40 Workplace Role-play Scenarios for ESL Conversations

Workplace role-play scenarios are a powerful resource for engaging your ESL students in real-life business conversations.

In a professional setting, challenges like misunderstandings, requests, or unexpected issues are common. These role-plays prepare students to handle workplace situations confidently in English.

By acting out different office scenarios, students improve their speaking, listening, and problem-solving skills. They learn how to ask questions, explain problems, and respond naturally using workplace language. This practice helps them feel prepared to handle real conversations at work.

Each role-play includes two roles: one person facing a workplace situation and another responding. Students can work in pairs, switch roles, and use key phrases to make their conversations flow naturally. Encourage them to speak in full sentences and add extra details for better fluency.

Try these 40 workplace role-play scenarios in your class! They are simple, practical, and effective. Choose a scenario, set the scene, and watch your students gain confidence while improving their communication skills.

1. Starting a New Job

Person A
You are starting your first day at a new job. You feel nervous and are not sure where to go or what to do. Go to a co-worker and ask where to find your desk, who your supervisor is, and what time the lunch break is.

Person B
You have worked at the company for a while. A new employee asks you for help. Be friendly and welcoming. Give clear directions to their desk, tell them who their supervisor is, and explain what time lunch breaks usually happen.

2. Calling in Sick

Person A
You are feeling very sick this morning and cannot go to work. Call your supervisor, explain how you feel, and ask if you need to provide a doctor’s note.

Person B
You are the supervisor. Answer the phone and listen to the employee’s situation. Ask how they are feeling, tell them if they need to provide a doctor’s note, and wish them a quick recovery.

3. Asking for a Day Off

Person A
You have a family event coming up and need a day off next week. Go to your boss and explain why you need the day off. Ask if it’s possible and suggest how you can finish your work before then.

Person B
You are the manager. Listen to your employee’s request for a day off. Ask questions about their workload and discuss how they can manage their tasks before they leave.

4. Reporting a Workplace Accident

Person A
You slipped on a wet floor in the office kitchen and hurt your arm. Go to your supervisor, explain what happened, describe your injury, and ask what you should do next.

Person B
You are the supervisor. Listen to the employee’s accident report. Ask questions about where and how it happened. Offer to get medical help if needed and write a report about the incident.

5. Apologizing for a Mistake

Person A
You accidentally sent an important email to the wrong person. Go to your supervisor, explain what happened, apologize for the mistake, and ask what you can do to fix it.

Person B
You are the supervisor. Listen to the employee’s apology. Ask questions about what went wrong, then offer advice on how they can fix the mistake or prevent it from happening again.

6. Asking for Help with a Task

Person A
You have been asked to create a report, but you are not sure how to organize the data. Go to a co-worker, explain the task, and ask for advice on how to finish it.

Person B
You are the co-worker. Listen to the employee’s problem. Ask questions to understand the task better, then give clear advice on how they can organize the data for their report.

7. Requesting More Training

Person A
You are struggling with a new software program at work and feel you need more training. Go to your boss, explain the problem, and ask if they can arrange some extra training for you.

Person B
You are the manager. Listen to the employee’s request for more training. Ask what specific problems they are facing, and suggest ways they can get better at using the software.

8. Explaining a Missed Deadline

Person A
You missed an important deadline because you received some confusing instructions. Go to your boss, explain what happened, apologize for missing the deadline, and suggest how you can fix the problem.

Person B
You are the manager. Listen to the employee’s explanation for the missed deadline. Ask what went wrong and discuss how they can fix the issue or improve their time management.

9. Asking for Clarification on a Task

Person A
You have been given a new project, but the instructions are not clear. Go to your boss and ask for more details about what you need to do and when the deadline is.

Person B
You are the manager. Listen to the employee’s questions about the project. Explain the details clearly and offer helpful advice to ensure they understand what to do.

10. Giving Feedback to a Co-worker

Person A
Your co-worker prepared a presentation, but you noticed some small mistakes. Go to them, politely explain what you found, and offer suggestions to improve the presentation.

Person B
You are the co-worker. Listen to your colleague’s feedback about your presentation. Ask questions if needed, thank them for their advice, and decide if you will make the changes they suggested.

11. Asking for a Flexible Work Schedule

Person A
You would like to change your work schedule to better manage your personal life. Go to your boss, explain your situation, and request a flexible schedule. Give reasons why this change will not affect your work performance and suggest how you can manage your tasks effectively.

Person B
You are the manager. Listen to the employee’s request for a flexible schedule. Ask questions about how they plan to manage their workload and discuss if this change can work for the team.

12. Requesting a Meeting with Your Boss

Person A
You need to speak with your boss about an important matter. Go to your boss or their assistant, politely request a meeting, and explain why you need some time to talk. Be clear about the topic without sharing too many details yet.

Person B
You are the boss or their assistant. Listen to the employee’s request for a meeting. Ask for more information if needed and suggest a suitable time for the meeting.

13. Responding to Negative Feedback

Person A
Your boss gave you negative feedback about your recent work. Go to your boss to discuss it. Ask for details about what you need to improve, explain your side calmly if necessary, and ask for tips on how to do better in the future.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to discuss your recent feedback. Be calm but clear about what they need to improve. Offer helpful suggestions and encourage them to improve their performance.

14. Asking for More Responsibilities

Person A
You feel ready to take on new challenges at work. Go to your boss, explain what you have already accomplished, and ask for additional responsibilities. Give examples of the skills you have that can help the company.

Person B
You are the boss. Listen to the employee’s request for more responsibilities. Ask what kind of tasks they are interested in and decide if they are ready for more work.

15. Dealing with Office Gossip

Person A
You overheard a co-worker spreading gossip about you. Go to them, calmly explain that you heard what they said, and ask them to stop. Be polite but firm in your request.

Person B
You accidentally spread some gossip about a co-worker, and now they are upset. Listen to what they say, apologize for your actions, and promise to avoid gossip in the future.

16. Resolving a Conflict with a Co-worker

Person A
You have been having trouble with a co-worker who keeps interrupting you during meetings. Go to them, explain how their behavior affects you, and ask if you can find a better way to work together.

Person B
You are the co-worker. The employee comes to talk to you about a problem they have with you. Listen carefully, explain your side calmly, and work together to find a solution.

17. Asking for Help with Technology

Person A
You are having trouble with your computer at work. Go to the IT support staff, explain the problem clearly, and ask for help fixing it.

Person B
You are the IT support staff. Listen to the employee’s problem with their computer. Ask questions to understand the issue better and explain the steps you will take to fix it.

18. Reporting Harassment at Work

Person A
You are feeling uncomfortable because a co-worker has been making rude comments about you. Go to your supervisor, explain what has been happening, and ask for help in dealing with the situation.

Person B
You are the supervisor. Listen carefully to the employee’s complaint about harassment. Ask for details about what happened, assure them that you take the issue seriously, and explain what steps you will take next.

19. Asking for Time Off for a Family Emergency

Person A
You have a family emergency and need to leave work quickly. Go to your boss, explain the situation, and ask for time off. Offer to manage your unfinished work when you return.

Person B
You are the boss. Listen to the employee’s request for time off. Ask how urgent the situation is and offer support while they are away.

20. Requesting Help with a Difficult Client

Person A
You are struggling to handle a client who is being rude and demanding. Go to your supervisor, explain the situation, and ask for advice or support in dealing with the client.

Person B
You are the supervisor. Listen to the employee’s concerns about the difficult client. Ask what the client has been saying or doing, then offer advice or step in to help manage the situation.

21. Explaining Why You’re Late to a Meeting

Person A
You arrived late to an important meeting. After the meeting, go to your boss and explain why you were late. Apologize politely and give a clear reason, such as traffic, family emergency, or forgetting the meeting time. Offer to catch up on anything you missed and ask how you can stay updated.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to explain why they were late. Listen to their explanation, ask questions if needed, and decide if you want to give advice or remind them about being on time in the future.

22. Asking for a Different Work Assignment

Person A
You are unhappy with your current work assignment and feel you would do better in a different role. Go to your boss, explain why your current task is challenging, and suggest a different assignment that better matches your skills. Give clear reasons for your request.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to ask for a different assignment. Listen to their concerns, ask questions about their skills, and decide if changing their task is possible.

23. Reporting a Problem with Office Equipment

Person A
You have noticed that a printer in your office is not working properly. Go to the IT staff or office manager, explain the problem clearly, and ask for help fixing it. Describe what you tried to do to solve the issue, such as restarting the printer or checking for paper jams.

Person B
You are the IT staff or office manager. Listen to the employee’s report about the broken equipment. Ask questions to understand the problem better and explain what steps you will take to fix it.

24. Offering to Help a New Employee

Person A
You noticed that a new employee is struggling to understand their tasks. Go to them, introduce yourself, and offer to help. Ask what they are finding difficult and explain things clearly in a friendly way.

Person B
You are the new employee. The other employee comes to offer help. Thank them for their support, explain what you are struggling with, and listen carefully to their advice.

25. Asking for a Better Workspace

Person A
You are unhappy with your workspace because it is noisy, too small, or uncomfortable. Go to your supervisor, explain the problem clearly, and ask for a better workspace. Suggest possible solutions, such as moving to a quieter area or getting a more comfortable chair.

Person B
You are the supervisor. The employee comes to ask for a better workspace. Listen to their concerns, ask questions about what they need, and decide if you can make changes to improve their workspace.

26. Requesting Time to Work from Home

Person A
You would like to work from home for a day or more due to personal reasons. Go to your boss, explain why working from home would help you, and assure them that you will stay focused and complete your tasks. Offer to stay available for calls or online meetings if needed.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to ask for permission to work from home. Ask about their reasons, discuss how they will manage their work, and decide if their request is possible.

27. Explaining Why You Missed a Deadline

Person A
You missed an important deadline at work. Go to your boss, apologize for missing the deadline, and explain why it happened. Be honest but professional. Offer a solution, such as finishing the task soon or asking for extra help to complete it.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to explain why they missed a deadline. Listen carefully, ask questions if needed, and decide if you should give them more time or advice on improving their time management.

28. Asking for Advice on a Project

Person A
You are working on a project and feel stuck or unsure about what to do next. Go to your boss or a co-worker, explain your problem clearly, and ask for advice. Be specific about what you need help with, such as planning, finding resources, or meeting deadlines.

Person B
You are the boss or co-worker. The employee comes to ask for advice. Listen to their concerns, ask questions to understand the problem, and offer helpful suggestions.

29. Handling a Miscommunication with a Colleague

Person A
You recently had a disagreement with a colleague because of a misunderstanding. Go to them, calmly explain what you meant, and ask how you can both avoid confusion in the future. Be polite and open to hearing their side.

Person B
You are the colleague. The other employee comes to clear up a misunderstanding. Listen to their explanation, calmly share your thoughts, and suggest ways to improve communication in the future.

30. Asking for Help with a Language Barrier

Person A
You are having trouble understanding a co-worker because of language differences. Go to them, politely explain that you are struggling to understand, and ask if they can speak more slowly or clearly. Offer to repeat what they say to confirm your understanding.

Person B
You are the co-worker. The employee says they are having trouble understanding you. Be patient, speak slowly, and explain things in simple language to help them understand better.

31. Talking to Your Boss About Feeling Overworked

Person A
You have been feeling overwhelmed with too much work. Go to your boss, explain how you are feeling, and describe what tasks are difficult to manage. Ask for possible solutions, such as reducing your workload, setting priorities, or getting extra support.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to discuss feeling overworked. Listen carefully, ask questions about their workload, and suggest ways to help, such as adjusting deadlines or providing extra resources.

32. Dealing with a Rude Co-worker

Person A
A co-worker has been speaking to you rudely, and it’s making your work difficult. Go to them, calmly explain how their behavior is affecting you, and ask them to be more respectful. Try to keep the conversation polite and professional.

Person B
You are the co-worker. The other employee tells you they feel disrespected by your behavior. Listen to their concerns, explain your side if needed, and try to find a solution to improve your working relationship.

33. Apologizing for Forgetting a Task

Person A
You forgot to complete an important task at work. Go to your boss, admit your mistake, and apologize sincerely. Explain why it happened and offer a solution, such as completing the task quickly or asking for extra help if needed.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to apologize for forgetting a task. Listen to their explanation, decide how to handle the situation, and suggest ways they can avoid this mistake in the future.

34. Asking for Feedback on Your Performance

Person A
You would like to know how you are doing at work. Go to your boss, ask politely for feedback, and explain that you want to improve. Ask specific questions about your strengths and areas where you can do better.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to ask for feedback. Share your thoughts on their performance, pointing out both their strengths and areas for improvement. Offer helpful advice on how they can improve.

35. Requesting to Leave Early for an Appointment

Person A
You have an important appointment and need to leave work early. Go to your boss, explain the reason for leaving early, and ask politely for permission. Offer to finish urgent tasks before you go or make up for the lost time later.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to ask for permission to leave early. Ask about their reason, consider how their absence might affect the team, and decide whether to approve their request.

36. Asking for a Mentor at Work

Person A
You want to improve your skills and believe a mentor could help. Go to your boss, explain why you would like a mentor, and describe what skills or tasks you need help with. Ask if they can recommend someone experienced to guide you.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee asks for a mentor. Ask about their goals and what kind of support they need. Suggest someone suitable or explain how they can connect with experienced colleagues.

37. Responding to an Angry Email from a Client

Person A
You received an angry email from a client who is upset about a mistake or delay. Write a calm and polite reply. Apologize for the problem, explain how you will fix it, and offer a solution to make things right.

Person B
You are the client. After sending your angry email, the employee contacts you with an apology and solution. Decide if you are satisfied or if you need further action.

38. Explaining a Budget Issue to Your Boss

Person A
You discovered a budget problem in your project. Go to your boss, explain the issue clearly, and describe how it might affect the project. Suggest possible solutions to manage the situation, such as cutting costs or adjusting plans.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to report a budget issue. Listen carefully, ask questions about the problem, and discuss the best way to fix it.

39. Requesting a Change in Your Work Hours

Person A
You need to change your work hours due to personal reasons. Go to your boss, explain why you need the change, and suggest new hours that still allow you to complete your tasks. Offer to be flexible if needed.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee asks for a change in work hours. Ask about their reasons, discuss how this change might affect the team, and decide if the request is possible.

40. Asking for Support During a Busy Period

Person A
You are struggling with a heavy workload during a busy period. Go to your boss, explain the situation, and ask for support. Suggest possible solutions, such as sharing tasks with co-workers or getting extra help.

Person B
You are the boss. The employee comes to ask for support. Listen to their concerns, ask questions about their workload, and suggest ways to reduce their stress, such as adjusting deadlines or providing additional resources.

Conclusion

Role-play activities are a fun and effective way for ESL students to practice workplace conversations. By acting out these scenarios, students can improve their speaking skills, build confidence, and learn how to handle real-life office situations.

Encourage your students to use full sentences, ask questions, and respond naturally during the role-plays. The more they practice, the more comfortable they will feel in real workplace conversations.

With these 40 scenarios, your students will be better prepared to handle challenges, communicate clearly, and succeed in their professional lives.

FAQs about Workplace Role-play Scenarios

1. What is the best way to improve speaking skills for ESL students?
Encourage students to practice speaking regularly through role-plays, discussions, and presentations. Creating a comfortable, supportive environment helps students build confidence and fluency.

2. How can I make my lessons more engaging for ESL students?
Use a mix of activities like games, group work, and real-world scenarios to keep lessons interactive and fun. Incorporating multimedia, such as videos or songs, can also help hold students’ interest.

3. How do I deal with students who are shy or nervous about speaking?
Start with low-pressure activities, like pair work or small group discussions, where they can practice in a safe setting. Gradually increase the level of challenge as they build confidence.

4. How can I teach grammar in a way that ESL students will understand?
Use clear explanations, real-life examples, and hands-on practice. Encourage students to use grammar in context rather than memorizing rules, and provide plenty of practice opportunities.

5. What are the best strategies for teaching vocabulary?
Use visual aids, context clues, and repetition to help students learn new words. Encourage students to use the words in sentences and practice in different contexts to reinforce their understanding.

6. How do I assess ESL students’ progress?
Regularly evaluate students through informal activities like conversations, quizzes, and presentations, in addition to formal tests. Pay attention to their speaking, listening, reading, and writing progress.

7. How can I help students who struggle with pronunciation?
Focus on the sounds that are most challenging for your students. Use drills, tongue twisters, and listening exercises to improve their pronunciation. Be patient and provide feedback gently.

8. How can I keep students motivated to learn English?
Set clear, achievable goals for each student. Celebrate their progress and use materials that are relevant and interesting to them. Keep the lessons varied and fun to prevent boredom.

9. What should I do if a student isn’t participating in class?
Try to understand the cause of their reluctance—whether it’s a lack of confidence, shyness, or not understanding the material. Create a supportive environment and provide encouragement. Pair them with a more confident student for support.

10. How can I manage a classroom with mixed-level ESL students?
Use differentiated instruction by providing activities suited to various levels. Group students strategically for pair or group work so that stronger students can help those who need more support.