BUSINESS ENGLISH – WELCOME BACK!

Catching Up After a Break

Focus: catching up naturally after some time away and reviewing useful Business English in a fun way.

Goal: get everyone speaking again, reconnect after the break, and refresh useful workplace phrases from previous meetings

1. WELCOME BACK – LET’S CATCH UP!

1. How was your summer / break?

2. Did you manage to switch off from work?

3. What was the best thing you did during the break?

4. Did anything interesting or unexpected happen?

5. Are you happy to be back, or could you use another month off?

2. THREE NATURAL PHRASES

What have you been up to? A natural way to ask what someone has been doing recently.

Example: Good to see you again! What have you been up to?

I’ve been keeping busy with… Use this to talk about something that has been taking up your time.

Example: I’ve been keeping busy with a new project at work.

It’s been pretty hectic. Use this when work or life has been very busy.

Example: It’s been pretty hectic since I got back from holiday.

3. THE WORST POSSIBLE ANSWER

Read each situation. First, give the worst, rudest or most unprofessional response you can think of. Then fix it and give a professional response.

1. Your manager asks: “Could you stay a little later today and help me finish this?”

Worst possible answer: ________________________________

Now make it professional: _____________________________

Possible professional answer: I’m afraid I can’t stay late today, but I could help you first thing tomorrow morning.

2. A colleague explains something, but you have absolutely no idea what they mean.

Worst possible answer: ________________________________

Now make it professional: _____________________________

Possible professional answer: Sorry, could you clarify what you mean by that?

3. Someone has been talking for a long time in a meeting and you want to say something.

Worst possible answer: ________________________________

Now make it professional: _____________________________

Possible professional answer: Could I jump in here for a second?

4. A colleague asks: “Did you get a chance to review the document I sent you?” You completely forgot.

Worst possible answer: ________________________________

Now make it professional: _____________________________

Possible professional answer: I’m sorry, it completely slipped my mind. I’ll take a look at it this afternoon.

5. Someone calls and asks to speak to your colleague, but your colleague isn’t available.

Worst possible answer: ________________________________

Now make it professional: _____________________________

Possible professional answer: I’m afraid she’s not available at the moment. Can I take a message?

6. You have a meeting in one hour and suddenly realize you can’t attend.

Worst possible answer: ________________________________

Now make it professional: _____________________________

Possible professional answer: I’m afraid something’s come up. Would it be possible to reschedule?

7. Your colleague presents an idea that you think won’t work.

Worst possible answer: ________________________________

Now make it professional: _____________________________

Possible professional answer: I see what you mean, but I’m not sure that would work in this situation.

8. You asked a colleague to send you something three days ago. You’re still waiting.

Worst possible answer: ________________________________

Now make it professional: _____________________________

Possible professional answer: Just checking in — have you had a chance to send it over?

4. CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

1. What was the highlight of your summer or break?

The highlight was spending a few days away with my family. It was nice to completely switch off.

2. What usually happens at your workplace when you come back after a longer break?

It’s usually pretty hectic. There are lots of emails, updates and small things to catch up on.

3. Are you good at completely switching off from work during holidays? Why or why not?

Usually, yes. I try not to check my work emails because otherwise I never really switch off.

4. What’s the longest holiday you think you could take before getting bored?

Probably about a month. After that, I think I’d start missing my normal routine.

5. If you could take one month off work tomorrow, what would you do with it?

I’d travel somewhere I’ve never been before and spend as much time outdoors as possible.

6. Would you rather come back from holiday to 100 emails or five urgent problems? Why?

I’d choose the 100 emails. At least I could work through them one by one instead of dealing with five emergencies.

7. What’s something new you’d like to start or try this autumn?

I’d like to start exercising more regularly and maybe learn something new.

8. Do you prefer returning to work gradually or jumping straight back into everything?

I prefer returning gradually. The first day back is much easier if I have time to catch up.

9. If you could change one thing about your work routine this autumn, what would it be?

I’d like to have fewer meetings and more uninterrupted time to focus on my work.

10. If you could work from anywhere in the world for one month, where would you go and why?

I’d probably choose somewhere by the sea. I’d work during the day and explore in the evenings.

5. ONE THING FOR THIS AUTUMN

Finish the meeting by completing one sentence:

This autumn, I’d like to…

It can be about work, English, travel, family, a hobby, or anything else you’re looking forward to.