Welcoming a Foreign Colleague

“Fine, thank you”

Good coffee.”

Has this ever happened to you?

There’s a new foreign colleague in the department.

Of course you communicate in English,

and although you want to make them feel welcome,

you just don’t know what to say.

I’m Christina and you’re watching Speak Better, Feel Great TV.

The place to boost your English and boost your career.

In this video, I’m gonna show you 4 techniques

and the vocabulary you need to welcome your new foreign colleague.

Ya ready?

What’s the first, most basic thing you can do to welcome your new colleague?

Introduce yourself.

It’s as simple as that.

But introduce yourself immediately.

Not tomorrow, not when you see your new colleague by chance in the cafeteria.

Go to your colleague and say hello:

“Hi, I’m Christina. Welcome to the company”

See? Easy as pie!

But it can make a big difference.

Do you remember how great you felt when a friendly stranger welcomed you to your company?

You can make a big difference in your colleague’s first day at work in France.

I hear you now.

“OK, great Christina, then what?”

Well, you’re both at work,

so...you can talk about work.

But keep the conversation light and friendly

Try asking about their work:

Where did you use to work in the US?

What do they have you working on?

This is similar to “What are you working on?”

but it’s a little more advanced for you.

Make your colleague feel valued, by asking for their advice on something you’re working on.

For example,

I’d really appreciate a fresh pair of eyes on something I’m working on.

Can I ask you for your opinion?

Notice that expression “a fresh pair of eyes”.

It means someone who doesn’t know the project.

Of course, also offer your help.

Remember, your new colleague may feel embarrassed about asking basic questions,

so tell them:

If you need anything,

anything at all, don’t be afraid to ask. My desk is just over there.

Again, that expression “If you need anything, anything at all..."

“If you need anything, anything at al l...”

is a common English expression and it can help you sound more fluent

Invite them for coffee or lunch

Make an effort to offer a coffee to your new colleague.

Show them that you want to spend a little time with them.

Show them that you want to get to know them.

Show them that they are welcome in your team.

Don’t just ask

“Do you want a coffee?”

Pay special attention to them.

Here’s what you can say:

“Can I treat you to a coffee to welcome you to the team?”

Notice the use of the word “treat” in these expressions.

This means that you’re offering to pay for the coffee.

“Can I treat you to a coffee?”

and “It’s my treat!”

both mean “I’ll buy it for you.”

It’s friendlier than just

“Do you want a coffee?”

You should engage in small talk. Simple chat, like:

How do you like Grenoble?

How’s your first day going?

So, where do you come from exactly?

Do you like puppies?

What? No puppy questions?!

Well, the other questions are all fantastic questions,

but no “Do you like puppies?”

Remember, small talk is about basic, simple subjects.

It serves to build a bridge between you and the new person.

It makes a new person feel welcome.

It decreases stress for someone in a new environment.

And you can get to know your new colleague a little better too.

But

is always really important?

You bet!

The Psychology Foundation of Canada suggests that creating

good relationships

early makes people feel more engaged in their work.

It improves employee morale,

and it increases sharing between colleagues.

Here’s the recap:

Go introduce yourself.

Now.

Chat about work

Treat them to a coffee

And make small talk

not about puppies

And you?

Have you ever welcomed a new colleague go your company in English?

If so,

tell us about it in the comments below.

And if you haven’t,

well,

now’s the opportunity to try these techniques and expressions,

and then come back and tell us about it later in the comments.

And if you’re not subscribed to Speak Better, Feel Great TV,

what are you waiting for? You’ll get more videos with

tons of practical tips to boost your English and boost your career.

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and join.

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Finally, do you have a friend who could benefit from this video?

If so, Send them a link

You’ll help me help your friend boost their English and boost their career.

t’s a win-win situation!

I’m Christina, from Speak Better, Feel Great TV.

See ya next time!