routines for English learners
Dialogue 1: A Day at Work (Office Environment)
Characters: Maria (new employee), David (colleague), Jennifer (supervisor)
8:45 AM – Arriving at Work
Maria walks into the office building and scans her ID badge at the entrance.
Security Guard: Good morning! Have a great day.
Maria: Thanks! You too!
Maria takes the elevator to the third floor and walks to her desk.
8:50 AM – Greeting Colleagues
David: Hey Maria! Good morning. How was your weekend?
Maria: Hi David! It was nice, thanks. I went to the farmers market. How about you?
David: Pretty relaxing. I just stayed home and caught up on some shows. Did you see the email about today’s meeting?
Maria: Not yet. I’m just getting settled. Let me check my computer.
Cultural Note: In American workplaces, it’s common to have brief, friendly conversations with colleagues when you arrive. Small talk about weekends, weather, or general topics helps build workplace relationships.
9:00 AM – Starting the Computer and Checking Emails
Maria sits at her desk, turns on her computer, and logs in.
Maria: (thinking aloud) Okay, let me see what I have today…
She opens her email program and scans her inbox.
Maria: (reading) “Team meeting at 10 AM”… “Project update needed by Friday”… “Lunch and Learn session on Wednesday”…
She makes a mental note of her priorities for the day.
10:00 AM – Morning Meeting
The team gathers in the conference room.
Jennifer: Good morning, everyone! Thanks for coming. Let’s get started. I want to go over our progress on the Johnson project. Maria, could you give us an update on the customer survey results?
Maria: Sure, Jennifer. I finished analyzing the data on Friday. Overall, 85% of customers said they were satisfied with our service. However, some customers mentioned that our response time could be faster.
David: That’s really helpful, Maria. We should probably discuss how to improve our response time.
Jennifer: Good point, David. Let’s put that on our action items list. Maria, can you take notes for this meeting?
Maria: Of course. I’m taking notes on my laptop.
Cultural Note: In American meetings, it’s normal to participate actively by asking questions and sharing ideas. Taking turns speaking and being concise are valued. “Action items” are specific tasks that need to be completed after the meeting.
10:45 AM – Mid-Morning Coffee Break
After the meeting, Maria and David walk to the break room.
David: Want to grab some coffee?
Maria: Yes, definitely! That meeting was intense.
David: (pouring coffee) Yeah, Jennifer always packs a lot into our Monday meetings. Hey, are you bringing lunch today or going out?
Maria: I brought lunch from home. I made pasta salad yesterday.
David: Nice! I’m trying to save money too, so I’ve been meal prepping on Sundays.
Cultural Note: Coffee breaks are common in American workplaces, usually 10-15 minutes in the morning and afternoon. Many Americans prepare meals at home (“meal prep”) to save money and time during the work week.
11:00 AM – Working on Tasks and Making Phone Calls
Maria returns to her desk and works on preparing a report.
Maria: (to herself) I need to call Mr. Thompson about his account before lunch.
She dials the phone number.
Maria: Hello, Mr. Thompson? This is Maria from DataTech Solutions. I’m calling to follow up on your recent order… Yes, everything has been processed and should arrive by Wednesday… You’re very welcome! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us. Have a great day!
She hangs up and makes notes about the call in the customer database.
Cultural Note: In American business culture, phone calls should be polite but efficient. It’s important to introduce yourself, state the purpose of your call, and thank the person at the end.
12:00 PM – Lunch Break
Maria goes to the office cafeteria with her lunch container.
David: Mind if I sit here?
Maria: Not at all! Please, join me.
David: Your pasta salad looks delicious. So, how are you adjusting to the new job?
Maria: Pretty well, thanks. Everyone has been really helpful. I’m still learning all the software systems, but I’m getting better.
David: That’s normal. It took me about a month to feel comfortable with everything. If you ever have questions, just ask. We’re all here to help each other.
Maria: I appreciate that. The team is very supportive.
Cultural Note: Lunch breaks are usually 30 minutes to one hour. Some people eat at their desks, while others go to the cafeteria or go out. Lunchtime is often more casual and a good time to build relationships with colleagues.
1:00 PM – Collaborating with Team Members
Maria and David work together on a project presentation.
Maria: David, can you help me with this slide? I’m not sure how to present this data clearly.
David: Sure! Let me take a look… Hmm, I think a bar graph would work better than a pie chart here. It will make the comparison easier to see.
Maria: That’s a good idea! Can you show me how to create that in the software?
David: No problem. First, you select your data, then click on “Insert,” then “Chart”… See? Now you can choose the bar graph option.
Maria: Perfect! Thanks so much. This looks much clearer now.
Cultural Note: Collaboration and teamwork are highly valued in American workplaces. Asking for help is seen as positive and shows you want to learn and do good work.
2:00 PM – Using Office Equipment
Maria needs to print and scan documents for her report.
Maria: (at the printer) Let me see… I need to make 10 copies of this report and scan this contract.
The printer jams.
Maria: Oh no… (reading the display screen) “Paper jam in tray 2.”
David: Having printer trouble?
Maria: Yes, it’s jammed. I’m not sure how to fix it.
David: No worries, it happens all the time. Open this door here… see? You pull out the paper carefully… There! Now it should work.
Maria: Thank you! I was worried I would break it.
David: Don’t worry. We all have trouble with this printer. It’s pretty old.
Cultural Note: Most offices have shared equipment like printers, scanners, and copiers. It’s normal to ask colleagues for help if you’re not sure how to use something.
3:00 PM – Afternoon Meeting and Taking Notes
The team has a quick check-in meeting about weekly priorities.
Jennifer: Thanks for joining this quick meeting. I want to make sure everyone is on track for Friday’s deadline. Maria, how is the customer report coming along?
Maria: I’m almost finished. I just need to add the recommendations section, and it will be ready by Thursday.
Jennifer: Excellent. David, what about the website updates?
David: I’m working with the IT department on that. We should have it completed by Wednesday.
Jennifer: Great. Maria, could you send me the meeting notes from this morning by the end of the day?
Maria: Yes, I’ll email them to you before 5 PM.
4:30 PM – Completing Reports and Answering Questions
Maria is finishing her report when she receives an email from a customer.
Maria: (reading email) “Dear DataTech team, I have a question about my invoice. Can someone please explain the service charges?”
Maria replies to the email.
Maria: (typing) “Dear Ms. Wilson, Thank you for your email. I’d be happy to explain the charges on your invoice. The service charge includes…”
After sending the email, she completes her report and saves it.
Maria: (to herself) Okay, report is done. Let me review it one more time before I submit it.
Cultural Note: In American business culture, responding to emails promptly (usually within 24 hours) is important. Email communication is typically polite but more direct and less formal than in some other cultures.
5:00 PM – End of Work Day
David: Heading out, Maria?
Maria: Yes, I’m just shutting down my computer. What a busy day!
David: Tell me about it! See you tomorrow!
Maria: See you tomorrow! Have a good evening!
Cultural Note: The typical work day in American offices is 9 AM to 5 PM (or 8 AM to 5 PM with a lunch break), though this varies by company. Saying goodbye to colleagues at the end of the day is common and polite.
Dialogue 2: A Day at School (Community College/Adult Education)
Characters: Carlos (adult student), Rachel (classmate), Professor Kim (instructor), Jamal (study group member)
8:30 AM – Arriving at School
Carlos parks his car and walks toward the main building of the community college.
Campus Security: Morning! Don’t forget to display your parking permit!
Carlos: Oh, thanks for reminding me! I’ll put it on my dashboard.
Carlos walks to his classroom building, looking at his class schedule on his phone.
Carlos: (thinking) Business Communication class in Room 205… then Computer Skills Lab at 11…
Cultural Note: Most American colleges and universities require parking permits for students who drive. Community colleges often have adult learners who balance school with work and family responsibilities.
8:45 AM – Greeting Classmates
Carlos enters the classroom and sees his classmate Rachel.
Rachel: Hey Carlos! How’s it going?
Carlos: Hi Rachel! I’m good, thanks. A little tired though. How about you?
Rachel: Same here! I was up late finishing the reading assignment for today. Did you get a chance to read Chapter 5?
Carlos: Yes, I read it last night. It was interesting, but some of the vocabulary was difficult.
Rachel: I know what you mean. Maybe we can compare notes before class starts?
Carlos: That’s a great idea!
Cultural Note: American students often form study groups and help each other outside of class. This collaborative approach is encouraged by instructors.
9:00 AM – Morning Class Begins
Professor Kim walks into the classroom.
Professor Kim: Good morning, everyone! Please take your seats. I hope you all had a chance to do the reading. Today we’re going to discuss professional email communication.
She turns on the projector and opens her laptop.
Professor Kim: Can someone start us off? What are the main elements of a professional email? Carlos, would you like to share?
Carlos: Um, yes. Based on the reading, a professional email should have a clear subject line, a greeting, and a polite closing.
Professor Kim: Excellent! Those are key elements. What else? Rachel?
Rachel: It should also be concise and have a professional tone. And we should always proofread before sending it.
Professor Kim: Perfect! These are all important points. Now, let’s look at some examples…
Cultural Note: American professors typically encourage class participation. Students are expected to prepare before class and share their ideas. It’s okay to say “I don’t know” or ask for clarification if you don’t understand something.
9:15 AM – Taking Notes During Class
Carlos opens his laptop and creates a new document for notes.
Professor Kim: Remember, in American business culture, emails should be direct but polite. Let’s look at this example…
Carlos types notes while the professor talks.
Carlos: (typing notes)
- Subject line: specific and clear
- Greeting: “Dear” for formal, “Hi” for less formal
- Body: short paragraphs, main point first
- Closing: “Best regards,” “Sincerely,” “Thank you”
Professor Kim: Carlos, I notice you’re taking notes on your computer. That’s fine, but make sure you’re also listening and not just transcribing everything I say.
Carlos: Yes, Professor Kim. I’m listening. I just want to remember the important points.
Cultural Note: Many students take notes on laptops or tablets, though some professors prefer handwritten notes. Finding a balance between taking notes and actively listening is important.
10:15 AM – Mid-Morning Break
The class takes a 10-minute break.
Rachel: Want to grab a coffee from the vending machine?
Carlos: Sure! I need some caffeine.
They walk to the student lounge.
Carlos: So, what do you think about the group project Professor Kim mentioned?
Rachel: I think it sounds interesting, but I’m a little nervous. I’ve never done a business presentation before.
Carlos: Me neither. Maybe we could be in the same group? We work well together.
Rachel: That would be great! Let’s ask Jamal too. He’s really good with presentations.
Cultural Note: Short breaks between classes are common. Students often use this time to get coffee, check their phones, or discuss class material with classmates. Group work is very common in American education.
10:30 AM – Continuing Class – Collaborative Activity
Students return to the classroom.
Professor Kim: Okay everyone, we’re going to do a group activity now. I’m going to put you in teams of three. Each team will write a professional email responding to a customer complaint.
She assigns the groups.
Professor Kim: Carlos, Rachel, and Jamal, you’re Team 3. Here’s your scenario.
She hands them a paper with a customer complaint.
Jamal: Okay, let’s read this together… So, a customer is unhappy because their order was delayed. We need to write an apologetic and professional response.
Carlos: First, we should acknowledge their frustration.
Rachel: Right. And then explain what happened and what we’re doing to fix it.
Jamal: I’ll type while you both give me ideas. How should we start?
Carlos: Maybe “Dear Mr. Johnson, We sincerely apologize for the delay in your order…”
Cultural Note: Group work teaches collaboration skills that are valued in American workplaces. Everyone is expected to contribute and participate equally.
10:50 AM – Class Ends
Professor Kim: Great work today, everyone! Don’t forget, your first draft of the business memo assignment is due next Monday. You can submit it through the online portal. Have a good rest of your day!
Rachel: Carlos, are you going to the Computer Skills Lab now?
Carlos: Yes, my next class starts at 11. What about you?
Rachel: I have a break until noon. I’m going to the library to work on my assignment.
Carlos: Okay, see you on Wednesday!
Cultural Note: Many college students have breaks between classes. They use this time to study, eat, work on assignments, or relax. College schedules vary greatly depending on each student’s needs.
11:00 AM – Computer Skills Class
Carlos arrives at the computer lab and sits at a workstation.
Instructor: Good morning, class! Today we’re going to learn how to use spreadsheet software. Please start your computers and open the Excel program.
Carlos turns on the computer and logs in with his student ID and password.
Instructor: Everyone should see the sample data file on your desktop. Double-click to open it.
Carlos follows the instructions.
Instructor: Today’s goal is to create a simple budget using formulas. Carlos, can you read the first step from the worksheet?
Carlos: “Enter your monthly income in cell B2.”
Instructor: Correct! Everyone, please do that now.
Cultural Note: Computer skills classes are hands-on and practical. Instructors demonstrate steps and then students practice. It’s normal to make mistakes and ask questions.
12:00 PM – Lunch Break
Carlos goes to the campus cafeteria.
Cafeteria Worker: Hi! What can I get for you today?
Carlos: Hi! Can I have the chicken sandwich and a small salad, please?
Cafeteria Worker: Sure! Anything to drink?
Carlos: Just water, thank you.
Cafeteria Worker: That’ll be $8.50. Do you have a meal plan or are you paying cash?
Carlos: I’ll use my debit card.
Carlos pays and finds a table. Jamal walks over.
Jamal: Hey Carlos! Mind if I join you?
Carlos: Not at all! Sit down.
Jamal: So, how are your classes going this semester?
Carlos: Pretty well. The business class is my favorite, but the computer class is challenging. I didn’t use computers much in my previous job.
Jamal: I can help you with that if you want. I used to work in IT before I came back to school.
Carlos: Really? That would be amazing! I’m struggling with spreadsheets.
Jamal: No problem. We should form a study group for that class.
Cultural Note: Campus cafeterias offer various food options, usually at reasonable prices. Students can pay with cash, cards, or meal plans. Making friends and forming study groups helps students succeed academically and socially.
1:00 PM – Afternoon Class
Carlos attends his English Composition class.
Professor Martinez: Good afternoon! Today we’re going to discuss writing effective paragraphs. Please take out your homework from last week.
Carlos opens his notebook and finds his assignment.
Professor Martinez: I’d like you to exchange papers with the person next to you. You’re going to peer review each other’s work. Look for the main idea, supporting details, and conclusion in each paragraph.
Carlos exchanges papers with another student.
Carlos: (reading classmate’s paper) This is good. The main idea is clear…
He writes some feedback on the paper.
Cultural Note: Peer review is common in American writing classes. Students learn to give and receive constructive feedback, which helps improve their writing skills and critical thinking.
2:00 PM – Using Campus Resources
After class, Carlos goes to the library to print his assignment.
Carlos: (at the library computer) Let me log into the printing system…
He navigates to the campus printing portal and selects his document.
Carlos: (reading screen) “5 pages… 25 cents… Print to Station 3…”
He walks to the printer and swipes his student ID card.
Librarian: Having any trouble?
Carlos: No, thank you. I just figured it out!
The printer produces his pages.
Carlos: (thinking) Now I need to scan this form for my work-study application…
He uses the scanner at the library desk.
Librarian: Just place your document face-down on the glass and select “Scan to Email.” Then enter your email address.
Carlos: Thank you! This is very helpful.
Cultural Note: College libraries provide various services beyond books, including computers, printers, scanners, study rooms, and tutoring. Students usually need their student ID card to access these services. Many services require small fees (like printing) or are free.
2:30 PM – Study Group Session
Carlos meets Rachel and Jamal in a study room.
Rachel: Thanks for organizing this study session, Carlos. I really need help understanding today’s spreadsheet assignment.
Carlos: I’m glad Jamal offered to help us!
Jamal: No problem! Let’s start by opening the assignment on our laptops. The first thing you need to understand is how formulas work…
He explains the concept while Carlos and Rachel take notes.
Carlos: So, if I want to add all these numbers, I use the SUM function?
Jamal: Exactly! Type =SUM and then select the cells you want to add.
Rachel: This is making so much more sense now! In class, everything seemed confusing.
Jamal: Sometimes you just need to practice a few times. Try creating a formula on your own now.
Cultural Note: Study groups are an important part of American college culture. Students meet outside of class to review material, complete assignments, and prepare for exams. This collaborative approach helps students learn from each other.
3:30 PM – Meeting with Academic Advisor
Carlos has an appointment with his academic advisor.
Advisor: Hi Carlos! Come in and have a seat. How is your semester going?
Carlos: Hello! It’s going well, thank you. I’m enjoying my classes, especially Business Communication.
Advisor: That’s great to hear! So, today we should talk about your plans for next semester. Have you thought about which classes you want to take?
Carlos: Yes, I’d like to continue with more business classes and maybe take Accounting.
Advisor: Good choice. Let me check the course catalog… Accounting 101 is offered on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Would that work with your schedule?
Carlos: Yes, that should work. I work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.
Advisor: Perfect. Let me also recommend Public Speaking. It’s very useful for business careers.
Carlos: That sounds interesting, but I’m a little nervous about speaking in front of people.
Advisor: That’s completely normal! Many students feel that way at first, but the class really helps build confidence. Think about it and let me know.
Cultural Note: Academic advisors help students plan their courses, choose majors, and reach their academic goals. Students typically meet with advisors once or twice per semester. It’s important to be honest about your concerns and ask questions.
4:00 PM – Completing Assignments in the Computer Lab
Carlos returns to the computer lab to finish his spreadsheet assignment.
Carlos: (working on his laptop) Okay, I need to create a budget with income and expenses… Total income goes here… Now I need to subtract expenses…
He works quietly, occasionally referring to his notes from the study group.
Carlos: (checking his work) Good, the formulas are working. Let me add some formatting to make it look professional…
He adds borders and colors to his spreadsheet.
Carlos: Done! Now I’ll save it and submit it through the online portal.
He navigates to the college website and uploads his assignment.
Carlos: (reading confirmation) “Assignment submitted successfully. Submitted on October 13, 2025 at 4:27 PM.” Great!
Cultural Note: Most college assignments are submitted online through a learning management system (like Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle). Students receive confirmation when they submit, and professors can see the submission time. It’s important to submit assignments before the deadline.
4:30 PM – End of School Day
Carlos packs up his belongings and heads toward the parking lot. He sees Rachel.
Rachel: Heading home, Carlos?
Carlos: Yes, it’s been a long day! But a good one.
Rachel: I agree. Hey, thanks again for the study group. Same time next week?
Carlos: Definitely! See you in class on Wednesday!
Rachel: See you then! Drive safely!
Cultural Note: Adult students often have busy schedules balancing school, work, and family. Building a support network of classmates and using campus resources helps students succeed. The sense of community is an important part of the American college experience.
Vocabulary Review
Work Dialogue Key Terms:
- Badge/ID: identification card used to enter buildings
- Small talk: casual conversation about everyday topics
- Action items: tasks that need to be completed
- Follow up: check on something after initial contact
- Deadline: the date/time something must be completed
- Collaboration: working together with others
School Dialogue Key Terms:
- Parking permit: official permission to park on campus
- Class participation: contributing to class discussions
- Peer review: students reviewing each other’s work
- Academic advisor: staff member who helps with course planning
- Learning management system: online platform for courses
- Study group: students who meet to learn together
Cultural Tips for Newcomers
- Punctuality: Being on time is very important in both work and school settings in the USA.
- Communication style: Americans typically value direct, clear communication. It’s okay to ask questions if you don’t understand something.
- Collaboration: Working with others is highly valued. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or offer help to others.
- Technology: Most workplaces and schools rely heavily on computers and email. Learning basic digital skills is essential.
- Breaks: Taking regular breaks is normal and expected. Use this time to build relationships with colleagues or classmates.
- Feedback: Americans generally appreciate constructive feedback and see it as helpful rather than critical.
- Work-life balance: While Americans work hard, they also value personal time and family time.
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