Dealing with a problem

In this video, Vanya goes to Yuna with a problem. Listen to the language they use for dealing with a problem and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say

Do you know what to say when you need to deal with a problem? Listen out for useful language for dealing with a problem. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Vanya: Yuna!

Yuna: Oh, morning!

Vanya: I've got a bit of a problem. 

Yuna: What's wrong?

Vanya: Can we talk in private?

Yuna: Of course.

Yuna: Right, so, what's the matter? 

Vanya: Well, I've made a mistake. A big mistake.

Yuna: OK. I'm sure we can work it out.

Vanya: It was such a silly thing to do! 

Yuna: I'm getting worried now. What's going on here? 

Vanya: OK. It was late last night and I was tired. I wasn't concentrating and I accidentally used my company credit card instead of my own to buy something! 

Yuna: Don't worry, these things happen. There's a procedure to deal with this. How much did you spend? 

Vanya: It was quite expensive.

Yuna: How expensive?

Vanya: It was very expensive.

Yuna: Vanya, how expensive?

Vanya: £3,782 … and 56 pence.

Yuna: What? You spent £3,782?! 

Vanya: … and 56 pence. 

Yuna: What was it? Vanya?

Vanya: Just a weekend break! I just like a really nice hotel!

Yuna: OK, I see. Thanks for letting me know.

Vanya: Ah! I feel so much better now I've told you. Please don't tell Noelia.

Yuna: Oh, I'm definitely going to tell her!

Noelia: Hi!

Vanya: Hi!

 

Ana: Hello again! Wow, that's a lot of money for a weekend break. So, did you notice the useful phrases used for dealing with a problem? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

What's wrong?

I've got a bit of a problem.

Could we talk in private?

What's the matter?

I've made a mistake.

I'm sure we can work it out.

Don't worry, these things happen.

Thanks for letting me know.

I feel so much better now I've told you.


Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you need to deal with a problem in English. Bye for now!

Discussion

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Language level

Average: 4.4 (47 votes)

Submitted by Kstonem on Tue, 20/12/2022 - 04:51

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I always try to help as much as I'm able to the people around me, I think it's an important thing, it helps to learn how to be more human.

Submitted by AbdullahOmar1 on Sat, 10/12/2022 - 17:08

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I am always be helpful with my colleagues at the work , if anyone asked me a favour , l do it without hesitation even if I am busy.

Submitted by ayeshaasim on Mon, 07/11/2022 - 10:20

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some days ago, I received a parcel for my neighbor. she is not at home.

Submitted by farhadwahaj on Sun, 02/10/2022 - 06:59

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The last time I helped it was my subordinate, he was not enough good to write a report on the other hand he had to write a report. He has requested me to write a report for him. I wrote him a comprehensive and constructive report, and he was so much praised by her managers.

Submitted by fgworld on Tue, 20/09/2022 - 16:15

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there is no video :(

Hello fgworld,

Are you still unable to see the video? I've checked and everything looks fine; I can see it and play it. If you still can't see it, I'd recommend trying a different device and/or web browser. That might help.

We have found that sometimes people in certain locations are not able to see our videos. If that's what's happening, I'm afraid there's not much we can do.

I'm sorry for the inconvenience!

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Nandar Su Hlaing on Mon, 15/08/2022 - 08:57

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I don't remember what I mention helping my colleagues, but I'm not hesitate to help my colleagues if they need help or facing difficulties at work. We always try to sort out together if we have problems and helping with each others.

Submitted by meknini on Sat, 16/07/2022 - 09:08

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I cant recall exactly because some problems are so mundane that they cant even be classified as problems more like a snag that doesn't require much sorting out at all.

Submitted by alexiamontes2004 on Fri, 01/07/2022 - 01:28

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When was the last time you helped someone with a problem at work?

It was when we were doing a team project and a colleague didn't know how to do an investigation and I explained to her how she could do it and that's how I managed to finish it correctly.

Submitted by ORTyOW on Mon, 30/05/2022 - 11:38

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I typed "These" with a capital T. The answer was "these" and it counted as a mistake. It shouldn't be counted as a mistake!