything is digital and easy to find."

.

.

.

.

.

1. sell yourself (To promote your own skills/value)

2. particularly excel (To be exceptionally good at something)

3. proud of my record (Referring to your "track record" or history of success)

4. through my actions (Used to link your specific work to a result)

5. feedback on board (To accept and act upon advice/criticism)

6. When I started (Starting an "anecdote" or story about your progress)

Listening / Strategy Activity: What are they REALLY asking?

Instructions: In an interview, the question the manager asks is often different from what they actually want to know. Match the "Interviewer’s Question" on the left with the "True Meaning" on the right.

The Questions:

1. "Tell us about yourself."

2. "How did you feel about that mistake?"

3. "Why did you apply for this job?"

4. "What did you learn from that situation?"

The True Meanings (What they want to know):

A. How have you developed or improved your skills after a problem?

B. Tell me the specific things about you that make you right for this role.

C. How will you react in the future if you face a similar problem?

D. How do your skills match our company’s goals?

Vocabulary Check: True or False?

Instructions: Based on the transcript, decide if these statements are True (T) or False (F).

1. [ ] If an interviewer asks "Tell me about yourself," you should talk about your pets and where you live.

2. [ ] Being "modest" means you like to boast about how brilliant you are.

3. [ ] Talking about a mistake is a good opportunity to show how you have learned and grown.

4. [ ] You should "flatter" the company by saying positive things about why you want to work there.

5. [ ] Native English speakers usually find it very easy and painless to talk about their achievements.

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https://www.eduavenues.com/blog/tell-me-about-yourself-guide

I come from ...

a simple / humble family

a small town in Brazil

I've always studied in public institutuions.

During college it was hard for me to make ends meet.

I'm a dentist and I have a master's degree in Orthodontics and a PhD / doctor's degree in Radiology.

My paper in master's degree is/was about jiggling movement in humans. //

I've published a paper about jiggling movement in humans for my master's degree and another one about the effects of radiation on bond strength in different adhesives to dentine for my doctor's degree, among others.

I've been working in clinic for 36 years and I've also taught in some institutions for about 20 years. I'd like / My dream is to work in an American University as a professor. I'd like to spread/share my experience and exchange knowledge/ learn with the next generations while also going back to doing research.

I've taken the Tweed Course two times, first in 1996 and again in 2001, in Tucson, Arizona.

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American English File Starter Practice Video Unit 9 - 10 People On the street | ACES Education

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Not Afraid to Ask for Directions | Brain Games

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Jackie
Hello. Welcome to bbclearningenglish.com. I'm Jackie Dalton. Today's programme is all about giving and understanding directions.
Our reporter Helen is new to London and has been out asking people for directions to various different places. We'll take a look at some of the key phrases that come up as she tries to find her way around. Let's start with a simple one.
EXAMPLE
Helen
Can you tell me how to get to the nearest toilet, please?

Woman
To the nearest toilet? Yes - you just go down the stairs here, turn right and it's just on your right.

Jackie
Nice and easy. Turn right or turn left - a simple way of telling people in which direction they should go. And if you want to describe the position of a particular place in relation to the person you can say it's on your right, or on your left. Let's listen to that clip once more.
EXAMPLE
Helen
Can you tell me how to get to the nearest toilet, please?

Woman
To the nearest toilet? Yes - you just go down the stairs here, turn right and it's just on your right.

Jackie
Now listen out for a slightly different way of telling someone to turn left or right.
EXAMPLE
Helen
Can I ask you how to get to the nearest bus stop please?

Man 1
Just go straight to the bottom there. Just take a left turn.

Man 2
Take a left turn and that's it.

Man 1
Yeah, it's just round the corner.

Jackie
That's another way of telling someone to go in a particular direction. Earlier we heard the phrase turn right or turn left; you could also say take a left or take a left turn.
A word that's already come up five times is just. Listen to how it's used.
EXAMPLES
Woman
Yes - you just go down the stairs here, turn right and it's just on your right.

Man 1
Just go straight to the bottom there. Just take a left turn -

Man 2
Take a left turn and that's it.

Man 1
Yeah, it's just round the corner.

Jackie
Just is a sort of filler and a way of suggesting that what the person has to do isn't difficult; just go down the stairs somehow sounds easier than go down the stairs. Listen again.
EXAMPLES
Woman
Yes - you just go down the stairs here, turn right and it's just on your right.

Man 1
Just go straight to the bottom there. Just take a left turn -

Man 2
Take a left turn and that's it.

Man 1
Yeah, it's just round the corner.

Jackie
One thing that can be confusing when it comes to directions is the use of the word right. Listen to this clip. The word right is used in three different ways.
EXAMPLE
Helen
Do you know how to get to Covent Garden?

Man
Yeah, yeah. You just go - at the end of the street, go left and then go right and take the second right around the Aldwych theatre. Go right up there, then go left and Covent Garden Market will just be right in front you. You just walk down.

Jackie
Let's break that down.

EXAMPLE
At the end of the street, go left and then go right.

Jackie
Simple enough: go right means the same as turn right or take a right. What about here?

EXAMPLE
Around the Aldwych theatre. Go right up there, then go left.

Jackie
Go right up there could be interpreted in two different ways and even a native English speaker could get confused here. The man could have meant turn right, or he could have meant go all the way up there. Go right up there - go all the way up there. We say things like go right to the end of the road to mean go all the way to the end of the road - very different from taking a right turn. A clue is often in the prepositions. If you're telling someone to turn, it often comes with the preposition at. For example, Go right at the main road. Whereas the preposition up - Go right up the main road - tends to mean go all the way up the main road. If you're not sure, just ask. So that's two different uses of right. What about the third?

EXAMPLE
And Covent Garden Market will just be right in front of you.

Jackie
Covent Garden will just be right in front of you. He could also have said Covent Garden will be directly in front of you or immediately in front of you - it's not far away. Right in front of you in this context means it's not far away.

Let's listen to the next set of directions. Listen out for an expression in this clip which means it's very easy to see.
EXAMPLE
Helen
I was wondering if I could ask you how to get to the nearest tube station?

Man
Err, you could use Holborn tube station, which is straight down Oxford street. Turn right and keep going up Kingsway and you won't miss it - it's on the right.

Jackie
Did you spot the expression? You won't miss it is a nice way of saying it's very easy to see. Now listen to the beginning of this sentence:

EXAMPLE
Keep going up Kingsway and you won't miss it.

Jackie
Keep going is a good way of telling someone they will have to walk or drive for a while before they get to a certain point.

Let's end with a couple of questions to check you've understood some of today's language.

Which is correct?: The building is at your right, or, The building is on your right?
The second is correct: we use the preposition on. The building is on your right.

Which of these would be a correct way of telling someone to turn left?: Take a left, or, Have a left?
The first one is correct: Have a left doesn't make sense - Take a left is fine.

Which of these phrases means turn right?: Go right to the end of the road, or, Go right at the end of the road?
The second one, with the preposition at, means turn right. Go right up the road usually means go all the way up the road.

That's all for now, but keep practising your English with our quizzes, games and programmes on BBCLearningEnglish.com.

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BBC Learning English - Course: How to... Speak English / Unit 1 / Session 6 / Activity 1

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Jackie Hello. Welcome to bbclearningenglish.com. I'm Jackie Dalton. Today's programme is all about giving and understanding directions.Our reporter Helen is new to London and has been out asking people for directions to various different places. We'll take a look at some of the key phrases that come up as she tries to find her way around.

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1. Match the words/phrases to their meanings to prepare for the talk.

1. Food Desert (n) ____

2. Vacant Lot (n) ____

3. Sustainable (adj) ____

4. Defiant (adj) ____

5. Produce (n) ____

6. "Flip the script" (idiom) ____

7. "The whole nine" (idiom) ____

A. Everything; including all possible related elements.

B. To do something unexpected; to change a situation to the opposite.

C. An empty area of land in a city that is not being used.

D. Able to be maintained or continued over a long period.

E. An area where it is difficult to buy affordable, fresh, healthy food.

F. Fresh fruits and vegetables.

G. Showing open resistance or bold disobedience.

2. The Big Picture

Listen to the clip and answer the following questions.

1. What was the city’s "solution" to the problems in South Central, and did the speaker think it worked?

2. What does the speaker mean by the phrase: "The drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys"?

3. Why did the city initially send the speaker a warrant?

3. Detail Check

Fill in the blanks with the exact words or numbers used in the talk.

The obesity rate in the speaker’s neighborhood is (1) _________ times higher than in Beverly Hills.

The speaker’s "parkway" garden is (2) _________ feet by 10 feet.

L.A. owns (3) _________ square miles of vacant lots—the equivalent of (4) _________ Central Parks.

According to the speaker, growing your own food is like (5) "___________________________."

4.Listen to the second half of the talk. For each statement, write T (True), F (False), or NG (Not Given) based on what the speaker says.

1. ____ Ron feels that gardening is a "defiant" act specifically when done in the inner city.

2. ____ The mother and daughter in the garden at 10:30 PM were trying to sell the vegetables.

3. ____ Ron was angry and shouted at the people he found in his yard at night.

4. ____ The speaker believes that if children are involved in growing healthy food, they are more likely to eat it.

5. ____ Ron claims that "L.A. Green Grounds" has successfully planted over 50 gardens so far.

6. ____ The speaker wants to create a system where all food in the community is given away for free forever.

7. ____ He plans to repurpose shipping containers to create healthy cafes in the neighborhood.

8. ____ Ron suggests that to be a "real gangsta," you should use a shovel as your "weapon."

9. ____ The city council has already provided all the funding for Ron's "shipping container" project.

10. ____ The speaker believes that changing the "soil" (the environment/people) is necessary to change the community's future.

Do you agree that "growing your own food is like printing your own money"? Why or why not?

Ron says "free is not sustainable." Do you think it’s better to give people food for free or give them a job growing it?

If you had a vacant lot in your neighborhood, what would you plant there to change the community?

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A guerilla gardener in South Central LA | Ron Finley

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Jill and Chris are discussing a topic. Who agrees with each statement?

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Jill and Chris are discussing a topic. Who agrees with each statement?

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1- The government should ban smoking.

2- Everyone should have a choice.

3- Smoking makes a lot of work for doctors.

4- Everyone does dangerous things every day.

5- The government can't control everything.

6- Smoking has no purpose.

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Say your opinion: As far as I know ....

Agree: I see.

You have a point. / I see your point, but ...

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Handout page 22 and 23

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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Quiz - A series of multiple choice questions. Tap the correct answer to proceed.

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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Quiz - A series of multiple choice questions. Tap the correct answer to proceed.

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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Spin the wheel - Spin the wheel to see which item comes up next.

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The English We Speak is your chance to catch up on the very latest English words and phrases. In under 3 minutes, we help you stay ahead of the pack by giving you 'must have' phrases that you can use in your everyday conversation. Amaze your friends, impress your teachers and delight your parents with these fantastic words and phrases.

Let us know how you get on using them on Facebook.

For programmes from 2023, visit our The English We Speak 2023 archive

For programmes from 2022, visit our The English We Speak 2022 archive

For programmes from before 2022, visit our The English We Speak archive

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BBC Learning English - The English We Speak

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The English We Speak is your chance to catch up on the very latest English words and phrases. In under 3 minutes, we help you stay ahead of the pack by giving you 'must have' phrases that you can use in your everyday conversation.

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BBC Learning English - Course: How to... Speak English / Unit 1

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Do you want to learn 'how to' say and do various things in English? In this series, there are episodes on introducing and greeting people, being sarcastic, making polite invitations and many other things. Check it out!

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TOEFL Listening – Choose a Response #1 | Listen in English

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Practice the Listen and Choose a Response task from the new TOEFL Test (2026).

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phrases for:

aiport//airplane

hotel

directions

taking uber/taxi ; transportation

Askig for help; requests

Showing interest

ordering food - food vocabulary

problems

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TOEFL Writing: Build a Sentence

Instructions: Reorder the word chunks to form a grammatically correct sentence that responds to the prompt. Note: Some questions contain one extra chunk that should not be used.

1. "Do you prefer living in a studio or sharing a flat?"

than / share / living / live / I'd rather / with friends / an apartment / on my own

2. "We have tickets for both. Which do you prefer?"

go / rather / or / would / you / to a concert / a sporting event ?

3. "Is it okay if I take some pictures of the food?"

take / didn't / photos / I'd rather / during dinner / you / don't

4. "Should we call your parents and see if they have a spare room?"

stayed / in a hotel / we / and not / stay / I'd rather / with your parents

5. "Can I come over this Friday to help you move?"

on Saturday / I'd rather / came / you / busy / I'm / on Friday

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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Distribua cartas de um baralho embaralhado aleatoriamente.. , , , , , , , , , .

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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1) Greg´s really late. He ......... lost. a) may have got b) should have got c) might has got 2) They didn´t accept credit cards. We .......... some cash. a) could have brought b) should have brought c) mustn´t have brought 3) You ................... that book. You only started it yesterday and it´s got over 600 pages! a) should have finished b) must have finished c) can´t have finished 4) Maria looks so tired. She ..............very well last night. a) can´t have slept b) must have slept c) should have slept 5) You ................. with us last night. We had a great time! a) can´t have come b) should have come c) must have come 6) Nobody´s answering the phone at the Town Hall. They ................ early. a) should have left b) could have left c) might have left 7) Ellie always rings me on my birthday, but this year she didn´t. She ........... a) should have forgotten b) could have forgotten c) must have forgotten 8) I don´t have my wallet with me! I ............. it at home. a) must have left b) should have left c) couldn't have left 9) My neighbor has just bought a really expensive new car. She ........... the lottery! a) could win b) should have won c) might have won 10) It´s your own fault you got sunburnt! You .......... on sunscreen. a) must have put b) ought to have put c) couldn´t have put 11) You ........ me to do the homework. I did it last night. a) didn't need to remember b) needn't have remembered c) needn't have reminded

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1) Greg´s really late. He ......... lost. 2) They didn´t accept credit cards. We .......... some cash.

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موسسه زبان راد تایم

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موسسه زبان راد تایم