Learning English

Narrator
Hello and welcome to English at Work. It's an exciting time at Tip Top Trading – the leading manufacturer of plastic imitation fruit. A new computer system - the iDo-it - is being installed that will revolutionise – or completely change – the way the office will work. The team is on a training course to learn how it works but there seems to be someone who already thinks he knows it all…

Tom
So, basically the iDo-it system is high-end software, compatible with tablets and desk tops and you can share information at the touch of a button.

Trainer
Err yes, that's what I just said.

Denise
Psst... Tom - let the trainer tell us what to do.

Tom
Listen, like, I'm quite an expert when it comes to technology. So mate - basically, I can open my contacts here and share it with the whole team by pressing the red button there...

[Everyone groans]

Anna
Tom what have you done? Everything has disappeared off my screen.

Denise
And mine.

Trainer
You press the green button to share – red deletes everyone's contacts. It's clearly written on your handouts. [sighs] I'll come round to you one by one and reset your computers...

[The team chat amongst themselves]

... Right let's start with you Anna [sniffs]... hmm you smell nice, Anna...

Tom
Mate, I think you need to reboot her computer.

Trainer
Yes, thank you... Tom isn't it? [pause] OK, we're back in business - so Anna, this is the iDo-it home screen - just press that, accept that, move that there and Bob's your uncle. So go on, you have a go and I'll be back in a minute.

Anna
Bob's my uncle? But he's not.

Denise
It's just a saying Anna - he means he's done it easily.

Anna
Well, it doesn't seem easy to me. 

Narrator
It sounds like you need to ask for help Anna. Try politely asking for help and saying 'I can't work it out' and you could also say 'I can't get my head round this.'

Anna
My head?

Narrator
Yes, if you can't get your head round something it means you can't understand it. Give it a try.

Anna
OK thanks. [To trainer] Hmm excuse me, I need some help, please.

Trainer
What seems to be the problem?

Anna
I'm sorry but... I can't work it out - you said press this and open this... but nothing happens. Oh, I can't get my head round this new system - and we have to start using it next week.

Denise
Oh I know - it's terrible. Can't we just go back to using pen and paper - and a fax machine like we used to?

Tom
You can't stop progress Denise - although progress seems to have stopped you.

Denise
Silly boy!

Trainer
Could we all concentrate on the computers please. Now Anna, let me explain one more time. Say you want to share this file with Denise's computer - you upload it here and she can download it here from the cloud.

Anna
The cloud?

Tom
Yeah, it only works when it rains! So, mate we're talking about a 200 megabit per second transfer rate unless you're on Bluetooth of course.

Trainer
Erm?

Narrator
Idiot! Is he like this at home Anna?

Anna
No - I think he's just showing off. But I just don't understand this new system.

Narrator
OK then - say 'I'm having trouble getting to grips with this' and 'this isn't sinking in'.

Anna
Sinking in? To where?

Narrator
Sinking in to your brain. You've got a good brain Anna so I reckon if it's not sinking in, it can't be a very good system. Go on then, try those phrases...

Anna
I will. [To trainer] Excuse me again... it's Bob isn't it? Bob - I'm sorry but I'm having trouble getting to grips with this - it really isn't sinking in - can you explain one more time please?

Denise
Yes, and when you've finished with Anna, could help me 'get to grips with it'?

Tom
Err, I thought you were the 'expert' mate!

Trainer
I am doing my best - but for some reason... ah I see, you need to put in your password first Anna... could you do that please?

Anna
OK, let me see - if I do that, then that and that - yes, it works! Oh thank you, thank you so much.

Trainer
You're welcome.

Denise
Err, what about me?

Narrator
Well done Anna! You've managed to explain your difficulty in trying to understand a new computer system by using these phrases...

I can't work it out.
I can't get my head round this.
I'm having difficulty getting to grips with this.
This isn't sinking in.

It's always hard learning a new computer system and it looks like even Tom is having problems…

Tom
I can't work it out - if I put in my password - nothing happens!

Denise
Having difficulty getting to grips with the system Tom?!

Tom
Enter... enter... arghh, why won't it work! [sfx: hits the computer followed by an explosion]

Anna
Oh Tom! It looks like the technology has beaten you.

Trainer
Yeah and I thought you were 'the expert'! You're going to have to pay for this.