Making new friends at work is a common experience that many people can relate to. This topic is frequently featured in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2, where candidates are asked to describe a specific event or experience. Understanding how to approach this topic can significantly boost your chances of achieving a high score in the IELTS Speaking test.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, you may encounter questions related to friendships and work relationships. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
Question: Do you find it easy to make new friends at work?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I generally find it quite easy to make new friends at work. I’m a sociable person, so I enjoy talking to my colleagues during lunch breaks or when we’re working on projects together.
Band 8-9 Answer:
I’d say I have a knack for making new friends in the workplace. I’m naturally outgoing and make a concerted effort to engage with my colleagues, whether it’s through casual conversations during coffee breaks or by actively participating in team-building activities. This approach has consistently helped me foster positive relationships with my coworkers.
Question: What qualities do you look for in a work friend?
Band 6-7 Answer:
When looking for a work friend, I value honesty and reliability. It’s important to have someone who can be trusted and who is supportive when things get tough at work.
Band 8-9 Answer:
In a work friend, I prioritize qualities such as integrity, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit. I appreciate colleagues who demonstrate unwavering ethics, are adept at maintaining confidentiality, and possess a genuine willingness to support team goals. Additionally, a good sense of humor and the ability to provide constructive feedback are traits I find particularly valuable in fostering a mutually beneficial work relationship.
Part 2: Long Turn
In this section, you’ll be given a cue card with a topic to speak about for 1-2 minutes. Here’s a sample cue card related to making a new friend at work:
Cue Card:
Describe a time when you made a new friend at work.
You should say:
- Who this person was
- How you met them
- What you did together
- And explain why you became friends with this person
Band 6-7 Answer:
I’d like to talk about a time when I made a new friend at work named Sarah. We met during my first week at a marketing company last year. Sarah was assigned to be my mentor and show me around the office.
We started working together on a big project for a client. We spent a lot of time brainstorming ideas and preparing presentations. During our lunch breaks, we would often chat about our hobbies and interests.
I became friends with Sarah because we share a passion for creative work. She’s also very supportive and always willing to help when I have questions. We have a similar sense of humor, which makes working together enjoyable.
Outside of work, we’ve gone to a few art exhibitions together since we both love modern art. This has helped us build a stronger friendship beyond just being colleagues.
Band 8-9 Answer:
I’d like to recount a particularly memorable experience of forging a new friendship at work. The individual in question is Alex, a colleague I encountered during my tenure at a multinational tech firm two years ago.
Our initial interaction occurred during a cross-departmental project where Alex and I were tasked with spearheading a novel software development initiative. From the outset, I was struck by Alex’s profound knowledge and innovative approach to problem-solving.
As we collaborated on this high-stakes project, we found ourselves engrossed in numerous brainstorming sessions and strategy meetings. These professional interactions gradually evolved into more personal conversations during coffee breaks, where we discovered our shared enthusiasm for cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship.
What cemented our friendship was a mutual recognition of each other’s strengths and a shared commitment to excellence in our work. Alex’s unwavering support during challenging phases of the project and their ability to offer constructive criticism in a tactful manner greatly contributed to our burgeoning friendship.
Our professional rapport soon extended beyond the confines of the office. We began attending tech conferences together and even collaborated on a side project – developing a mobile app. These shared experiences have significantly strengthened our bond, transforming what began as a work relationship into a genuine friendship that I deeply value.
Follow-up Questions:
- How has this friendship affected your work experience?
Band 6-7 Answer:
This friendship has made my work experience much more enjoyable. Having a good friend at work makes me look forward to going to the office each day. We support each other during stressful times, which helps us perform better in our jobs.
Band 8-9 Answer:
This friendship has profoundly enhanced my work experience in multiple dimensions. Firstly, it has fostered a more collaborative and innovative work environment, as our synergy allows us to bounce ideas off each other more freely and tackle challenges with greater creativity. Moreover, it has significantly boosted my job satisfaction and overall well-being in the workplace. The mutual support and understanding we share have been instrumental in navigating work-related stress and maintaining a positive outlook, even during demanding periods. This, in turn, has positively impacted my productivity and professional growth.
- Do you think it’s important to have friends at work?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I believe it’s important to have friends at work. It makes the work environment more pleasant and can help with teamwork. Having friends at work can also reduce stress and make you feel more comfortable in your job.
Band 8-9 Answer:
I firmly believe that cultivating friendships in the workplace is not just beneficial, but crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it significantly enhances the overall work atmosphere, creating a more harmonious and supportive environment that fosters productivity and job satisfaction. These relationships can also serve as a buffer against work-related stress, providing emotional support during challenging times. Moreover, workplace friendships often lead to improved communication and collaboration, which can translate into more efficient teamwork and innovative problem-solving. However, it’s equally important to maintain professional boundaries and ensure that these friendships do not compromise work ethics or productivity.
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this section, the examiner will ask you more abstract questions related to the topic. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
Question: How do you think technology has changed the way people make friends at work?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Technology has definitely changed how people make friends at work. Social media and messaging apps make it easier to stay in touch with colleagues outside of work hours. However, it might also reduce face-to-face interactions in the office, which could make it harder to form deep friendships.
Band 8-9 Answer:
Technology has undeniably revolutionized the dynamics of workplace relationships. On one hand, it has vastly expanded the opportunities for connection, transcending physical and temporal boundaries. Platforms like LinkedIn and internal communication tools have made it remarkably easy to network and maintain professional relationships, even in remote work settings. This has been particularly beneficial in fostering connections across different departments or geographical locations within an organization.
However, this technological shift is not without its drawbacks. The prevalence of digital communication may inadvertently reduce face-to-face interactions, which are often crucial for building deeper, more meaningful relationships. There’s a risk of relationships becoming more superficial or transactional when primarily conducted through digital means.
Moreover, the blurring of work-life boundaries due to constant connectivity can sometimes lead to work-related stress spilling over into personal time, potentially affecting the quality of workplace friendships. It’s therefore imperative for individuals and organizations to strike a balance, leveraging technology to enhance connectivity while also prioritizing in-person interactions to cultivate genuine relationships in the workplace.
Question: Do you think the nature of workplace friendships has changed over the generations?
Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I think workplace friendships have changed over the generations. In the past, people might have spent their entire career at one company, allowing for deeper friendships. Now, with people changing jobs more often, workplace friendships might be shorter but more diverse.
Band 8-9 Answer:
The nature of workplace friendships has indeed undergone a significant transformation across generations, reflecting broader shifts in work culture and societal norms. In previous generations, the prevalence of lifelong careers within a single organization often facilitated the development of deep-rooted, long-term friendships among colleagues. These relationships were characterized by a shared history and a strong sense of loyalty to both the company and coworkers.
In contrast, the modern work landscape is marked by increased job mobility and a gig economy mentality. This shift has led to more transient workplace relationships, which are often shorter in duration but potentially more diverse in nature. Today’s professionals are more likely to form a wider network of connections across various organizations throughout their careers.
Additionally, the rise of remote work and digital nomadism has further altered the dynamics of workplace friendships. While these changes may have reduced the depth of some workplace relationships, they have also opened up opportunities for connections across geographical and cultural boundaries.
Moreover, generational attitudes towards work-life balance have influenced workplace friendships. Younger generations often place a higher premium on finding meaningful connections at work and view their colleagues as potential friends rather than just coworkers. This shift has led to a blurring of lines between professional and personal relationships, potentially leading to more authentic and multifaceted connections in the workplace.
Vocabulary and Phrases to Achieve a High Score
To excel in your IELTS Speaking test, incorporate these advanced vocabulary items and phrases:
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To hit it off (phrasal verb) – /tə hɪt ɪt ɒf/
Meaning: To get along well with someone immediately
Example: “We hit it off right away and became fast friends.” -
Rapport (noun) – /ræˈpɔːr/
Meaning: A close and harmonious relationship
Example: “We developed a strong rapport while working on the project together.” -
To see eye to eye (idiom) – /tə siː aɪ tə aɪ/
Meaning: To agree with someone
Example: “We see eye to eye on most work-related issues, which strengthens our friendship.” -
Camaraderie (noun) – /ˌkæməˈrɑːdəri/
Meaning: Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together
Example: “The camaraderie in our office makes it a great place to work.” -
To break the ice (idiom) – /tə breɪk ðə aɪs/
Meaning: To make people feel more relaxed in a social situation
Example: “The team-building exercise really helped break the ice among new colleagues.”
Tips from an IELTS Speaking Examiner
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Practice regularly: Dedicate time each day to speaking English, even if it’s just talking to yourself about your day.
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Expand your vocabulary: Learn new words and phrases related to work and relationships, and practice using them in context.
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Use a variety of sentence structures: Mix simple and complex sentences to demonstrate your language proficiency.
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Be specific and provide examples: When describing situations or experiences, give details to make your answers more engaging and authentic.
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Stay calm and confident: Remember that the examiner is interested in your language skills, not judging your personal experiences.
By following these guidelines and incorporating the suggested vocabulary and phrases, you’ll be well-prepared to excel in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing topics related to making new friends at work.
For more tips on improving your IELTS Speaking skills, you might find it helpful to read about describing a time when you received good news unexpectedly or describing a person who is very talented in their profession. These topics can help you practice similar storytelling techniques and vocabulary that will be useful for discussing workplace friendships.