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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Average: 4.4 (29 votes)
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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!

Hello comrade, i would like to tell is that it's a comma not a full stop. I actually thought of that first and got it wrong as well...

hope this helps

Submitted by Yamen.G on Fri, 27/05/2022 - 18:15

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Thanks for letting us know.

Submitted by Abrarhussain on Wed, 02/03/2022 - 23:25

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The last time I helped my friend with a problem at work was last Thursday in February 2022.

Submitted by LamVanPhuong on Wed, 27/10/2021 - 13:08

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it's been a long time.at that time i am employee for a convenient store in campus of my university, on that day when i received goods for the store because i was too tired so i wrote number of items. The next morning i met and discussed that problem with HR i was so happy because the problem wasn't not too serious.

Submitted by M19 on Sun, 29/08/2021 - 12:21

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Recently, a work colleague became sick and wasn't able to finish a project plan that was due for submission. I had to step in and ensure that it was handed in time. It wasn't much of an issue for me as I had some past experience and skills on project development.

Submitted by MikhailZatopliaev on Sat, 10/04/2021 - 04:19

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1 hello, Mike 2 Hi Anna 1 Mike, I have a problem, can we talk in private? 2 Of course, what's the matter? 1 I made a mistake. Big mistake. 2 Ok, what's going on here? 1 I lost my key. 2 Oh, don't worry these things happen. I have extra. 1 Really? I am so happy. I feel so much better, that I've got told you. 2 Thank that you let me know.