Character & Personality
6 chunks.
1
I'd describe myself as
Я бы описал себя как ___
EXAMPLEI'd describe myself as a hard worker.
TRY ITHow would you describe yourself in three words? Why?
2
I'd say I'm pretty , but I can be
Я бы сказал, что я довольно ___, но иногда могу быть ___
EXAMPLEI'd say I'm pretty friendly, but I can be stubborn.
TRY ITAre you easy-going or more stubborn in general?
3
One thing about me is that
Одна вещь обо мне — то, что ___
EXAMPLEOne thing about me is that I get bored easily.
TRY ITWhat's one thing about you that people don't guess right away?
4
I've always been the kind of person who
Я всегда был человеком, который ___
EXAMPLEI've always been the kind of person who likes new things.
TRY ITHave you always been like that? When did you first notice it?
5
People often tell me that
Люди часто говорят мне, что ___
EXAMPLEPeople often tell me that I'm very optimistic.
TRY ITWhat do people usually say about you? Do you agree?
6
I guess you could say I'm a bit of a
Наверное, можно сказать, что я немного ___
EXAMPLEI guess you could say I'm a bit of a workaholic.
TRY ITDo you ever switch off from work completely?
GRAMMAR CHECK — Present Continuous
With right now / at the moment / currently / these days, use am/is/are + verb-ing, not Present Simple. Vadim runs several projects at once — perfect context to drill this.
If he says "I run a startup" meaning "in progress right now," correct to "I'm running."
Business Right Now
4 chunks — the core of this lesson. This is what he'll actually use when someone asks "So, what do you do?"
7
Right now, I'm running
Сейчас я веду ___
EXAMPLERight now, I'm running two businesses.
TRY ITSo, what do you do these days? How many projects are you running?
8
At the moment, I'm also working on
На данный момент я также работаю над ___
EXAMPLEAt the moment, I'm also working on a new idea.
TRY ITWhat's this new idea about? What stage is it at?
9
I'm currently partnering with in
Сейчас я являюсь партнёром ___ в ___
EXAMPLEI'm currently partnering with a friend in a new business.
TRY ITHow did that partnership start?
10
These days, I'm mostly focused on
В эти дни я в основном сосредоточен на ___
EXAMPLEThese days, I'm mostly focused on one project.
TRY ITWhich project is getting most of your attention right now?
Plans Ahead
2 chunks — drill "will" here, it's the pattern he keeps dropping.
11
I think I'll probably
Думаю, я, вероятно, ___
EXAMPLEI think I'll probably start a new project next year.
TRY ITWhen do you think you'll start it? (Listen for "I'll" — not "I start.")
12
I'll definitely keep ing
Я точно буду продолжать ___
EXAMPLEI'll definitely keep working on new ideas.
TRY ITDo you think that'll ever change?
GRAMMAR CHECK — Future with "will"
Vadim tends to drop will and use present tense for future ("Next year I start..."). The moment he does this, ask: "Wait — will you start it, or are you starting it right now?" — let him self-correct.
Anchor chunks: I think I'll... / I'll probably... — require one of these in every future-tense answer today.
Past & Background
3 chunks — the facts that give his story texture.
13
I used to
Раньше я ___
EXAMPLEI used to have a completely different job.
TRY ITWhat did you use to do before all this?
14
I studied , but
Я учился на ___, но ___
EXAMPLEI studied engineering, but now I work in business.
TRY ITWhat did you study? Does it connect to what you do now?
15
It all started when I
Всё началось, когда я ___
EXAMPLEIt all started when I saw a good opportunity.
TRY ITSo how did it all start for you, really?
Hobbies & Interests
3 chunks — built for someone whose hobbies shift all the time.
16
Lately, I've been really into
В последнее время я реально увлечён ___
EXAMPLELately, I've been really into cooking.
TRY ITWhat have you been into lately, outside of work?
17
I'm currently obsessed with
Сейчас я одержим ___
EXAMPLEI'm currently obsessed with running.
TRY ITDoes that happen a lot — jumping from one interest to another?
18
Outside of work, I enjoy
Вне работы мне нравится ___
EXAMPLEOutside of work, I enjoy playing football.
TRY ITHow do you switch off, with such a busy schedule?
End of Lesson 1: ask Vadim to chain one chunk from each block, back to back, with no prep. That's the bridge into Lesson 2, where all of this becomes one story.
Vadim tells his story in one go, 2–3 minutes, using chunks from Lesson 1. Don't interrupt mid-story — let him run. Note continuous/will slips silently, then go back to them after. Then a second pass with corrections.
Story Skeleton
Not a word-for-word script — a sequence Vadim fills in with his own facts and chunks.
1. Opening — who he is in a nutshell
His best-fit character chunk + a quick hook about his business.
2. Past — how he got here
Studies / previous job / the moment it all started (used to, studied, it all started when).
3. Present — what he's doing now
Construction, real estate, supplements, the new startup — heavy on continuous ("I'm running / I'm working on / I'm focused on").
4. Future — where it's headed
Plans for the startup and other businesses — heavy on will ("I think I'll... / I'll probably...").
5. Interests — a personal touch
One or two hobby chunks, so the story doesn't sound like a pitch deck.
6. Closing — passing it back
A natural line that hands the conversation over — key for real talk in Germany.
Connectors
4 new chunks to glue the blocks into speech instead of a list of facts.
19
So, here's a quick picture of me —
Итак, вот краткая картина обо мне — ___
WHEREStory opening.
20
Anyway, that's the backstory — right now,
В общем, это предыстория — сейчас ___
WHEREBridge from past to present.
21
Looking ahead,
Заглядывая вперёд, ___
WHEREBridge from present to future.
22
Anyway, that's a bit about me — what about you?
В общем, это немного обо мне — а как насчёт тебя?
WHEREClosing, hands the floor to the other person.
What to listen for during the story
Continuous: block 3 (present) — if he slips into Present Simple, flag the sentence and return to it after, without interrupting the flow.
Will: block 4 (future) — his weak spot. If he drops "will," ask him to say that exact sentence again "with will."
Questions for the Second Pass
After the first telling, do a quick error review, then have him retell the story weaving in 2–3 of these — not as a separate Q&A.
- What's the most exciting part of the new startup for you?
- Out of everything you're running, what takes up most of your time these days?
- If the startup takes off, will you slow down on the other businesses?
- What got you into the supplements business specifically?
- Looking back, is there anything you'd have done differently?
Lesson 2 outcome: a natural-sounding 2–3 minute self-introduction — past, present, future, a personal touch — ready to deliver almost without prep in front of his girlfriend's family in Germany.
5 Monologues
Five people talk about themselves. Notice the linking words:
actuallysowellbasicallyby the wayanywaybecause
1. Daniel
36, runs a construction company
So, here's a quick picture of me: I'd describe myself as a hard worker. Actually, I used to have a completely different job. I studied engineering, but basically I got bored, and it all started when I saw a good opportunity in real estate. Anyway, that's the backstory. Right now, I'm running two businesses. Well, I'm also working on a new idea, but it's a secret! By the way, I think I'll probably start it next year.
2. Maria
29, nurse
Well, I'd say I'm pretty calm, but I can be stubborn. People often tell me that I'm very kind. Actually, I've always been the kind of person who wants to help. These days, I'm mostly focused on my new job at a big hospital. So, it's busy! Outside of work, I enjoy cooking. By the way, lately I've been really into Italian food. Basically, I make pasta every weekend.
3. Tom
42, teacher
One thing about me is that I get bored easily. So, I always try new things. Actually, I used to work in a bank, but I didn't like it. Well, now I teach, and I love it! At the moment, I'm also working on a small book for my students. Basically, it's a book about grammar. Looking ahead, I'll definitely keep learning, because I never want to stop.
4. Anna
34, freelance designer
Well, I guess you could say I'm a bit of a workaholic. Actually, that's not always good! I'm currently partnering with a friend in a small design studio. So, we work together every day. By the way, we're working with a coffee shop right now. It's fun. I think I'll probably take a long holiday next summer. Basically, I need a rest!
5. Max
38, restaurant owner
So, a bit about me: I'm currently obsessed with good coffee. Actually, it all started when I visited Italy five years ago. Well, after that trip, I opened my own café. Right now, I'm running two cafés in the city. By the way, I'm not a good cook! Basically, I just love people. I'll definitely keep opening new places. Anyway, that's a bit about me. What about you?