Using English at Work

Lesson 6 - Having Computer Problems

The computer technician is fixing my computer, and when she's done she says, "it's fixed." Then she says to me, "You shouldn't have any more problems now -as long as you don't abuse your computer." "To abuse" (abuse) something or someone means to hurt something or someone by treating it very badly. If I were angry, I might abuse my computer by taking my hand, making a fist - putting my fingers together - and punching the computer screen. That would hurt my hand, but I would also feel better even though I was abusing or hurting my computer. I do this a lot! Of course I never actually abuse my computer, at least not in the story, but it's no good talking to her, because she wouldn't believe me. Now that my computer is fixed, at least I can begin working again.

I'm sure you can understand how frustrating all these computer problems can be. Now that we've talked a little bit about the vocabulary you may need to talk about your computer problems, let's listen to the description of this part of my day again, this time at a normal rate of speech.

[start of script]

When we return to the office, I know I have to try to make some headway with my report. Unfortunately, as soon as I sit down in front of my computer, it starts acting up. First, my computer screen freezes and I have to boot it up again. Then, when I try to print a copy of my report, it won't print. I discover that the problem is that the printer is jammed, so it takes some time to clear it and for it to work again. Finally, when I think that my computer worries are over, my mouse and keyboard go haywire. I finally give up and call the computer tech.

I don't usually like calling the computer tech to help me with computer problems. She's nice enough, but she always makes me feel like I did something bad to my computer - something I shouldn't have done - even when I haven't.

When she arrives, she sits down at my computer and asks me a lot of questions to find out what the problem might be. I tell her about the problems I had and she asks if I'd had any problems while working on my word processing program. I say that everything was fine, but I did have some trouble formatting one of my files and got an error message when working on my spreadsheet program. She starts doing something to my computer, typing on the keys a mile a minute for a long time. Finally she says, "Okay, it's fixed. You shouldn't have any more problems now - as long as you don't abuse your computer." Of course I never abuse my computer, but it's no use telling her. At least my computer is fixed and I can keep working.

[end of script]

48 Using English at Work

Lesson 6 - Having Computer Problems

That's the end of our sixth lesson. In our seventh lesson, I'm going to talk about scheduling a meeting at work.

This course has been a production of the Center for Educational Development, in beautiful Los Angeles, California. Visit our website at eslpod.com.

This course was produced by Dr. Jeff McQuillan and Dr. Lucy Tse. Copyright

2008.

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