1. Let’s compare!
Tom
Script
I think overtime is okay sometimes, especially when things are busy. But if it happens too often, people get tired and stressed. From my experience, when I work long hours, my focus drops. So yeah, I think overtime should be limited and not something people expect all the time.
Sam
Script
I think some overtime is hard to avoid, especially when things get busy. But when it becomes normal, it starts to drain people’s energy and motivation. I’ve seen teams work much better when hours are more balanced, so overall I think overtime should be used carefully and not treated as the default.
Sally
Script
From my perspective, occasional overtime is sometimes necessary, particularly during peak periods. That said, if it becomes a regular expectation, it can negatively affect both morale and performance. In my experience, teams are more sustainable when workloads are planned realistically, so I believe overtime should be managed carefully rather than used as a long-term solution.
Questions
1. Who sounds the most professional?
2. Who would you sound like when talking at work?
2. Reporting Your Own Opinion
⭐Most Common at Work
→ In my view, this approach makes sense for now.
→ From my perspective, this could create extra pressure on the team.
→ I believe that this change would improve efficiency.
→ I see this as a short-term solution.
⭐ Professional
→ It seems to me that we may need more time.
→ My understanding is that the deadline is flexible.
Practice Questions
1. What’s your view on working overtime?
2. What’s your opinion on working from home?
3. What do you think of multitasking?
Practice Situations
Situation 1: The project is behind schedule, and the manager suggests working late this week.
❓How would you respond?
Situation 2: Several team members are already feeling exhausted, yet your manager plans to assign additional tasks.
❓What would you say in a meeting?
Situation 3: The company is evaluating the possibility of discontinuing overtime work.
❓What do you think?
Answers
Situation 1:
* I believe working late this week makes sense to catch up, as long as it’s temporary.
* From my perspective, short-term overtime is fine, but we should be careful not to make it a regular thing.
Situation 2:
* In my view, the team is already quite stretched, so adding more tasks could be risky.
* It seems to me that some workers are already tired so I am afraid this might affect performance.
Situation 3:
* I believe it’s positive move, as long as workloads are adjusted accordingly.
* From my perspective, reducing overtime makes sense, but we still need flexibility during peak periods.
3. Neutral vs Emotional
❌ “This is terrible.”
✅ “I see this as quite risky.”
❌ “We’re doing too much work.”
✅ “I feel the workload is quite heavy right now.”
❌ “This will solve the problems we have.”
✅ “I believe this could solve the problems we have.”
4. Interactive practice
5. News Article
Read the news article thoroughly and prepare to provide a detailed summary, followed by your personal analysis and opinion.