Australian English for Living and Working in Australia. Lesson 12.
In the final lesson you bring everything together in a realistic, story-style project. You follow an international professional through a full Australian week: Monday coffee and stand-up meeting, midweek emails and a tricky phone call, a performance conversation with their manager, Friday drinks and a weekend barbecue. At each stage you choose what they say or write, using the phrases, pronunciation patterns and cultural knowledge you have built across the course. You revisit key chunks for clarifying, softening, joking and standing your ground, and you notice how your own style has changed. The lesson finishes with a short personalised plan for your first real weeks in Australia. By the end, you can move through a typical work and social week in Australian English feeling prepared rather than guessing.
1. Monday coffee and first office chat.
Let’s kick off your full Aussie week on Monday morning. Imagine you have just arrived at your new office in Sydney or Melbourne. You swipe in, find the kitchen, and you are desperate for that first coffee. While you are waiting for the machine, a colleague comes in and starts a friendly chat. This is often your very first real conversation of the week, so it is a great chance to sound relaxed and natural. In this block, we will focus on two things: how people actually start that chat in Australian offices, and how you can answer without sounding too formal, too long, or too cold. You will hear a short kitchen conversation, then you will write what you would say. Pay attention to a few key phrases: simple greetings like “Morning” or “Hey”, questions like “How was your weekend?”, and easy, honest answers such as “Pretty good, thanks. Yours?”. You do not need to be funny or amazing. Just clear, friendly and not too serious. After listening, you will write two short sentences: one to show what you understood, and one as your own natural reply.
Scene: Monday morning in the office kitchen.
You have made it to Day 1 of your Aussie work week. It is 8:45 a.m., you are a bit tired from the commute, and you head straight to the kitchen to grab a coffee.
A colleague you have not met before walks in, smiles, and starts chatting.
Listen to the short audio at the top of this block, then read a version of the same scene below.
> Jade: Morning, how was your weekend?
>
> You: Hey, yeah, pretty good, thanks. I just tried a new café near my place.
>
> Jade: Nice one. The weather was amazing, hey? Perfect for getting outside.
>
> You: Yeah, it was heaps sunny. I went for a walk down by the river.
>
> Jade: Sounds great. Anyway, I’d better head to my desk. See you at stand up.
>
> You: No worries, see you there.
What is going on in this chat?.
This tiny conversation does a lot of important social work:
It uses short, relaxed greetings: Morning, Hey, not long formal ones.
It has an easy opening question: “How was your weekend?”.
It includes simple, positive answers: Pretty good, thanks.
It uses safe small talk topics: weather, coffee, walking.
It closes quickly and politely: “Anyway, I’d better” and “See you at stand up.”
There is no deep personal information, no big jokes, and no detailed story. This is very typical for an Australian office on a Monday.
Useful phrases from the scene.
You can reuse these in your own week:
Greeting:
Morning.
Hey, how you going?
Weekend question:
How was your weekend?
Get up to much on the weekend?
Short answers:
Yeah, pretty good, thanks. Yours?
Not too bad. Just took it easy.
It was a big one, but all good.
Weather comment:
The weather was amazing, hey?
It was heaps sunny.
Closing the chat:
Anyway, I’d better head to my desk.
No worries, see you at stand up.
Your task in this block.
Now it is your turn. First, you will listen to Jade and you chatting in the kitchen. Then you will:
Write one sentence saying what Jade did on the weekend or commented on in the chat.
Write one sentence as your own natural reply to “How was your weekend?”, using some of the ideas above.
Keep it short and friendly. You do not need a long story.
Practice & Feedback
Click play on the audio below and listen to the short kitchen conversation. You can listen more than once if you like.
Then, write two sentences:
Sentence 1: In one clear sentence, say what Jade mentioned about the weekend or the weather. Use your own words; do not just copy exactly.
Sentence 2: Imagine Jade has just asked you, "How was your weekend?" Write one short, natural answer. Try to:
start with something like "Yeah, pretty good, thanks." or "Not too bad."
add a simple activity or comment, for example, going for a walk, trying a café, or staying home.
Write both sentences together in the box. You can label them 1. and 2. if you like. Focus on sounding relaxed, friendly and not too formal.
2. Giving your Monday stand up update.
Now let’s walk out of the kitchen and into your first meeting of the week: the daily stand up. In many Australian offices, this is a short, fast check in. Everyone gives a quick update, often in under a minute. You are not giving a full presentation, just a clear snapshot of where things are at. In this block we will focus on how to structure that update and how to sound honest but not dramatic if you are worried about a deadline. You will see a model update on screen, with typical Australian phrases like, “Here’s a quick update from my side”, “We’re pretty much on track”, and “I’m just a bit worried about the timeline”. Notice how these softening phrases make the message firm but not aggressive. After reading the example, you will write your own short stand up update about a project you choose. Try to reuse some of the chunks from the lesson so far, and remember, the goal is simple: clear, concise, and natural.
Scene: Your Monday stand up meeting.
After that friendly coffee chat, you and Jade walk into a small meeting room. The team stands around for a quick daily stand up. It is your turn to speak.
A typical Australian update is:
short (around 30–60 seconds),
focused on the main points,
honest about any issues,
calm in tone.
Here is a model update from Sam, who works in data analysis for a fintech company.
> Sam:Here’s a quick update from my side. Last week I finished cleaning the customer data and set up the new dashboard. This week I’m going to test the dashboard with the sales team and make a few tweaks based on their feedback. We’re pretty much on track, but I’m just a bit worried about the deadline for the full rollout, because I’m still waiting on some information from marketing. If it’s okay, I’d like to push that final date back by a week so we can do a proper test.
Why this works well.
This update has a clear structure:
Nice opener to show you are starting:
Here’s a quick update from my side.
What you did last week:
I finished cleaning the customer data and set up the new dashboard.
What you are doing now / this week:
This week I’m going to test the dashboard.
Small problem or concern, softened:
We’re pretty much on track, but I’m just a bit worried about the deadline.
I’m still waiting on some information from marketing.
Suggestion for next steps:
If it’s okay, I’d like to push that final date back by a week.
Useful Australian-style chunks.
You can recycle these in your own updates:
Quick update from me…
We’re pretty much on track, but…
I’m just a bit worried about…
I’m still waiting on…
If it works for everyone, we could…
Let’s see how we go this week.
These phrases help you sound cooperative and low drama, even when there is a real issue.
Your task in this block.
You are going to write a mini update as if you are in your own Monday stand up.
Choose a real or imaginary project. It could be:
launching a new website,
organising a staff event,
preparing a report,
training a new colleague.
You will write 3–5 sentences that include:
a short opener,
what you finished recently,
what you are working on this week,
one small concern or delay,
what you suggest as a next step.
Keep the style simple and natural, like Sam’s example.
Practice & Feedback
Imagine it is your turn to speak in a real Monday stand up at an Australian office.
Choose a project you are working on now (or invent one that feels realistic for you). For example, launching a product, preparing a financial report, updating a training manual, or testing software.
Write a short update of 3–5 sentences. Try to include:
An opener like "Here’s a quick update from my side" or "Quick update from me".
One sentence about what you finished recently.
One sentence about what you are doing this week.
One sentence that mentions a small concern or delay, using softeners such as "I’m just a bit worried about" or "I’m still waiting on".
A polite suggestion for next steps, for example, changing a date or asking for help.
Do not write a long story. Keep it short, clear and calm, as if you are really speaking in the meeting.
Example update from Sam:
"Here’s a quick update from my side. Last week I finished cleaning the customer data and set up the new dashboard. This week I’m going to test the dashboard with the sales team and make a few tweaks based on their feedback. We’re pretty much on track, but I’m just a bit worried about the deadline for the full rollout, because I’m still waiting on some information from marketing. If it’s okay, I’d like to push that final date back by a week so we can do a proper test."
3. Midweek emails and work chat tone.
By midweek, your Aussie week usually shifts from quick meetings to more written communication. On Wednesday you might be catching up on emails, answering messages in Teams or Slack, and nudging people about deadlines. The challenge is to sound professional, but not stiff or overly formal, and to match the lighter tone that is common in many Australian workplaces. In this block we will look at how one person writes to a manager by email and to a colleague in chat, and how the tone changes. You will see that small choices like "Hi Sam" instead of "Dear Sam", or "No rush if you’re busy" instead of "As soon as possible" make a big difference. We will pull out some high value phrases you can reuse, then you will write your own short email, asking for something you need. Focus on choosing a greeting, softening your request, and closing in a natural Australian way, such as with "Cheers" or "Thanks in advance".
Scene: Wednesday emails and chat messages.
It is Wednesday morning. You have had your coffee, checked your calendar and now you need to send a couple of messages.
You write a formal-ish but friendly email to your manager, and a very short chat message to a colleague.
Example 1: Email to your manager.
> Subject: Draft report for review
>
> Hi Mia,
>
> Hope you’re going well. Just letting you know I’ve attached the draft client report for next week’s meeting. When you get a chance, could you please review it and let me know if anything looks off? No rush if you’re flat out today, sometime tomorrow would still work.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Ana
Notice:
Greeting is friendly but respectful: Hi Mia, not Dear Ms Smith.
A light opener: Hope you’re going well.
Softened request: When you get a chance, could you please…?
Low pressure phrase: No rush if you’re flat out today…
Natural closing: Thanks in advance, with first name.
Example 2: Chat message to a colleague.
> Teams – message to Jade
>
> Hey, quick one – do you have the latest sales numbers handy? No worries if not, I can chase them up.
Here the tone is more relaxed:
Hey is common in chat.
Quick one shows you will not take much time.
Do you have… handy? is softer than Send me….
No worries if not reduces pressure.
Useful chunks for midweek writing.
Openers:
Hi Sam, hope you’re going well.
Just following up on…
Just a quick one about…
Soft requests:
When you get a chance, could you…?
If it works for you, we could…
Happy to chat if that’s easier.
Low pressure:
No rush if you’re busy.
Whenever you have a spare moment.
Closings:
Thanks in advance,
Cheers,
Talk soon,
Your task in this block.
You will write a short email, not a chat message. Imagine it is Wednesday and you need something from a colleague or client.
Examples:
asking a colleague to send you data,
checking if a client received the contract,
confirming a time for a video call,
following up on an unpaid invoice.
You will use the models above to guide your tone.
Practice & Feedback
Imagine it is Wednesday in your Aussie work week. Choose one realistic situation where you need to send an email. For example:
to a colleague: asking them for information or a document,
to your manager: sending a draft and asking for feedback,
to a client: checking if they received something or confirming a meeting.
Now write an email of 5–7 sentences (you do not need to include a subject line). Try to:
start with a friendly greeting like "Hi Alex," and, if appropriate, a short opener such as "Hope you’re going well" or "Just a quick one about…",
clearly explain why you are writing,
make your request using a soft question, for example, "When you get a chance, could you…?",
reduce pressure if needed with a phrase like "No rush if you’re busy",
finish with a natural closing such as "Thanks in advance," or "Cheers," and your name.
Focus on sounding clear, polite and natural for an Australian workplace, not too formal and not too casual.
Model email:
"Hi Mia,
Hope you’re going well. Just letting you know I’ve attached the draft client report for next week’s meeting. When you get a chance, could you please review it and let me know if anything looks off? No rush if you’re flat out today, sometime tomorrow would still work.
Thanks in advance,
Ana"
4. Handling a tricky midweek phone call.
Let’s fast forward to Thursday. Your week has been busy, and now a small but stressful problem pops up. Maybe there is a strange charge on your bank card, or a medical bill that does not look right. In Australia you often need to sort these things out by phone. This can feel intense, especially with a new accent, phone audio and a slightly formal situation. In this block we will stay calm and practise a short, firm but friendly phone call to customer service.
You will first listen to a model call about a confusing fee on a card. Notice how the caller starts politely, explains the problem clearly, and then asks for a concrete action. Phrases like, "I’m just a bit confused about this charge", "Could you please explain what happened?", and "I’d really appreciate it if we could sort this out today" keep the tone cooperative but strong. After listening and reading the transcript, you will plan your own call. You will write what **you** would say in 3–6 short lines, as if you were on the phone. Focus on greeting, explaining, asking questions and confirming the solution, all in simple, steady language.
Scene: Thursday phone call about a confusing charge.
You are checking your bank statement and you see a charge you do not recognise. You decide to call the bank.
First, you listen to the call in the activity section. Here is the same conversation in text form:
> Bank: Good afternoon, West Coast Bank, this is Daniel speaking. How can I help you today?
>
> You: Hi Daniel, thanks for taking my call. I’m just a bit confused about a charge on my card and I was hoping you could help me check it.
>
> Bank: Sure, no worries. Can I grab your full name and the last four digits of your card?
>
> You: Yeah, it’s Ana Silva, and the last four digits are 3-5-8-2.
>
> Bank: Thanks, Ana. What’s the amount of the charge and the date?
>
> You: It’s for 89 dollars on the 12th of June, from a company called "PayFast Online". I don’t remember making that payment.
>
> Bank: Okay, I can see that here. It looks like a subscription renewal. Did you maybe sign up for a free trial a while back?
>
> You: I might have, but I definitely didn’t realise it would renew. Could you please explain what happened and what my options are?
>
> Bank: No worries. I’ll put a temporary hold on any more payments from that company and I can lodge a dispute for this charge.
>
> You: That would be great, thank you. Could you please send me a confirmation email with the details?
>
> Bank: Absolutely. You should get that in the next few minutes.
>
> You: Thanks heaps for your help.
Language moves in this call.
The caller does a few important things:
Polite opening:
Hi Daniel, thanks for taking my call.
Clear, low-drama problem description:
I’m just a bit confused about a charge on my card.
Specific details:
date, amount, and company name.
Polite but firm request for information:
Could you please explain what happened and what my options are?
Request for written confirmation:
Could you please send me a confirmation email with the details?
Friendly closing:
Thanks heaps for your help.
This style is very Australian: cooperative, calm, but clear about what you need.
Useful chunks for tricky calls.
I’m just a bit confused about…
I was hoping you could help me check something.
There’s a charge on my card I don’t recognise.
Could you please explain what happened?
What are my options here?
I’d really appreciate it if we could sort this out soon.
Could you please put that in writing / send me a confirmation email?
Thanks for your help, I’ll wait for your email.
Your task in this block.
You will now plan your own phone call. You will not write what the bank or agent says, only what you say.
Imagine you are calling about a problem that matters to you, such as:
a bank charge you don’t recognise,
a phone bill that looks too high,
a delivery that never arrived.
You will write your side of the call in short lines, like a script:
> You: …
This will help you feel ready for real calls in your first weeks in Australia.
Practice & Feedback
Imagine it is Thursday in your Aussie week and you need to make a tricky but calm phone call to fix a problem. Choose one situation:
a strange charge on your bank card,
a phone or internet bill that seems wrong,
a delivery that never arrived.
Now write 3–6 short lines showing what you would say on the call. Do not write the agent’s lines, only yours. You can start each line with "You:" if you like.
Try to include:
a polite greeting and reason for calling (for example, "Hi, thanks for taking my call. I’m just a bit confused about…"),
a clear description of the problem with key details (amount, date, order number, etc.),
at least one polite but firm request, such as "Could you please explain what happened?" or "I’d really appreciate it if we could sort this out soon.",
a request for confirmation, for example, an email.
Keep your language simple and steady. Imagine you really need this problem fixed, but you also want to sound cooperative.
5. Performance conversation with your manager.
Your Aussie week is nearly done, but there is one more high pressure moment to practise: a performance or feedback conversation with your manager. This might be a probation review, a one on one, or just a quick check in where they want to talk about what is going well and what could be better. In Australian workplaces, the tone is often friendly and low key, but the content can still feel serious. You need to show that you are open to feedback, that you can talk about your own goals, and that you can stand your ground a little if something is unclear.
In this block you will read a short dialogue between a manager and an employee at the end of the week. Notice phrases like "Thanks for the feedback, I’ll work on that" and "I’m keen to keep developing my leadership skills". These show confidence without arrogance. Then you will write your own response to some feedback, using similar language. This is a good chance to practise sounding professional, modest and proactive in Australian English, ready for real conversations in your first months at work.
Scene: Thursday arvo check in.
It is Thursday afternoon. Your manager Mia has booked a quick one on one. You head into a small meeting room with your notebook and a glass of water. She wants to chat about how your first few weeks have been going.
Read this short dialogue:
> Mia: Thanks for making the time, Ana. Overall you’ve had a really solid start. Your reports are clear and the team has said you’re easy to work with.
>
> Ana: Thanks, that’s great to hear.
>
> Mia: One thing I’d like you to keep working on is speaking up a bit more in meetings. You’ve got good ideas, but sometimes you hold back.
>
> Ana: Yeah, that makes sense. I’m still finding my feet and getting used to the pace. But I definitely want to contribute more.
>
> Mia: Totally understandable. Maybe next week you could lead part of the update for the client project?
>
> Ana: I’d actually really like that. Thanks for the opportunity. I’m keen to keep developing my leadership skills, so that would be a good challenge.
>
> Mia: Sounds good. Let’s see how we go and we can check in again next month.
What Ana does well here.
Ana:
Acknowledges the positive feedback: "Thanks, that’s great to hear."
Accepts the suggestion without getting defensive: "Yeah, that makes sense."
Explains her situation briefly: "I’m still finding my feet."
Shows motivation: "I definitely want to contribute more."
Connects to her goals: "I’m keen to keep developing my leadership skills."
Thanks for the opportunity: "Thanks for the opportunity."
She does not say she is perfect, but she also does not put herself down. This balance is very Australian.
Useful chunks for feedback conversations.
Thanks, that’s great to hear.
Yeah, that makes sense.
I’m still finding my feet, but…
I definitely want to…
I’m keen to keep developing my… skills.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Could you give me an example so I can understand it better?
I’d really appreciate any tips you have on that.
Your task in this block.
You will now imagine your own manager has given you some feedback. In the activity section you will see three short feedback points. Your job is to write one combined response that:
shows you heard the feedback,
accepts at least one suggestion,
adds a little context if you need to,
mentions one clear plan or goal.
This will help you feel ready when these conversations actually happen in your Aussie week.
Practice & Feedback
Read the feedback below from your imaginary manager. Then write one response of around 6–8 sentences.
Your manager says:
"You’ve settled in well and the team really appreciates your positive attitude."
"One area to work on is double checking details in your emails. There have been a couple of small mistakes."
"I’d also like to see you take more initiative in suggesting ideas in meetings."
In your response, try to:
thank them for the positive comments,
show you accept the feedback without sounding negative about yourself,
briefly explain your situation if relevant (for example, still learning systems or still getting used to the culture),
mention one or two concrete actions you will take, such as setting time to review emails or planning one idea to share in the next meeting,
use some natural phrases like "Yeah, that makes sense", "I’m still finding my feet", "I definitely want to…", or "I’m keen to keep developing…".
Write it as if you are speaking in the meeting, not as an email.
Manager feedback:
"You’ve settled in well and the team really appreciates your positive attitude. One area to work on is double checking details in your emails. There have been a couple of small mistakes. I’d also like to see you take more initiative in suggesting ideas in meetings."
6. Friday drinks, weekend barbecue and your plan.
You have made it to Friday. Nice work. The last part of your Aussie week is more social: an invite to Friday drinks after work and maybe a barbecue on the weekend. These moments are important for relationships, but you still need to choose your words carefully. You want to sound friendly and relaxed, without feeling pressured to drink or stay out late, and you want safe, easy small talk topics.
In this final block, we will quickly look at two short scenes: a colleague inviting you to drinks, and a neighbour inviting you to a weekend barbecue. Then you will create your own mini script for a full Australian week: what you will say at Monday coffee, in a meeting, in an email, on a tricky call, at Friday drinks and in a reflection about your goals. This is your chance to pull everything together and plan the real language you want to use. As you write, focus on reusing key chunks from earlier: "Here’s a quick update from my side", "No rush if you’re busy", "I’m just a bit confused about…", "Thanks for the feedback, I’ll work on that", and friendly closers like "No worries, we can catch up tomorrow". At the end, you will also write a few lines about what you feel confident with now, and what you want to keep practising in Australian English.
Scene 1: Friday drinks invite.
It is Friday afternoon. Your colleague Jade walks past your desk.
> Jade: You heading to Friday drinks later?
>
> You: Yeah, I might pop down for one. Got an early start tomorrow though.
>
> Jade: All good. We’re just down at the pub on the corner if you feel like it.
>
> You: Nice, cheers for the invite.
You could also politely say no:
> You: Thanks for the invite, maybe next time. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment after work, so I’ll probably just head home.
Both answers are friendly and clear. You do not need a long explanation.
Scene 2: Weekend barbecue invite.
On Saturday morning your neighbour messages you.
> Neighbour: Hey, we’re having a barbecue tomorrow arvo if you’d like to come. Just a few friends, nothing fancy.
>
> You: That sounds awesome, thanks for asking. What time should I come and can I bring anything?
This is relaxed, positive, and shows you understand typical Australian social time words like "arvo".
Useful small talk and boundary phrases.
Yeah, I might pop down for one.
Got an early start tomorrow though.
Thanks for the invite, maybe next time.
I’ve got a doctor’s appointment after work.
That sounds awesome, thanks for asking.
What time should I come and can I bring anything?
I’m gonna head off, got a big day tomorrow.
She’ll be right, we can catch up another time.
Your final task: design your own Aussie week.
Now you will create a short personal script for your first real weeks in Australia.
You will write six small parts:
Monday coffee line – one or two sentences you can use in the kitchen.
Meeting update opener – one or two sentences for a stand up, including a small concern.
Midweek email line – two or three sentences you can reuse in emails.
Tricky phone call line – one or two sentences you would actually say if there is a problem.
Friday drinks or weekend invite line – one or two sentences to accept or decline.
Reflection – three or four sentences about what you feel more confident with now and what you want to keep practising.
You do not have to write a long story. Think of this as a toolkit you can carry into your real life.
Practice & Feedback
This is your capstone task for the course. You will design a mini script for a full Aussie week, plus a short reflection.
Please write six labelled parts in one answer, for example:
Monday coffee: 1–2 sentences you could really say in the office kitchen. Include a greeting and a simple comment about your weekend or the weather.
Meeting update: 2–3 sentences you might use to start a stand up update, including a soft concern (for example, "I’m just a bit worried about…" or "I’m still waiting on…").
Midweek email: 2–3 sentences you can reuse in work emails, with a friendly opener and a soft request (for example, "When you get a chance, could you…?").
Tricky phone call: 1–2 sentences you would say when calling a bank, landlord, doctor or other service about a real problem (for example, "I’m just a bit confused about this charge").
Friday drinks or barbecue: 1–2 sentences either accepting or politely declining an invite.
Reflection: 3–4 sentences about:
which Australian English situations you now feel more comfortable in,
which phrases from the course you like and want to keep using,
what you want to keep practising in the next few months.
Try to reuse some chunks from this lesson and earlier ones, but also make the lines real for your life and work.
Planning template for your Aussie week script:
Monday coffee – greeting + tiny piece of small talk.
Meeting update – opener + progress + small concern.
Midweek email – opener + soft request + closing.
Tricky phone call – polite problem statement + request.
Friday drinks or barbecue – friendly accept or decline.
Reflection – what you feel confident with now and what you want to keep practising.
