Daily English Lesson 6 – Going to Work (Beginner)

Welcome back to Daily English Lesson 6 – Going to Work! Today we’ll follow James as he gets ready in the morning and travels to the office. You’ll learn useful vocabulary for daily routines, commuting, and workplace interactions. This lesson will help you describe your own mornings and improve your fluency in real-life English.

👉 This lesson is also available at the intermediate level. Click here to read it.

📖 Story Section – Going to Work

James’s alarm rang early in the morning. He stretched, got out of bed, and chose a clean shirt and trousers. After packing his laptop in his bag, he made a quick breakfast and left his apartment.

At the bus stop, James saw that the bus was already crowded. He squeezed inside, held onto a metal pole, and found a small place near the door. During the commute, he listened to a short podcast about productivity, using the time to prepare mentally for the day.

After about twenty-five minutes, the bus reached downtown. James got off and walked briskly across the street, moving quickly with energy so he wouldn’t be late. The sidewalks were full of people, each rushing toward their own destination.

When he arrived at the office building, James greeted the receptionist at the front desk. She smiled and directed him toward the elevator. James pressed the button, waited, and soon rode up to his floor.

As he stepped into the office, James felt prepared and calm. His routine – from the alarm to the brisk walk, from the podcast to the receptionist’s greeting — helped him start the day focused and ready for work.

🗣️ Story Section with explanations

James’s alarm rang early in the morning. An alarm (a device that makes a loud sound to wake you up) is the first sound that starts his day. He reached over, turned it off, and stretched (to make your body long and loose after sleeping). Stretching helps him feel less stiff.

He got out of bed and got dressed (to put on clothes). He chose a clean shirt and a pair of trousers. He packed his laptop (a small, portable computer) into his bag because he needed it at the office. Then he made a quick breakfast and left his apartment.

He walked to the bus stop (the place where people wait for the bus). The bus arrived and was already crowded (full of people, with little space). James held onto the metal pole (a round bar inside the bus that people hold for balance) as the bus moved. He stood near the door and watched the city go by.

During the commute (the regular trip between home and work), James listened to a short podcast (an audio program you can listen to online) about productivity (ways to work efficiently and use time well). He used the time to think about his tasks and plan his day. The ride took about twenty-five minutes, and the podcast helped him prepare mentally.

When the bus reached downtown (the center area of the city where many offices and shops are), James got off and walked across the street. He walked briskly (quickly and with energy) because he wanted to arrive on time. The sidewalks were busy, full of other people hurrying in different directions.

At the building entrance, James greeted the receptionist (the person at the front desk who welcomes visitors and gives information). The receptionist smiled and pointed to the elevator. He pressed the button and stepped into the elevator (a small room that moves people up and down inside a building). As the elevator rose, James took a breath and checked his bag one more time.

When the doors opened on his floor, he walked to his desk and sat down. He felt prepared (ready and organized for what is coming) because of the routine he followed that morning. The small actions during his commute — listening, planning, and moving with purpose — gave him a sense of control.

📚 Vocabulary & Explanation

Alarm – a device that makes a loud sound to wake you up.
My alarm goes off at 6:30 every morning.
Stretch – to make your body long and loose after sleeping or sitting.
I like to stretch before going for a run.
Crowded – full of people, with little space.
The bus was so crowded I could barely move.
Commute – the regular trip between home and work or school.
Her daily commute takes about an hour.
Podcast – an audio program available online.
He listens to a podcast while cooking dinner.
Productivity – the ability to work efficiently and use time well.
Good planning increases productivity.
Downtown – the central area of a city with offices and shops.
She works in a big office downtown.
Briskly – quickly and with energy.
He walked briskly to catch the train.
Receptionist – the person at a desk who welcomes visitors.
The receptionist gave me the visitor’s badge.
Elevator – a machine that carries people between floors.
We took the elevator to the 10th floor.
Prepared – ready and organized for what is coming.
She felt prepared for the meeting.
Routine – a regular way of doing things.
Exercise is part of his morning routine.

🔄 Recap

James’s day began when his alarm rang. After stretching and getting dressed, he packed his laptop and headed out. At the bus stop, he found the bus already crowded, but he managed to get inside and stood during the commute. To use his time wisely, he listened to a podcast about productivity.

The bus reached downtown after twenty-five minutes. James walked briskly toward his office building, weaving through the busy sidewalks. When he arrived, he greeted the receptionist and went straight to the elevator.

By the time he reached his desk, James felt prepared and calm. His morning routine – waking up, commuting, listening, walking with energy, and greeting others — gave him confidence and focus. These small, ordinary actions shaped the way he entered his workday.

📖 Glossary

Alarm – device to wake you up
Stretch – make your body long/loose
Crowded – very full of people
Commute – trip between home and work
Podcast – audio program online
Productivity – efficient use of time
Downtown – central part of a city
Briskly – quickly, with energy
Receptionist – person at front desk
Elevator – machine moving between floors
Prepared – ready and organized
Routine – regular way of doing things

✍️ Practice Task

Write 6–8 sentences about your own commute or morning routine using today’s vocabulary. For example, describe your alarm, how you travel to work, whether the bus or train is crowded, or how you prepare yourself to feel ready.

🌟 Thanks for joining today’s lesson! Keep practicing the new words like commute, briskly, receptionist, and routine in your daily life. The more you use them, the more natural your English will become. See you in the next lesson – keep going, you’re doing great!