Scheduling Conflicts Resolution
A student presents their preferred schedule to the advisor, identifying conflicting class times and discussing alternative sections or courses to resolve the issue.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
snag
A snag means a small unexpected problem or difficulty. Use it when describing a minor issue, like in scheduling.
preferred
Preferred means the one you like or choose best. Use it to talk about your favorite option, such as a preferred schedule.
clashes
Clashes means conflicts or overlaps, especially in time. Use it for scheduling problems, like two classes at the same time.
section
A section refers to a specific class meeting time or group in a course. Use it when asking about different options for the same class.
conflict
A conflict is a situation where two things cannot happen together, like time overlaps. Use it in discussions about problems to solve.
alternative
An alternative is another choice or option when the first one doesn't work. Use it to suggest or ask for substitutes, like another course.
fulfill
Fulfill means to meet or satisfy a requirement. Use it in academic contexts, like fulfilling course requirements for your major.
catalog
A catalog is a list of courses with details. Use it when referring to the official book or website for checking classes.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I've run into a bit of a snag.
This sentence means encountering a small problem. It's useful for politely starting a conversation about an issue. The idiom 'run into' is common in casual English for unexpected troubles; use it when seeking help.
What seems to be the issue?
This is a polite way to ask about a problem. It's useful for advisors or helpers to show interest. 'Seems to be' softens the question, making it less direct; use in professional settings.
It clashes directly with...
This describes a time conflict. It's practical for explaining scheduling problems. 'Clashes with' is an idiomatic expression for overlaps; use it when discussing calendars or plans.
Have you checked if... has another section available?
This suggests verifying options. It's useful for problem-solving in advice scenarios. The structure uses present perfect 'have checked' for recent actions; use to encourage checking alternatives.
Is there any way around this?
This asks for a solution to avoid a problem. It's helpful when facing obstacles. 'Way around' is an idiom for workaround; use in consultations to seek creative fixes.
How about 'Foundations of Neuroscience'?
This suggests an idea politely. It's useful for offering alternatives. 'How about' is a common phrase for proposals; use it to introduce suggestions without pressure.
Does it fulfill the same requirement?
This questions if something meets a need. It's key for academic talks. Simple present tense for general facts; use when confirming if an option works for your goals.
That's fantastic news!
This expresses strong positive reaction. It's useful for showing gratitude. 'Fantastic' means excellent; use exclamations like this to end conversations happily.