Choosing an office Choosing an office: Reading

Business English lesson 2 : Choosing an office
Reading

Beginner level / CECR : A2/B1

1st Part
Video

2nd Part
Understanding

3rd Part
Vocabulary

4th Part
Writing

5th Part
Reading

6th Part
Game

Read the following text

Finding an office space in a good location for your business needs is key.

Creating a suitable office space requires balancing several factors to ensure employees can boost their productivity and focus on their well-being. From aesthetics such as colour schemes, lighting and desk positioning to accessibility, flexible working and other amenities, there are lots of factors to consider. An office space should ideally reflect the ethos of your business, while providing a healthy work environment that enables your team to work sustainably.

It helps to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of an office in the town center or one on the outskirts, looking at transport, cost, noise, visibility to customers, and any surrounding amenities like shops and bars.

Cost is also a major factor in choosing your office space. It’s important to have a clear budget in mind before you start looking at offices. This will help you figure out how much you can afford to pay for a workspace and find suitable options.

Whatever type of office you choose, you need to make sure the space is appropriate for your needs. Look at how many employees you have and how much space and equipment each person needs to comfortably perform their work. As well as working areas, you may need to consider rest areas, meeting rooms, and storage space.

While it may sound tempting to go straight for the cheapest option, it’s essential to ensure that the property meets your needs and expectations.

1️⃣ Learn the vocabulary:

to balance 

Meaning:
to compare the pros and cons/ the advantages and disadvantages of a situation.
(Traduction : équilibrer)

Synonyms:
to weigh up/ to weigh

to boost

Meaning:
to make something increase or become better or more successful.
(Traduction : stimuler)

Synonym:
to increase

to focus on

Meaning:
to give attention, effort to one particular object, situation , person….
(Traduction: se concentrer

Synonyms:
to concentrate on

to enable

Meaning:
to make it possible for somebody to do something
(Traduction: permettre / rendre possible)

Synonyms:
to permit, to allow

to ensure

Meaning:
to make sure that something happens or is definite.
(Traduction : assurer. / garantir)

Synonyms:
to make sure / to make certain

to provide with

Meaning:
to give something to somebody or make it available for them to use.
(Traduction: fournir)

Synonyms:
to give, to supply

a team

Meaning:
a group of people who play or work together.
(Traduction: une équipe)

Synonym:
group, unit

the outskirts 

Meaning:
the parts of a town or city that are furthest from the center
(Traduction: la périphérie)

Synonym:
suburbs

healthy 

Meaning:
not likely to be ill, in good health.
(Traduction : en bonne santé)

Health: la santé 

Synonyms:
well, in good shape

2️⃣ Read, listen and repeat the following sentences:

An office space should provide a healthy work environment.

→ Traduction : Un espace de bureau / des bureaux /doivent offrir un environnement professionnel sain.

It helps to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of an office in the town center.

→ Traduction : Cela aide de peser les avantages et les inconvénients d’un bureau en centre-ville.

Cost is also a major factor in choosing your office space.

→ Traduction : Le coût est aussi un facteur essentiel dans le choix de votre espace de bureau/de vos bureaux.

Make sure the office space is appropriate for your needs.

→ Traduction : Assurez-vous que les bureaux sont adaptés à vos besoins.

3️⃣ Written comprehension

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