Learning English

Narrator
Hello, it's time again for English at Work. Things are a bit busy at Tip Top Trading – the leading manufacturer of plastic imitation fruit. Mr Socrates – the big boss from America – has announced he's flying over to London for a 'spot check' on how the team's doing. So Anna is getting everyone to do a bit of spring cleaning to make sure the office looks clean and tidy – although it's not spring and so far, nobody has done any cleaning. 

Denise
Well there's nothing in my contract about cleaning... I only do sales – oh and a bit of admin...

Tom
More admin than sales actually Denise. But I don't see why we need to tidy up for Mr S – I mean, it's a working office – it's not like our house Anna, that's a real dump!

Anna
Hmm... it is Tom – we need to talk about that – but anyway, I want Brad… I mean Mr Socrates to see we mean business – we have a clean, organised working environment – it shows we're serious about work...

Tom
Well not that serious...

Anna
Tom! No, I want us all to spend today tidying up, throwing away paperwork we don't need, washing up dirty coffee mugs – that sort of thing. Come on everyone – let's do it!

[everyone moans and groans]

Narrator
Well done Anna – you're taking the lead – showing them who's in charge – but how about offering them an incentive for doing a good job?  

Anna
An incentive?

Narrator
Yes – a reward that makes people want to work harder because they know they'll get something for doing it.

Anna
Ah I see – OK I'll give it a try.

[to team] Oh I forgot to say, if we do a good job there'll be a reward for your hard work

[to herself] although I'm not sure what it will be yet.

Denise
Oh well, why didn't you say – I'll get on with filing these invoices straight away, shall I?

Tom
[suddenly keen] No, no it's OK Denise – leave those to me – you can rearrange the staplers if you like...

Denise
I'm quite capable of doing it thank you Tom – and then Anna shall I polish your desk?

Narrator
The team has really risen to the challenge – especially now there's an incentive. But what's going to happen at the end of the day when everyone usually goes home?

Anna
OK everyone – thank you for your hard work – but it's five o'clock now.

Tom
Oh good - Is it time to knock off now?

Anna
Knock off?

Tom
Yeah, time to finish for the day – go home – I'll get my coat shall I?

Anna
Well, yes it is time to... 'knock off', so...

Denise
It's OK Anna, there's still a bit more spring cleaning to do – I know my contract says I work from 9 to 5 but... I'll ignore that just for today.

Tom
Of course, I don't need to go home yet, I could do some more tidying if you like – don't want to miss out on the 'incentive' do I Anna?

[Tom and Denise argue as they continue to tidy up]

Anna
Look both of you, just stop! Stop! Could you... err...

Narrator
Oh Anna – are you lost for words?

Anna
If you mean, am I looking for the right thing to say, then yes – I think they've done enough work and should go home – even Tom.

Narrator
Well say that – or something like...

'I think that's enough for now.'... or

'Let's leave it there'...

Anna
Leave it where? 

Narrator
There! – stop doing the task you were working on – it can always be finished later. And you could say... 'let's call it a day' – meaning let's end what we have been doing today.

Anna
OK, very useful. I'll give those phrases a go.

[To team]  It's now ten past five. I really think you've done enough for now – let's leave it there.

[They continue to tidy up]

Narrator
Try a bit louder – oh and try saying 'let's wrap it up there' – that means bring the task to a close.

Anna
Right.  Denise, Tom let's wrap it up there – you've done really well but I think you should go home – especially you Tom – you're cooking dinner tonight.

Tom
[surprised] Oh right.

Anna
So let's leave it there – the office is looking much better and...

[Door opens]

All
Oh no! Mr Socrates!

Narrator
Oh no, he's arrived early. Luckily the office looks tidy. The team has worked hard but Anna's been a great manager and told them it's the end of the working day and to stop working by using these phrases...

It's time to knock off

You've done enough.

I think that's enough for now.

Let's leave it there.

Let's call it a day.

Let's wrap it up there.

The team has done plenty of spring cleaning – but will Mr Socrates notice?

Tom
Oh hello Mr Socrates – what do you think of our... tidy office?

Mr Socrates
Impressive – I can see Anna has everything in order – including you!

Tom
[nervously] Ha ha! So Anna... what about that... incentive?

Anna
[Realises she's forgotten] Oh, the incentive! Hmm... I know! Tom's cooking dinner tonight so Mr Socrates, Denise – would you like to come for dinner?

Tom
Wwwhat!