Sarah had been working at the marketing firm for five years when she was asked to train the new employee. She felt both honored and nervous about the responsibility. The new hire was a young man named Michael who had just graduated from university. On his first day, Sarah greeted him at the reception desk with a warm smile. 'Welcome to the team,' she said. 'I'll be showing you around today.' Michael looked overwhelmed but tried to appear confident. They began the tour by visiting the different departments. 'This is where the graphic designers work,' Sarah explained. The designers waved hello without looking up from their screens. Next, they walked to the conference room where important meetings were held. 'We have weekly team meetings here every Monday morning,' Sarah told him. Michael nodded and took mental notes of everything. After the tour, they went to Michael's new desk. Sarah had already set up his computer and organized the basic supplies. 'Here are the login credentials you'll need,' she said, handing him a folder. Michael opened the folder and studied the information carefully. 'Don't worry if you forget something,' Sarah reassured him. 'Everyone does at first.' She showed him how to access the company's internal database. 'All our client files are stored here,' she explained. Michael was impressed by how organized everything seemed. 'Now let me introduce you to your direct supervisor,' Sarah suggested. They walked to Mr. Thompson's office at the end of the hall. Mr. Thompson was a friendly man in his fifties who loved to tell jokes. 'So you're the new marketing genius we've been waiting for,' he said with a grin. Michael laughed nervously and shook his hand. After the introduction, Sarah took Michael to the break room for coffee. 'This is where everyone comes to relax and chat,' she said. Several colleagues were already there, discussing weekend plans. Sarah introduced Michael to each of them. 'If you ever need help with anything, just ask anyone here,' she advised. The team seemed welcoming and easy to approach. After lunch, they returned to Michael's desk for the real training. Sarah opened the company's project management software. 'This is the tool we use to track all our campaigns,' she explained. Michael had used similar software before, which made learning easier. 'You'll be assigned your first project by the end of the week,' Sarah mentioned. Michael felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. She then explained the company's communication protocols. 'We mostly use email for formal communication and messaging apps for quick questions.' Michael appreciated how clearly Sarah explained everything. Throughout the afternoon, Sarah answered all his questions patiently. By the end of the day, Michael had filled several pages in his notebook. 'How do you feel?' Sarah asked before leaving. 'A bit overwhelmed, but excited to start,' Michael admitted. Sarah smiled and handed him her business card. 'Call me anytime if you get stuck,' she offered. The next few days were challenging but rewarding. Michael made some mistakes, but Sarah never criticized him harshly. Instead, she showed him how to correct the errors and learn from them. 'Making mistakes is part of the learning process,' she always said. By the second week, Michael was starting to feel more comfortable. He had memorized most of the procedures and knew where to find help. Sarah gradually gave him more independence to work on his own. Michael successfully completed his first small assignment. His supervisor praised him for the quality of his work. Sarah felt proud of how quickly he was adapting. One afternoon, Michael came to her with a creative idea for a campaign. Sarah was impressed by his initiative and encouraged him to present it. 'You should share this at the next team meeting,' she suggested. Michael felt nervous about speaking in front of everyone. Sarah offered to help him prepare the presentation. They worked together after hours to create compelling slides. When the meeting day arrived, Michael presented his idea confidently. The team responded positively, and his supervisor approved the concept. Michael couldn't believe how far he had come in just two weeks. He thanked Sarah for all her support and guidance. 'You did all the hard work yourself,' she replied modestly. Their professional relationship had turned into a genuine friendship. Michael promised to help train the next new employee when the time came. Sarah knew he would make an excellent mentor. By the end of the month, Michael had become a valuable team member. He continued to learn new skills and take on bigger challenges. The experience taught Sarah that training others could be just as rewarding as doing the work herself. She had discovered a new passion for mentoring young professionals. Together, they proved that patience and teamwork could transform a nervous beginner into a confident professional.
English Story (B1)Training the New Employee
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Sarah, an experienced marketing professional, is tasked with training Michael, a recent university graduate. Through patient guidance and encouragement, she helps him navigate his first weeks at the company. When Michael proposes a creative campaign idea, Sarah helps him present it to the team. The experience strengthens their professional bond and teaches them both valuable lessons about mentorship and growth.
Translations in English
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
How did Sarah feel when she was asked to train the new employee?
2
What was the first thing Sarah and Michael did during his orientation?
3
How did Sarah respond when Michael made mistakes during training?
4
What happened when Michael presented his campaign idea at the team meeting?
Vocabulary
40 words from this story
