WORKPLACE
💬 TOPIC 1: TEXTING
Q1. Do you often send text messages?
Yes, I send text messages almost every single day. It’s the easiest way to stay in touch (giữ liên
lạc – synonym: keep connected) with my friends, family, and colleagues. I love texting because
it’s quick, convenient, and doesn’t interrupt people’s schedules (nhanh, tiện, và không làm
gián đoạn người khác). Compared to calling, texting allows me to think before I reply (nghĩ
trước khi trả lời), which makes my communication more thoughtful. It has really become an
essential part of my daily routine.
Q2. Do you prefer texting or calling?
It actually depends on the situation. If something is urgent or emotional, I prefer calling because
it feels more personal and expressive (mang tính cá nhân và biểu cảm hơn). However, for
casual conversations or simple updates, I find texting much more efficient and less intrusive
(hiệu quả hơn và ít gây phiền toái hơn – synonym: less disruptive). Plus, I can reply whenever I
have time, which helps me manage my communication better (kiểm soát việc giao tiếp tốt
hơn). So, both have their own charm, but I text more often in daily life.
Q3. Do you think people text too much nowadays?
Definitely yes. People today are glued to their phones (dán mắt vào điện thoại – idiom: be
addicted to the phone) and tend to text even during meals or meetings. While texting is fast and
convenient, I think overusing it can make relationships more superficial (nông cạn – synonym:
shallow) and reduce face-to-face communication (giao tiếp trực tiếp). Sometimes, people forget
how to have a proper conversation in real life. So I believe we should strike a balance between
online and in-person communication.
Q4. When do you usually send text messages?
I usually text people in the morning to confirm plans or share quick updates (xác nhận kế
hoạch hoặc gửi thông tin nhanh). During the day, I text my coworkers about work-related issues,
but I try not to overdo it to avoid distractions (tránh bị phân tâm – synonym: stay focused). In
the evening, I often catch up with friends (hỏi thăm, cập nhật – synonym: check in) about how
their day went. Texting fits perfectly into my schedule because I can do it anytime, anywhere.
📧 TOPIC 2: EMAILS
Q1. Do you often write or receive emails?
Yes, I send and receive emails almost every day, especially for work and study purposes. I think
email is the most professional and reliable form of communication (hình thức giao tiếp
chuyên nghiệp và đáng tin cậy nhất). It allows me to send detailed information and attach files
easily. I also like that emails can be stored and referred back to later (lưu trữ và xem lại sau –
synonym: archived for future reference), which is something texting can’t really offer.
Q2. Do you prefer sending emails or text messages?
It really depends on the context. If I’m contacting a teacher, manager, or client, I definitely
choose emails because they look more formal and polished (trang trọng và chuyên nghiệp –
synonym: well-presented). However, for friends or family, texting is more relaxed and
spontaneous (thư giãn và tự nhiên hơn). I think emails are for business, while texts are for
personal connections. Each platform serves its own purpose in communication.
Q3. How do you feel when you receive a long email?
Honestly, I sometimes find long emails a bit overwhelming and time-consuming (hơi quá tải
và tốn thời gian – synonym: exhausting), especially when I’m busy. But if the message is well-
structured with clear points, I appreciate the effort the sender puts in. Long emails can also be
useful when discussing complex topics (chủ đề phức tạp) that require details. I’d rather read one
long, clear email than several short, confusing ones.
Q4. What kind of emails do you receive most often?
Most of the emails I get are related to my work and school — things like announcements,
deadlines, and meeting invitations. I also receive promotional emails (email quảng cáo –
synonym: marketing emails) from online stores, but I usually delete them right away.
Occasionally, I get personal emails from relatives abroad, which I enjoy reading because they
feel more heartfelt and genuine (chân thành và thật lòng hơn).
🗣 TOPIC 3: DISCUSSIONS
Q1. Do you like having discussions?
Yes, I do. I believe discussions are a fantastic way to exchange ideas and broaden one’s
perspective (trao đổi ý kiến và mở rộng tầm nhìn). Through discussions, I can learn how others
think and improve my critical thinking skills (kỹ năng tư duy phản biện). I enjoy both casual
talks with friends and serious debates about current issues. For me, discussions are not just about
winning an argument, but about understanding different viewpoints (hiểu các quan điểm khác
nhau).
Q2. Do you prefer discussing things face-to-face or online?
I personally prefer face-to-face discussions (thảo luận trực tiếp) because they feel more natural
and engaging. You can read people’s facial expressions and body language (biểu cảm và ngôn
ngữ cơ thể – synonym: gestures), which makes communication clearer. Online discussions are
convenient, but sometimes they lack emotional connection. In-person talks help build stronger
relationships (xây dựng mối quan hệ bền chặt hơn) and avoid misunderstandings that can
happen through screens.
Q3. What do you usually discuss with your friends?
We talk about a wide range of things, from movies and fashion to deeper topics like relationships
and career goals. Sometimes, our discussions turn into friendly debates (tranh luận thân mật)
where everyone shares their point of view. I think these conversations help us bond and learn
from one another (gắn kết và học hỏi lẫn nhau). Besides, discussing real-life issues keeps me
mentally active and socially aware (tư duy linh hoạt và nhạy bén xã hội hơn).
Q4. Do you think discussions are useful in the workplace?
Absolutely. Productive discussions encourage teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving (làm
việc nhóm, sáng tạo và giải quyết vấn đề). They allow employees to share opinions and reach
better decisions collectively (chia sẻ ý kiến và cùng đưa ra quyết định tốt hơn). I believe an
organization that values open discussions tends to have a positive and innovative work culture
(văn hóa làm việc tích cực và đổi mới).
Key Collocations & Idioms Recap
English Expression Vietnamese Translation Synonym / Meaning
Stay in touch Giữ liên lạc Keep connected
Be glued to the phone Dán mắt vào điện thoại Be addicted to the phone
Avoid distractions Tránh bị phân tâm Stay focused
Catch up with friends Hỏi thăm, cập nhật Check in with friends
Professional communication Giao tiếp chuyên nghiệp Formal correspondence
Well-structured email Email có cấu trúc rõ ràng Organized email
Exchange ideas Trao đổi ý kiến Share opinions
Broaden one’s perspective Mở rộng tầm nhìn Expand understanding
Critical thinking skills Kỹ năng tư duy phản biện Analytical ability
Productive discussions Thảo luận hiệu quả Constructive talks