Giving a Clear Daily Stand-up Update under Time Pressure.
English for Software Engineers and IT Teams. Lesson 5.
Stand-up sounds simple until you are tired, interrupted, or unsure what to prioritise. In this lesson you practise a daily stand-up update that is short, informative and easy for others to act on. The scenario: Northbank Digital has a busy sprint, QA has found a new bug, and you need to update the team without going into a long technical story.
You will listen to a model stand-up where the speaker uses a clear structure and signals uncertainty responsibly. You will practise phrases for progress, next steps, blockers, and requests for help. You will also practise recovering smoothly if you lose a word or get interrupted, so you keep your place and your tone.
Your artefact is a 45–60 second spoken stand-up update plus one short Slack follow-up message that captures your blocker and what you need from a teammate.
1. Kick-off: a model stand-up in a busy sprint.
Today you’re in Northbank Digital’s daily stand-up, and it’s one of those mornings where everyone is busy and slightly stretched. QA has raised a new bug late in the sprint, and you need to update the team without disappearing into a long technical story.
In this lesson, we’ll keep the goal very practical: you’ll be able to give a short, structured stand-up update that your teammates can act on. Think: what changed since yesterday, what you’ll do today, and what is blocking you, plus a very specific request for help.
In a moment, you’ll listen to a model stand-up update. As you listen, don’t try to memorise every word. Instead, notice the structure and the tone. The speaker is calm, they signal uncertainty responsibly, and they finish cleanly. After the audio, you’ll answer a few focused questions, so you practise hearing the key information quickly, just like in a real stand-up.
Situation.
You’re in the Northbank Digital daily stand-up. It’s mid-sprint, and QA has found a new bug:
Bug: Export button downloads an empty CSV in Safari.
Ticket: NB-4215
Impact: Not a production outage, but it’s risky to ship without checking.
You’re a software engineer in the team. Yesterday you were working on a separate task, but now you need to react to this bug without going into a deep debugging narrative.
The stand-up structure we’re aiming for.
A good stand-up update is easy to follow because it has a predictable shape:
Since yesterday, I’ve… (progress)
Today I’m planning to… (next step)
I’m currently blocked by… / I’m waiting on… (blocker)
Request for help (clear, specific, small ask)
This structure helps you sound organised even when things are messy.
What to listen for in the model.
In the audio, notice how the speaker:
states what changed since yesterday in one sentence;
mentions the bug with just enough context (browser, symptom, ticket);
uses uncertainty language to stay credible (not overconfident);
ends with a specific request (not “any help?”).
You’ll use the same building blocks later to create your own 45–60 second update.
Reference phrases (we’ll reuse these).
Since yesterday, I’ve…
Today I’m planning to…
I’m currently blocked by… / I’m waiting on…
At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm.
If you have five minutes later, could you…?
That’s all from me.
Practice & Feedback
Listen to the stand-up update once. Then write your answers in short notes (not full sentences is fine).
Answer these four questions:
What did the speaker complete since yesterday?
What are they planning to do today?
What is the blocker (what are they waiting on / what is stopping them)?
What specific help do they ask for (who and what)?
Try to capture the information as you would in a real stand-up: quick, clear, and only the essentials.
2. Noticing: keep it short, signal uncertainty well.
Now that you’ve heard a realistic stand-up update, let’s pull out the language that makes it work. The key is not fancy vocabulary; it’s structure plus a calm, responsible tone.
In engineering, you often don’t know the root cause yet, especially when a bug is brand new. At B2 level, what makes you sound credible is how you talk about uncertainty. Instead of guessing, you show that you have a plan: reproduce, narrow down, verify, then update.
We’ll also look at how to give just enough detail. You can name the ticket, the symptom, and the environment, but you do not need to describe your entire investigation in stand-up. Save deep detail for the ticket or a follow-up chat.
On the screen you’ll see useful phrases, plus small upgrades you can make to sound more precise. Then you’ll practise by rewriting a few lines, so you build automatic, stand-up-friendly sentences.
Why uncertainty language matters.
In a stand-up, saying the wrong thing confidently can create false expectations. But sounding hesitant can also reduce trust. The solution is a middle path:
state what you know;
state what you think is likely;
state what you’ll do next to confirm.
This is exactly what the model speaker did.
Useful phrases from today’s scenario.
Here are core phrases you can reuse (they’re short on purpose):
Stand-up move
Simple, professional wording
Progress
"Since yesterday, I’ve finished…"
Plan
"Today I’m planning to…"
Blocker
"I’m currently blocked by…" / "I’m waiting on…"
Responsible uncertainty
"At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm."
Request
"If you have five minutes later, could you…?"
Close
"That’s all from me."
Micro-upgrades: from vague to actionable.
Notice how a small change makes your message easier to act on:
Vague: "QA found a bug in export. I’ll look."
Better: "QA raised NB-4215: export downloads an empty CSV in Safari. I’ll reproduce it and check where the data is dropped."
Vague: "I might need help."
Better: "Priya, could you share exact steps + console errors so I can reproduce reliably?"
Risky guess: "It’s definitely a browser bug."
Responsible: "At the moment, it looks like it might be browser-side, but I need to confirm."
Keep the detail level right.
A good test is:Can someone else do something with my update?
If yes, you’ve included the right amount. If your update is just a story, you’ve probably included too much.
In the next task, you’ll rewrite a few lines using the phrases above, keeping the same situation and ticket.
Practice & Feedback
Rewrite the three stand-up lines below so they sound structured, calm, and actionable.
Keep the same meaning, but upgrade the language using the phrases on the screen (for example: Since yesterday… / Today I’m planning to… / I’m blocked by… / At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm / If you have five minutes later, could you…?).
Write 3 improved lines (one for each original line). Aim for 1–2 sentences per line. Stay in the same scenario: ticket NB-4215, Safari, empty CSV.
Original lines to improve:
"Yesterday I did some stuff on the feed."
"Today I will check the export bug. I think it’s the backend."
"I can’t really reproduce it, so I need help."
3. Guided build: your 45–60 second stand-up update.
Let’s start building your own update, step by step. To make this realistic, I’ll give you a set of work notes, like the kind you might have in front of you before stand-up.
Your job is to convert those notes into a short spoken-style script. Even though you’re writing, we’re aiming for something that sounds natural when said aloud.
Remember: 45 to 60 seconds is not long. That’s usually four to six short sentences. So you need to prioritise. Mention what you finished, what you will do today, and the one blocker that matters most. Then make one very specific request.
Also, include one sentence that signals uncertainty responsibly. It’s completely fine not to know the root cause yet, as long as you show a plan to confirm.
When you write, imagine your teammates listening on a call. If they can understand your situation quickly and know how to help, you’ve done it well.
Your notes (same sprint, same bug).
Imagine these are your real notes five minutes before stand-up:
Finished: activity feed pagination, pushed behind feature flag
New QA bug: NB-4215 export downloads empty CSV in Safari
Priority: check quickly so it doesn’t block release
Plan today: reproduce, check browser-side CSV generation, compare with Chrome
Risk/uncertainty: likely browser-side, but not confirmed yet
Help request: Priya (QA) to send steps + console screenshot; Sam to sanity-check API response in logs
How to turn notes into a spoken-style update.
You’re not writing an email. You’re writing something you could say clearly in one breath.
A simple template:
Since yesterday, I’ve… + one concrete completion
Today I’m planning to… + your immediate next step
At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm.
I’m currently blocked by…
If you have five minutes later, could you…? (one clear ask)
That’s all from me.
Example (short and focused).
> Since yesterday, I’ve finished the activity feed pagination and pushed it behind the feature flag. Today I’m planning to pick up NB-4215: in Safari, export is downloading an empty CSV. At the moment, it looks like it might be in the browser-side generation, but I need to confirm by reproducing and comparing against Chrome. I’m currently blocked by not having reliable Safari reproduction. Priya, if you have five minutes later, could you share the exact steps and any console errors? That should help me move quickly. That’s all from me.
Notice: it’s calm, it’s specific, and it ends cleanly.
Now you’ll write your own version. Don’t worry about being perfect; we’ll refine it.
Practice & Feedback
Write your own stand-up update script for today’s situation.
Requirements:
Aim for 45–60 seconds when spoken (around 80–110 words is a good target).
Use the stand-up structure: Since yesterday… / Today… / Blocker / Request for help / Close.
Include ticket NB-4215 and the key symptom (empty CSV in Safari).
Include one sentence that signals uncertainty responsibly (for example: At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm.).
Write it as if you are speaking to your team on a call. Keep it natural and not too formal.
Quick phrase bank (you can copy and adapt):
"Since yesterday, I’ve…"
"Today I’m planning to…"
"I’m currently blocked by…" / "I’m waiting on…"
"At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm."
"If you have five minutes later, could you…?"
"I’ll update the ticket once I’ve tested the fix."
"That’s all from me."
4. Stand-up pressure: handle questions and interruptions.
Real stand-ups are rarely perfectly smooth. Someone may interrupt with a question, or you might lose a word mid-sentence, especially when you’re tired. The skill we’re adding now is recovery: staying calm, keeping your place, and still finishing with a clear request.
There are a few friendly, professional ways to do this. You can briefly acknowledge the interruption, then either answer quickly or park it and promise a follow-up. You can also signpost that you want to finish your point first.
In engineering teams, this matters because interruptions can push you into long explanations. Your job is to protect the structure: progress, plan, blocker, request.
In the task, you’ll do a short chat-style simulation. I’ll play a teammate who asks quick questions about NB-4215. Your replies should be short, specific, and consistent with the stand-up update you wrote earlier. Use responsible uncertainty: if you don’t know yet, say what you will do to confirm.
What goes wrong in stand-up (and how to recover).
Two common problems:
1) Someone interrupts with a question
That can be useful, but it can also drag you into details.
Useful ways to handle it:
Answer briefly, then return: "Good question. At the moment, I haven’t confirmed that yet. The next step is to reproduce it."
Park it politely: "I’m not sure yet. I’ll confirm after stand-up and update the ticket."
Protect your point: "Can I just finish this point, and then I’m happy to come back to that?"
2) You lose your place / can’t find the word
You don’t need to panic. Use a simple reset:
"Sorry, I’ve lost my place. Where was I? Right, the blocker is…"
"Let me rephrase that." / "Just to come back to the main point…"
Keep it aligned with the stand-up structure.
When you’re interrupted, try to return to one of these anchors:
Today I’m planning to…
I’m currently blocked by…
If you have five minutes later, could you…?
Mini examples (same scenario).
Teammate: "Is it definitely backend?"
You: "At the moment, it looks more like browser-side CSV generation, but I need to confirm. I’ll reproduce in Safari and compare with Chrome."
Teammate: "Can we still ship today?"
You: "I can’t confirm yet. If I can reproduce quickly, I’ll have a clearer answer in a couple of hours. I’ll update the ticket once I’ve tested."
QA: "What do you need from me?"
You: "Exact steps to reproduce in Safari, plus console errors if you have them."
Next, you’ll practise this in a quick chat simulation. Keep your messages short and stand-up-like.
Practice & Feedback
Chat simulation: you are in stand-up, and teammates ask quick questions about NB-4215.
Write 4 short chat replies (1–2 sentences each). Imagine you’re speaking, but type your answers.
Reply to each message below. Keep your tone calm and professional, and use at least two of these phrases: At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm. / I’m currently blocked by… / The next step is to… / I’ll update the ticket once…
Important: do not invent a confident root cause. If you’re unsure, say what you’ll do next.
Teammate (Sam): "Is this blocking the release?"
QA (Priya): "Can you remind me what info you need from QA?"
Engineering Manager (Lena): "Do we know if it happens in Chrome too?"
Teammate (Sam): "What’s your next step right after stand-up?"
5. Slack follow-up: summarise the blocker and the ask.
After stand-up, the fastest way to unblock yourself is often a short Slack message that captures the key point. This is not a long update and it’s not a full ticket description. It’s a follow-up that makes it easy for one person to help you quickly.
A strong Slack follow-up usually does three things: it names the blocker precisely, it says what you need, and it sets a clear next step. If you can, include a ticket link or at least the ticket ID, so the thread stays connected to the work.
Notice that the tone is important. You’re not blaming QA for finding the bug late, and you’re not panicking. You’re simply coordinating.
On the screen, you’ll see a small template and a couple of examples. Then you’ll write your own message to Priya and Sam based on our scenario. Keep it short enough that someone can read it in five seconds and know what to do.
Why a Slack follow-up helps.
In a stand-up, people may be half listening, multitasking, or joining late. A follow-up message creates a clear action point and reduces repeated questions.
Your follow-up should be shorter than the ticket, but more actionable than the stand-up.
A simple template you can reuse.
You can copy this structure:
> Quick follow-up: I’m blocked on [ticket / task] because [blocker]. I need [specific input]. Next step: [what you’ll do + when].
Or, if you want to address a person directly:
> Quick follow-up (NB-4215): Priya, I’m blocked on reproducing the Safari empty CSV issue. Could you share exact steps + any console errors? I’ll update the ticket once I’ve reproduced and tested.
Examples (same scenario).
Example A (to QA):
> Quick follow-up (NB-4215): I’m blocked on reproducing the empty CSV export in Safari. Priya, could you send the exact steps + a screenshot of any console errors? I’ll update the ticket once I can reproduce reliably.
Example B (to another engineer):
> Quick follow-up (NB-4215): While I’m reproducing in Safari, Sam, could you sanity-check the API response in logs for any obvious empty payloads? If it looks normal, I’ll focus on browser-side generation.
Small language tips.
Prefer “I’m blocked on…” or “I’m currently blocked by…” (clear, standard engineering language).
Prefer one specific ask rather than “any help?”
If uncertain, say what you will confirm, not what you “think” with no plan.
Next you’ll write your own Slack follow-up message. Keep it calm, specific, and easy to act on.
Practice & Feedback
Write a short Slack follow-up message that you would post right after stand-up.
Requirements:
Write one message (3–6 lines is ideal) that includes:
the ticket ID NB-4215,
the blocker (reproducing in Safari / empty CSV),
a clear request for help (to Priya and/or Sam),
your next step (what you’ll do after you get the info).
Keep the tone calm and professional.
Use at least one phrase from the chunk bank: I’m currently blocked by… / If you have five minutes later, could you…? / I’ll update the ticket once…
Write it exactly as you would in Slack, with natural line breaks.
Useful chunks to include:
"Quick follow-up: I’m blocked on…"
"I’m currently blocked by…"
"If you have five minutes later, could you…?"
"I’ll update the ticket once I’ve tested the fix."
"At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm."
6. Final run: full stand-up plus the Slack message.
Time to put everything together as a complete mini-performance. You’re going to produce two things that you could genuinely use at work: a stand-up update script and a Slack follow-up.
For the stand-up, aim for 45 to 60 seconds. Keep the structure tight and make sure your request is specific. Include one sentence that shows responsible uncertainty. If you wrote a good script earlier, you can reuse and improve it, but tighten anything that feels like a story.
For the Slack message, make it even shorter than your spoken update. Your goal is to unblock yourself quickly: ticket ID, blocker, ask, next step.
Before you write, quickly self-check: if someone only reads your Slack message, will they know what to do? And if someone only hears your stand-up, will they know what changed and what you need?
When you submit, I’ll give you detailed feedback and a polished version you can copy into your own work templates.
Your final artefacts (what you can do after this lesson).
By the end of this block, you will have:
a 45–60 second stand-up update (spoken-style script), and
a short Slack follow-up that captures the blocker and request.
Both should stay in the same situation:
Northbank Digital sprint
QA bug NB-4215
symptom: empty CSV export in Safari
Success criteria (mini rubric).
Use this to check your own work before you submit.
Stand-up update
Structure: Progress → Today → Blocker → Request → Close
Clarity: Ticket + symptom are named clearly
Tone: Calm, not defensive, not overly certain
Actionability: Someone knows how to help you
Slack follow-up
Short: 3–6 lines, no long paragraphs
Specific ask: who + what you need
Next step: what you’ll do once unblocked
Optional “upgrade” phrases (choose 1–2).
These help you sound organised under pressure:
"The next step is to…"
"I’ll update the ticket once I’ve reproduced and tested."
"At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm."
"If you have five minutes later, could you…?"
Example of a complete pair (for inspiration only).
Stand-up (approx 55 seconds):
> Since yesterday, I’ve finished the activity feed pagination and pushed it behind the feature flag. Today I’m planning to pick up NB-4215: in Safari, export is downloading an empty CSV. At the moment, it looks like it might be related to the browser-side file generation, but I need to confirm by reproducing and comparing against Chrome. I’m currently blocked by not having reliable Safari reproduction. Priya, if you have five minutes later, could you share the exact steps and any console errors? I’ll update the ticket once I’ve reproduced and tested. That’s all from me.
Slack follow-up:
> Quick follow-up (NB-4215): I’m blocked on reproducing the empty CSV export in Safari.
> Priya, could you send exact steps + console errors?
> Sam, if you have a moment, could you sanity-check API logs for empty payloads?
> I’ll update the ticket once I can reproduce and confirm the cause.
Now create your final version, using your own wording.
Practice & Feedback
Produce your final two artefacts in one submission.
Part A:Stand-up update script
45–60 seconds when spoken (roughly 80–120 words).
Must include: progress, today’s plan, blocker, specific request, and a clear close.
Must include: NB-4215 and empty CSV in Safari.
Part B:Slack follow-up message
3–6 lines, Slack style.
Must include: ticket ID, blocker, specific ask, next step.
Write them with labels like:
"A) Stand-up:" and "B) Slack:"
Final checklist before you send:
Did you use at least 3 chunk phrases?
"Since yesterday, I’ve…"
"Today I’m planning to…"
"I’m currently blocked by…"
"If you have five minutes later, could you…?"
"At the moment, it looks like… but I need to confirm."
"I’ll update the ticket once…"
"That’s all from me."
Is your help request specific (person + action + information)?
