Episode 01B1–B2 — Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate

The Daily Stand-Up

11:40 · 10 vocabulary terms · Reporting a blocker in a daily stand-up role-play · Free PDF transcript

Free transcript PDF

Episode 1 — Free transcript & study guide

  • 10-term vocabulary table
  • Full role-play transcript
  • Language breakdown notes
  • Quiz with full answers

Secure email link · Instant delivery · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime

Share

Vocabulary

TermDefinitionExample
Stand-upA short daily team meeting, quick enough that everyone can stay on their feet. Usually three questions: what you did yesterday, what you're doing today, and whether you're blocked."Today: the daily stand-up. The fifteen-minute meeting almost every software team runs, every morning."
Blocked / blockerAn adjective describing being unable to continue without help. Contrast with the common non-native error of using 'block' as a noun ('I have a block')."Uh... actually, yeah. I'm blocked. The staging API's been down since this morning, and I can't test the login flow."
SprintA fixed period of work, usually one or two weeks, that a team commits to completing. The stand-up is the daily check-in inside this window."We're on day three of the sprint, so let's stay tight."
Circle backTo return to a specific topic that was paused earlier in a conversation. Not the same as a general check-in."Let's not dig into the cause right now — let's circle back on that after the call, once I've talked to DevOps directly."
Touch baseA quick, informal check-in with someone, without necessarily a fixed topic."For now, let's touch base after lunch."
Follow upTo continue or complete something after a meeting, often in writing."I'll follow up with you after lunch if I haven't heard anything by then."
On trackA status update meaning a task is progressing with no issues."So far I'm on track — no issues to report."
Action itemOne clear, specific task assigned to a named owner after a meeting. Register-flexible: natural in both a casual stand-up and a formal client meeting."Action item: I'll ping the infra team the second we're done here and find out what's going on."
ActuallyMeans 'in fact,' used to correct or clarify. A false friend for French, Spanish, and Portuguese speakers, whose similar words mean 'currently.'"Uh... actually, yeah. I'm blocked."
EventuallyMeans 'in the end, after some time.' A false friend for Spanish and Portuguese speakers, whose similar words mean 'possibly.'"We'll eventually need to fix the staging environment properly, not just patch it every time this happens."

Episode structure

Hook + Intro

~1–1.5 min

Vocabulary Preview

~2–3 min

Role-Play

~8–12 min

Slow Replay

~2–3 min

Language Breakdown

~3–4 min

Quiz + Wrap-Up

~2–2.5 min

Your hosts

Alex, Tech Lead

Alex

Tech Lead

Sam, Developer

Sam

Developer