Joy English · Level C1 · Workjoy-english.com
Negotiating a flexible schedule
Name:Date:
Follow a polite negotiation with hedging, conditions and a proposal.
Listen to each sentence and write what you hear.
Audio and answer checking: https://joy-english.com/listening-lessons/negotiating-a-flexible-schedule
Words to know
- arrangement
- A plan or agreement for how something will be done.
- sustain
- To keep something going over time.
- overlap
- A part that two things share.
- provided
- Only if; on the condition that.
Answer key
- I wanted to discuss my schedule, because the current arrangement is becoming difficult to sustain.'Wanted to' is said quickly: 'wanted-ta'. 'Arrangement' has stress on the second syllable: a-RANGE-ment.
- I understand, although I would need to know how a change might affect the rest of the team.'Would need' is said 'd-need'. 'Might affect' links as 'might-affect' with a light t.
- If I started earlier and finished before the afternoon meetings, the overlap with everyone else would barely change.This is a conditional with 'if' and 'would'. 'Overlap' is stressed on the first syllable: O-ver-lap.
- That sounds reasonable, provided you remain reachable and the early shift does not leave anyone waiting for answers.'Provided' introduces a condition, like 'as long as'. 'Reachable' comes from 'reach' plus -able.
- Then let me propose a trial period of one month, after which we can review how it has gone.'After which' links a relative clause to the whole period: 'after the month'. 'Has gone' is said 'hazgone'.