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Simmonds · live on simmonds.onlineB15 min · English

Solving problems together in English: vocabulary, dialogue and conversation questions

Editorially responsible: James Simmondspublished 14 Nov 2026AI-generated text (learn more – how we use AI on these pages)

Live rounds with a trainer and a small group. To warm up: Theo asks, you answer.

Allow the microphone – Theo asks the first question.

Find a live round with a trainer – Opens simmonds.online: conversation classes in small groups

AI conversation partner, synthetic voice · your voice is processed live by Google Gemini, we store no audio and no transcript · max. 5 minAbout the AIWith headphones you can interrupt Theo. Without them, the microphone only listens once Theo has finished.

Solving problemsB1 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about solving problems together (level B1)Deadlines and delaysB1 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about missed deadlines (level B1)International teamsC1 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about working in international teams (level C1)

Question of the day

According to the podcast, what do the best teams do when things go wrong?

  1. They ask the client to suggest a solution.
  2. They stay calm and focus on the solution.
  3. They stop work until their manager arrives.
Show the answer – Open the answer to the question of the day

Correct answer: They stay calm and focus on the solution.

You can find the answer in the English introduction.

Listen to the introduction

Speed

Transcript

Hi, I'm Theo, and this is a two-minute conversation starter. Today: solving problems together. In any job, things sometimes go wrong – Jump to the vocabulary entry for go wrong. An important client might complain, or a project might fall behind schedule – Jump to the vocabulary entry for fall behind schedule. When this happens, it is easy to panic or blame someone else – Jump to the vocabulary entry for blame someone else. But the best teams stay calm and focus on the solution – Jump to the vocabulary entry for focus on the solution. They brainstorm ideas – Jump to the vocabulary entry for brainstorm ideas, look at the problem from different angles, and find a way forward. Sometimes, talking to a colleague who has a fresh perspective – Jump to the vocabulary entry for fresh perspective is all you need to fix a tricky situation. Good communication is the key to success. Have you ever had to deal with an unexpected issue – Jump to the vocabulary entry for deal with an unexpected issue at work? How did you and your team solve it?

Vocabulary

go wrong/ɡəʊ ˈrɒŋ/
Meaning: To happen in a way that is not planned or wanted.
Example: If things go wrong, we will need a backup plan.
fall behind schedule/fɔːl bɪˈhaɪnd ˈʃedʒ.uːl/
Meaning: To make less progress than planned, so work is running late.
Example: We cannot afford to fall behind schedule on this project.
blame someone else/bleɪm ˈsʌm.wʌn els/
Meaning: To say that another person is responsible for a mistake.
Example: It is not helpful to blame someone else when a mistake happens.
focus on the solution/ˈfəʊ.kəs ɒn ðə səˈluː.ʃən/
Meaning: To put your attention on fixing a problem rather than arguing.
Example: Let's stop arguing and focus on the solution.
brainstorm ideas/ˈbreɪn.stɔːm aɪˈdɪəz/
Meaning: To think of many different ways to solve a problem as a group.
Example: We need to brainstorm ideas for the new marketing campaign.
fresh perspective/freʃ pəˈspek.tɪv/
Meaning: A new and different way of looking at a situation.
Example: A new team member can often bring a fresh perspective.
deal with an unexpected issue/diːl wɪð ən ˌʌn.ɪkˈspek.tɪd ˈɪʃ.uː/
Meaning: To take action to solve a problem you did not plan for.
Example: Managers often have to deal with an unexpected issue on Monday mornings.

Dialogue

  1. SarahThe software update has completely failed. What should we do?
  2. DavidLet's not panic. We need to focus on the solution right now.
  3. SarahYou're right. I don't want to blame someone else, but the IT team didn't test it properly.
  4. DavidWe can discuss that later. First, we have to deal with an unexpected issue before the customers notice.
  5. SarahShould we brainstorm ideas with the rest of the department?
  6. DavidYes, maybe someone has a fresh perspective on how to fix the code quickly.
  7. SarahOkay, I'll set up a quick meeting for us.
  8. DavidGreat. If we work together, we have a better chance of solving this.

Questions for your conversation

Partner A

Easier: Do you often solve problems in a team? Why or why not?

What's a problem at work you solved in a clever way?

More challenging: How can a manager help people solve a problem without blaming each other?

Partner B

Easier: Is it easy to stay calm when things go wrong? Why or why not?

Who do you usually ask for help when you have a difficult problem at work?

More challenging: In your experience, what are the most effective strategies for preventing a project from falling behind schedule?

Partner A

Easier: Do you like brainstorming with other people? Why or why not?

How do you deal with colleagues who always complain instead of helping?

More challenging: How can people with different experiences help a team find new solutions?

Useful phrases

  • Let's look at this from a different angle.
  • We need to figure out what went wrong.
  • I suggest we tackle this problem together.
  • Does anyone have a better idea?
  • We shouldn't point fingers at anyone.
  • How can we prevent this from happening again?

Topic quiz

Five quick questions check vocabulary and listening comprehension.

All conversations – Back to all English conversations

Questions

Who is Theo?

Theo is an AI conversation partner for warming up, not a teacher. The voice is synthetic. In the live rounds, a trainer talks with you.

Is my conversation stored?

We store neither audio nor a transcript. During the conversation, your voice is sent to Google (Gemini) for processing. The conversation ends after no more than five minutes.

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