English B1 – Intermediate

🎙️ Click to View Video Transcript

Below is the transcript of today’s compliance briefing. Watch the lesson avatar and observe how corporate policies are stated objectively, making the rules apply to everyone equally:

“Welcome to our module on compliance. In any corporate office, standard regulations are enforced to protect the team. For example, security codes are required at the entrance, and company laptops are monitored for safety. Last year, strict privacy policies were passed by our executive board to ensure your workspace remains safe and professional.”

💡 Listening Comprehension Check: Notice how the speaker doesn’t say “The manager monitors you.” By using passive voice, the rule sounds like an official, fair standard rather than a personal order.

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Lesson 11: Rules & Regulations

Using the Passive Voice in Formal & Corporate Contexts

Your Skill Targets for Today

Formal Vocabulary: Master official office terms like prohibited, permitted, required, and enforced.
Active Reading: Review an employee handbook excerpt to spot official guidelines.
Speaking & Shadowing: Practice delivering official policies with a firm, professional rhythm.

1. The Regulatory Lexicon: Formal Passive Verbs

When writing or speaking about corporate protocols, we replace casual words like “allow” or “stop” with formal verbs. Notice how these look in the Present Passive:

Passive Structure	What it Means formally	Official Example
Is / Are Prohibited	Not allowed at all; against the law or office rules.	“Smoking is prohibited inside the building.”
Is / Are Permitted	Allowed; okay to do according to the rules.	“Casual clothing is permitted on Fridays.”
Is / Are Required	Mandatory; you must do it.	“An ID badge is required to enter the laboratory.”
Is / Are Enforced	Actively checked and made sure people follow them.	“These security regulations are enforced strictly by management.”

2. Active Reading: The Handbook Compliance Hunt

Your Task: Read the official extract from an employee guide below. Locate our four formal passive verbs from the table above, and notice whether they are talking about a current rule (Present) or an amendment that happened last year (Past).

📑 Employee Guide: Section 4.2 (Office Protocols)

“Welcome to the team. Please note that security checks are required for all visitors at the front desk. Food and beverages are permitted in the breakroom, but eating at computer stations is prohibited to protect equipment. These standards are enforced every day. Last year, several security upgrades were introduced to make our workspaces safer.”

🔍 Click to Verify Your Answers

• Present Rules identified: are required, are permitted, is prohibited, are enforced.

• Past Event identified: were introduced (This tells us about a complete historical event from last year).

3. Interactive Dialogue: Talking to Human Resources

See how an HR specialist uses the diplomatic clarity of the passive voice to handle questions about company policy professionally:

New Employee: “Can I invite a family member to visit my office space?”
HR Specialist: “Guests are permitted only in the main reception lobby. Unfortunately, access to the workspace area is prohibited for non-employees.”

Team Lead: “What happened to the missing feedback forms from the safety drill?”
Compliance Officer: “All forms were collected yesterday afternoon. They are archived in the digital database now.”

🎙️ Speaking Challenge: Policy Shadowing & Recording

When presenting rules, speaking with a confident, measured speed ensures that instructions are understood clearly. Let’s practice using direct Shadowing.

Step 1: Click the play button on the audio track below. Listen to the official statement, focusing on the clear separation between the words and the crisp pronunciation of the keywords.

Step 2: Read the official handbook text below out loud alongside the audio track, matching the professional pace:

“In this department, safety guidelines are enforced strictly. High-visibility gear is required on the production floor at all times, while personal mobile phones are prohibited during operating hours. Last quarter, these guidelines were reviewed to protect all workers.”

Step 3: Record yourself reading the rules on your device. Listen back and audit your delivery: Did you sound authoritative, official, and calm?

💡 Pronunciation Focus: Pay attention to the passive verbs ending in /t/ or /d/ shapes: enforced (/st/ ending), required (/d/ ending), and prohibited (/id/ ending).