Speaking Task: Discuss a Work Problem and Agree on the Next Step in Spanish
Speaking Task: Discuss a Work Problem and Agree on the Next Step in Spanish
In this speaking task, you will explain a familiar work obstacle, describe its impact, ask another person about options, propose a solution, assign responsibility for the next action, and agree on a time to review progress.
Work problem
Situation:
El sistema de reservas no funciona desde esta mañana. — The booking system has not worked since this morning.
Impact:
No podemos confirmar nuevas reservas y varios clientes están esperando respuesta. — We cannot confirm new bookings and several customers are waiting for a reply.
Keep the first explanation factual
Known fact:
La pantalla muestra un error cuando intentamos guardar una reserva. — The screen shows an error when we try to save a booking.
Unknown cause:
No sabemos todavía cuál es la causa. — We still do not know what the cause is.
Do not begin by blaming a colleague or declaring a technical cause that has not been verified.
Ask about options
- ¿Qué opciones tenemos mientras no funciona el sistema? — What options do we have while the system is not working?
- ¿Podemos registrar las reservas de otra manera? — Can we record the bookings another way?
- ¿Quién puede contactar con soporte técnico? — Who can contact technical support?
Propose a practical solution
Person A: Propongo que anotemos las nuevas reservas en una hoja temporal. — I propose that we write the new bookings on a temporary sheet.
Person B: De acuerdo, pero tenemos que comprobar todos los datos cuando vuelva el sistema. — All right, but we have to check all the details when the system comes back.
Assign the next step
Person A: Yo llamaré a soporte técnico ahora. — I will call technical support now.
Person B: Entonces yo prepararé la hoja temporal y avisaré al equipo. — Then I will prepare the temporary sheet and notify the team.
Agree on a review time
Person A: Revisemos la situación a las doce. — Let's review the situation at twelve.
Person B: Perfecto. A las doce comprobamos si soporte ha respondido y cuántas reservas tenemos pendientes. — Perfect. At twelve we will check whether support has replied and how many bookings we have pending.
Clarify responsibility
Person A: Entonces, ¿tú llamas a soporte? — So, are you calling support?
Person B: No. Tú llamas a soporte y yo preparo la hoja temporal. — No. You call support and I prepare the temporary sheet.
Respond to a question directly
Person A: ¿Cuántos clientes están esperando? — How many customers are waiting?
Person B: Cinco en este momento. — Five at the moment.
If you do not know:
No tengo el número exacto. Voy a comprobarlo. — I do not have the exact number. I am going to check it.
Another possible obstacle
Person A: Tenemos otro problema: dos reservas tienen la misma habitación. — We have another problem: two bookings have the same room.
Person B: Primero comprobemos las fechas y después decidimos cuál necesita un cambio. — First let's check the dates and afterward we will decide which one needs a change.
Do not broaden the problem unnecessarily
The goal is to solve the familiar operational problem in front of you. You do not need to redesign the entire booking system or assign blame for past management decisions.
Speaking mission
Discuss a work problem for three to five minutes. Include:
- one factual description of the obstacle
- one explanation of its impact
- one question about available options
- one proposed solution
- one assigned next action for each participant
- one time to review progress
- one clarification if responsibility becomes unclear
Performance criteria
- Facts are separated from assumptions.
- The practical impact is explicit.
- Questions receive relevant answers.
- The proposed solution is realistic and limited to the known problem.
- Responsibility for each next action is clear.
- A review time is agreed.
- The final agreement is repeated when necessary.
From Work Problems to Relationships and Social Expectations
You can now discuss a familiar work problem and agree on a next action with clear responsibility. The next lesson shifts to friendship, relationships, trust, support, and everyday social expectations.