Everyday Echoes · Role Play · A2/B1 · 50 min

A Leaving Party

Your friend from work is leaving. Today is their last day. Time to say goodbye, say thank you, and wish them good luck.

This is the easier version. Want the harder one? → Full B2/C1 version →

The Scene 🎬

It is Friday evening. There is a small party in the office. There is cake, there are drinks in plastic cups, and everyone is talking. It is a happy party, but a little bit sad too.

It is sad because your friend Sam is leaving. Sam worked here for eight years. Now Sam has a new job in another city. Today is Sam's last day, and after today you will not see Sam every day.

So you want to say some nice words. Not a big speech — just a few kind words. You want to say goodbye, say thank you for the good years, and wish Sam good luck. Short and warm is perfect.

Warm up — talk for one minute

  1. Has a friend from your work, school, or class ever left? How did you feel — happy for them, sad, or both?
  2. When someone leaves, do you say goodbye, or is it hard for you? Why?

Who's who

You
The Friend 🥂

You are happy for Sam, but a little sad too. You want to say goodbye in a warm way, and say thank you for all the good years.

The other person
Sam · The Leaver 📦

Kind, and a little shy today. Sam is happy about the new job, but sad to leave good friends. Sam does not like a big fuss.

Next: learn the phrases you need in the next tab. Then see them in a real conversation. Look at the warm, simple words: we will miss you, thank you, good luck. Short words say a lot. It is OK to speak slowly.

Useful Phrases 🧰

Here are the phrases for this conversation. Read each one and say it out loud once. Choose the ones you like. Keep this page open when you practise.

The shape of this conversation
1 · Say goodbye2 · Say thank you3 · Wish good luck4 · Keep in touch
It's a map, not a script. Real talk can skip steps or go back.
Cover it later, when you want to test yourself.

When you're the friend

👋 Say goodbye
"We will miss you."
"Take care of yourself!"
🙏 Say thank you
"Thank you for everything."
"It was great to work with you."
🍀 Wish good luck
"Good luck in your new job!"
"I hope you are very happy there."
🤝 Keep in touch
"Keep in touch!"
"Please raise your glass. To Sam!"

When you're the leaver

"Thank you all for coming."
"I will miss you, too."
"I'm so excited!"
"Let's keep in touch."

When something changes

"When is your last day?"
"What is your new job?"
"Where is the new office?"

When you need help

"Sorry, can you say that again, please?"
"Can you speak more slowly, please?"
"Do you mean…?"
"How do you say … in English?"

Speed round 🎯

Draw a card. Say what you would say, out loud. Then look at one answer.

Press the button to start.

Try a few more rounds with the toolkit covered. When it feels easy, you are ready.

The Conversation 💬

Read it out loud, one person each, then change. Find the phrases from your toolkit. Listen for the warm, kind words.

SamWell, today is my last day. I feel a little sad.
YouMe too, Sam. We will miss you. Eight years — that is a long time!
SamIt is a long time. This is a good place, and you are good people.
YouThank you for everything, Sam. You helped me a lot in my first year.
SamOh, that is kind. I liked working with you very much.
YouCan everyone listen for one minute? I want to say a few words about Sam.
SamOh no, please! You know I don't like a fuss.
YouJust a small one! Sam is leaving today for a new job in another city. We are all a little sad.
SamI am happy and sad at the same time. I will miss you all.
YouWe are happy for you too. Good luck in your new job, Sam!
SamThank you so much. Everyone, please keep in touch!
YouOf course! Now — everyone, please raise your glass. To Sam!
SamHa! Thank you, everyone. This is not goodbye — it is "see you soon"!
YouSee you soon, Sam. Take care, and be happy!

From memory — don't look up!

1. Why is Sam leaving? Where is Sam going?

2. How does Sam feel about leaving — only happy, or something else?

3. At the end, Sam does not say "goodbye". What does Sam say instead? Why is that nicer?

1. Sam has a new job. It is in another city, so Sam is leaving this office.
2. Sam feels happy and sad at the same time — happy about the new job, but sad to leave good friends.
3. Sam says "see you soon" instead of "goodbye". It is nicer because it sounds like the friends will meet again — it is not the end.

Your Turn 🎭

No script this time. You have a real talk with a real person. You have a goal.

1 · Warm up your voice 🎤

Say each sentence out loud. Use your own words in the gaps.

  1. Say goodbye. We will ___ you.
  2. Say thank you. Thank you for ___.
  3. Wish good luck. Good luck in your ___!
  4. Keep in touch. Keep in ___!

2 · The scene 🎬

Pick a situation. Your partner plays the other person.

Your card
Where
The situation
You have
You want
Your ruleSmile. Say one kind thing. Add a wish.
Who you're talking to

🏆 Say goodbye in a warm and simple way.

⏱ 3:00
Twist deck

🎲 Something changes

Start the scene. After a minute, draw a card. What it says just happened.

Nothing has changed yet.

3 · Swap seats 🔁

Now you are the other person. Your partner takes your old part.

Your card
WhereThe leaving party
Your goalThank everyone and say goodbye
Your partnerPlays the friend now

Draw another twist if you like.

4 · Afterwards ✅

Tick what you did, in either seat.

Phrases I want to use next time

Go again

⚡ Same situation, one more time

Do it again. Draw a twist before you start. Try to do it faster this time.

The Echo 🕰️

A long time ago, in 1916, a man named Ernest Shackleton had to say goodbye to his men. They were on a cold, empty island. Shackleton got in a small boat to go and find help. Before he left, he made a big promise: "I will come back for you."

Many people say "keep in touch" or "I will visit you". Then they forget. But Shackleton did not forget. After many hard weeks, he came back — and he saved every man. Nobody died.

So when you say goodbye to a friend and say "keep in touch", try to keep your promise. A promise you keep turns a goodbye into a "see you soon".

🧊 Want the full story of Shackleton? (Easy version)Open →

Two questions to talk about

  1. When you say goodbye, do you say "keep in touch"? Do you really do it, or do you forget?
  2. What is harder, do you think — to be the person who leaves, or the person who stays and waves goodbye?