On the first Monday of March, the calendar looked ordinary. But by the evening it felt like the same sharp knife had cut through three different places in the world at once: a startup team, a group of students, and a piece of land under shells. To me, this was not random. It was one of those days when the wheel of time turns a bit louder, and you can clearly see which type of intelligence is trying to occupy the throne — and what it destroys when it does. I call this map of f

1. Plans and Beer Luka: "Guys, I don’t know about you, but I feel like this year in Belgrade is going to be a total reset for the IT scene. I can smell a massive shift coming." Marko: "Luka, you smell a revolution every year. The reality is inflation, Vračar rents are hitting the ceiling, and electricity is going up. We need to stay grounded." Sara: "All the raises and revolutions don’t mean a thing if we stop seeing each other. The main thing is to stay a team and not let th

Conversation 1 – Badnjak and old trees Nikola: Did you know that the badnjak is not just a “piece of wood”, but an ancient symbol of life and light? Marko: Okay, but explain it to me logically: why oak in particular, and why do we burn it afterwards? Jelena: What I find interesting is that people still gather around the badnjak as if they’re renewing a covenant with each other. Nikola: Ever since the druids, they believed that a tree keeps the soul of a student, and the cuts

1. Where are we going this winter? Chiara: So, girls, where are we going for winter break this year? I'm tired of staying home. Sofia: I want to ski! Maybe in the Alps, in Italy? Giulia: And what if instead we go to the Balkans? I've heard there are beautiful mountains in Serbia. Chiara: Balkans? Interesting! But is it very different from Italy in winter? Sofia: Good question! Let's search online! 2. Italy vs. Balkans: What's the atmosphere like there? Giulia: So, I read that

10 Short Conversations with Colleagues (B1 Level) Morning Coffee (Morning Ritual) Dmitrij: Good morning, Marko! Marko: Good morning! Want some coffee? We don’t start the day without it. Dmitrij: Sure, thanks! I see coffee is a very important ritual here. Marko: The most important! It’s the first 15 minutes for a relaxed chat before work. Dmitrij: I like this custom. (Context: In Serbia, sharing morning coffee at work is a very important social ritual. It’s an opportunity for

🟢 Interview Format: Financial Manager (English, Latin America Team) Interviewer: Hi, thank you for joining today. Let's begin with a few questions to understand your background and how you approach client relationships. ✅ SECTION 1: Personal and Professional Background 1. Tell me about yourself and your experience in client management. Candidate Sample Answer: "I’ve worked in financial services for 6 years, focusing on high-net-worth individuals in Mexico and Chile. I specia

15 New Short Dialogues in English 1. Review timing Advisor: Good morning. Are you ready for today’s portfolio review? Client: Yes, I am. What’s on the agenda? Advisor: We have adjusted your bond allocation. Client: Great, let’s go through the details. 2. Market drop Advisor: Did you see the market yesterday? It was crazy. Client: Yes, it was. My stocks were falling while I was in a meeting. Advisor: Luckily, we had already diversified your assets. Client: That really helped.

1. Checking availability (be / present simple) Advisor: Good morning, Mr. Smith. Are you available for a quick update on your portfolio? Client: Yes, I am free now. Please go ahead. Advisor: Perfect, let’s begin. 2. Market news (have / present simple) Advisor: Good afternoon. Do you have a few minutes to discuss recent market changes? Client: Yes, I have some time. What’s the update? Advisor: We have new data on the crypto sector. 3. Arranging a meeting (get / future with wil

Client: Hi Alex, as you know, I live in Cyprus and I’m a Russian passport holder. Lately, it’s become much harder to move money around or invest internationally. What options do I have these days? Advisor: You’re right, the current situation is quite challenging, especially for Russian speakers in Cyprus. Many international banks have tightened their regulations, so transferring large sums can be complicated. However, there are still some strategies we can use. Client: What c

Ana: Hello Marko, would you like me to share something that has been bothering me for a long time in our professional environment? Marko:...