English for Working Abroad
Abroad, your English is tested every day out loud: in the interview, with your supervisor, with customers and on the phone. Nine speaking topics come first, each with a conversation you can hear and take a part in.
About this page
This page helps with the English you need for work abroad. It is not legal, visa or employment advice. Before you accept a job or sign anything, check official guidance, for example from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and the rules of the country you are going to.
How to practise each topic
Say the phrases
Read each phrase aloud twice.
Play the conversation
Listen for the phrases in use.
Take a part
Press a name and speak that person's lines.
Make it yours
Change the details to match your own job.
1. Introducing yourself and your experience
Tell me about yourself is the first question in almost every interview, and you will introduce yourself again on your first day. Prepare 30 seconds: who you are, your experience, and why you want this work.
| Say this | Why |
|---|---|
| My name is Chaminda, and I'm from Galle in Sri Lanka. | Who you are |
| I've worked as a cook for three years. | Your experience |
| In my last job, I prepared meals for up to two hundred guests a day. | A real detail |
| I'm hardworking, and I learn new tasks quickly. | Your strengths |
| I'd like to develop my career in a large hotel. | Your aim |
Tell me about yourself
The first question in an online interview for a hotel kitchen job.
- InterviewerGood morning, Chaminda. Can you hear me clearly?
- ChamindaYes, very clearly, thank you. Good morning.
- InterviewerGreat. Let's begin. Could you tell me a little about yourself?
- ChamindaOf course. I'm from Galle in Sri Lanka, and I've worked as a cook for three years in a busy tourist hotel. I prepare meals for up to two hundred guests a day, and I always follow food safety rules. I'd like to develop my career in a large international hotel.
2. The job interview
Prepare answers to the common questions and practise saying them aloud. For experience questions, tell a short story: the situation, what you did, and the result.
| Question | A good answer includes |
|---|---|
| Why do you want this job? | What interests you about the work, not only the pay |
| Tell me about a problem you solved at work. | The situation, what you did, and the result |
| Can you work night shifts? | A clear, honest answer |
| What are your strengths? | A strength with a short example |
| Do you have any questions? | Always ask one, about training or working hours |
A problem you solved
Later in the same interview.
- InterviewerTell me about a problem you solved at work.
- ChamindaOnce, a large group arrived an hour early for dinner, and half of our kitchen staff had not started their shift.
- InterviewerWhat did you do?
- ChamindaI spoke to my supervisor, and we started with the dishes that were quickest to prepare. I also called two colleagues, who came in early.
- InterviewerAnd the result?
- ChamindaAll the guests were served within thirty minutes, and the manager thanked the team the next day.
- InterviewerVery good. Do you have any questions for us?
- ChamindaYes. Is there any training for new staff when they arrive?
3. Your first days at work
In the first week, nobody expects you to know everything, but they do expect you to ask.
| Say this | When |
|---|---|
| Hello, I'm Kamal. I've just started in the stores department. | Introducing yourself |
| What time do I start and finish? | Asking about hours |
| Where can I leave my bag? | Finding your way |
| Who should I ask if I have a problem? | Finding your supervisor |
| Could you show me how this works, please? | Learning a task |
Day one in the warehouse
Kamal meets his supervisor on his first morning.
- SupervisorMorning! You must be Kamal. I'm Mark, the shift supervisor.
- KamalGood morning, Mark. Nice to meet you.
- SupervisorYour shift is seven to four, with a break at eleven. Lockers are over there.
- KamalThank you. Who should I ask if I have a problem?
- SupervisorAsk me, or Priya on the next aisle. She's been here five years.
- KamalGreat. Could you show me how the scanner works, please?
4. Understanding and checking instructions
Doing a task wrongly because you were too shy to ask can cost money or cause an accident. When you are not sure, repeat the instruction back.
| Say this | Why |
|---|---|
| Sorry, could you say that again more slowly? | You did not catch it |
| Just to check: you want me to clean floor two first? | Repeating back |
| When you say urgent, do you mean today, or right now? | Checking a word |
| Could you show me once, please? | Seeing it done |
| I've finished. Could you check it's right? | Checking your work |
Checking a task
A housekeeping supervisor gives instructions in a hotel.
- SupervisorSunitha, rooms two-fourteen to two-twenty are checking out early, so do those first, then the rest of floor three.
- SunithaSorry, could you say the room numbers again, a little more slowly?
- SupervisorTwo-fourteen to two-twenty.
- SunithaJust to check: rooms two-fourteen to two-twenty first, and then floor three?
- SupervisorThat's right. Thank you for checking.
5. Serving customers and handling complaints
When a customer complains, follow four steps: listen, apologise, solve, thank. Stay calm, and never argue.
| Step | Say this |
|---|---|
| Greet | Good evening. How can I help you? |
| Listen | I understand. Could you tell me what happened? |
| Apologise | I'm very sorry about that. |
| Solve | Let me change that for you right away. |
| Thank | Thank you for telling us. |
The wrong order
A customer in a restaurant has received the wrong meal.
- CustomerExcuse me, I ordered the grilled fish, but this is chicken.
- WaiterI'm very sorry about that. Let me check your order.
- CustomerAnd we've been waiting almost forty minutes.
- WaiterI understand, and I apologise for the wait. I'll ask the kitchen to prepare your fish right away.
- CustomerThank you.
- WaiterThank you for telling me. I'll bring you a drink while you wait.
6. Working with colleagues
Friendly, polite English makes teamwork easier, especially in teams where people come from many countries.
| Say this | When |
|---|---|
| Could you give me a hand with this? | Asking for help |
| No problem, I'll do it now. | Agreeing to help |
| Sorry, I can't right now. I'm finishing this job. | Saying no politely |
| Do you want to have lunch together? | Being friendly |
| Thanks for your help today. | Thanking a colleague |
A heavy delivery
Two colleagues at a supermarket.
- KamalPriya, could you give me a hand with these boxes? They're really heavy.
- PriyaSorry, I can't right now. I'm finishing the price labels. Can you wait five minutes?
- KamalSure, no problem.
- PriyaOK, I'm done. Let's lift them together.
- KamalThanks. Do you want to have lunch together later?
- PriyaGood idea. See you at one.
7. The telephone: calling in sick and taking messages
On the phone, say who you are first, and speak a little more slowly than usual. If you are ill or late, call as early as you can.
| Say this | When |
|---|---|
| Hello, this is Sunil from the night shift. | Saying who you are |
| I'm sorry, but I'm ill and I can't come in today. | Calling in sick |
| She isn't here at the moment. Can I take a message? | Taking a message |
| Could you spell your name, please? | Checking a name |
| Could you repeat the number, please? | Checking a number |
Calling in sick
Sunil telephones his workplace early in the morning.
- ManagerGood morning, Harbour Logistics.
- SunilGood morning. This is Sunil Perera from the night shift.
- ManagerHello, Sunil. What's the problem?
- SunilI'm sorry, but I have a high fever and I can't come to work tonight.
- ManagerThanks for letting me know early. Will you see a doctor?
- SunilYes, this morning. I'll call you tomorrow to say how I am.
- ManagerOK. Get well soon.
8. Safety: signs and reporting problems
Learn the key safety words before your first day. And if something is unsafe, say so at once: you are never wrong to report a safety problem.
| Sign or warning | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DANGER | Serious risk of injury or death |
| CAUTION / WARNING | Be careful: there is a risk |
| WET FLOOR | The floor is slippery |
| NO ENTRY / AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY | Do not go in without permission |
| FIRE EXIT / EMERGENCY EXIT | The way out in an emergency |
| WEAR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT | Wear the gloves, helmet, glasses or boots provided |
Reporting a hazard
A worker notices a problem on a building site.
- NimalExcuse me, the safety rail on the second floor is loose. I think it's dangerous.
- Site supervisorThanks, Nimal. Which side exactly?
- NimalThe side near the stairs. Someone could fall.
- Site supervisorRight. Nobody works on that side until it's fixed. Could you put a warning sign there?
- NimalYes, I'll do it now.
- Site supervisorGood work. Always tell me straight away, like this.
9. Talking about pay, hours and time off
It is normal to ask about your pay and hours, politely. Know these words, and never sign a contract you do not fully understand: ask for a copy and take your time.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| salary / wage | your pay, often monthly (salary) or hourly (wage) |
| overtime | extra hours beyond your normal hours |
| deductions | money taken from your pay, for example for tax or accommodation |
| annual leave | paid holiday days each year |
| notice period | how long before leaving you must tell your employer |
A question about the payslip
A worker speaks to the office manager.
- SunithaExcuse me, could I ask a question about my payslip?
- Office managerOf course. What's the problem?
- SunithaI worked six hours of overtime last week, but I can't see it here.
- Office managerLet me look. Ah, the overtime is paid next month.
- SunithaI see, thank you. And would it be possible to take two days of annual leave in December?
- Office managerPlease fill in a leave form, and I'll ask your supervisor.
10. Your CV and cover letter in brief
Your CV gets you the interview; your speaking gets you the job. Keep the writing short and clear.
CV
- Sections: contact details, a two-sentence profile, work experience (most recent first), training, and skills such as languages and a driving licence.
- Begin each duty with an action verb: prepared, repaired, served, managed.
- One or two pages. Check what employers in that country expect, for example whether to include a photograph.
Cover letter or email
- Say which job you are applying for.
- Give two or three reasons you are suitable, with real details.
- Say that your CV is attached and that you are available for an interview.
Practise speaking out loud
Conversation Partner
A job interview, a hotel check-in and more, answered with your own voice.
Speaking Practice
Everyday situations to answer aloud, with feedback.
Spoken English Starter
Greetings, shopping, directions and the telephone, with conversations.
IELTS General Training
The test many employers and countries ask for.
IELTS Mock Speaking Test
A full speaking test with an examiner voice.
Workplace English
More English for meetings, emails and everyday work.