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Starting a new job can be exciting—but speaking English at work may feel difficult if you are a beginner.
In this lesson, you will learn useful English for four common situations on your first day:
- Taking an office tour
- Meeting your colleagues
- Setting up your computer
- Saying goodbye at the end of the day
Watch the video and then use this guide to review the key language.
Table of Contents
#1 Taking an Office Tour
On your first day, someone may show you around the office. You might need to ask where things are or how something works.
Useful phrases
- By the way, where are the toilets?
- Where is the kitchen?
- They’re at the end of the corridor.
- They’re on the left.
- How do I book a meeting room?
- You can book one online.
- I’ll show you how later.
Common mistakes
Don’t say:
❌ Where is the toilets?
Say:
✅ Where are the toilets?
We use are because toilets is plural.
Don’t say:
❌ How I book a meeting room?
Say:
✅ How do I book a meeting room?
Use do before the person in this kind of question.
#2 Meeting Your Colleagues
When you meet a colleague, introduce yourself and explain what you do.
Useful phrases
- Hi, I’m Keith.
- Nice to meet you.
- Good to meet you too.
- I work in marketing.
- I’m responsible for social media.
- What do you do?
- Our teams often work together.
- If you need anything, just ask.
Common mistakes
Don’t say:
❌ I am work at marketing.
Say:
✅ I work in marketing.
We do not use am before the main verb work.
Don’t say:
❌ I’m responsible of social media.
Say:
✅ I’m responsible for social media.
We always say responsible for something.
#3 Setting Up Your Computer
You may need help setting up your computer, email, password or Wi-Fi.
Ask politely by using
- How do I…?,
- Could you help me…?
- Could you show me…?
Useful phrases
- How do I turn on the computer?
- How do I log in?
- Is this the Wi-Fi password?
- Could you help me with my email?
- Could you show me how to change my password?
- Just press this button.
- You can use this temporary password.
- No problem.
Common mistakes
We open a file or document, but we turn on a computer.
Don’t say:
❌ How do I open the computer?
Say:
✅ How do I turn on the computer?
Don’t say:
❌ Explain me how change it.
A more natural and polite question is:
✅ Could you show me how to change it?
If you do not understand the answer, you can also say:
- Sorry, could you say that again?
- Could you speak more slowly, please?
- I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
- Could you show me?
#4 Saying Goodbye at the End of the Day
At the end of the working day, your manager or colleague may ask you how your first day was.
Useful phrases
- It’s time to call it a day.
- How was your first day?
- It was great.
- I really enjoyed my first day.
- I’m glad to hear that.
- Have a nice evening.
- You too.
- See you tomorrow!
What does “call it a day” mean?
To call it a day means to stop working for the day.
For example:
We’ve finished everything. Let’s call it a day.
Common mistake
Don’t say:
❌ I enjoyed very much my first day.
Say:
✅ I enjoyed my first day very much.
A more natural option is:
✅ I really enjoyed my first day.
Practise Your Workplace English
Imagine it is your first day at a new company. Say your answers to these questions aloud:
- How would you introduce yourself?
- How would you ask where the toilets are?
- How would you ask to book a meeting room?
- How would you ask for help with your computer?
- What would you say if you did not understand someone?
- How would you describe your first day?
Record yourself on your phone. Practise the difficult phrases and then record yourself again without reading.
You can also download the lesson PDF for more practice.
FAQs
Start with a simple introduction, including your name, and then explain your job title and role.
For example: Hi, I’m ____. I’m working in the marketing department. I’m responsible for social media.
Use could you to make a polite request:
- Could you help me?
- Could you show me?
- Could you say that again, please?
Continue Learning English
If this lesson was at the right level for you, continue learning with my Beginner English playlist on YouTube.
Keep practising, and I’ll see you in the next lesson!
