You’ll notice I’m not going in order, because the class I’m working with this year is more advanced than I expected so I started jumping forward to still cover concepts and to try to better pinpoint their overall level. A note regarding which lesson I refer to, when I name which lesson I am working with… there is a disparity in the differences between the first edition and the second edition of the B1+ Intermediate book, of the Straightforward collection by Macmillan. In the first edition, each chapter contains 3 lessons, however in the second edition there are 4 lessons in each chapter. Not only do they have an additonal lesson in the second edition, but they often change the content of the audio recordings. This chapter is one great example of the drastic change. In the first edition it is actually lesson 5C, and in the second edition it is lesson 5D. The first edition contains an audio recording that is actually considerably longer than the one in the second edition and contains more information. Additionally, I only have access to the first edition recordings (which I actually prefer). So when you see the labels for the lessons, be aware that I am referring to the first edition naming conventions.
First date taught: 21 Sept 2022
5C – Paperwork
Theme: Things you find in an office; ordering office supplies; the stereotypes of people you find in an office.
Idiom: roll up your sleeves
prepare to do hard work
Example: It’s not easy work to do, so you have to roll up your sleeves.
Idiom: learn the hard way
to learn from one’s mistakes
Example: My boss kept telling me I would make a mistake if I didn’t focus on what I was doing, but I just had to learn the hard way.
Idiom: keep your nose to the grindstone
to work hard; to concentrate on the task at hand
Example: Keep your nose to the grindstone and you should pass the exam easily.
workaholic (n) C2: A workaholic is addicted to work, in the same way that an alcoholic is addicted to alcohol. A workaholic probably works long hours, takes work home with him/ her, mainly talks about work and cancels holidays to continue work, etc. He/She behaves as if work is more important than family or social life. The ending-holic can be humorously added to many words to suggest obsession or addiction, e.g. cheeseaholic.
stationery (n) [C2]: Writing materials, envelopes, office materials
cutbacks (n) C1: a reduction in something, made in order to save money (especially in regard to firing someone)
Examples: Further job cutbacks are a certainty.
Severe cutbacks in public spending have been announced.
forbid (v) [B2]: to refuse to allow something, especially officially, or to prevent a particular plan of action by making it impossible.
Examples:
The law forbids the sale of cigarettes to people under the age of 16.
He’s obviously really embarrassed about it because he forbade me to tell anyone.
He is forbidden from leaving the country.
whilst (conj) [B2]: while, at the same time.
Examples:
In the UK it is illegal to drive whilst holding a mobile phone.
Harrison’s clock allowed seamen to keep time accurately whilst at sea.
bankrupt (adj) [C2]: unable to continue in business because you cannot pay your debts; legally declared insolvent.
bullpen (n) [C1]: An open seating arrangement where project teams can communicate openly with minimal effort.
Example:
Enclosed individual offices are increasingly being replaced by open offices, bullpens, or cubicles.
open (floor) plan (adj) [B2]: an open-plan building or area does not have inside walls dividing it up into rooms.
Example:
The building houses some 1,300 office staff in open-plan offices spread over three floors.
hot-desk (v) [B2]: to use a desk in an office when you need it, rather than having your own desk.
Example: All the staff hot-desk, sharing space, services and facilities with other workers.
cubicle (n) [C2]: a small area of a room that is separated off by curtains or by thin or low walls
Example:
I don’t even know my colleague in the next cubicle.
English With Dixie 