Academy of Languages — Business English B1

🔥

Section 1 / 8

Warm-up

Lesson 15

Remote Work & Hybrid Teams

Business English B1Lesson 158 sections56 exercises

1.1

Remote Work & Hybrid Teams

Today is about the new normal of work: remote and hybrid teams, different time zones, video calls and the problem of switching off. The grammar focus is used to, be used to and get used to — the language of habits and change: I used to commute for two hours. I'm used to working from home. I'm getting used to the new system.

1.2

After this lesson you'll be able to...

Use key remote and hybrid work vocabulary
Talk about past habits and present habits with used to, be used to and get used to
Organise meetings across time zones and communicate clearly on video calls
Set boundaries and discuss work-life balance politely

1.3

Get to know each other (3 minutes)

Do you work from home, at the office or both? Which do you prefer?
What did your working day use to look like five years ago?
What is the hardest thing about video calls for you?
How do you switch off after work?

1.4

Say it out loud

Practise a sentence about a change in your work life. → I used to commute for an hour, but now I work from home.

1.5

Fact worth knowing

Many remote teams use "asynchronous communication": instead of a meeting, someone records a message or writes an update, and others reply when it suits them. It saves a lot of time across time zones.

🧩

Section 2 / 8

Vocabulary

2.1

Remote work vocabulary

remote work

working from a place that is not the office

віддалена робота

hybrid work

a mix of working in the office and at home

гібридний формат роботи

flexible hours

working times that you can choose or change

гнучкий графік

a time zone

a region of the world that has the same clock time

часовий пояс

asynchronous communication

communication where people reply at different times

асинхронна комунікація

a stable connection

an internet link that does not drop

стабільне з'єднання

to turn your camera on

to show your face during a video call

увімкнути камеру

to log off

to disconnect from work systems at the end of the day

вийти з робочих систем

work-life balance

a healthy division between work time and personal time

баланс між роботою та життям

burnout

extreme tiredness caused by too much work and stress

вигорання

to set boundaries

to decide clearly what you will and will not do

встановлювати межі

to touch base

to make short contact to share news or check progress

коротко зв'язатися, звіритися

a stand-up meeting

a very short daily team meeting

коротка щоденна нарада

a co-working space

a shared office that people rent for a short time

коворкінг

a commute

the regular journey between home and work

дорога на роботу

isolation

the feeling of being alone and cut off from others

ізоляція, відчуття самотності

2.2

Useful remote work phrases

Can everyone see my screen?	Усі бачать мій екран?
Sorry, I was on mute.	Вибачте, в мене був вимкнений мікрофон.
Let's touch base on Thursday.	Давайте зв'яжемося в четвер.
I'm in a different time zone, so…	Я в іншому часовому поясі, тому…
Could you turn your camera on, please?	Не могли б ви ввімкнути камеру?
I'll reply as soon as I'm back online.	Я відповім, щойно повернуся в мережу.
I'm not available after six.	Я недоступний після шостої.
Let's put that in writing.	Давайте зафіксуємо це письмово.

2.3

Try out the new words

Say what makes remote work hard for you. → For me, the hardest thing about remote work is …

Say what you do to set boundaries. → To set boundaries, I always log off at … and I don't …

2.4

Which word is it?

Working from a place that is not the office

A mix of working in the office and at home

Working times that you can choose or change

A region of the world with the same clock time

Communication where people reply at different times

A healthy division between work time and personal time

Extreme tiredness caused by too much work

To make short contact to check progress

2.5

Fill in the missing word

Our team works in three different ____ zones.

I always ____ off at six and turn off my work phone.

Could you ____ your camera on? I can't see you.

We have a ____ meeting every morning at 9:15 — it lasts ten minutes.

My ____ used to take two hours; now I just walk to my desk.

Working alone can lead to ____ and loneliness.

2.6

Choose the correct word

I need a ____ connection for video calls.

Many people rent a desk in a ____ space.

It's important to set ____ between work and home life.

Let's ____ base on Friday to see how the project is going.

Too much stress and no rest can cause ____.

2.7

Translate the phrase

Write each phrase in English. Several answers are possible.

віддалена робота

гнучкий графік

часовий пояс

баланс між роботою та життям

📐

Section 3 / 8

Grammar

3.1

used to, be used to, get used to

used to + infinitive	a past habit or state that is no longer true: I used to commute for two hours. We used to have meetings in person. Negative: didn't use to. Question: Did you use to…?
be used to + -ing / noun	to be familiar with something; it is normal for you now: I'm used to working from home. She's used to video calls.
get used to + -ing / noun	to become familiar with something (the process of change): I'm getting used to the new system. It took me a month to get used to working alone.
Compare	used to = past habit; be used to = it feels normal now; get used to = it is becoming normal.
Careful!	After be used to and get used to use -ing, because to is a preposition: I'm used to working (NOT "I'm used to work"). After used to use the infinitive: I used to work* in an office.*
Spelling	In questions and negatives: I didn't use to like it (NOT "didn't used to" in careful writing).

3.2

used to, be used to or get used to?

I ___ commute for two hours every day. (past habit)

I ___ working from home now; it's normal for me.

It was hard at first, but I ___ the new system.

We ___ meet in person, but now we use video calls.

She isn't ___ working alone, so she feels lonely.

3.3

Open the brackets

We used to ____ (have) meetings in the office.

I'm used to ____ (work) with people in different time zones.

It took him a month to get used to ____ (start) at seven.

Did you use to ____ (work) from home?

She isn't used to ____ (talk) to a screen all day.

3.4

Past habit or present habit?

I used to answer emails at night.

I'm used to answering emails at night.

I'm getting used to answering emails only in the morning.

We didn't use to have a stand-up meeting.

3.5

Make a sentence

Write a full sentence with the correct form.

(past habit) commute / by train

(normal now) work / in different time zones

(changing) use / the new software

(past habit) have / long meetings

3.6

Correcting mistakes

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

I'm used to work from home.

We used to working in the office.

She is getting used to use the new tool.

Did you used to commute?

He isn't use to working alone.

3.7

Put the words in order

Put the words in the right order and write the full sentence.

used / I / to / office / the / work / in

working / used / she's / to / home / from

getting / we're / used / to / system / the / new

didn't / we / meetings / use / have / to / many

3.8

Say it about your own work

Say what you used to do, what you are used to doing now and what you are getting used to. → I used to …, I'm used to …ing, and I'm getting used to …ing

📖

Section 4 / 8

Reading

4.1

Read: two years of working from home

My two years as a remote worker — Ihor Marchenko, product designer

Three years ago, I used to commute for almost two hours every day. I left home at seven, spent the journey in a crowded metro and arrived at the office already tired. When my company moved to remote work, I was happy at first — but it wasn't easy. I wasn't used to working alone, and I didn't use to have so many video calls. My home became my office, and the line between work and rest disappeared.

It took me about three months to get used to the new routine. First, I set boundaries: I log off at six and I don't answer messages in the evening. Second, our team learned to use asynchronous communication — instead of a meeting, we write a short update, and everybody replies when it suits them. We still have a ten-minute stand-up every morning, and on Fridays we touch base in a co-working space in Lviv.

Now I'm used to working with colleagues in three different time zones, and I'm used to cooking lunch instead of eating at my desk. I'm still getting used to one thing: the isolation. That's why I don't want fully remote work any more. Hybrid work, with two days in the office, is the perfect balance for me.

4.2

True or false?

Ihor used to commute for two hours.

True — almost two hours every day.

He liked working alone from the beginning.

False — he wasn't used to it.

It took him about a year to get used to the routine.

False — about three months.

The team uses asynchronous updates instead of some meetings.

True.

Ihor is still getting used to the isolation.

True.

He wants fully remote work.

False — he prefers hybrid work.

4.3

Answer the questions

What did Ihor's journey to work use to be like?

About two hours in a crowded metro, so he arrived tired.

What boundaries did he set?

He logs off at six and doesn't answer messages in the evening.

How does the team communicate asynchronously?

They write short updates and reply when it suits them.

Why does he prefer hybrid work?

He still finds isolation hard, so two office days give him balance.

4.4

Find the structures in the text

Write the phrase from the text.

A past habit (commute):

Not normal for him at first:

A process of change (routine):

Normal for him now (time zones):

Still changing (isolation):

4.5

Fill in from the text

Ihor logs off at six and sets ____ for the evening.

The team writes a short ____ instead of holding a meeting.

They have a ten-minute ____ every morning.

On Fridays they touch ____ in a co-working space.

Hybrid work, with two days in the office, is the perfect ____ for him.

4.6

Why does it work?

Setting a log-off time helps to …

Asynchronous updates are good because …

A co-working day helps against …

A stand-up meeting is …

4.7

Your own opinion

Do you agree that hybrid work is the perfect balance? Why or why not?
What would you add to Ihor's boundaries?
How could a team reduce the feeling of isolation?

✏️

Section 5 / 8

Practice

5.1

Picture the change

🚌 🏠 💻 🔌

Then → Now → Getting used to it. Three forms, three different times and feelings.

5.2

Match the phrase to its function

Can everyone see my screen?

Sorry, I was on mute.

Let's touch base on Thursday.

I'm not available after six.

Could you turn your camera on, please?

Let's put that in writing.

5.3

Put the words in order

Put the words in the right order and write the full sentence.

see / can / everyone / my / screen

touch / let's / Thursday / base / on

after / available / not / six / I'm

turn / could / camera / on / you / your

5.4

Fill in the missing phrase

Sorry, I was on ____. (mute)

I'm in a different time ____, so it's late for me. (zone)

I'll reply as soon as I'm back ____. (online)

Let's put that in ____. (writing)

5.5

Compare then and now

Write one sentence.

Past: long meetings. Now: short stand-ups. Write one sentence with "used to".

Past: office every day. Now: home 3 days. Write one sentence with "used to".

Say you find the new tool normal now. Write one sentence with "be used to".

5.6

Translate into English

Write each sentence in English. Several answers are possible.

Раніше я їздив на роботу дві години.

Я звик працювати вдома.

Ми звикаємо до нової системи.

Вона не звикла до відеодзвінків.

5.7

A remote work fact

Many companies agree a "core hours" window — for example 11:00 to 15:00 — when everybody is online. Outside these hours, people can choose their own time. It makes meetings across time zones much easier.

🗣️

Section 6 / 8

Speaking — Work From Anywhere

6.1

How to use this section

Your tutor plays a colleague in another country, a manager or a new team member. React in real time — set boundaries, arrange meetings across time zones, solve video-call problems and talk about change. Use used to, be used to and get used to correctly.

6.2

Describing change

SCENARIO 1

Task: tell a colleague how your working life has changed in the last five years.

Starter: "I used to commute for an hour every day, but now I work from home three days a week. I'm getting used to the new routine."

6.3

Arranging a meeting across time zones

SCENARIO 2

Colleague: "I'm in New York, so my day is just starting when yours is ending."

Starter: "Let's find a time that works for both of us. How about 4 p.m. my time, which is 9 a.m. for you? If it's too early, we can touch base in writing."

6.4

Solving a video-call problem

SCENARIO 3

Task: the sound is bad and you can't see the presenter. Solve it politely.

Starter: "Sorry to interrupt, but I can't hear you clearly. Could you turn your microphone off and on again? If it's still bad, I'll dial in by phone."

6.5

Setting a boundary

SCENARIO 4

Manager: "Could you answer a few emails tonight?"

Starter: "I'd love to help, but I log off at six to protect my work-life balance. I'll answer first thing tomorrow morning — would that be OK?"

6.6

Asking a colleague to turn the camera on

SCENARIO 5

Task: politely ask a colleague to turn their camera on, and accept a polite refusal.

Starter: "It would help to see everyone's face, so could you turn your camera on, please? If you'd rather not, that's fine — just let us know."

6.7

Discussing the hybrid policy

SCENARIO 6

Task: say how many days in the office are right for your team, and give two reasons.

Starter: "I think two days a week is ideal. We're used to working at home, but we also need face-to-face time to avoid isolation."

6.8

Supporting a colleague who feels isolated

SCENARIO 7

Colleague: "I'm not used to working alone. I miss the office."

Starter: "I understand — it took me months to get used to it. Why don't we have a short call every morning? And have you thought about a co-working space?"

6.9

Full remote day — no stopping

FULL RUN-THROUGH

Run through a full remote working day with your tutor: a stand-up, a time-zone problem, a boundary, and a short chat about change — entirely in English.

6.10

Let's talk — reflection

Which of the three forms (used to, be used to, get used to) was the hardest?
What is one boundary you would like to set at work?
How did you feel about speaking on a "video call" in English?

❄️

Section 7 / 8

Cool down

7.1

Now I can...

Use key remote and hybrid work vocabulary
Talk about past habits and present habits with used to, be used to and get used to
Organise meetings across time zones and communicate clearly on video calls
Set boundaries and discuss work-life balance politely

7.2

Quick self-check

What form follows "used to"?

The infinitive: I used to commute.

What form follows "be used to" and "get used to"?

The -ing form (or a noun): I'm used to working from home.

Which one describes a process of change?

"Get used to": I'm getting used to the new system.

7.3

One more thing before you go

Tell your tutor one habit you are getting used to. → I'm getting used to …

🏠

Section 8 / 8

Homework

How to do your homework

Do the exercises below and press Check in each one. Green = correct. Red shows what was expected.
Do the writing and speaking tasks and tick them when they are done.
Write your name and press Copy my result, then send the text to your tutor.

8.1

Words to remember

remote work	віддалена робота
hybrid work	гібридний формат роботи
flexible hours	гнучкий графік
a time zone	часовий пояс
asynchronous communication	асинхронна комунікація
a stable connection	стабільне з'єднання
to turn your camera on	увімкнути камеру
to log off	вийти з робочих систем
work-life balance	баланс між роботою та життям
burnout	вигорання
to set boundaries	встановлювати межі
to touch base	коротко зв'язатися, звіритися
a stand-up meeting	коротка щоденна нарада
a co-working space	коворкінг
a commute	дорога на роботу
isolation	ізоляція, відчуття самотності

8.2

Fill in the missing word

We have colleagues in five different time ____.

I log ____ at six every day.

Remote work can lead to ____ if you don't see people.

We ____ base on Fridays in a co-working space.

Too much work and stress can cause ____.

8.3

used to, be used to or get used to?

I ___ work in the office every day. (past habit)

She ___ working from home; it's normal for her now.

It's new, but I ___ it.

We didn't ___ have so many video calls.

He isn't ___ talking to a screen.

8.4

Open the brackets

I'm used to ____ (work) alone.

We used to ____ (meet) every Monday.

She is getting used to ____ (use) the new tool.

8.5

Correct the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

I'm used to work from home.

We used to working in the office.

Did you used to commute?

8.6

Translate the phrase

Write each phrase in English. Several answers are possible.

Я звик до гнучкого графіка.

Раніше ми проводили довгі наради.

8.7

Write it yourself

Write a short text (6–8 sentences) about how your working life has changed. Use used to, be used to and get used to at least twice each, and two words from the cards.

8.8

Practise out loud

Say your text aloud and record it. Check that you used -ing after "be used to" and "get used to".

8.9

Read aloud

Read the text "My two years as a remote worker" aloud twice before the next lesson.

Tick what you have done

8.7 I wrote a text about how my work life has changed (6–8 sentences)
8.8 I recorded myself saying the text
8.9 I read the text about remote work aloud twice

Your name