language learning center · C1 · Lesson 1
Explaining what concerns you
Explain which part of a proposal you support, what worries you, and what would make it workable.
Step 1 of 8 — Dialogue
~5 min~40 min total
Work from a natural example to useful language, one small pattern, a spoken attempt, and a response that is relevant to your life.
Maya
I'm happy to have a few days when we're all in the office. What worries me is having to be there at eight every morning.
Leo
Is that because of the school run, or would the earlier start be a problem anyway?
Maya
It's mainly the school run. I can be there by nine, but eight would mean arranging extra childcare. Couldn't we agree on a few hours when everyone needs to be there?
Leo
That sounds reasonable. We'd still have time together, and people could work the rest of their hours around other commitments.
Understand a natural example and learn a small set of useful words, phrases, and patterns.
These items were selected by the lesson curriculum for practical use—not extracted as an every-word list.
What worries me is having to be there at eight every morning.
I'm happy to have a few days when we're all in the office. What worries me is having to be there at eight every morning.
Would the earlier start be a problem anyway?
Is that because of the school run, or would the earlier start be a problem anyway?
It's mainly the school run.
It's mainly the school run. I can be there by nine, but eight would mean arranging extra childcare. Couldn't we agree on a few hours when everyone needs to be there?
Couldn't we agree on a few hours when everyone needs to be there?
It's mainly the school run. I can be there by nine, but eight would mean arranging extra childcare. Couldn't we agree on a few hours when everyone needs to be there?
We'd still have time together.
That sounds reasonable. We'd still have time together, and people could work the rest of their hours around other commitments.
What would best address Maya’s concern while keeping time together in the office?
Listen, then choose what you heard.
Write a reply to this line. Use a phrase from the lesson.
I'm happy to have a few days when we're all in the office. What worries me is having to be there at eight every morning.
Answer before viewing the model
Answer in your own words. Record yourself, listen back, and then compare your response with the model answer.
Discuss a proposed change at work or in your study group. Explain what you support, describe one practical concern, and suggest an adjustment. Respond if your partner raises a different concern.
Think of a schedule change that would affect your commute, family, or other commitments. What could you adjust, and what would be difficult to change?
Find an arrangement that works for both of you
Learning rewards
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- 1. Suggest a time for your next practice session and explain why it suits you.
- 2. Ask whether that time causes any problems for your partner.
- 3. If your needs differ, suggest an adjustment and explain what it would solve.
- 4. Agree on a plan and check that you have understood each other.