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AylaraTalks

Role-play

Small Talk at Work Role Play (A2–B1)

First week, a broken coffee machine and a chat that turns into a running buddy.

Age
Ages 13+
Level
A2–B1
Skill
Speaking
Format
Teacher guide
More in the library

The situation

The staff kitchen of an office building on a Monday morning. A new employee meets a colleague by the coffee machine.

5-minute timer

Role card A

New employee

It's your first week at a new office job, and you're trying to make a coffee in the staff kitchen.

Your goals

  • Introduce yourself.
  • Find out two things about your colleague.
  • Get a tip about the office or the area.

Only you know

  • You moved to this city from Valencia two weeks ago.
  • You love running and you're looking for people to run with. You also need a good place for lunch nearby.

Role card B

Colleague

You've worked in this office for three years, and you've come into the kitchen for a coffee.

Your goals

  • Welcome the new colleague.
  • Keep the conversation going with follow-up questions.
  • Give at least one useful tip.

Only you know

  • The coffee machine on this floor has been broken for days; the one on the third floor works.
  • A few of you go running every Thursday after work, and there's a great café on Mill Street.

Model dialogue

One good version. Read it after the pairs have tried, not before.

Show the model dialogue
A
Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Lucía — I've just started in Marketing.
B
Oh, hi Lucía, nice to meet you. I'm Tom, from IT. How's your first week going?
A
Pretty well, thanks. Everyone's been really friendly. Is this machine working? Nothing's happening.
B
Ah, no, it's been broken for days. The one on the third floor works, though.
A
Thanks, good to know. Have you worked here long?
B
About three years now. Are you from around here?
A
No, I moved here from Valencia two weeks ago, so everything's new.
B
Wow, that's a big change! Have you found anywhere nice for lunch yet?
A
Not really. Any recommendations?
B
There's a lovely little café on Mill Street — the soup's amazing. What do you do in your free time?
A
I love running, actually. I'm looking for people to run with.
B
Really? You should join us! A few of us go running every Thursday after work.

Extension for stronger students

B is in a hurry and keeps giving very short answers, so A has to use open questions to keep the chat going — and then end it politely when B's meeting starts.

Printable role cards

Card A and card B on one page, with a cut line between them, plus the phrases.