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Lesson 33
Sharing Recommendations (books, restaurants, apps)
B2
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Share helpful recommendations with colleagues naturally to strengthen workplace connections.
Exercise 1
Situation
Direction: Read the situation for today's lesson
Alex notices that his team enjoys talking about hobbies and personal interests during coffee breaks. He wants to recommend a useful app for productivity, a good restaurant for lunch, and a book he recently enjoyed. Alex must learn how to make suggestions politely, express opinions, and encourage colleagues like Sarah and Omar to share their own favorites. The goal is to practice friendly and professional communication while building rapport.
Exercise 2
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your tutor
Must-try
adjective
/ˈmʌst traɪ/
Meaning:
Something highly recommended or worth experiencing.
- Alex suggested a must-try Italian restaurant near the office.
Go-to
idiom
/ˈɡoʊ tuː/
Meaning:
A reliable choice or favorite option.
- Sarah shared her go-to app for managing tasks efficiently.
Look into
phrasal verb
/lʊk ˈɪntuː/
Meaning:
To investigate or explore something further.
- Omar promised to look into the book Alex recommended.
On my radar
phrase
/ɑn maɪ ˈreɪdɑr/
Meaning:
Something you have noticed and are interested in.
- That new restaurant is now on Alex’s radar for Friday lunch.
Exercise 3
Office Conversation
Direction: Read the conversation aloud with your teacher.
Situation:
Anna introduces herself to a new colleague at work.
I tried a must-try café downtown. You should check it out.
Alex
That sounds great! I’ll put it on my radar.
Sarah
Any good productivity apps you can recommend?
Omar
Yes, this app is my go-to for organizing tasks.
Alex
I need something like that. I’ll look into it.
Sarah
Also, I read a book that really helped with communication skills.
Alex
Thanks, Alex. I’ll look into that this weekend.
Omar
Sharing these recommendations makes our breaks more fun.
Sarah
Check Understanding
Direction: Answer the questions about the conversation.
1. What does “must-try” mean in this context?
2. How is “look into” used in the conversation?
3. Why does Alex put the restaurant 'on his radar'?
Exercise 4
Study Guide
Direction: Read the study manual aloud.
Sharing recommendations is a simple way to connect with colleagues and create a friendly office culture. Start by noticing interests or needs like apps for productivity, books for skill development, or restaurants for lunch. Use phrases such as “must-try” to suggest highly recommended options and “go-to” for reliable favorites.
Encourage curiosity by saying, “I’ll look into that” or “I’ll put it on my radar” when responding to suggestions. Be polite and brief, and allow others to share their favorites too. Sharing recommendations is not just about advice it’s a social tool that strengthens relationships, fosters trust, and creates common conversation topics.
Practicing these exchanges improves your ability to communicate naturally, connect with peers, and contribute positively to the team environment. Even casual recommendations can lead to meaningful discussions and build rapport in a professional setting.
Exercise 5
Choose the Correct Answer
Direction: Direction: Select the correct answer from the options A, B, or C.
1. Alex suggested a restaurant ___ the team.
A. to
B. in
C. for
2. She put the café ___ her radar.
A. on
B. in
C. at
3. Sharing recommendations ___ fun for everyone.
A. is
B. are
C. be
4. Alex ___ a book to improve communication.
A. recommended
B. recommend
C. recommends
5. Omar will look into the app Alex ___
A. suggested
B. suggest
C. suggesting
6. Sarah spoke ___ during the coffee break.
A. enthusiastically
B. enthusiastic
C. enthusiasm
7. That restaurant is a ___ option for lunch.
A. must-try
B. must
C. try
8. Alex’s go-to app helps him ___ tasks.
A. organize
B. organizing
C. organized
Exercise 6
Discussion
Direction: Discuss these questions to practice speaking and share experiences.
1. How do you usually share recommendations at work?
2. When is it appropriate to suggest books, apps, or restaurants to colleagues?
3. What makes a recommendation effective and polite?
4. How do you respond when someone gives you a suggestion?
5. Where do you usually find interesting apps or books to share?
6. How can sharing recommendations improve team relationships?
7. What topics are best avoided when giving workplace recommendations?
8. How often do you participate in casual conversations about hobbies or interests at work?
