Simmonds Language Services
Business English Podcast · Small Talk & Networking · Episode 07

Asking a New Colleague About Their First Week

A new colleague started on Monday — how to ask about her first week in friendly, natural English.

B1 · Dialogue · 3 Min. · free

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Editorially reviewed by James Simmonds – English teacher since 2004Published

Small Talk with New Colleagues

SceneFriday afternoon in the office kitchen: Daniel meets Laura, who started at the company on Monday. He asks how her first week was — and politely corrects one small mistake.
0:00 / 3 Min.

Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)

✓ To the comprehension test
Daniel — Marketing managerLaura — New colleague, sales

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Transcript

The full transcript opens after the comprehension test — so you train real listening instead of reading along.

Key phrases

first week
the first week in a new job
How has your first week been so far?
friendly and helpful
kind and ready to help
The colleagues in our Berlin office are friendly and helpful.
a tour of the office
a guided walk around the workplace
On my first day, my manager gave me a tour of the office.
took me out for lunch
invited me to eat lunch together outside the office
The team took me out for lunch to celebrate the new contract.
introduced myself
told people who I am
At the meeting, I introduced myself to the new clients.
so far
up to now
How do you like the new role so far?
wish me luck
said before something difficult starts
My presentation starts in five minutes — wish me luck!
Have a great weekend
friendly way to say goodbye on a Friday
Thanks for your help today. Have a great weekend!

Language notes

In this episode Daniel asks his new colleague Laura in the office kitchen how her first week was. You learn friendly questions and answers for small talk with new colleagues — and why the German "Chef" is a "boss" in English, not a "chef" (level B1).

Asking about someone's first week

The dialogue shows the typical tense pattern: the present perfect describes the week as an experience ("How has your first week been?", "Have you met everyone yet?"), while finished points in time take the past simple ("What did you do on Monday?", "On Wednesday I introduced myself …"). Mastering this switch is the grammar of small talk — it makes you sound natural immediately.

Welcoming new colleagues: DE ↔ EN

In German offices new colleagues are often shown around formally and then left to themselves. In English-speaking office culture, colleagues approach new people more actively: they invite them to lunch ("took me out for lunch"), offer help ("just come and find me") and react enthusiastically ("That's great to hear!"). These small, warm reactions are no accident — they keep the conversation going and signal: you belong here.

"Chef" is not "chef"

A classic false friend: the German "Chef" is a "boss" or "manager" in English — a "chef" cooks in a restaurant kitchen. Daniel also shows how to correct someone politely: "One small tip: in English we say …" And Laura shows the perfect reaction to a correction: thank the person, repeat the sentence correctly ("my boss has been very patient"), and move on.

Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.

Frequently asked questions

What language level is this episode for?

Level B1 (CEFR). The dialogue uses everyday office English with clear, short sentences; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.

How do I ask a new colleague about their first week?

With open questions in the present perfect: "How has your first week been?", "Have you met everyone yet?", "How do you like the work so far?" Then ask for specifics: "What did you do on your first day?"

Is there a transcript to read along?

Yes, the full transcript with German support notes is on this page — listen first, then take the test, then read along.

Where can I practise small talk with teachers live?

In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services: live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany — since 2004. Book a free consultation at englisch-lehrer.com/online.

What is the difference between "boss" and "chef"?

Your "boss" is your manager — the German "Chef". A "chef", on the other hand, cooks in a restaurant. Anyone who says "my chef" at the office will be corrected kindly — just like Laura in this episode.

Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?

The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.

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