Daily English Lesson 8 – Lunch Break (Intermediate)

Welcome to Daily English Lesson 8 – Lunch Break! Today’s lesson focuses on the vocabulary and expressions you need when talking about meals, restaurants, and socializing during your break at work. Lunch break is not just about food — it’s also about connection and energy.

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

📖 Story Section – Lunch Break

My name is Sophia, and I always look forward to lunch break. By midday, my concentration starts to fade, and I need a change of pace. Sometimes I bring a simple sandwich from home, but today I decided to join two colleagues for lunch outside.

We walked to a small Mediterranean restaurant near the office. The place was lively, with the smell of grilled vegetables and freshly baked bread filling the air. I ordered a hummus wrap with roasted peppers, while my colleagues chose pasta and soup.

We sat at a table on the terrace. The weather was mild, and a light breeze made it even more pleasant. As we ate, the conversation shifted from deadlines to travel plans and funny office stories. It felt good to laugh and forget about work for a while.

After finishing lunch, we stopped by a coffee shop for a quick espresso before heading back. By the time we returned to the office, I felt refreshed and more focused. That short break gave me exactly what I needed to get through the rest of the

🥪 Story Section with explanations

Our story begins with me saying, “Let me tell you a little story.”

My name is Sophia, and I always look forward to lunch break. By midday (the middle of the day), my concentration (the ability to stay focused) starts to fade (to become weaker), and I need a change of pace (something different to refresh myself).

Sometimes I bring a simple sandwich (two pieces of bread with food inside) from home, but today I decided to join two colleagues (people you work with) for lunch outside.

We walked to a small Mediterranean restaurant (a restaurant serving food from countries like Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon) near the office. The place was lively (full of energy), with the smell of grilled vegetables (cooked over direct heat) and freshly baked bread (bread made recently in the oven) filling the air. I ordered a hummus wrap (flatbread filled with chickpea spread) with roasted peppers (peppers cooked in the oven until soft), while my colleagues chose pasta (Italian noodles) and soup (hot liquid dish).

We sat at a table on the terrace (outdoor seating area). The weather was mild (not too hot, not too cold), and a light breeze (soft wind) made it even more pleasant. As we ate, the conversation shifted (changed direction) from deadlines (dates when work must be finished) to travel plans and funny office stories. It felt good to laugh (to make happy sounds when something is funny) and forget about work for a while.

After finishing lunch, we stopped by a coffee shop (a small café where you buy coffee) for a quick espresso (a strong small coffee) before heading back. By the time we returned to the office, I felt refreshed (full of new energy) and more focused (able to pay attention). That short break gave me exactly what I needed to get through the rest of the afternoon.

📘 Vocabulary & Explanation

1. Concentration – the ability to focus on something.
   Example: My concentration improves after a short walk.
2. Fade – to become weaker or less clear.
   Example: His voice started to fade as he walked away.
3. Change of pace – something different from the usual routine.
   Example: Going to the park was a nice change of pace.
4. Colleague – a person you work with.
   Example: My colleague helped me finish the report.
5. Lively – full of energy and excitement.
   Example: The café was lively with music and laughter.
6. Terrace – an outdoor area where people can sit.
   Example: We had coffee on the terrace overlooking the street.
7. Mild – not extreme, gentle in temperature or feeling.
   Example: The weather was mild and perfect for lunch outside.
8. Breeze – a light, gentle wind.
   Example: A cool breeze came through the open window.
9. Deadline – the date or time by which something must be done.
   Example: The project deadline is next Friday.
10. Espresso – a small, strong type of coffee.
    Example: I ordered an espresso to stay awake in the afternoon.
11. Refreshed – feeling rested and full of new energy.
    Example: After a nap, I felt refreshed and ready to study.
12. Focused – paying close attention to something.
    Example: She stayed focused on her work despite the noise.

🔄 Recap

Sophia looked forward to her lunch break because her concentration always weakened by midday. Instead of eating at her desk, she went with her colleagues to a Mediterranean restaurant. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the smell of grilled food. Sophia enjoyed a hummus wrap, while her colleagues ordered pasta and soup. They sat outside on the terrace, enjoying the mild weather and a light breeze while talking about travel and sharing stories. Afterward, they stopped for coffee, and Sophia returned to the office feeling refreshed, focused, and ready to continue her work.

📑 Glossary

• Concentration – ability to focus.
• Fade – to become weaker.
• Change of pace – something different from routine.
• Colleague – coworker.
• Lively – full of energy.
• Terrace – outdoor seating area.
• Mild – gentle, not extreme.
• Breeze – light wind.
• Deadline – time when work must be completed.
• Espresso – strong small coffee.
• Refreshed – full of new energy.
• Focused – paying close attention.

✍️ Practice Task

Write 6–8 sentences about your own lunch break.
👉 Use at least five vocabulary words from today’s lesson (for example: colleague, deadline, terrace, espresso, refreshed).
Try reading your sentences aloud or sharing them with a friend to practice speaking.

Thanks for joining today’s lesson on Lunch Break! Remember to practice the new vocabulary in your own daily routine – maybe even during your next lunch break 🍲☕. Keep learning, stay motivated, and I’ll see you in the next lesson!