Workplace Conversations: 12 CEFR-Level English Dialogues for ESL Class

Are you looking for practical workplace conversations to use in your ESL classroom? You’re in the right place. This post gives you 12 CEFR-aligned dialogues designed to help your students speak confidently in common work situations.

Each conversation is built around real workplace topics—meetings, schedules, feedback, team tasks, and more. They’re short, simple, and easy to use with teens or adults at A1 to C2 levels.

You’ll also find useful workplace vocabulary, natural expressions, and ready-to-use materials for roleplays, discussion questions, and even short debates. These are great tools to help your students practice speaking clearly and professionally.

Plus, we’ve included a free printable PDF of all 12 dialogues so you can download and use them instantly in class. Whether you’re teaching in-person or online, this resource will save you time and get your students talking.

How to Use These Workplace Dialogues in Class

These conversations are more than just scripts—they’re tools for real communication. Here are some practical classroom ideas:

• Pair Work Practice – Assign roles and have students act them out. Switch roles and repeat for fluency. Try different workplace role-plays.
• Listen and Repeat – Read aloud and have students mimic tone and pronunciation.
• Expand the Dialogue – Ask students to add 2–3 more lines after the ending.
• Discussion Starter – Use the topic of the conversation to lead a group discussion.

You can also use them for homework or online practice in your digital classroom.

CEFR Workplace Language Goals (A1 to C2)

Each CEFR level targets different workplace communication skills:

• A1: Basic greetings, introductions, asking simple questions at work
• A2: Talking about schedules, daily tasks, and short conversations
• B1: Making requests, explaining job duties, giving simple opinions
• B2: Participating in meetings, expressing disagreement politely, discussing projects
• C1: Leading discussions, solving workplace issues, reviewing performance
• C2: Handling complex negotiations, resolving conflict, strategic planning

These dialogues are tailored to match each level, using real-life language your learners will actually hear and use.

CEFR Aligned Workplace Conversations for ESL Students

A Clean Desk Is a Happy Desk

Level: Beginner (A1)

Context: A new office worker talks with a cleaner in the office.

Mina: Hello. Are you the cleaner here?

Tom: Yes, I am. My name is Tom.

Mina: Nice to meet you, Tom. I’m Mina. Today is my first day.

Tom: Nice to meet you too! Welcome to the office.

Mina: Thank you. My desk is a little dusty.

Tom: Oh, I can clean it now.

Mina: That would be great.

Tom: No problem. Do you need anything else?

Mina: No, just the desk. Thank you.

Tom: All done! Have a good first day.

Mina: Thanks, Tom! See you later.

Tom: See you, Mina.

Where Is the Printer?

Level: Beginner (A1)

Context: A new employee is looking for the printer in the office.

Ali: Hi. Excuse me. I’m new here.

Sarah: Hello! Welcome. I’m Sarah.

Ali: I’m Ali. Nice to meet you.

Sarah: Nice to meet you too. How can I help you?

Ali: I need to print something, but I can’t find the printer.

Sarah: Oh, the printer is in the copy room.

Ali: Where is the copy room?

Sarah: Go straight, then turn right. It’s next to the kitchen.

Ali: Okay, thank you!

Sarah: You’re welcome. Do you know how to use the printer?

Ali: Not really.

Sarah: I can show you. Come with me.

Ali: Thank you so much!

Sarah: No problem. We all need help on the first day.

The Lunch Break Plan

Level: Elementary (A2)

Context: Two coworkers talk about where to go for lunch.

Nina: Hi, David. Are you going out for lunch today?

David: Hi, Nina. Yes, I am. I don’t want to eat in the office again.

Nina: Me too. I want something different.

David: How about the Thai restaurant on Main Street?

Nina: I’ve never been there. Is it good?

David: Yes! The food is tasty, and it’s not expensive.

Nina: Sounds great. What time are you going?

David: Around 12:30. Do you want to come with me?

Nina: Sure! Should we ask Lisa too?

David: Good idea. Let’s invite her.

Nina: Okay, I’ll message her now.

David: Perfect. See you at the front door at 12:30.

Nina: See you then!

Computer Trouble

Level: Elementary (A2)

Context: An office employee asks the IT support person for help with her computer.

Emma: Hi, Carlos. Do you have a minute?

Carlos: Sure, Emma. What’s wrong?

Emma: My computer is very slow today. It’s hard to do my work.

Carlos: Hmm. Did you restart it this morning?

Emma: No, I didn’t. Should I try that first?

Carlos: Yes, sometimes that helps. Let’s try it now.

Emma: Okay. Restarting…

Carlos: Let me check the programs you’re running too.

Emma: I usually only use email and Excel.

Carlos: That’s fine. But some background programs can slow things down.

Emma: Oh, I didn’t know that.

Carlos: All right, I closed a few. Now let’s wait for the restart.

Emma: It’s back on. It feels faster already!

Carlos: Great! Let me know if it gets slow again.

Emma: Will do. Thanks, Carlos.

Carlos: Anytime!

The Monday Morning Meeting

Level: Intermediate (B1)

Context: Two coworkers discuss their tasks during a weekly team meeting.

James: Good morning, Lisa. Ready for the Monday meeting?

Lisa: Morning, James. Yes, I’ve got my notes. What’s first on the agenda?

James: We’re starting with the client feedback from last week.

Lisa: Right. I reviewed it. Most of the feedback was positive.

James: That’s good to hear. Any major concerns?

Lisa: Just one. The client said our report was a bit late.

James: Yes, I saw that. We need to fix the timeline.

Lisa: Agreed. I’ll talk to the design team about speeding up the charts.

James: Perfect. After that, we’ll review the new tasks for this week.

Lisa: I hope I’m not getting more Excel work!

James: Too late. You’re the best at it!

Lisa: Ha, lucky me. Okay, let’s get started then.

The Office Chair Problem

Level: Intermediate (B1)

Context: An employee reports a problem with her office chair to the office manager.

Maria: Hi, Ben. Do you have a moment?

Ben: Sure, Maria. What’s going on?

Maria: My chair keeps sinking when I sit. I think something’s broken.

Ben: That sounds uncomfortable. How long has it been doing that?

Maria: Since yesterday. I tried adjusting it, but it doesn’t stay up.

Ben: Okay, I’ll check if we have a spare chair in the storage room.

Maria: Thanks. It’s really hard to work when I’m so low at the desk.

Ben: Yeah, that’s not good for your back either.

Maria: Exactly. I don’t want to get back pain again.

Ben: I understand. If we don’t have a spare, I’ll order a new one today.

Maria: That would be great. I appreciate it.

Ben: No problem. I’ll update you before lunch.

Maria: Thanks again, Ben!

Preparing for the Presentation

Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2)

Context: Two colleagues prepare for a presentation they have to give together.

Olivia: Hey Mark, do you have a few minutes to go over the slides?

Mark: Sure, Olivia. Let’s take a quick look. I finished my part yesterday.

Olivia: Great. I’ve added the data from the recent survey. Can you check if it flows with your section?

Mark: Let me see… yes, this fits nicely after my second slide. Maybe just reduce the text a bit?

Olivia: Good point. I’ll simplify the bullet points.

Mark: Are we still dividing the speaking time equally?

Olivia: Yes, about 7 minutes each. I’ll cover the background and data, and you handle the conclusion.

Mark: Sounds perfect. One last thing — do we want to practice once more after lunch?

Olivia: Definitely. Let’s meet in the conference room around 2:00.

Mark: Got it. I’ll bring the clicker this time!

Olivia: Please do! See you then.

The Last-Minute Deadline

Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2)

Context: A team leader informs a team member about a new urgent task.

Rachel: Hi, Simon. I know you’re busy, but something urgent came up.

Simon: Oh? What’s the situation?

Rachel: The client wants an updated proposal by tomorrow morning.

Simon: Tomorrow? That’s really short notice.

Rachel: I know. They’re trying to finalize their budget this week.

Simon: Do we have the latest data from finance?

Rachel: Not yet. I’ve already emailed them. I hope we’ll have it by this afternoon.

Simon: Okay, I can start drafting the layout in the meantime.

Rachel: Thanks. I’ll handle the cost summary once finance replies.

Simon: Can we get someone to proofread tonight if needed?

Rachel: I’ll ask Zoe. She’s usually quick with edits.

Simon: All right. We can do this, but it’s going to be a late night.

Rachel: I appreciate it, Simon. Let’s check in again after lunch.

Simon: Will do. Let’s get it done.

The Performance Review

Level: Advanced (C1)

Context: A manager gives detailed feedback during an annual performance review.

Karen: Hi, Daniel. Thanks for joining me for your review today.

Daniel: Hi, Karen. Thanks for taking the time. I’m looking forward to your feedback.

Karen: Let’s start with the positives. Your project management over the past year has been excellent.

Daniel: Thank you! I’ve tried to stay organized and proactive.

Karen: It shows. Your ability to meet deadlines and communicate with the team stands out.

Daniel: That’s great to hear. Is there anything I should work on?

Karen: I’d say your written reports could be more concise. They’re thorough, but sometimes too detailed.

Daniel: Got it. I’ll work on being more direct and focusing on key points.

Karen: Excellent. Also, would you be open to mentoring one of the new hires?

Daniel: I’d be happy to. I enjoy helping new team members settle in.

Karen: Perfect. We’ll talk more about that next week. Overall, great work this year, Daniel.

Daniel: Thanks again, Karen. I really appreciate the feedback.

Remote Team Challenges

Level: Advanced (C1)

Context: Two colleagues discuss productivity issues in their remote team.

Leila: Hey, Sam. Can we talk about the weekly reports? I’ve noticed delays lately.

Sam: Yes, I’ve seen the same. I think part of the issue is the time zone differences.

Leila: True, but even the team members in similar zones aren’t responding promptly.

Sam: It might be a motivation issue. Working remotely can feel isolating.

Leila: That’s a fair point. Maybe we should implement short daily check-ins.

Sam: Like a 15-minute morning huddle? That could improve engagement.

Leila: Exactly. It doesn’t have to be long—just a quick sync to align priorities.

Sam: I’ll draft a message for the team and see what times work best.

Leila: Thanks. Let’s try it for two weeks and then review how it’s going.

Sam: Sounds good. Hopefully, it will boost accountability.

Leila: Fingers crossed. I appreciate your help with this.

Strategic Budget Planning

Level: Proficient (C2)

Context: Two senior managers discuss how to reallocate the department’s budget for the next quarter.

Victor: Ellen, I reviewed the current numbers, and we’re overspending on software licenses.

Ellen: I was afraid of that. We had to scale up for the new hires, but it’s pushing our limits.

Victor: Agreed. I think we should audit which tools are actually being used regularly.

Ellen: That’s wise. I also suggest we consolidate some platforms. We’re paying for overlap.

Victor: Good idea. On the flip side, we should consider increasing our training budget.

Ellen: Absolutely. Upskilling the team could reduce our reliance on external consultants.

Victor: If we move funds from subscriptions to training, we might stay within our limit.

Ellen: Let’s propose that to finance. I’ll prepare a revised budget outline.

Victor: Great. I’ll gather data on usage and value metrics.

Ellen: Perfect. Let’s aim to finalize everything by Friday.

Victor: Agreed. Thanks, Ellen. This feels like the right direction.

Navigating Office Politics

Level: Proficient (C2)

Context: Two experienced employees discuss how to handle a tense situation with a colleague in a leadership role.

Amira: Jonathan, can I get your thoughts on something?

Jonathan: Of course. What’s going on?

Amira: I’ve been collaborating with Rachel on the policy update, and she keeps overriding my suggestions without discussion.

Jonathan: That’s frustrating. Have you addressed it with her directly?

Amira: I tried, but she brushed it off, saying “that’s how we’ve always done it.”

Jonathan: That’s classic resistance to change. Maybe she sees your ideas as a threat.

Amira: Possibly. I don’t want to create tension, but I also don’t want to stay silent.

Jonathan: You could try framing your suggestions in a way that highlights shared goals.

Amira: That makes sense. Focus on the benefit to the department, not just my perspective.

Jonathan: Exactly. And if things don’t improve, bring it up in the next team meeting.

Amira: Thanks, Jonathan. That’s really helpful.

Jonathan: Anytime. Office politics can be tricky, but you’re handling it professionally.

Target Vocabulary for These Workplace Conversations

🔹 Beginner (A1)

Conversation 1: A Clean Desk Is a Happy Desk

• cleaner
• office
• first day
• desk
• dusty
• clean
• problem
• anything else
• see you later

Conversation 2: Where Is the Printer?

• new
• printer
• copy room
• kitchen
• turn
• go straight
• thank you
• welcome
• help
• use

🔹 Elementary (A2)

Conversation 3: The Lunch Break Plan

• lunch
• eat
• something different
• restaurant
• Main Street
• tasty
• not expensive
• come with
• invite
• front door

Conversation 4: Computer Trouble

• computer
• slow
• restart
• programs
• email
• Excel
• background
• check
• help
• faster

🔹 Intermediate (B1)

Conversation 5: The Monday Morning Meeting

• meeting
• agenda
• client feedback
• positive
• concerns
• report
• timeline
• charts
• review
• Excel

Conversation 6: The Office Chair Problem

• chair
• broken
• adjusting
• stay up
• spare
• storage room
• uncomfortable
• back pain
• order
• appreciate

🔹 Upper-Intermediate (B2)

Conversation 7: Preparing for the Presentation

• slides
• survey
• bullet points
• speaking time
• background
• conclusion
• conference room
• clicker
• simplify
• flow

Conversation 8: The Last-Minute Deadline

• urgent
• proposal
• short notice
• finalize
• budget
• finance
• draft
• layout
• cost summary
• proofread

🔹 Advanced (C1)

Conversation 9: The Performance Review

• feedback
• project management
• organized
• proactive
• communicate
• thorough
• concise
• key points
• mentoring
• settle in

Conversation 10: Remote Team Challenges

• productivity
• time zone
• responding
• motivation
• isolating
• daily check-ins
• engagement
• priorities
• accountability
• review

🔹 Proficient (C2)

Conversation 11: Strategic Budget Planning

• reallocate
• overspending
• audit
• consolidate
• overlap
• training budget
• upskilling
• consultants
• subscriptions
• usage metrics

Conversation 12: Navigating Office Politics (Partial extract, based on the title and start)

• office politics
• leadership
• tense situation
• collaborating
• thoughts
• handle
• feedback
• influence
• relationships
• communication strategy

Download These Conversations as a PDF

Make your lesson prep easier with a ready-to-use printable! This PDF includes all 18 dialogues in a clean, classroom-friendly format. Great for in-person or online teaching.

💡 Want to use this in class?
Download the full printable version of all CEFR Aligned Workplace Conversations for ESL Students.

Conclusion

These 12 workplace conversations are a powerful way to help your ESL students speak more naturally and confidently at work. With realistic dialogues, useful vocabulary, and guided roleplays, you’re giving them the tools they need to succeed in real-life situations.

Don’t forget to explore the questions, discussions, and debate prompts that come with each dialogue. They’ll keep your lessons interactive and help your students think critically while practicing spoken English.

Whether you’re working with beginners or lower-intermediate learners, these materials are flexible and easy to use. You can adapt them for one-on-one lessons, group classes, or even online sessions.

Give your students a strong start in professional communication—and make your lessons more engaging along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions (H2)

What is workplace English?
Workplace English refers to the type of English used in professional environments. It includes greetings, meetings, emails, presentations, and day-to-day office conversations.

How can ESL learners practice workplace conversations?
They can roleplay with a partner, record and listen to themselves, or use resources like this post to build confidence and fluency.

Are these conversations useful for job interviews?
Yes! Many conversations simulate real-life tasks and situations you might face in a job, making them great for interview prep.

How do I know my CEFR level?
You can take free CEFR-level assessments online or check with your teacher or language school for an evaluation.

What’s the difference between B1 and B2 level English?
B1 focuses on expressing personal opinions and handling familiar work situations. B2 covers more complex ideas like problem-solving and leading discussions.

Can I use these dialogues in online teaching?
Absolutely. Share them via screen or PDF, use them in Zoom breakout rooms, or record students reading them.

What kind of jobs require B2 level English?
Customer service, admin roles, and many technical jobs require at least a B2 level to communicate clearly in writing and speaking.

How often should students practice workplace English?
A little every day is ideal—whether it’s reading dialogues, watching workplace videos, or joining a speaking group.

Can I make my own workplace dialogues?
Yes! Use real situations from your own job and turn them into scripts with simplified English for practice.

Where can I find more free ESL resources?
Check out the ESL Info blog! We regularly post lessons, tips, and free materials for ESL learners and teachers.