DIRECTIONS: Read the dialogues below in English, then translate them and read them in your primary language (if needed). You’re encouraged to read these dialogues with your teacher, tutor, colleagues, family, and friends to practice and improve your American English even further.
Topic: Getting Organized
Dialogue 1
Emma: Hey, Laura. You look stressed.
Laura: Yeah, I’m feeling overwhelmed at the moment.
Emma: What’s going on?
Laura: There’s much to do, and my apartment is messy. I can never find anything when I need it.
Emma: Maybe you need to get more organized. Have you thought about organizing your space?
Laura: How do I even start? It’s such a disaster!
Emma: Well, first things first – clear out any clutter. Get rid of anything you don’t use or need anymore.
Laura: Hmm. Okay. Then what?
Emma: Next, neatly put away all the things you’re keeping. Do you have storage containers or baskets you could use?
Laura: I’ve got some boxes, but they’re not very pretty.
Emma: That’s okay. You can always decorate them with wrapping paper or fabric.
Laura: Ooh, that sounds fun. Maybe I’ll try that.
Emma: And finally, make sure everything has its place. That way, you always know where everything is and won’t waste time looking for things.
Laura: Thanks, Emma! I think this will help me feel less overwhelmed.
Dialogue 2
Sarah: I need to get organized. My apartment is a mess.
Tom: Yeah, it’s looking pretty cluttered in here.
Sarah: I’ve got clothes everywhere, and my desk is covered in paper.
Tom: Have you tried organizing by category? It works for me when I’m clearing clutter.
Sarah: What do you mean?
Tom: Well, start with one area and gather all the similar items together. Then, organize them based on their purpose or use. For example, put all your office supplies in one place and your bills in another.
Sarah: That makes sense. I’ll try it out. But where do I begin?
Tom: Start small. Maybe tackle your desk first. Separate the crucial papers from the ones you don’t need and organize them into folders. Keep neat piles of paper on either side and leave space in the middle to work on.
Sarah: Great idea. And what about my clothes?
Tom: You could separate them into different categories—pants in one section, shirts in another. And then arrange them by color so they’re easy to find.
Sarah: This sounds like a lot of work…
Tom: It can take some time, but it’s ultimately worth it. A neat space equals a clear mind!