Your first week at a new job: English Listening Practice

Intermediate · B1–B2 Episode 4 of 8 · about 3 minutes · Hosts: Mel and Josh

1. Before you listen: key words

Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.

welcome aboard welcome to the team
smoko a short break at work
just to check a polite way to confirm you understood
I missed that I didn't hear or understand what you said
servo a petrol station
go for a drink meet at a pub or bar after work
I really appreciate it thank you very much

2. Listen to the episode

Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.

3. Check your understanding

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4. Shadow the hosts

Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.

5. Talk about it

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Listening Room, episode 4: Your first week at a new job

Intermediate (B1–B2) · englishcoaching.au

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

welcome aboard: ________________________
smoko: ________________________
just to check: ________________________
I missed that: ________________________
servo: ________________________
go for a drink: ________________________
I really appreciate it: ________________________

2. Questions

How do most Australian coworkers address their manager?
☐ Mr or Ms + surname ☐ By first name ☐ Sir or Madam
What is 'smoko'?
☐ A short break ☐ A smoking area ☐ A meeting
What's Josh's best tip for the first week?
☐ Work late ☐ Ask questions ☐ Don't talk much
How can you politely say no to after-work drinks?
☐ No. ☐ Not this time, but thanks for asking! ☐ I don't like drinking.
What should you say at the end of the week?
☐ See you never ☐ Thanks for all your help this week ☐ I'm tired

3. Talk or write about it

Introduce yourself to a new team: your name, your role, and one friendly sentence. Then ask a coworker a question about the job.

Transcript

Josh: G'day, I'm Josh, and welcome to the Listening Room.

Mel: I'm Mel. Today: your first week at a new job in Australia. Exciting, but a bit scary too.

Josh: Definitely. Let's start with day one. Your manager introduces you to the team. What do you say?

Mel: Keep it short and friendly. 'Hi, I'm Priya. I've just started in the accounts team. Nice to meet you.'

Josh: And people will probably say, 'Welcome aboard!' or 'Good to have you here.'

Mel: One thing that surprises many people is first names. In most Australian workplaces, everyone uses first names, even with the boss.

Josh: Yes, you don't need 'Mr Smith' or 'Sir'. Just 'Hi David'.

Mel: Another surprise is smoko. You'll hear 'Smoko in ten minutes!' It just means a short break. Nothing to do with smoking.

Josh: My best tip for the first week: ask questions. Nobody expects you to know everything.

Mel: Good phrases are: 'Sorry, could you show me how to do that?' and 'Just to check, do you mean…?'

Josh: And if you didn't hear something, it's fine to say, 'Sorry, I missed that. Could you say it again?'

Mel: Australians speak quite fast, and we shorten lots of words. Even people from other English-speaking countries get confused.

Josh: Like 'arvo', 'brekkie', 'rego', 'servo'…

Mel: Exactly. If you hear a word you don't know, just ask. 'Sorry, what's a servo?' People usually love explaining Aussie slang.

Josh: What about lunch? Should you eat with the team?

Mel: If someone invites you, say yes, at least once. It's the easiest way to get to know people.

Josh: And on Friday, someone might say, 'A few of us are going for a drink after work, want to come?'

Mel: You don't have to drink alcohol. You can just have a soft drink and chat. Or say, 'Not this time, but thanks for asking!'

Josh: Last tip: at the end of the week, thank the person who helped you. 'Thanks for all your help this week, I really appreciate it.'

Mel: Lovely. Good luck with your new job, everyone!

Answers: 1. By first name · 2. A short break · 3. Ask questions · 4. Not this time, but thanks for asking! · 5. Thanks for all your help this week