想工作,不需要多高级的英语。需要的是一小组能自信说出口的表达,再加上愿意承认自己没听懂的态度。
说出你没听懂
这是最有价值、却也最容易因为不好意思而被回避的技能。默默点头的代价,比开口再问一遍要高得多。
- Sorry, could you say that again?
- Sorry, I didn't catch that.
- Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
- What does «deadline» mean?
- Sorry, I'm not sure I follow.
**没有人会因此觉得你烦。**同事重复一句话,只花十秒钟;而任务做错了方向,却要多花一整天。
说清楚你具体没听懂哪部分
请对方把整句话再说一遍,得到的只是同样的语速再来一次。点明具体漏听的地方,效果要好得多:
- Sorry — the last part?
- You said Thursday — Thursday or Tuesday?
- What's «a stand-up»?
- Sorry, who should I send it to?
确认自己理解正确
- So, just to check — you want me to send it by Friday?
- Do you mean X or Y?
- Is that right?
用自己的话把要求复述一遍,是任何语言里都最安全的工作习惯,而且这样做看起来是细心,而不是不自信。
请求帮助
- Could you give me a hand with this?
- Have you got a minute?
- Sorry to bother you, but…
- Who should I ask about holidays?
打听这里的惯例
新人在入职最初几周提出这类问题很正常,而且早点问远比自己瞎猜要好:
- How do we usually do this?
- Who's the right person for…?
- Is there a template for that?
- Where do I find the file?
- Do I need to ask before…?
汇报工作进展
- It's done.
- I'm still working on it.
- I've nearly finished.
- I've run into a problem with…
- I'm stuck — could you take a look?
**卡壳了就要马上说。**在大多数英语团队里,第一天就报告问题很正常,但到了交付当天才暴露问题,就不行了。
在会议上
不需要说很多话,但下面这四句能帮你撑过去:
- Sorry, could I just check something?
- Can I add something?
- I'll take that one.(把这项任务揽到自己身上)
- Could you send that in writing?——当讨论进行得太快时,这是最实用的礼貌请求
工作聊天和即时消息
工作群聊比邮件随意得多,简短是常态,而不是没礼貌:
- On it. · Will do. · Sure, give me 10.
- Sorry, just seen this.
- Quick q — …
- No rush. · Whenever you get a chance.
只回一句光秃秃的«Ok»,可能会显得冷淡。«Ok, thanks!»只多了一个词,给人的印象却完全不同。
日常寒暄
- Morning!(标准的问候语;完整说«good morning»听起来稍微正式一点)
- How's it going?——Not bad, thanks. You?
- See you tomorrow. / Have a good weekend.
- I'm off now.(我要下班了)
- I'm on holiday next week.
不费一分钱的礼貌
多用 please、thanks 和 sorry。在英语团队里,这些词的使用频率比很多文化中都要高得多,少了它们,即使你并无恶意,也会显得生硬。
**澄清式提问显得能干,而不是软弱。**这个观念值得最先纠正过来:在英语团队里,追问清楚指示的人显得细心,而默默做错的人显得马虎。提问带来的尴尬只有十秒钟,做错事的后果要长得多。
第一周浓缩版
Manager: Can you put together the numbers for Thursday's review?
You: Sure. Sorry, just to check — the weekly numbers, or the monthly ones?
Manager: Weekly. There's a template on the shared drive.
You: Great. And who should I send it to?
Manager: Just me for now.
You: Will do. If I run into anything I'll shout.
接下了任务,问了一个澄清问题,又问了一个关于流程的问题,并承诺一旦遇到问题会立刻说——全程没用到任何高级英语。
自测
下面的测验考查的是该说什么,而不是语法。