The Intern English Lesson

A new beginning

Ben explains why he wants to return to work in a very different setting.

Watch for: What does he offer, and what is he looking for?

Clip A quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. What is Ben applying for?A university teaching post.The founder's job.A senior internship.

2. What does Ben say he wants in his daily life?A place to go and a connection with people.A job without any other people.A way to avoid a daily routine.

3. Who helps Ben with a USB connection?A former manager.His nine-year-old grandson.A member of the interview panel.

4. What form does his application take?A recorded video.A live speech to the entire company.A handwritten note read by someone else.

5. How does he present his previous working life?As something he must hide from the employer.As proof that he never needs to learn again.As experience that could still be useful.

6. What attitude does he show towards a new workplace?He expects everyone to adopt his old methods immediately.He is willing to begin again and learn.He wants a role with no contact with anyone.

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

My experience includes organising people and information.

Introduce relevant experience.

I'm ready to learn a different way of working.

Show openness without dismissing previous experience.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

How can an applicant connect older experience with a new role?
Support and one possible answer
They can…
They can explain which skills transfer and give a recent example of learning.
What is the difference between being busy and making a contribution?
Support and one possible answer
Making a contribution…
Making a contribution means doing something useful, not just filling time.
Introduce a skill and one thing you want to learn.
Support and one possible answer
My experience…
My experience includes helping customers, and I want to learn how your online system works.

Different expectations

Jules and Ben begin with different expectations about the internship.

Watch for: How does Ben respond without becoming defensive?

Original source

Clip B quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. Who has Ben been assigned to work with?A school headteacher.A customer chosen at random.Jules.

2. How does Jules initially feel about the arrangement?She believes he founded the company.She already regards him as an old colleague.She has reservations about having him as her intern.

3. How does Ben respond to her doubts?By announcing that he is now in charge.Calmly, without demanding immediate trust.By insulting her experience.

4. What alternative is raised during the meeting?Buying the whole company.Working with someone else in the company.Cancelling all internships permanently.

5. What does Ben indicate about continuing with Jules?He is willing to try the arrangement.He says the work is already finished.He insists that he will never work with her.

6. By the end, what is still developing rather than established?Their working relationship.A long record of projects they have completed together.Ben's claim that he owns the business.

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

Let's try it and see what works for both of us.

Suggest a practical trial.

What would be most useful for me to do first?

Ask for a relevant first contribution.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

How can a new colleague be helpful without taking over?
Support and one possible answer
They can…
They can ask what is needed, agree a first task and check before changing things.
Why is it useful to discuss expectations early?
Support and one possible answer
It helps…
It helps people understand responsibilities before frustration builds up.
Respond calmly when someone doubts an unfamiliar arrangement.
Support and one possible answer
I understand…
I understand that this is new. Let's try a small task first and review how it goes.

Mastery quiz

Use language from both clips in new situations.

Mastery · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. You formally ask to be considered for an internship. You ___.retire from itguarantee itapply for it

2. You do something useful for a group. You ___.avoid responsibilitymake a contributionmerely fill time

3. A new colleague is getting used to the workplace. They are ___.settling intaking it overleaving it behind

4. You consider a new arrangement before judging it. You ___.ignore all expectationsmake a final judgement immediatelykeep an open mind

5. Which introduction combines experience with willingness to learn?I have customer-service experience and would like to learn your system.I will hide everything I have done before.My previous experience means I cannot learn anything here.

6. Which question helps clarify a first contribution?Can I change every process before we talk?What would be most useful for me to do first?Why haven't you already trusted me completely?

Put it all together — speaking

Speak first, then use the support if you need it. For the final conversation, take a role each or practise both roles alone.

What does Ben communicate in the application that he also shows in the meeting?
Support and one possible answer
He…
He says he is ready for a new beginning, then responds calmly to an unfamiliar arrangement.
What should a team find out before judging someone by age or background?
Support and one possible answer
It should ask…
It should ask what the person can do, what they want to learn and what support the role requires.
Can you agree a useful first week in a new role?
Support and one possible answer
Introduce experience, explain a learning need and agree one trial task.
My experience includes helping customers. I need to learn your ordering system. What would be most useful for me to do first? We could try a small set of enquiries and review the results on Friday.

Role A

You are joining a team in an unfamiliar field. You have transferable experience but need to learn its main software.

Role B

You supervise the new colleague. Explain a real need, check the learning requirement and agree a supported first task.

Check your conversation

Connect experience to a relevant contribution.
Acknowledge a learning need without apologising for your background.
Agree a first task and a review point using both clips’ language.

Try again: Repeat the final interaction once. Improve one expression and one response to your partner.