A1Beginner230 words · 3 min
First day at work
Rafael starts a new job: he introduces himself, meets his colleagues and discovers the coffee break.
The text
Rafael habite au Québec depuis deux mois. Aujourd'hui, c'est son premier jour au travail. Il est un peu nerveux, mais il est content.
Il entre dans le bureau. Une femme vient vers lui avec un sourire et se présente : elle s'appelle Nathalie et elle est responsable de l'équipe. Elle lui demande s'il est Rafael. Il répond que oui, qu'il s'appelle Rafael et qu'il est le nouveau technicien. Nathalie lui souhaite la bienvenue et lui montre son bureau.
Le bureau est près d'une grande fenêtre. Il y a un ordinateur, une chaise et une petite plante. Un collègue s'approche avec un café à la main et se présente à son tour : il s'appelle Karim et il travaille juste à côté. Il lui dit qu'il peut poser des questions quand il veut. Rafael le remercie et lui répond qu'il est content d'être ici.
Le matin passe vite. Rafael écoute, regarde et prend des notes. Au milieu de la matinée, c'est la pause café : tout le monde parle et rit dans la petite cuisine. Rafael prend un café et un biscuit, et il répète les prénoms : Nathalie, Karim, Sophie, Marc. Le midi, il mange avec Karim et ils parlent de leurs familles.
Le soir, Rafael rentre chez lui. Il est fatigué mais fier. Il écrit à sa mère que son premier jour est fini, que ses collègues sont gentils et qu'il est heureux.
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Rafael has lived in Quebec for two months. Today is his first day at work. He is a little nervous, but he is happy.
He walks into the office. A woman comes toward him with a smile and introduces herself: she is Nathalie and she is the team lead. She asks him if he is Rafael. He answers that yes, his name is Rafael and he is the new technician. Nathalie welcomes him and shows him his desk.
The desk is near a big window. There is a computer, a chair and a small plant. A colleague comes over with a coffee in his hand and introduces himself in turn: his name is Karim and he works right next door. He tells Rafael he can ask questions whenever he wants. Rafael thanks him and answers that he is glad to be here.
The morning goes by fast. Rafael listens, watches and takes notes. In the middle of the morning, it is the coffee break: everyone talks and laughs in the little kitchen. Rafael has a coffee and a cookie, and he repeats the first names: Nathalie, Karim, Sophie, Marc. At noon, he eats with Karim and they talk about their families.
In the evening, Rafael goes home. He is tired but proud. He writes to his mother that his first day is over, that his colleagues are kind and that he is happy.
Underlined words are in the glossary: tap one for its definition.
Comprehension questions 4
1. Qui est Nathalie ?(Who is Nathalie?)
Answer : La responsable de l'équipe.
2. Où est le bureau de Rafael ?(Where is Rafael's desk?)
Answer : Près d'une grande fenêtre.
3. Avec qui Rafael mange-t-il le midi ?(Who does Rafael eat lunch with?)
Answer : Avec Karim.
4. À qui Rafael envoie-t-il un message le soir ?(Who does Rafael send a message to in the evening?)
Answer : À sa mère.
Grammar point in this text
Practise speaking
La vie professionnelleProfessional life
The office, meetings, networking — the French of the workplace.
Dialogues on the same theme. They open on the dialogue page.
The tasks where this French will help
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