Making Time Work: A Classroom Conversation

Scene 1: Community center classroom, 8:30 a.m. Students settle in for an ESL workshop about time management.

Scene 1

NORA: Before we start, write your three biggest tasks for today.

SAMIR: Only three? I have twelve! Emails, a report, pick up my son, cook dinner…

JADE: Same here. I jump between orders and homework and lose track of time.

NORA: That’s why I use the “rule of three.” If everything is important, nothing is. Choose the most valuable three.

SAMIR: Okay… report, grocery run, and dinner.

JADE: Mine: finish a client draft, submit my assignment, and call my professor.

Scene 2

Later that morning. The group discusses problems and solutions.

NORA: What usually steals your time?

SAMIR: Unexpected messages. I open one, then twenty minutes disappear.

JADE: For me, it’s switching tasks. I start something, then jump to something else.

NORA: Try batching. Put similar tasks together: answer messages at 11 and 4, not all day.

SAMIR: And when emergencies happen?

NORA: Add a buffer—thirty minutes of open time in your schedule. Use it for surprises.

JADE: I like that. Also, how long should deep work be?

NORA: Try a 50/10 cycle or a 90-minute block. During that time, close extra tabs and silence notifications.

SAMIR: What if I estimate wrong?

NORA: Track your estimates for a week. Next week, you’ll be more accurate.

Scene 3

Evening check-in message thread. Everyone shares results.

SAMIR: Win: I batched messages at 11 and 4. I finished the report on time and still picked up my son.

JADE: My 90-minute block worked! I finished the client draft. I moved “call professor” to tomorrow with a reminder.

NORA: Great! Remember: rescheduling isn’t failure—just communicate and choose the next best step.

SAMIR: Tomorrow I’ll keep the buffer and prep dinner earlier.

JADE: I’m setting two blocks for deep work and one short slot for admin tasks.

NORA: Final tip: end your day with a two-minute review—what went well, what to improve, and three priorities for tomorrow.

ALL: Deal! Three priorities, batch tasks, protect focus, and leave a buffer.

— THE END —

Vocabulary List

Prioritize /praɪˈɔːrətaɪz/ (v.) decide what is most important. Example: Prioritize three top tasks each morning.
Deadline /ˈdedlaɪn/ (n.) the final time something must be finished. Example: The report deadline is Friday.
Procrastinate /prəˈkræstəneɪt/ (v.) delay doing something important. Example: She stopped procrastinating by using a timer.
Batch /bætʃ/ (v.) do similar tasks together. Example: Batch emails at set times.
Schedule /ˈʃedjuːl/ (n./v.) a plan of times for activities; to plan. Example: Schedule a 90-minute focus block.
Buffer /ˈbʌfə(r)/ (n.) extra time to handle problems. Example: Keep a 30-minute buffer each afternoon.
Estimate /ˈestɪmɪt/ (v.) guess the time or cost needed. Example: Estimate how long the task will take.
Distraction /dɪˈstrækʃn/ (n.) something that stops you from focusing. Example: Phones can be major distractions.
Delegate /ˈdelɪɡeɪt/ (v.) give a task to another person. Example: Delegate small tasks to save time.
Urgent /ˈɜːdʒənt/ (adj.) needing quick action. Example: Not everything that is urgent is important.
Milestone /ˈmaɪlstəʊn/ (n.) a key step that shows progress. Example: Finishing the first draft is a milestone.
Routine /ruːˈtiːn/ (n.) a regular way of doing things. Example: An evening routine includes a quick review.
Calendar /ˈkælɪndə(r)/ (n.) a tool to plan dates and times. Example: Put your blocks on a calendar.
Focus block /ˈfəʊkəs blɒk/ (n.) a set period for concentrated work. Example: She used a 90-minute focus block.

Making Time Work

Characters:

Vocabulary List