Key takeaways
- Emma had her first day at a new job. She was nervous in a meeting and thinks she seemed shy. Her colleague Jack encourages her.
- Come across as = seem to be a certain kind of person to others. Uninterested = not interested. What if…? = asking about something that might happen.
- Useful supportive phrases: That’s normal. You just need more time. Just be yourself.
- Easy level (A2–B1), with repeat, answer and shadowing practice.
Have you ever left a meeting or a class and thought, “Why didn’t I say anything? They probably think I’m boring”? Many people feel this way, and when you have to speak in a second language, the feeling is even stronger.
That’s exactly what happens to Emma in this lesson. It’s her first day at a new job, and she’s worried about the impression she made. The conversation is short and simple, but it teaches a very useful expression for talking about impressions: come across as. It also shows how to comfort someone in English, which is a skill all of us need.
Watch the Lesson
Lesson map: listening (01:08), vocabulary (03:21), listen and repeat (04:36), listen and answer (12:18), shadowing (17:49).
The Conversation: Emma’s First Day
- Emma: Jack, can I ask you something?
- Jack: Sure, Emma. What is it?
- Emma: I’m worried about my first day. I think I made a mistake.
- Jack: Why? What happened?
- Emma: I was so nervous in the meeting. Everyone was sharing ideas, but I just sat quietly. I didn’t say much.
- Jack: That’s normal for the first day.
- Emma: Maybe. But my boss asked me some questions. My answers were very short. I think I came across as shy and uninterested.
- Jack: Oh, I don’t think so. You are new. People understand that.
- Emma: Really? I feel like I was too quiet. What should I do tomorrow?
- Jack: Just be yourself. Smile and listen carefully. If you have an idea, share it. Don’t worry too much.
- Emma: But what if I get nervous again?
- Jack: Take a deep breath. Speak slowly. Everyone wants you to do well. You don’t need to come across as perfect. Nobody is perfect on their first day.
- Emma: Thanks, Jack. That helps a lot.
- Jack: No problem. Let’s get some coffee before the next meeting. You’ll feel better.
Vocabulary: How We Seem to Others
Come across as
To seem or look like a certain kind of person to others. He came across as shy in the meeting. I don’t want to come across as rude. The structure is come across as + adjective (or + noun: She came across as a very kind person). It talks about the impression, not necessarily the truth. Emma isn’t uninterested; she was just nervous.
You can also say come across well or come across badly: I think I came across well in the interview.
Uninterested
Not interested in something, not wanting to know about it. He looks uninterested in the class. Be careful: disinterested is different in careful English. It means “fair, with no personal reason to choose a side”. Most learners only need uninterested.
What if…?
We use it to ask about something that might happen, often something we’re worried about. What if I make a mistake? What if it rains tomorrow? It’s short, natural and very common when people feel anxious.
Your turn: how do you want to come across in a job interview or on your first day? Write a sentence in the comments, for example: I want to come across as friendly and confident.
How to Support Someone in English
Jack is a great colleague. Look at the simple phrases he uses to make Emma feel better. You can use them with friends, classmates or family:
- Normalise it: That’s normal. / Everyone feels like that at first.
- Disagree kindly: Oh, I don’t think so. / I’m sure they didn’t think that.
- Give time: You just need more time. / Tomorrow is a new day.
- Give simple advice: Just be yourself. / Take a deep breath. / Speak slowly.
- Offer something: Let’s get some coffee. You’ll feel better.
And when someone supports you, Emma shows how to answer: Thanks, that helps a lot. Thank you for your support.
Feeling Nervous When You Speak English?
Emma’s problem isn’t her English. It’s nerves. When we feel nervous, we give short answers and stay quiet. Jack’s advice, “take a deep breath and speak slowly,” works for language learners too. Slower English is clearer English, and nobody minds a short pause.
A helpful trick is to have a few “thinking phrases” ready, like Let me think or That’s a good point. They give you time and keep the conversation going. You’ll find them in 10 real English phrases native speakers use every day. Starting a new job? Our lesson on preparing for a job interview and the one on having too much on your plate are useful too.
Practise With the Video
Answer the questions out loud, for example “What did Emma do in the meeting?” and “How did Emma think she came across?” Then shadow Emma and Jack. Try reading Jack’s lines in a calm, warm voice. It’s great pronunciation practice and a great way to “feel” the meaning.
Want more conversations about real work and life situations? The Shadowing English Speaking Course has 60 of them as MP3 audio and PDF text. Try a free sample lesson first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “come across as” mean?
It means to seem like a certain kind of person to other people. “She came across as very confident in the interview.”
What is the difference between “uninterested” and “disinterested”?
“Uninterested” means not interested. “Disinterested” traditionally means fair and neutral, with no personal reason to support one side.
How do I use “what if”?
Put it before a sentence about a possible situation: “What if I forget my words?” “What if we miss the bus?”
How can I sound less shy when I speak English?
Speak slowly, use short thinking phrases like “Let me think,” and practise answering questions out loud every day so that speaking feels familiar.
