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Work & Business

Real English Conversation: Advanced English Lesson

Download the free PDF worksheet for this lesson here: https://speakenglishwithvanessa.kit.com/ea4d1c0e3f

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa and Dan answer questions from viewers in a relaxed conversation about everyday life. Their discussion touches on work schedules, hobbies, family responsibilities, routines, and ways people decide how to spend their time. They describe trade-offs rather than offering one perfect schedule: people may need to make choices when they cannot do every activity they enjoy. The back-and-forth also shows how speakers clarify an idea, add personal examples, and connect one subject to another.

Several expressions help describe these choices. “Pick and choose” means select from a range of options. “Cut something out of my life” means remove an activity or habit from one’s routine. “Move on to” introduces a new topic or next step. “In advance” means before a particular time or event. “Take care of” can mean look after someone or handle a responsibility. Vanessa and Dan also describe that people “can’t do it all,” a common way to acknowledge limits on time and energy.

The phrases fit conversations about work-life balance, but their use depends on context. Someone might pick and choose which hobbies to keep during a busy season, cut out an optional commitment, or take care of family responsibilities before starting another project. These statements do not imply that every person has equal freedom to choose; caregiving, work, money, health, and local circumstances can all affect someone’s options.

For practice, describe two things competing for your time. Explain what you can manage, what you might postpone or cut out, and who or what you need to take care of. Keep the example specific but comfortable to share. In a conversation, ask a follow-up question before giving advice; people may simply be describing their situation rather than asking for a solution. Vanessa and Dan’s examples are personal snapshots, not universal standards for balancing work and family. A practical response can acknowledge the pressure before suggesting a change.

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Speak English With VanessaAmerican English34:01

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introduces audience questions and conversations about daily routines.

You are invited to a real English conversation between me Vanessa and my husband Dan Hello You submitted some questions to us about daily life and we are here to answer them Our answers may not be incredible but the English will be Oh yes So I hope that you can follow along in this conversation You can click CC to view the full subtitles if you don't catch everything we're saying And like always I have created a free PDF worksheet for you which is right now over Dan's face But this PDF worksheet has something I've never offered before It includes a whole

Try it: Describe two responsibilities competing for your time. Use “pick and choose” or “cut out” and explain what you decided.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

6 phrases

in advance

Introduces audience questions and conversations about daily routines. · expression

Before a planned event or time.

Tone and use: Neutral and widely used. Use it for preparation or information gathered beforehand.

May not fit: Include a deadline if the amount of preparation time matters.

Example“I sent the questions in advance so everyone could prepare.”

move on to

Introduces audience questions and conversations about daily routines. · expression

Proceed to a new subject, activity, or stage.

Tone and use: Common conversational transition. Use it to signal the next topic after completing one part.

May not fit: Avoid making the transition before others have finished speaking.

Example“After lunch, we moved on to the afternoon schedule.”

pick and choose

Discusses work, hobbies, and choosing priorities. · expression

Select some options from a larger group.

Tone and use: Common expression. Use it when deciding among multiple activities or choices.

May not fit: If criteria matter, explain how you are choosing.

Example“With limited time, I pick and choose which events to attend.”

cut out of my life

Discusses work, hobbies, and choosing priorities. · expression

Remove an activity or habit from one’s routine.

Tone and use: Informal and expressive. Use it to describe stopping an optional habit or commitment.

May not fit: This can sound absolute; use “reduce” if you mean doing less rather than stopping.

Example“I cut late-night scrolling out of my life during the workweek.”

can't do it all

Discusses work, hobbies, and choosing priorities. · expression

Cannot complete every task or meet every demand at once.

Tone and use: Common conversational expression. Use it to acknowledge limits and prioritize.

May not fit: It is not an excuse to ignore urgent commitments; explain what you can do.

Example“I can’t do it all this week, so I’m asking for help.”

take care of my daughter

Explores flexibility and changing expectations at work. · expression

Look after a child or meet their needs.

Tone and use: Common caregiving phrase. Use it to describe responsibility for someone’s care.

May not fit: Caregiving can mean different tasks; be specific when details matter.

Example“I take care of my daughter after school while my partner works.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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What it means · “in advance”

If you send a document in advance, when do you send it?