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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Worksheet103.03 KB

Language level

Average: 4.3 (58 votes)

Submitted by AybukeGedik on Fri, 11/07/2025 - 14:23

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I helped my teammate who recently started working. She was responsible for updating and tracking the digital marketing budgets. One day, she allocated the monthly budget on a daily basis and informed me. I told her not to worry, and that we could figure it out. I explained everything to the client and suggested creating a new plan for the budget.

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Submitted by pop.kaloudi- on Sun, 18/05/2025 - 20:18

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It was 2 years ago when a colleague of mine came in with a very difficult situation - an unexpected divorce - on days when she had a project that had to be delivered on a certain day at our work and the boss would not accept any excuses.
So, I tried to help her get it done and deliver it on time.
We need to support each other in these moments.

Submitted by Ruba Altajoury on Sun, 11/05/2025 - 01:40

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How can i download these vids ?

Hello Ruba Altajoury,

I'm afraid the videos are not available for download. We make our audio files available but for legal (copyright) and technical reasons we cannot do the same with the videos.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Ziad34 on Sat, 03/05/2025 - 05:52

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My friend wanted to bring some towels from his country to sell them, so he asked me to give him my address as a buyer, so he could store the towels with me until he could sell them."

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Submitted by kamakura on Tue, 22/04/2025 - 08:41

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Thank you for this session.

I've helped my colleagues last thursday. I've shared with them my experience when I was a sales'rep. This helps them to know how the way to reach clients easier. I think our exchanges were helpful.

Submitted by Senasetton on Sun, 09/03/2025 - 11:52

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In daily life, e are often involved in helping someone situations.

Friday was the last time I helped someone with a problem at work. in fact, one of my collegues have forgotten her wallet at home. At break time, she was going to by the medications that have been prescripted to here the day before. then she realised that she had forgotten her wallet. She told me that she had to start the treatment at that moment. I lent to her what she was in need of.  I was happy to be useful and also to see her happy too.

Submitted by Cheryl865267 on Mon, 03/03/2025 - 13:59

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One time there was an important meeting next day and I found my colleague informed all the attendees of a wrong address. We reported this situation to our superior and took prompt action to notify all attendees again. It was so urgent at that moment that I still remember it vividly.

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Submitted by Ghofran21 on Mon, 24/02/2025 - 17:43

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I always enjoy helping other people in solving their problems,this makes me feel satisfied and also these people are helping me when I need their help.

Submitted by cucu on Tue, 18/02/2025 - 15:34

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I remember the last time I helped my colleague at my last company. My team member offered the wrong price for our products. There was a huge difference between the current price and the offer price. We cancelled their orders, and we sent sample products to deal with the problem.

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