🔶 Part 1 — Tutorial

Step 1 — Analyse the task & define both views (Discuss Both Views + Opinion)

Read the prompt carefully and underline the action and the scope: you must “discuss both views and give your opinion” about whether cultural traditions should be preserved or whether societies must adapt to modern values. Identify the two positions with precision. View A argues that traditions sustain identity, continuity and social cohesion, so they should be preserved; View B claims that modern values (equality, individual rights, innovation) should guide change even if certain customs fade. Note that the task is not asking you to list advantages and disadvantages randomly; you must explain the logic of each side and then state and justify your own stance. Generate at least two strong, distinct reasons for both perspectives, each supported by a short mechanism and a compact, realistic example. For preservation, think of intergenerational transmission, community belonging and intangible heritage; for modernisation, think of human rights, social inclusion and economic progress. Decide where to place your opinion (early in the introduction or reserved for the conclusion) and keep it consistent. Avoid value-loaded stereotypes; treat both sides fairly before evaluating. Aim for around 8–9 minutes to plan, 25–28 to write, and 3–4 to proofread.

Example Box — Decoding the Prompt (Traditions vs Modern Values)

Prompt: “Some say cultural traditions should be preserved; others believe societies must adapt to modern values. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
Focus: Explain why some prioritise preserving customs and why others prioritise adapting to current values; state your judgement.
Typical angles: Preservation → identity, cohesion, continuity; Modernisation → equality, inclusion, practicality for today.
Pitfall: Moralising or attacking a culture; keep an academic tone and use concise, plausible examples.

Step 2 — Plan a clear structure & argument flow

Use a four- or five-paragraph structure for control. In the introduction, paraphrase the statement and either preview a neutral discussion or signal a balanced thesis (e.g., “traditions matter, yet reforms are necessary where values conflict”). In Body 1, present the preservation view: start with a view-labelled topic sentence, explain two mechanisms (e.g., rituals transmit shared meanings; festivals build cohesion and mental well-being), and give a one-line example (e.g., a national new-year ceremony reinforcing belonging). In Body 2, present the modern values view with parallel structure (e.g., revising practices that marginalise groups; updating rites for safety/rights), grounded by a brief example (e.g., adjusting school uniforms for inclusivity). Add a short evaluation line in one paragraph or a separate brief paragraph to weigh principles (heritage vs fairness/utility). The conclusion must answer the question directly and synthesise: which principle should prevail and under what conditions. Keep examples realistic, short, and culturally respectful.

Example Box — Skeleton Plan (Traditions vs Modern Values)

Intro: Paraphrase + neutral outline or conditional thesis.
Body 1 (Preserve): Identity/cohesion + continuity/education → micro-example (national holiday, language preservation).
Body 2 (Adapt): Equality/inclusion + safety/progress → micro-example (updating a school or workplace policy).
Evaluation/Conclusion: Heritage matters, but practices conflicting with core rights should evolve; state your view.

Step 3 — Write balanced, high-impact paragraphs

Make topic sentences view-labelled so the examiner sees control (e.g., “Many argue traditions deserve protection because…” / “By contrast, others prioritise modern values since…”). For each reason, show the mechanism: “Collective rituals signal belonging, which strengthens trust and volunteering,” or “Revising exclusionary customs reduces barriers and improves opportunities for minorities.” Use micro-examples that read as real but take one line, avoiding controversial claims you cannot support. Insert a concise evaluation line that balances principles (“However, preservation cannot justify practices that undermine basic rights; symbolic forms can remain while harmful elements are reformed”). Maintain a respectful, academic tone and avoid stereotyping any culture. Vary sentence length and keep cohesive reference (“such ceremonies”, “these reforms”). Finish with a conclusion that restates your answer in fresh words without adding new arguments.

Example Box — High-impact Sentences

Thesis (conditional): “While cultural traditions foster identity and continuity, practices that conflict with core modern values should evolve.”
Topic (Body 1): “Traditions merit protection because shared rituals transmit collective memory and social cohesion.”
Topic (Body 2): “Conversely, adapting customs to principles of equality and safety ensures culture serves today’s citizens.”
Evaluation line: “On balance, symbolic forms can be preserved, but exclusionary rules should be revised.”
Conclusion line: “Therefore, heritage and human dignity are not rivals: culture endures best when it is willing to reform.”

Step 4 — Language, cohesion, and accuracy

Use precise lexis for culture and reform (heritage, customs, rites, identity, intergenerational transmission, inclusivity, equality, human rights, social progress). Signal contrast and concession naturally (while, whereas, nevertheless, even so, albeit) and evaluation with on balance, to a large extent, ultimately. Keep unity: one controlling idea per paragraph, expanded via reason → mechanism → micro-example. Check articles and prepositions (e.g., “respect for traditions,” “conflict with values”). Avoid sweeping generalisations and charged language; prefer measured, formal tone. Maintain consistent tense, avoid overusing “firstly/secondly,” and proofread for agreement, punctuation and parallelism. Aim for ~280–310 words with fully developed ideas rather than long lists.

Example Box — Quick Quality Checks

Balance: Are both sides explained fairly before judgement?
Mechanisms: Does each claim show how it works in society?
Cohesion: Are contrast/evaluation linkers used naturally?
Accuracy: Articles, prepositions and agreement correct?
Task: Opinion present and consistent throughout?

Universal Fill-in-the-Gap Template — Discussion (Both Views + Opinion)

Adapt to the traditions vs modern values prompt. Replace […] with your ideas. Keep sentences concise.

Sentence-by-Sentence Scaffold (Traditions vs Modern Values)

Intro S1 (Paraphrase): People disagree about whether preserving cultural traditions should be prioritised or whether societies should adapt to modern values.

Intro S2 (Outline/Thesis): This essay discusses both views, and I [argue/lean towards] […], mainly because […].

Body 1 S3 (Preserve — topic): Many people favour preserving traditions because […].

Body 1 S4 (Explain): Shared customs [… mechanism …], which leads to [… outcome …] for the community.

Body 1 S5 (Micro-example): For example, [… concise, plausible illustration …].

Body 1 S6 (Link back): Therefore, preservation appeals to those who prioritise […].

Body 2 S7 (Adapt — topic): By contrast, others believe customs should adapt to modern values because […].

Body 2 S8 (Explain): Updating practices [… mechanism …], resulting in [… outcome …] such as greater inclusion/safety.

Body 2 S9 (Micro-example): For instance, [… compact illustration …].

Body 2 S10 (Link back): Thus, reform attracts people who value […].

Evaluation S11 (Weighing): On balance, although […], [… is/are] more compelling because […].

Conclusion S12 (Restate opinion): In summary, both positions have merit, but I believe […].

Conclusion S13 (Synthesis): Traditions can endure if [… condition …], yet where they conflict with [… core value …], reform is preferable.

Paraphrase & Thesis — Ready-to-adapt Samples (Traditions vs Modern Values)

Paraphrase Options

P1: There is ongoing debate over whether societies should protect long-standing customs or prioritise contemporary values.
P2: People differ on whether cultural heritage must be preserved intact or adjusted to reflect modern principles.

Thesis/Opinion Options

Neutral outline: This essay examines both perspectives before presenting my view.
Preservation-leaning: While reform has a role, safeguarding key traditions is essential for identity and cohesion.
Modernisation-leaning: Although heritage matters, customs should evolve where they conflict with equality and safety.

🔶 Part 2 — Task
⏳ 40:00

[IELTS Academic] [Writing Task 2] — Remote Work & Team Productivity

Write at least 250 words. Suggested time: 40 minutes.

The Question

Some people believe that remote work increases productivity and work–life balance; others argue that it harms teamwork and creativity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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🔶 Part 3 — Sample Answers & Explanations

Model Answers for the Task in Part 2

Task: Some people believe that remote work increases productivity and work–life balance; others argue that it harms teamwork and creativity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample Answer — Band 6 (≈ B2)

Many people think that working from home helps people do more in less time and gives them a better life outside the office. Others say that when people are not together, teams become weaker and new ideas are harder to create. This essay will discuss both sides and then explain why a balanced approach is more sensible. On the one hand, remote work can raise productivity for several reasons. First, workers save commuting time and can start the day with more energy. Second, they can design a quiet space and focus on tasks without the usual office noise. For example, many employees report finishing reports faster at home because they are not interrupted by meetings or casual chats. In addition, flexible hours may help parents or carers manage their responsibilities, which reduces stress and allows them to concentrate better during working periods. On the other hand, critics argue that collaboration suffers when people are apart. Ideas often appear during quick conversations at a desk or over lunch, and these moments are harder to recreate online. New team members may also struggle to build trust if they only meet colleagues on video calls. For instance, creative tasks like product design often need whiteboards, physical prototypes, and immediate feedback, which can be slower and less natural through screens. In my view, the benefits of remote work are real, but they depend on the kind of work and the systems used by the company. If leaders schedule regular in-person workshops, use clear online tools, and set shared hours for teamwork, employees can enjoy flexibility while still innovating together. In conclusion, remote work can improve productivity and balance, but it should be combined with planned face-to-face time to protect teamwork and creativity.
Why this works — Step-by-step (Band 6)

1) The introduction paraphrases the task accurately and signals a discussion plus opinion.

2) A clear thesis promises balance and an eventual stance.

3) Body 1 begins with a view-labelled topic sentence about productivity and balance.

4) Reasons are explained with simple cause–effect mechanisms (time saved, fewer distractions).

5) A short, plausible example supports the claim without overgeneralising.

6) Additional support links flexibility to reduced stress and better focus.

7) Body 2 opens with the opposite view: collaboration and creativity may decline.

8) The paragraph names concrete contexts (desk chats, lunches) where ideas often emerge.

9) It acknowledges onboarding issues for new staff, adding realism.

10) A relevant example (design work) grounds the argument.

11) The conclusion returns to the question and states a conditional opinion.

12) It proposes practical mitigations (workshops, shared hours, clear tools).

13) Cohesion markers (“on the one hand / on the other hand / in my view”) guide the reader.

14) Lexis is adequate for topic coverage (flexible hours, collaboration, innovate).

15) Sentence variety exists but remains mostly simple–compound, typical of Band 6.

16) Errors are minimal and do not impede understanding.

17) Task response is complete: both views are discussed and a clear opinion is given.

Sample Answer — Band 7 (≈ B2+/C1-)

The rise of remote work has divided opinion. Supporters argue it boosts output and allows healthier boundaries between employment and personal life; detractors maintain it weakens teamwork and, by extension, the spark that drives creativity. This essay examines both perspectives before arguing that hybrid systems best reconcile these priorities. Advocates of working from home highlight several mechanisms that raise productivity. Commuting vanishes, returning one or two hours per day to focused tasks or rest. In addition, home environments can be tailored to concentration, from lighting to noise control, which is rarely possible in open-plan offices. A developer, for instance, may complete deep work more efficiently without constant micro-interruptions. Crucially, flexible schedules let workers align demanding tasks with their peak energy, while arranging family duties at off-peak times. These conditions reduce burnout and sustain consistent performance over months rather than days. However, collaboration can suffer when colleagues seldom share physical space. Serendipitous exchanges—the quick sketch at a whiteboard or the aside after a meeting—often generate cross-pollination between teams. Junior staff may also miss tacit learning that happens through observation, pacing, and office etiquette. Creative processes, therefore, may slow or narrow if communication occurs only in planned video calls with rigid agendas. Even with digital whiteboards, latency and turn-taking can inhibit spontaneity. In my view, the apparent opposition between productivity and creativity is largely a scheduling problem. A hybrid design—quiet, remote days for deep work and regular, co-located workshops for brainstorming—targets each mode with the right environment. With clear norms (shared core hours, documented decisions, and mentorship sessions), teams can protect cohesion while preserving autonomy. To conclude, remote work can lift productivity, but periodic in-person collaboration remains the catalyst for inventive outcomes; combining both is the most effective path.
Why this works — Step-by-step (Band 7)

1) The introduction paraphrases concisely and previews a position (hybrid) without sounding formulaic.

2) Topic sentences explicitly signpost the view being analysed.

3) Mechanisms are explained (time recovery, environmental control, energy alignment).

4) A compact but concrete example (“a developer… deep work”) adds credibility.

5) The paragraph closes by linking conditions to sustained performance, not just short-term output.

6) The counter-argument focuses on serendipity and tacit learning, showing conceptual range.

7) Lexis is topic-appropriate and varied (cross-pollination, tacit learning, spontaneity).

8) The critique of digital tools is measured, avoiding absolute claims.

9) The evaluation reframes the debate as a “scheduling problem,” showing analysis.

10) The solution is specific (core hours, documentation, mentorship), not vague.

11) Cohesive devices are natural (“however,” “in my view,” “to conclude”).

12) Sentences vary in length and rhythm, demonstrating control.

13) Grammar and punctuation are accurate with minimal slips.

14) Both views are treated fairly before judgement.

15) The opinion is consistent and fully addresses the task.

16) Approximate length exceeds 260 words, allowing adequate development.

Sample Answer — Band 8+

Debate over remote work often caricatures productivity and creativity as mutually exclusive. Proponents emphasise measurable gains: reclaimed commuting hours, fewer ambient interruptions, and schedules that mirror individual chronotypes. Opponents counter that innovation is social: trust forms in shared rooms, ideas collide by accident, and junior colleagues absorb unspoken norms through proximity. This essay weighs both claims and argues that organisations should design work intentionally around two distinct cognitive modes. Supporters are right that deep, analytical tasks benefit from solitude and control. When engineers, writers, or analysts can batch meetings, silence notifications, and arrange ergonomics to taste, they protect “attention capital,” the scarce resource behind complex output. A researcher finishing a methods section, for example, may achieve higher quality in a single, uninterrupted morning at home than across two fragmented days in a bustling office. Flexible hours also enable workers to align demanding tasks with peak alertness, while scheduling family or community duties without guilt, which sustains performance and well-being. Yet creativity rarely follows a calendar invite. Many breakthroughs emerge from low-stakes exchanges: a hallway sketch that reveals an overlooked constraint, or a spontaneous debate that reframes the brief. New hires, moreover, learn judgement by observing how seniors handle tension, prioritise trade-offs, and close meetings—subtleties that video tiles flatten. Purely remote rhythms can therefore narrow ideation and slow the social learning that keeps teams resilient. The apparent conflict dissolves if companies separate modes. Reserve remote days for deep work with explicit guardrails (meeting-free blocks, async documents, written decisions). Cluster office days for workshops, onboarding, and cross-team reviews that reward presence. With transparent norms—shared core hours, rotating facilitators, and mentoring lunches—teams can preserve serendipity without sacrificing focus. In short, remote work is not the enemy of creativity; neglecting to design for both focus and collision is. A hybrid architecture, executed deliberately, best serves productivity, balance, and the inventive culture modern firms require.
Why this works — Step-by-step (Band 8+)

1) Precise framing rejects a false dichotomy and sets up a comparative evaluation.

2) The introduction paraphrases succinctly and states a clear line of argument.

3) Body 1 defines mechanisms (“attention capital,” chronotypes) rather than listing benefits.

4) The example (researcher/methods section) is specific, plausible, and one-line.

5) The paragraph links flexibility to sustained performance and well-being, extending the claim.

6) Body 2 advances socially grounded reasons for creativity (serendipity, tacit learning).

7) It names the vulnerable population (new hires) and the skill (judgement) to show nuance.

8) Language is varied and accurate with higher-level lexis (subtleties, resilient, architecture).

9) The evaluation paragraph proposes a designed hybrid with operational details.

10) Solutions are actionable (meeting-free blocks, async docs, rotating facilitators).

11) Cohesion relies on logical progression rather than overused connectors.

12) Sentence variety (periodic, balanced clauses) supports clarity and emphasis.

13) Tone is academic and balanced; both views are treated respectfully before judgement.

14) Task is fully addressed with a consistent, defensible opinion.

15) Length and development comfortably exceed minimum without redundancy.

16) Errors are rare and do not reduce readability.

17) The conclusion synthesises rather than repeats, giving a precise final claim.

Tip

Use the copy/download buttons to paste the samples into your practice document and analyse them against the template from Part 1.

🔶 Part 4 — Vocabulary (10 Key Words)

Key Vocabulary from the Task (Remote Work, Productivity & Team Creativity)

Each item includes IPA (BrE/AmE), part(s) of speech, common patterns, a clear definition, an example with a brief gloss, synonyms, and top learner pitfalls.

productivity — BrE /ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvɪti/ · AmE /ˌproʊdʌkˈtɪvəti/

Part of speech noun (uncountable)

Patterns boost/improve ~ · high/low ~ · increase in ~ · ~ gains

Definition the rate or amount of useful work produced in a given time or with given resources.

Example Flexible hours can boost productivity by aligning hard tasks with peak energy. — (Output rises when work matches energy.)

Synonyms output, efficiency, performance (contextual)

Common mistakes ❌ “productivities” (✱countable) → ✅ uncountable; ❌ “increase of productivity” → ✅ “increase in productivity”; ❌ “productive rate” → ✅ “productivity”.

work–life balance — BrE /ˌwɜːk laɪf ˈbæl.əns/ · AmE /ˌwɝːk laɪf ˈbæləns/

Part of speech noun phrase (usually uncountable)

Patterns achieve/maintain/improve ~ · healthy/poor ~

Definition a reasonable division of time and energy between job demands and personal life.

Example Remote schedules helped parents restore their work–life balance. — (They managed job and family better.)

Synonyms life–work balance, equilibrium between work and life

Common mistakes ❌ “works-life” or missing hyphen → ✅ work–life; ❌ treating it as plural (“balances”) unnecessarily; ❌ odd prepositions (“balance of work and life” is fine, but the fixed phrase is preferred).

collaboration — BrE /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ · AmE /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/

Part of speech noun (countable/uncountable)

Patterns collaboration between A and B · in collaboration with · collaborate with sb on sth

Definition the act of working jointly with others to produce something.

Example Idea quality improved when design and engineering increased their collaboration. — (Working together raised quality.)

Synonyms cooperation, teamwork, partnership

Common mistakes ❌ “collaborate something” → ✅ “collaborate on something”; ❌ double prepositions “in collaboration with between” → choose one; ❌ confusing noun/verb forms.

creativity — BrE /ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvɪti/ · AmE /ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvəti/

Part of speech noun (uncountable)

Patterns foster/encourage/stifle ~ · ~ in sth (e.g., in product design)

Definition the ability to produce original and useful ideas.

Example Regular workshops preserved team creativity even with remote days. — (Sessions kept ideas fresh.)

Synonyms inventiveness, originality, imagination

Common mistakes ❌ “creativities” → ✅ uncountable; ❌ using “creative” (adj) as a noun; ❌ vague claims without context (“creativity is good”) → specify domain.

autonomy — BrE /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ · AmE /ɑːˈtɑːnəmi/

Part of speech noun (uncountable)

Patterns grant/give sb ~ · professional ~ · ~ over sth

Definition freedom to make decisions about one’s own work.

Example Developers performed better when given autonomy over schedules. — (Control improved performance.)

Synonyms independence, self-direction, discretion

Common mistakes ❌ “an autonomy” (countable) → ✅ uncountable; ❌ wrong preposition “autonomy to tasks” → ✅ “autonomy over tasks”; ❌ mixing with “automation”.

distraction — BrE /dɪˈstrækʃ(ə)n/ · AmE /dɪˈstrækʃən/

Part of speech noun (countable/uncountable)

Patterns minimise ~s · free from ~s · a ~ from sth

Definition something that takes your attention away from what you are doing.

Example Noise-cancelling headphones reduced office distractions. — (Less noise → better focus.)

Synonyms interruption, disturbance

Common mistakes ❌ “distractives” (non-word) → ✅ “distractions”; ❌ wrong preposition (“distraction of work”) → ✅ “distraction from work”; ❌ overusing singular when several exist.

onboarding — BrE /ˈɒnˌbɔːdɪŋ/ · AmE /ˈɑːnˌbɔːrdɪŋ/

Part of speech noun (uncountable); also verb: to onboard (sb)

Patterns employee ~ · ~ process/programme · ~ new staff

Definition the structured process of integrating new employees into an organisation.

Example Fully remote onboarding made it harder for juniors to learn informal norms. — (Distance slowed social learning.)

Synonyms induction, orientation

Common mistakes ❌ “on-boarding” (hyphenated, outdated style) → ✅ “onboarding”; ❌ confusing with “on board” (=on a vehicle); ❌ using only as noun when verb is needed (“to onboard interns”).

serendipity — BrE /ˌserənˈdɪpɪti/ · AmE /ˌserənˈdɪpəti/

Part of speech noun (uncountable)

Patterns by ~ · a stroke of ~ · rely on ~

Definition the occurrence of valuable discoveries by chance.

Example Whiteboard chats often spark serendipity that scheduled calls miss. — (Chance talk → new ideas.)

Synonyms happy accident, lucky discovery

Common mistakes ❌ using as adjective (“serendipity idea”) → ✅ “serendipitous idea”; ❌ spelling errors; ❌ treating as countable.

burnout — BrE /ˈbɜːn.aʊt/ · AmE /ˈbɝːn.aʊt/

Part of speech noun (uncountable); verb phrase: to burn out

Patterns prevent/avoid ~ · suffer from ~ · signs of ~

Definition extreme tiredness and reduced ability due to long-term stress or overwork.

Example Flexible pacing reduced burnout in customer-support teams. — (Less exhaustion over time.)

Synonyms exhaustion, fatigue (context), depletion

Common mistakes ❌ verb spelling “I burnout” → ✅ “I burn out”; ❌ hyphen form “burn-out” (nonstandard); ❌ confusing with “burn up”.

hybrid (work) — BrE /ˈhaɪbrɪd/ · AmE /ˈhaɪbrɪd/

Part of speech adjective; noun (countable) “a hybrid”

Patterns ~ model/schedule · a ~ of A and B · move to a ~ system

Definition combining two different forms, here: a mix of remote and in-office work.

Example A hybrid schedule preserved focus at home and creativity on office days. — (Mix kept both benefits.)

Synonyms blended, mixed-mode

Common mistakes ❌ adverb “work hybridly” (unnatural) → ✅ “work in a hybrid model”; ❌ missing “of” (“a hybrid two systems” → ✅ “a hybrid of two systems”); ❌ using only as noun where adjective fits.

🔶 Part 5 — Phrases & Expressions (10 Items)

Key Phrases & Expressions from the Task (Remote Work, Productivity & Team Creativity)

Each item includes IPA (BrE/AmE), part(s) of speech, common patterns, a precise definition, a clear example with a brief gloss, synonyms, and top learner pitfalls.

boost productivity — BrE /buːst ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvɪti/ · AmE /buːst ˌproʊdʌkˈtɪvəti/

Part(s) of speech verb phrase

Patterns boost/improve/increase ~ · ~ by + figure (%) · ~ through + noun/-ing

Definition to raise the amount or rate of useful work produced.

Example Clear goals and fewer meetings can boost productivity across remote teams. — (Output increases.)

Synonyms raise efficiency, increase output, enhance performance

Common mistakes ❌ “boost up productivity” → ✅ “boost productivity”; ❌ “productivities” (countable) → ✅ uncountable; ❌ wrong prep “increase of productivity” → ✅ “increase in productivity”.

maintain a healthy work–life balance — BrE /meɪnˈteɪn ə ˈhɛlθi wɜːk laɪf ˈbæl.əns/ · AmE /meɪnˈteɪn ə ˈhɛlθi wɝːk laɪf ˈbæləns/

Part(s) of speech verb phrase + noun phrase

Patterns maintain/achieve/restore ~ · a healthy/better/poor ~

Definition to keep a reasonable division of time and energy between job and personal life.

Example Flexible hours helped staff maintain a healthy work–life balance. — (They managed both areas well.)

Synonyms keep life–work equilibrium, balance professional and personal demands

Common mistakes ❌ “works-life”/missing dash → use fixed phrase work–life balance; ❌ unnecessary plural “balances”.

deep work — BrE /diːp wɜːk/ · AmE /diːp wɝːk/

Part(s) of speech noun phrase (uncountable)

Patterns do/schedule/protect ~ · ~ sessions/blocks · focus on ~

Definition highly focused, distraction-free effort on cognitively demanding tasks.

Example Engineers schedule morning blocks for deep work on complex code. — (They protect focus time.)

Synonyms focused work, intensive concentration

Common mistakes ❌ “a deep works” → ✅ uncountable; ❌ confusing with “hard work” (general effort).

tacit learning — BrE /ˈtæsɪt ˈlɜːnɪŋ/ · AmE /ˈtæsɪt ˈlɝːnɪŋ/

Part(s) of speech noun phrase (uncountable)

Patterns gain/acquire ~ · ~ through observation/mentoring · support ~

Definition informal, unspoken learning that occurs by observing experienced colleagues.

Example New hires gain tacit learning by shadowing senior staff in the office. — (They learn informally.)

Synonyms implicit learning, informal learning

Common mistakes ❌ mixing with “tacit knowledge” (related but not identical); ❌ treating as countable (“tacit learnings”).

serendipitous interactions — BrE /ˌserənˈdɪpɪtəs ˌɪntərˈækʃənz/ · AmE /ˌserənˈdɪpətəs ˌɪntərˈækʃənz/

Part(s) of speech plural noun phrase

Patterns create/enable ~ · chance/unscheduled ~ · ~ at the office

Definition valuable chance encounters that generate ideas or solve problems.

Example Whiteboard breaks often lead to serendipitous interactions between teams. — (Chance meetings spark ideas.)

Synonyms chance encounters, lucky exchanges

Common mistakes ❌ “serendipity interactions” (wrong form) → ✅ “serendipitous interactions”; ❌ using as uncountable when plural is intended.

hybrid work model — BrE /ˈhaɪbrɪd wɜːk ˈmɒd(ə)l/ · AmE /ˈhaɪbrɪd wɝːk ˈmɑːdəl/

Part(s) of speech noun phrase (countable)

Patterns adopt/implement/move to a ~ · operate a ~ of A and B

Definition a system combining remote days with in-office days.

Example The firm adopted a hybrid work model to protect focus and creativity. — (They mixed remote and office work.)

Synonyms blended schedule, mixed-mode arrangement

Common mistakes ❌ “work hybridly” (awkward) → ✅ “work in a hybrid model”; ❌ missing “of” (“a hybrid two systems”).

core working hours — BrE /kɔː ˈwɜːkɪŋ aʊəz/ · AmE /kɔːr ˈwɝːkɪŋ aʊərz/

Part(s) of speech plural noun phrase

Patterns set/define/agree on ~ · overlap ~ · be within/outside ~

Definition the daily time window when all team members are expected to be available.

Example Teams agreed on 10:00–14:00 as their core working hours for meetings. — (Shared availability window.)

Synonyms overlap window, shared hours

Common mistakes ❌ “cores working hours”; ❌ singular form (“a core working hour”) when referring to the window.

asynchronous communication — BrE /eɪˈsɪŋkrənəs kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/ · AmE /eɪˈsɪŋkrənəs kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/

Part(s) of speech noun phrase (uncountable)

Patterns use/shift to ~ · prefer ~ via docs/threads · rely on ~ for updates

Definition exchanging information without all participants being present at the same time.

Example Leads moved status reports to asynchronous communication in shared documents. — (No live meeting needed.)

Synonyms async communication, non-real-time communication

Common mistakes ❌ misspelling “asynchronous”; ❌ wrong prep (“at async”) → ✅ “via/through async docs”.

in-person collaboration — BrE /ɪn ˈpɜːs(ə)n kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ · AmE /ɪn ˈpɝːsən kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/

Part(s) of speech noun phrase (uncountable)

Patterns prioritise/hold/run ~ · pair ~ with remote focus days

Definition teamwork that happens when people are physically together.

Example Teams scheduled monthly workshops for in-person collaboration. — (They met face to face.)

Synonyms face-to-face collaboration

Common mistakes ❌ missing hyphen when used attributively (“in person collaboration” before a noun) → ✅ “in-person collaboration”.

brainstorming session — BrE /ˈbreɪnˌstɔːmɪŋ ˈseʃ(ə)n/ · AmE /ˈbreɪnˌstɔːrmɪŋ ˈseʃən/

Part(s) of speech noun phrase (countable)

Patterns run/lead/facilitate/hold ~ · a ~ on/for + topic

Definition a meeting designed to generate many ideas quickly.

Example Leads held a brainstorming session on the new mobile feature. — (They met to create ideas.)

Synonyms ideation meeting, workshop

Common mistakes ❌ “brain storming” (two words) → ✅ “brainstorming”; ❌ double prepositions (“session for on X”).