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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 15 · Basic · A2
Calling in sick and running late
Tell your manager you're sick or running late, clearly and politely.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
Have you ever been late for work or class? What did you say?
Key phrase 1 of 8
I'm sorry, I'm not well today.
Start simply.
Key phrase 2 of 8
I won't be able to come in.
You can't come to work.
Key phrase 3 of 8
I've got a fever and a sore throat.
Say your symptoms briefly.
Key phrase 4 of 8
I'll get a medical certificate.
A note from a doctor or pharmacist.
Key phrase 5 of 8
I'm running about fifteen minutes late.
You'll arrive late.
Key phrase 6 of 8
The train's been delayed.
Give a short reason.
Key phrase 7 of 8
I'll be there as soon as I can.
Promise to come quickly.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Sorry for the short notice.
Apologise when you tell them late.
Conversation
Manager and Joseph
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 8
Manager
Hello, this is Karen.
Conversation · line 2 of 8
Manager: Hello, this is Karen.
Joseph
Hi Karen, it's Joseph. I'm sorry, I'm not well today. I won't be able to come in.
Conversation · line 3 of 8
Joseph: Hi Karen, it's Joseph. I'm sorry, I'm not well today. I won't be able to come in.
Manager
Oh no. What's wrong?
Conversation · line 4 of 8
Manager: Oh no. What's wrong?
Joseph
I've got a fever and a sore throat. I'm going to see the doctor this morning.
Conversation · line 5 of 8
Joseph: I've got a fever and a sore throat. I'm going to see the doctor this morning.
Manager
OK, thanks for letting me know early. Can you get a medical certificate?
Conversation · line 6 of 8
Manager: OK, thanks for letting me know early. Can you get a medical certificate?
Joseph
Yes, I'll get one and email it to you.
Conversation · line 7 of 8
Joseph: Yes, I'll get one and email it to you.
Manager
Great. Rest up and get well soon.
Conversation · line 8 of 8
Manager: Great. Rest up and get well soon.
Joseph
Thanks, Karen. Sorry for the short notice.
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Manager. Student B is Joseph. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
Hi, it's … I'm sorry, I'm not well today.
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
I won't be able to come in.
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
I'm running about fifteen minutes late.
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
When should you tell your manager you're sick?
- A After your shift
- B As early as possible, before your shift
- C The next week
✓ B: Tell them as early as you can, before your shift starts.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
What is a 'medical certificate'?
- A A note saying you were too sick to work
- B A health insurance card
- C A prescription
✓ A: Many workplaces ask for one when you're away sick.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
Which sentence says you'll be late?
- A I'm running late.
- B I'm running away.
- C I'm running to work.
✓ A: 'Running late' means you'll arrive late.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
What does 'Rest up' mean?
- A Get some rest
- B Stand up
- C Start working
✓ A: Rest up = relax and recover.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
Choose the polite option.
- A I'm not coming.
- B Sorry, I won't be able to come in today.
- C No work today.
✓ B: Short, clear and polite.
Good to know in Australia 🇦🇺
Most employees in Australia get paid sick leave (part of 'personal leave'), but casual workers usually don't. Check your contract or the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.au/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.au
· englishcoaching.au
Teacher notes
Level: Basic · A2 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "Have you ever been late for work or class? What did you say?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Manager and student B is Joseph. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Manager is read by Mel and Joseph by Josh. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Good to know in Australia
Most employees in Australia get paid sick leave (part of 'personal leave'), but casual workers usually don't. Check your contract or the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Calling in sick and running late. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 15: Calling in sick and running late
Tell your manager you're sick or running late, clearly and politely.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: able · certificate · delayed · notice · running · soon · sorry · throat
- I'm , I'm not well today. (Start simply)
- I won't be to come in. (You can't come to work)
- I've got a fever and a sore . (Say your symptoms briefly)
- I'll get a medical . (A note from a doctor or pharmacist)
- I'm about fifteen minutes late. (You'll arrive late)
- The train's been . (Give a short reason)
- I'll be there as as I can. (Promise to come quickly)
- Sorry for the short . (Apologise when you tell them late)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Manager: Hello, is Karen.
- Joseph: Hi Karen, it's Joseph. I'm sorry, I'm not well . I won't be able to come in.
- Manager: Oh no. What's ?
- Joseph: I've got a fever and a sore throat. I'm going to see the doctor this .
- Manager: OK, thanks for me know early. Can you get a medical certificate?
- Joseph: Yes, I'll get one and it to you.
- Manager: Great. Rest up and get soon.
- Joseph: Thanks, Karen. Sorry for the notice.
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
When should you tell your manager you're sick?
a) After your shiftb) As early as possible, before your shiftc) The next week
What is a 'medical certificate'?
a) A note saying you were too sick to workb) A health insurance cardc) A prescription
Which sentence says you'll be late?
a) I'm running late.b) I'm running away.c) I'm running to work.
What does 'Rest up' mean?
a) Get some restb) Stand upc) Start working
Choose the polite option.
a) I'm not coming.b) Sorry, I won't be able to come in today.c) No work today.
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- Hi, it's I'm sorry, I'm not well today.
- I won't be able to come in.
- I'm running about fifteen minutes late.
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/calling-in-sick-and-running-late/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 15: Calling in sick and running late
A. Key phrases
- I'm sorry, I'm not well today.
- I won't be able to come in.
- I've got a fever and a sore throat.
- I'll get a medical certificate.
- I'm running about fifteen minutes late.
- The train's been delayed.
- I'll be there as soon as I can.
- Sorry for the short notice.
B. Conversation gaps
- this
- today
- wrong
- morning
- letting
- well
- short
C. Quiz
- b) As early as possible, before your shift
- a) A note saying you were too sick to work
- a) I'm running late.
- a) Get some rest
- b) Sorry, I won't be able to come in today.
englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/calling-in-sick-and-running-late/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach calling in sick and running late to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Basic level, about CEFR A2. It is lesson 15 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/calling-in-sick-and-running-late/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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