Start
03:33
LADIES FIRST · SCENE 01
Workplace Conflict
Practice expressing disagreement clearly, confidently and professionally.
01
ORIGINAL MOVIE SCENE
Find the scene first.
Watch the original scene before beginning the speaking practice. Pay attention to how the characters use their voices, pauses and body language.
FIND IT IN THE MOVIE
Original scene timestamp
Scene
Watch the workplace scene
Characters
Alex and junior creative
English Level
Intermediate
WATCH FIRST
Watch the original scene.
Start at 03:33 and watch the scene once without reading the practice material. Focus on the characters' voices, facial expressions and body language.
HIỂU TÌNH HUỐNG
What is happening?
02
Trong cảnh này, Alex và Damien đang có một cuộc trao đổi liên quan đến công việc và cách họ nhìn nhận một vấn đề.
Alex không đồng ý với quan điểm của Damien. Thay vì im lặng hoặc đồng ý chỉ để tránh xung đột, cô ấy nói rõ quan điểm của mình.
Mục tiêu của bài tập không phải là nói tiếng Anh thật to hoặc tỏ ra tức giận. Hãy luyện cách nói rõ ràng, bình tĩnh và có sự tự tin.
ACTING
Don't just say the words.
The emotion changes how the sentence sounds.
Start calm
Keep your voice steady. Do not rush your response.
Show disagreement
Make the important words clear without raising your voice.
Hold your position
Avoid nervous laughter or unnecessary apologies.
Stay controlled
Confidence does not require aggression.
LANGUAGE FOCUS
Useful expressions
These are original practice expressions designed around the scene's communication situation.
“I don't think it is.”
A simple way to disagree without immediately sounding aggressive.
“Here's how I see it.”
Use this phrase when you want to explain your perspective.
“I'm confident in my reasoning.”
A professional way to communicate confidence in your position.
“Let me explain why.”
Use this before giving a reason for your opinion.
PRACTICE SCRIPT
Ladies First — Scene 01
Workplace Conflict
MOVIE SCENE
Ladies First — Scene 01
The Promotion
CHARACTERS
Damien · Ruby · Alex
SETTING
Atlas Agency
FOCUS
Promotion · Workplace · Confidence
INT. DAMIEN SACHS' OFFICE — DAY
Ruby answers the phone at Damien Sachs' office.
RUBY
[on phone]
Hello, Atlas Agency. Damien Sachs' office.
Hello, Atlas Agency. Damien Sachs' office.
Damien gives Ruby a new assignment.
DAMIEN
I need you to compile me a list of female creatives
so that I can promote one.
RUBY
So you want me to categorize our employees for a promotion
based on gender and/or race?
DAMIEN
No. Just on gender.
RUBY
Mm-hmm.
Ruby checks the employees on her computer.
RUBY
So who've we got?
RUBY
We've got Alexandra Fox.
DAMIEN
Perfect. Set up a meeting so I can give her the good news.
RUBY
Do you even know who she is?
DAMIEN
Ruby, honestly.
Damien turns his attention back to his work.
DAMIEN
Oh, and move my flight to tomorrow.
I've just identified three very strong candidates
for a few other positions.
RUBY
You are so predictable.
Later, Ruby approaches Alex.
INT. ATLAS AGENCY — OFFICE — DAY
MALE CREATIVE
Alex.
ALEX
Yes.
A Black male junior creative approaches Alex at her desk. He mentions that some of the other junior creatives are meeting at the pub for happy hour.
MALE CREATIVE
Some of the other junior creatives are meeting up later
at the pub for happy hour, and...
ALEX
Oh, wow. Thanks.
But I think my happy hour days might be long behind me.
He clarifies that he wasn't actually inviting Alex.
MALE CREATIVE
Oh, I wasn't inviting you. I was just hoping if we left
a little early, you could finish up uploading the images
for the Morris campaign.
ALEX
Yes, absolutely. Yeah, I'm on it.
He walks away. Alex exhales nervously and returns to her work.
RUBY
Alex.
ALEX
Oh, Ruby, you look nice.
RUBY
Just to let you know, Damien would like to meet with you
tomorrow at 9 a.m. sharp.
ALEX
Oh, no. Is something wrong?
RUBY
No, actually, the opposite.
Alex realizes what Ruby means.
ALEX
A promotion?
RUBY
Mm-hmm.
Alex smiles, overwhelmed by the news.
ALEX
So he liked the presentation I sent on the Guinness campaign.
ALEX
I know it's not my account, and I didn't want to overstep,
but I had a feeling he might respond to it.
RUBY
Yep, that is why.
Alex becomes emotional.
ALEX
Oh my God, I'm sorry. Sorry.
I know I've only been here 20 years,
and I don't regret taking time off to raise my child at all,
but it has been hard coming back,
and everyone being so young, just with so much energy.
ALEX
So I'm just feeling proud of myself.
ALEX
And I'm excited,
and I... I can't believe that I'm crying at work.
RUBY
Okay, you absolutely should not do that in front of anyone else.
ALEX
No, I won't.
RUBY
Baby gherkin?
ALEX
Yes.
END SCENE
SHADOWING PRACTICE
Listen. Pause. Repeat.
Listen
Listen to the original character and notice the rhythm of the sentence.
Pause
Stop the video immediately after the character speaks.
Repeat
Repeat the sentence using the same rhythm and emphasis.
Act
Say it again without looking at the text. Focus on the emotion.
FINAL CHALLENGE
Say it three ways.
Take the sentence “I don't think it is.” and perform it three different ways: nervous, angry and calmly confident.
Your goal is not to speak louder. Your goal is to control the emotion.