THE BEST COURSE TO GAIN CONFIDENCE AND SPEAK NATURALLY THROUGH SITUATIONAL CONVERSATIONS! TINE CO AN LL ST E EG CO N Boost your confidence with two official IELTS speaking exams, and a range of useful tips to help you succeed Sapientia Scientia Language Centre Mohammed El Amin Ghoues, Ph.D
THE BEST COURSE TO GAIN CONFIDENCE AND SPEAK NATURALLY THROUGH SITUATIONAL CONVERSATIONS! linli ae o Ta C T Copyright © 2025 by Constantine College, Constantine (Algeria). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author. For further discussion or questions, you can contact the author at: mohammedelamin.ghoues@umc.edu.dz Audio recordings and extra downloadable contents are available to support your study. Go to ...................... to access the files. Mohammed El Amin Ghoues, Ph.D All Rights Reserved 2025
A new hire Alex: Hi there! You must be the new hire. I’m Alex. Welcome aboard! Jamie: Hi Alex! Yes, that’s me. I’m Jamie. It’s great to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about this place. Alex: Likewise! So, what brings you to our neck of the woods? Jamie: Well, I was looking for a change of pace and this opportunity would suit me to a perfect fit. Plus, I’ve always wanted to work in a dynamic environment like this. Alex: That’s fantastic! We’re always on the lookout for fresh talent. What will you be working on? Jamie: I’ll be diving into the marketing team, focusing on digital campaigns. I’m really excited to hit the ground running. Alex: Sounds like you’ll have your hands full! If you ever need a hand or just want to bounce ideas off someone, feel free to reach out. Jamie: Thanks, Alex. I appreciate it. I’m sure I’ll have a lot to learn, but I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. 3
of us usually grab a bite together. You’re welcome to join us. Jamie: That sounds great! I’d love to. It’s a good chance to get to know everyone better. Alex: Perfect! We’ll head out around noon. Looking forward to working with you, Jamie. Jamie: Likewise, Alex. Thanks for the warm welcome! Tips Below is a comprehensive overview of the key phrases (commonly highlighted in blue in many onboarding or casual business dialogues) along with their meanings, the typical situations (cases) in which they are used, and at least two contextual examples for each phrase. 1.Welcome aboard! Meaning: A friendly greeting used to welcome someone who has just joined a team, organization, or group. Typical Cases: Work/On boarding: When a new employee or volunteer is introduced. Or when a captain or flight attendant greets passengers boarding a vehicle. Examples: “When Mark joined the marketing team, his supervisor greeted him with, ‘Welcome aboard!’” “As the passengers stepped onto the plane, the flight attendant cheerfully said, ‘Welcome aboard!’” 4
Meaning: An informal expression referring to one’s home area, neighbourhood, or region. Typical Cases: Casual conversations: Discussing local events or the general familiarity of a region. Social contexts: When someone is visiting or moving back to a wellknown area. Examples: “It’s so nice to see you back in our neck of the woods after all these years.” “There’s a fantastic new coffee shop opening in our neck of the woods.” 3. A change of pace Meaning: A refreshing break or a deviation from one’s usual routine. Typical Cases: Career/Work: When someone transitions to a different type of job or environment. Lifestyle/Leisure: When taking a vacation or trying a new activity to escape daily monotony. Examples: “After years in corporate law, she decided a change of pace by switching to freelance writing.” “A weekend getaway to the countryside proved to be a wonderful change of pace from city life.” 4.Perfect fit Meaning: Something that is ideally suited for a particular purpose or person. 5
Employment: Describing a candidate whose skills and personality align well with a job role. Apparel/Accessories: When clothing or items match one’s size or style exactly. Examples: “When interviewing for the role, it became clear that John was a perfect fit for the team.” “This jacket is a perfect fit; it complements my style and feels tailormade.” 5.Hit the ground running Meaning: To start something (like a job or project) immediately with energy and effectiveness. Typical Cases: Time-Sensitive Tasks: When immediate progress is crucial. New Job/Project Start: When a person is expected to work quickly and efficiently right at the beginning. Examples: “On her first day, Lisa hit the ground running by contributing innovative ideas straight away.” “We need someone who can hit the ground running as we approach the deadline for our campaign.” 6.Have your hands full Meaning: Being extremely busy or occupied with a lot of tasks. 6
Events/Activities: Describing moments where one is fully occupied. Work/Family Life: When balancing multiple responsibilities becomes overwhelming. Examples: “With three major deadlines this week, I have my hands full.” “Between managing two kids and a full-time job, she definitely has her hands full.” 7.Bounce ideas off someone Meaning: To share and discuss one’s ideas with another person in order to receive feedback or new perspectives. Typical Cases: Brainstorming Sessions: In professional or creative settings when planning a project or solving a problem. Informal Advice: When friends or colleagues casually discuss potential plans or improvements. Examples: “I’d like to bounce some ideas off you before I finalize my presentation.” “Let’s meet later so I can bounce ideas off someone and get your feedback on the new design.” 8.Reach out Meaning: To contact or communicate with someone, often to ask for help or to offer support. Typical Cases: Professional Networking: When seeking collaboration or advice. Personal Context: Offering help or simply reconnecting with someone. 7
“If you have any questions about the project, please don’t hesitate to reach out.” “After the seminar, I reached out to the speaker to discuss my ideas further.” 9.Roll up my sleeves Meaning: To prepare oneself to work hard or get ready to engage in a challenging task. Typical Cases: Problem-Solving: When preparing to tackle an unexpected challenge. Before Starting a Task: Especially when expecting physical or mental hard work. Examples: “It’s time to roll up my sleeves and get this report finished before the deadline.” “We need to roll up our sleeves and clean up the office before the inspection tomorrow.” 10.That’s the spirit! Meaning: An expression of encouragement or approval for someone’s positive attitude or approach. Typical Cases: Encouragement: To boost morale during challenges. Motivational: When acknowledging positive energy in a team or individual. Examples: “You’re really persevering through this tough project—That’s the spirit!” 8
spirit!’” 11.Grab a bite Meaning: To have a quick meal or snack. Typical Cases: Casual Social Settings: Often used among friends or colleagues when organizing a light meal. Examples: “Let’s grab a bite after the meeting at that new café on Main Street.” “I’m a bit hungry; how about we grab a bite before continuing with the workshop?” 12.Looking forward to Meaning: To eagerly anticipate or await something in the future. Typical Cases: Upcoming Events: Such as meetings, vacations, or projects. Expressing Enthusiasm: When leaving a conversation on a positive, optimistic note. Examples: “I’m really looking forward to the team retreat next month.” “After a busy week, I’m looking forward to a relaxing weekend.” 9
Fleepit Digital © 2021