Rumors at Work | Real Workplace English Conversation (B1)4:08Coming soon

Words to know

people are saying something, but nobody has confirmed it

learn news unofficially, from other people

make a problem seem much bigger than it is

Step 1 of 5

Listen first

No text yet. Listen for who, where and what goes wrong.

YukiLeo

Practice · 3 min

Take Leo's part first, then Yuki's. Leo gets more nervous with every line; Yuki stays steady and slightly amused. Stress "Boxes, Yuki. Lots of boxes." word by word, and let "Here it comes" sound like he's bracing for bad news.

  1. YukiMorning, Leo! Where's your coffee?
  2. LeoMorning. I forgot it. Yuki, have you been up to the fourth floor today?
  3. YukiNo, why? Is the coffee machine broken again?
  4. LeoThere are boxes everywhere. Desks are empty. Someone's taking the plants.
  5. YukiThat's strange. Nobody's said anything to us.
  6. LeoExactly. Rumor has it they're closing the whole Seattle office.
  7. YukiWhere did you hear that?
  8. LeoThrough the grapevine. Someone in sales told someone in finance.
  9. YukiLeo, the grapevine also said the CEO was moving to Hawaii.
  10. LeoOkay, but this time there's evidence. Boxes, Yuki. Lots of boxes.
  11. YukiBoxes could mean anything. Maybe they're getting new furniture.
  12. LeoThen why has my manager canceled our meeting twice this week?
  13. YukiBecause she's always busy? Let's not blow this out of proportion.
  14. LeoI've already updated my résumé, just in case.
  15. YukiHold on. There's an email from facilities. Subject line: "Big news."
  16. LeoHere it comes. Read it slowly.
  17. Yuki"Starting Monday, all teams move to the new tenth floor. More space, better views."
  18. LeoSo the boxes are for us, too.
  19. YukiLooks like it. You might want to start packing your plants.
  20. LeoFine. But I'm keeping the new résumé. It looks great.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.