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Exercise 1
Useful Expressions
Direction: Read the useful expressions with your tutor.
Are you jumping on the bandwagon with the Excel workshop next week?
I’m planning to sharpen my skills at the training session.
The workshop will help us step up our game.
Did you put your name down for the seminar yet?
Exercise 2
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your teacher
Jump on the bandwagon
/dʒʌmp ɒn ðə ˈbændˌwæɡən/
Meaning:
Join something popular
- A lot of staff jumped on the bandwagon and signed up.
Sharpen your skills
/ˈʃɑːp.ən jɔː skɪlz/
Meaning:
Improve your abilities
- I’m attending to sharpen my presentation skills.
Put your name down
/pʊt jɔː neɪm daʊn/
Meaning:
Register or enroll
- I put my name down for the time management workshop.
Step up your game
/stɛp ʌp jɔː ɡeɪm/
Meaning:
Improve your performance
- This course will help you step up your game in project planning.
Exercise 3
Practice
Choose the Opposite Word to the Idiom
Jump on the bandwagon
Resist,
Reject,
Abstain,
Oppose
Sharpen your skills
Dull,
Weaken,
Neglect,
Decline
Put your name down
Withdraw,
Cancel,
Retract,
Remove
Step up your game
Decline,
Deteriorate,
Worsen,
Fail
Exercise 4
Business Dialogue
Direction: Read the conversation aloud with your teacher and fill in the blanks.
Word Bank:
Step up your game
Sharpen your skills
Put your name down
Jump on the bandwagon
Situation: Emma and Raj are colleagues talking during lunch about a new Excel workshop their company is offering.
Emma
Word Bank: jumping on the bandwagon, put my name down, session, skill development, attended, step up my game, attend, pick up some new tricks
Are you thinking of ____ the popular Excel ____ that’s happening next week?
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Raj
Word Bank: jumping on the bandwagon, put my name down, session, skill development, attended, step up my game, attend, pick up some new tricks
Yes, I’ve already ____ to join it and I’m excited.
Emma
Word Bank: jumping on the bandwagon, put my name down, session, skill development, attended, step up my game, attend, pick up some new tricks
That ____ will cover some advanced formulas that are really useful.
Raj
Word Bank: jumping on the bandwagon, put my name down, session, skill development, attended, step up my game, attend, pick up some new tricks
Perfect, it will definitely help with my ____ at work.
Emma
Word Bank: jumping on the bandwagon, put my name down, session, skill development, attended, step up my game, attend, pick up some new tricks
Have you ever ____ any similar training sessions before?
Raj
Word Bank: jumping on the bandwagon, put my name down, session, skill development, attended, step up my game, attend, pick up some new tricks
Yes, last month’s seminar really helped me ____ in my job performance.
Emma
Word Bank: jumping on the bandwagon, put my name down, session, skill development, attended, step up my game, attend, pick up some new tricks
I’m planning to ____ the workshop as well to improve my skills.
Raj
Word Bank: jumping on the bandwagon, put my name down, session, skill development, attended, step up my game, attend, pick up some new tricks
Great! Let’s try to ____ some new tricks from the training together!
Exercise 5
Study Guide
Direction: Read the study manual aloud
Talking About Training
1. Show Interest in Learning Opportunities
When you ask a colleague, "Are you thinking of attending the training session?" it shows you're engaged and value growth. This kind of question can open up a conversation about professional development and helps build a learning culture in the workplace.
2. Use Informal Phrases to Join In
Phrases like "jumping on the bandwagon" (meaning to join something popular) or "put my name down" (meaning to register or sign up) make your language more relatable and friendly. These idiomatic expressions are commonly used in casual office talk when discussing events or workshops.
3. Talk About Personal Growth
Expressing a reason for joining a training, such as "I want to step up my game" or "It will help with skill development," shows you're goal-oriented and motivated to improve. These phrases are great for showing a proactive attitude in meetings or casual chats.
4. Encourage Collaboration
Saying "Let’s try to pick up some new tricks together" helps promote teamwork and shared learning. It implies you're open to working with others and value mutual support in improving skills. This also fosters a more positive and connected work environment.
Listening Practice
Lina and Mark discuss an upcoming Excel workshop.
1. Did Mark sign up for the workshop?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe
2. What will the workshop cover?
a) Basic Excel
b) Advanced formulas and charts
c) Time management
3. Has Mark attended other workshops?
a) No
b) Yes last month
c) Not sure
4. What does Lina plan to do?
a) Sign up for the workshop
b) Skip the workshop
c) Organize a workshop
Exercise 6
Discussion
Discuss these questions to practice speaking and share experiences.
1. Have you ever jumped on the bandwagon for a popular training?
2. What skills have you recently sharpened through training?
3. How do you usually find out about workshops at your job?
4. Do you prefer in-person or online sessions? Why?
5. Have you ever attended a training that helped you step up your game?
6. Would you feel confident enough to run a workshop yourself?
7. How do you get up to speed before a new project or course?
8. Have you picked up any tricks from a recent seminar?
