07.Intermediate B

BOOKLET Intermediate B

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A new new concept concept in in effecti effective ve communication

www.selexidiomas.com

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Unit 1 BUSINESS PRESENTATIONS Skills: Analyzing the language language of pre presenta sentations tions • Analyzing • Discussing qualities of a good presentation, pausing, pacing and sentence sentence stress stress Structuring,, using visual visual aids and delivering delivering a pre presenta sentation tion • Structuring Vocabulary: Effective pre presenta sentations tions • Effective • Trends • Sales results

Reading: • Breaking into new markets Listening: presentation • Aspects for a business presentation Speaking: Disrupted quotes quotes in business business • Disrupted • Giving a short presentation

Writing: • Confirming a presentation presentation Grammar: non-defining relative relative clauses • Defining and non-defining


Listening Lis tening comp comprrehension ehension Essential aspects for business presentations https://youtu.be/HTRt0zkD73M

Watch the video and discuss the question question below: According Accordin g to the speaker, what aspects aspect s does does he mention menti on that are are essential ess ential for a business bu siness presentations? presentations?

Listen List en again and and complete compl ete the chart with the explanations of the five tips he mentions: T ips

Characteristics

1. 2. 3. 4. 5

Dis iscu cuss ss wh whic ich h of the the follo ollowi win ng would would you you def defin init ite ely wa wan nt to include include in a pre prese senta ntation tion (eve (even n a short short one): one): • some jokes • your name details of your your job • details • visuals • a summary • the title of subject of your talk interest your audience • purpose: why the subject will interest • a menu of main m ain points that you will cover background situation • details of the background point s • factual information, organised as main points “

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m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Speaking Practice Disruptive quotes in business

The following quotes are considered “disruptive quotes in business”. Read them and discuss the following questions: • Why do you think they are so influential in business? • What reaction can they provoke in a business presentation?

1- “There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions - in a way that serves the world and you.” Richard Branson 2- “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” Richard Branson 3- “You can dream, create things, and build the most beautiful place in the world, but it requires people to make it a reality.” Walt Disney


Vocabulary Effective presentations

What’s necessary to make an effective presentation?

To be a good presenter, you need: appearance

contact

humour

knowledge

talk

a a well–structured .…. b thorough subject ….. c a smart and professional ….. d a good sense of ….. e good eye …..

attitude

language

preparation

visuals

voice

f an enthusiastic….. g a strong….. h a creative use of…. i expressive body…… j careful ….. clearly

quickly

k how….. you speak l how…… you speak m how often you ….. n how…….. you are

pause

emphatic m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Vocabulary Effective presentations Read the phrases a-g. They can be used for organising and sequencing points in a presentation. At which step in the presentation would you use each phrase? Match a-g with steps 1-7. a b c d e f g

my second point is… so first, I’m going to tell you about…. My objective is to…. Now let me summarize the main points again…. The subject of my presentation is…. I’ve divided my talk into three parts. First,…Second,….. And third… Now I’ll come to my last point….

Structure for a short presentation: Step 1: Introduction Step 2: Purpose of the presentation Step 3: Menu of main points Step 4: Start section 1 Step 5: Start section 2 Step 6: Start section 3 Step 7: Summary and conclusion

Connecting ideas in a presentation: • another important thing is… • it can make a real difference because… • what can make a real difference is … • I think… is pretty important too. • It helps if … but it’s not essential. • What you need most of all is... • You don’ need… as long as …


Reading comprehension Breaking into new markets Should luxury goods firms go into the hotel business? GIORGIO ARMANI is already one of the most diversified brands in fashion. As well as haute couture and everyday clothes, Mr. Armani and his firm create scent, cosmetics, spectacles, watches and accessories. Customers can purchase Armani furniture, flowers, chocolate, sweets, jam and even marmalade. There are Armani cafes and restaurants in Paris, New York, London and other cities. An Armani night club recently opened in Milan. Now Giorgio is branching out still further. On February 22nd his firm announced a $1 billion hotel venture with Dubai´s Emaar Properties, the Middle East´s largest property developers. Mr. Armani will be in charge of the design for ten new hotels and four luxury resorts, to be built in the next six to eight years. Armani´s is the boldest move so far by a luxury goods company into the hotel business. But it is by no means the first. In September 2000, a hotel designed by Donatella Versace opened on Australia´s Gold Coast. In February 2001, Bulgari, an Italian jeweller, confirmed a joint venture with Ritz-Carlton to build six or seven hotels and one or two resorts. Salvatore Ferragamo, an Italian shoemaker, has designed four hotels in Florence. But in the first half year, both the fashion and travel industries were doing badly as travel and luxury follow the same economic cycle. So does it make sense for designers of luxury goods to go into the travel business? Armani and Bulgari would say yes. Mr. Armani considers hotels a logical extension of his aim of promoting his brand in all walks of life. (So can Armani toilet paper be far behind?) Rita Clifton, Chairman of the consultancy Interbrand, says that this strategy can work. A strong experience, such as staying at a fashion designer´s hotel, can combine to make a super strong brand, claims Ms. Clifton. To fit the firm´s luxurious image, Bulgari says that its hotels must be as upmarket as it is possible to be. Because small is considered more exclusive, Armani and Bulgari plan to launch mostly smallish five star hotels. Armani´s Dubai hotel, due to open in 2007, will be an exception, however, with 250 rooms. Bulgari´s Milan hotel will have no more than 60 rooms.


Reading comprehension Breaking into new markets Losing control of their brand is the biggest risk for luxury firms expanding abroad or venturing into a new line of business. Over the years, Pierre Cardin, Yves St Laurent and Christian Dior have each lost their good names by giving out licenses all over the world to firms that did not deliver the appropriate quality. Calvin Klein´s current problems are related to the company´s loss of control of the distribution of its products in many countries. But designer´s hotels can generate positive publicity. Even if Bulgari´s hotels turn out not to make any money, the venture could be seen as an expensive yet effective advertising campaign. Mr. Armani´s hotel plans are more ambitious and the danger of brand dilution much greater. Armani says that the management company for its hotel venture will have its head office in Milan rather than Dubai and that Mr. Armani will be fully in charge of design. So far Mr. Armani has managed to control his brand tightly despite being involved in many different businesses. Hotels, however, are a bigger challenge than flowers and marmalade. After reading the article, write True, False or Not Mentioned for the following statements: Statements 1- Giorgio Armani is one of the most traditional brands in the market. 2- Mr. Armani and his firm not only create clothes but also sell a wide range of products. 3- His company will sell horsebackriding luxury products in a few years. 4- A strong product image is only possible at a fashion designer’s hotel.

5- Designer hotels can generate effective publicity

T/ F/ NM


Vocabulary Trends Most common types of charts: 1- Bar chart 2- Pie chart 3- Line chart

Word building: Verb

Noun

Adjective

Adverb

to rise a fall an increase to improve to decrease a recovery slight sharply dramatic steady to level off to bottom out fluctuate peak


Vocabulary Sales results Choose the correct words in italics to complete the report. Sales began the year at 30,000 units in January and increased slight / slightly to 32,000 units in February. There was a sharp / sharply rise to / by 38,000 in March due / led to the in production of a new price discounting scheme. This was followed by a slight / slightly fall in April when sales dropped to 36,000 units. Our competitors launched a rival product in the spring and this resulted in / from a dramatic / dramatically fall to 25,000 in May. But we ran a summer advertising campaign and sales increased steady / steadily to / by 2,000 units a month throughout June, July and August until they stood in September. The dramatic / dramatically rise to 45,000 in in / at 33,000 October resulted in / from the launch of our new autumn range. But then we experienced problems meeting demand and sales fell sharp / sharply in November and remained steady / steadily at / by 39,000 in December.

Complete the collocations by writing the nouns in the right boxes. They are all things you might do in a presentation. a graph make

a point

an issue (a)

stress quote

raise

jokes

describe

questions

(d)

refer to (b)

compare address

figures

tell

(e)

crack (c)

field deal w ith

(f)


Grammar Relative clauses

Relative clauses Defining relative clauses are used to specify which person or thing I have a friend who / that speaks we mean. five languages. Who or that are used for people. Which or that are used for She showed me the things. coat which / that she had bought. We don't use commas in a defining relative clause. Mr Fry, who speaks five

Non-defining relative clauses (extra information clauses) are used to add extra information to a sentence. We use commas in a non-defining relative clause.

languages , works as a translator for the EU.

Mr Fry, that speaks five languages, works as a translator for the EU. The area, which has very high unemployment , is in the north of

Who is used for people. Which is used for things. That cannot be used.

the country.

The area, that has very high unemployment, is in the north of the country.


Grammar Practice Relative clauses

Complete the following sentences using relative clauses: A teacher is a person who teaches students. A doctor is ________________________________________________ A student is _______________________________________________ A construction worker is _____________________________________ A chef is _________________________________________________ A baker is ________________________________________________ A scientist is ______________________________________________ A customer is _____________________________________________

Choose the correct relative pronoun (who, which) 1.

This is the man ______________ saved the kid.

2.

The writer ____________ that article won the Nobel prize.

3.

He bought a car _____________ 10 years old.

4.

He was wearing a sweater ___________ made in Norway.

5.

She drank the juice ___________ she made. m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Speaking Practice Giving a short presentation Prepare a 3-minute presentation giving an overview of your own company, or one part of your company. You may include the following points: • general information • products/ markets • future plans

More topics for a presentation: Presentation 1 What’s important when interviewing someone for a job? - deciding what qualifications are needed - deciding what questions to ask - other Presentation 2 What’s important when giving a talk? - making a plan - speaking clearly - other

Presentation 5 W hat’s important when arranging an important meeting? - deciding who needs to be there - sending out important papers - other Presentation 6 What’s important when booking a hotel? - dates - type of room - parking - other Presentation 3 Presentation 7 What’s important when talking on the What’s important when you choose a phone? restaurant? - answer clearly - type of food - be polite - cost - listen well - noise - other - other Presentation 4 Presentation 8 important when travelling What’s important when organizing an What’s event? abroad? - venue - visas - guests - insurance - entertainment - money - other - other


Writing Practice Confirming a short presentation Choose the most suitable words from the box to complete the sentences below: see

point

give

have

show

mean

How to improve your language in a presentation? Talking about visuals: __________ a look at this. As you can __________, … I’d like to __________ out … The figures clearly __________... To __________ you the background to this… So, what does this __________ in terms of…

You have been asked to give a presentation at a local business forum on 3 July about strategic planning. Write an email (40-50 words) to Mr Brown, head of the forum: - Agreeing to give the presentation - Giving the title of your presentation - Saying what equipment you need ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________


Unit 2 EFFECTIVE MEETINGS Skills: • Using the language of meetings effectively • Discussing attitudes towards problem-solving meetings in different countries Vocabulary: • Interruption Strategies • Collocations Reading: • Effective Multi-Cultural Meetings Listening: • Complaints about meetings Speaking: ▪ Talking about meetings Grammar: ▪ Verb patterns


Speaking Practice Talking about meetings Complete and discuss the statements below: chat

criticize

discuss

exchange

find

make

waste

Meetings are:

a An ideal opportunity to _____________ points of view. b The best place to ______________ key decisions. c A safe environment in which to

________________ important issues.

d A rare chance to _______________ with people from other departments. e

The only way to _______________ out what’s really going on.

f

An open invitation to ______________ each other.

g The perfect excuse to

_______________ an entire morning!


Reading Comprehension Effective Multi-Cultural Meetings by Neil Payne What do you think makes an effective meeting in a multicultural context? One of the many areas in international business where cultural differences manifest is in the corporate meeting room. International meetings are an area where differences in cultural values, 1)etiquette, interpretations of professional conduct and corporate rules are at their most visible and challenging to control. In international business meetings, cultural differences between professionals can and 2)do clash. Although it cannot always be avoided, the negative effects of cultural differences can be minimized with careful and effective planning, organization and consideration prior to meetings. Culture influences what we do, say, think and believe. Culture is different in different countries and contexts. In the context of international business it affects how people 3)approach, perceive and contribute towards meetings. A few examples include:

1. Time 4)Not all cultures live by the clock. 5)Time orientated cultures such as the British or Germans 6)will have strict approaches to how meetings run. The start time, finishing time and all the different stages in between will be planned carefully. Other cultures will see the start time as an approximation, the finish time as non-fixed and all the different stages in between as flexible. 2. The Purpose of Meetings After a few pleasantries in the meeting room, the common term in the West i s, 7)‘let’s get down to business’ . Western meetings generally 8)run to a tight schedule with an organized, pre-planned agenda. Meetings are for business. On the other hand, different cultures see the meeting as the arena for building personal relationships and strengthening bonds.


Reading Comprehension Effective Multi-Cultural Meetings by Neil Payne 3. Meeting Etiquette and Mannerisms In highly diverse international companies, one can find participants in a meeting 9)from the four corners of the globe. Each will have their own cultural etiquettes, gestures, 10)mannerisms and ways of expression. Shouting, 11)throwing hands around and even 12)storming out of meetings are all possibilities. In such a company it may be advisable to provide intercultural awareness training to staff to minimize misunderstandings. 4. Expectations of Meetings Prior to the meeting make it clear what the 13)purpose of the meeting will be. What is the goal of the meeting? Why are you asking each attendant? What do expect from them? Contact the participants and discuss the meeti ng and what you require of each person. If ready, send them the agenda. If it is a 14)brainstorming meeting then maybe ask each participant to bring at least three suggestions with them. If it is a meeting bringing together different areas within a company, let each attendant know what people wou ld like to hear about from them. Once a 15)framework is in place people will know they fit into the picture.

5. Take a Relaxed Approach to Meetings Many people find business meetings 16)daunting. This may be a combination of 17)stage fright, sitting in front of the boss and feeling inferior to colleagues. This will lead to anxiety, tension, nervousness and general discomfort. Try introducing 18)subtle differences to a meeting 19)to put people at ease. Ice breakers offer a good tension release at the Beginning of a meeting. 20)Warm ups offer a similar benefit. Try using an alternative setting instead of the meeting room. Consider changes in the lighting or ambience.


Reading Comprehension Multicultural meetings How could you replace the words/expressions from the previous text without changing the meaning?

Read the text again and complete the chart below: Word/expression

Paraphrases

Examples

1) etiquette 2) do clash 3) approach 4) Not all cultures live by the clock 5) Time orientated cultures 6) will have strict approaches to how meetings run 7) let’s get dow n to business’ 8) run to a tight Schedule 9) from the four corners of the globe 10) mannerisms 11) throwing hands around 12) storming out of meetings 13) purpose 14) brainstorming meeting 15) framework 16) daunting 17) stage fright 18) subtle differences 19) to put people at ease 20) Warm ups


Listening Comprehension Complaints about meetings File: 07. Intermediate B 2.26

Listen to eight business people from different countries complaining about meetings. Match the extracts (1-8) to the correct topics (a-h). a

there’s no fixed agenda

b

preparation is lacking

c

only the boss’s opinions count

d

it’s all about status

e

the follow-up is never clear

f

meetings go on too long

g

no decisions are made

h

interruption is a problem


Vocabulary Interruption strategies What do you think is the most effective way to do the following? Tick your answers. Interrupt in meetings

Prevent interruption

I raise my hand.

I gesture that I haven’t finished.

I cough.

I raise my VOICE!

I say Errrrrm…

I avoid direct eye contact

I say the speaker’s name.

I just keep talking!

I just start speaking!

I glare at the person interrupting.

Put the expressions (a-i) in the correct order. They were all in the conversations you just listened to. EXPRESSIONS

CORRECT ORDER

A me/ let/ finish… B what/ I/ finish/ could/ just/ saying/ Was/ I/?. C on/ hang/ second/a D a/ jus/ minute… E no/ me/ out/ hear… F here/ can/ just/ I/ in/ come/? G again/ to/ sorry/ interrupt…. H could/ if/ finish/ I/ just… I just/ I/ something/ say/ can/?


Vocabulary Collocations Complete the collocations by writing the nouns and noun phrases in

the right-hand boxes. They are all things you might do before, during, or after a meeting. a decision a point an opinion comments set

(a)

stick to brainstorm

(b)

clarify

(e)

make

(f)

invite (c)

express raise

reach be in

exchange hold

agreement an action plan details ideas the agenda

draw up

(g)

implement (d)

go into

(h)

sort out come to

(i)

reconsider In meetings, certain expressions help you to introduce your comments and indicate your opinions more clearly.

m o c . s a m o i x e l e s . w w w

Vocabulary Collocations Look at the following five extracts from meetings. Replace the phrases in bold with one in the box which have a similar meaning. As a matter of fact If you ask me Luckily

Clearly In short

On the other hand

Essentially In theory Overall

Frankly

Incidentally Strangely enough

1 A: Personally , / (a) ……………………, I think this whole project has been a waste of time. B: To be honest / (b) ……………………, I tend to agree with you. A: However, / (c) ……………………, we’ve put too much money into it to cancel it now.

2 A: By the way /(d) ……………………, did you get in touch with our agent in Warsaw? B: Actually, /(e( ……………………, she phoned me. I’ll talk to you about it later. 3 A: Obviously, / (f) ……………………, we don’t Want to have a strike on our hands. B: Fortunately, / (g) ……………………, we may not have to. I spoke to the union rep this morning.

4 A: In general, / (h) ……………………, did people like the idea of open–plan offices? B: Funnily enough, / (i) ……………………, the didn’t. We may have to rethink our proposal. 5 A: To sum up, /(j) ……………………, by year-end we should be nearing the break-even point. B: Basically,/(k) ……………………, then, we’re going to make a net loss? A: Technically, / (l) ……………………, yes. But that’s because we’re channeling so much money back into the business.


Grammar practice Verb patterns Verb + object + to + infinitive They helped their neighbour to fix h is car.

After some verbs we use the structure someone + to + infinitive.

She asked me to give her some advice. He told his assistant to send the

Verbs which can be followed by this form include advise, ask, allow, expect, encourage, force, help, invite, order, persuade , need, tell.

The negative form is object + not + to + infinitive.

parcel. She persuaded him to have lunchwith her. We need someone to help us. She advised me not to sell my house.

Verb + to + infinitive We use to + infinitive after certain verbs, including agree, arrange,

I have decided to lend him the car.

decide, offer, seem , plan, want,

He offered to help me.

need, promise, hope, refuse.

He prom ised not to say anything.

We also use to + infinitive after these structures: ask someone to, tell him to, want her to, etc.

He told me to go there. She asked me to help her.

Verb + -ing We use a verb in its -ing form after certain verbs, including avoid, admit, can't stand, deny, dislike, enjoy, hate, like, love, mind and practise.

The -ing form is used after prepositions.

I enjoy going to the cinema. I don't like living in a city. I'm looking forward to seeing you. He insisted on seeing the shop manager.


Grammar Practice Verb patterns

Complete the letter using the verbs in brackets.


Unit 3 BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS Skills: • Discussing different types of communications • Correcting a formal letter Vocabulary: • Writing expressions (formal/informal) Grammar: • Prepositions Listening • E-mails in real life Writing • Writing a formal letter

Reading • Advice letter Speaking • Methods of communication


Speaking Practice Methods of communication In your opinion, what is the best method of communication? ● Teleconferences ● ● ●

On the phone Face to face meetings Email and other written documents.

How long do you spend doing “paperwork” or email writing in a typical day? Which of the following documents do you usually use?


Reading Comprehension Advice Letter Complete this letter to shareholders. Use the appropriate forms of

the verbs. Rely on - combine with - consist of - advise on - succeed in - budget for spend on - account for - compete with - invest in

Dear Shareholder, I write to inform you that the Board has received information of a takeover bid for your company. This ______________ an attempt by Thor Engineering to acquire a controlling interest by offering to purchase shares at a price of 650 pence. We have brought in a team of consultants to ______________ the tactics we should use to resist the bid Although the offer seems attractive, it does not reflect the true value of the company or take into account our future prospects. We have __________ a major programme of expansion. During the next two years we plan to ________________ new plant and equipment. We have also allocated funds to ________ a new computarised stock control system which will allow us to ____________- our much larger rivals. Furthermore, we plan to _____________ a machine tool company in a joint venture in China. We are confident this will allow the company to ___________ opening up new markets in Asia. Policies like these ___________ our success to date and contribute to our vision of the future. Therefore, we strongly advise you not to accept Thor Engineering’s offer. You can _________ the Board to keep you fully informed of any future developments, but for the present we advise you to take no action in reation to the offer. Yours faithfully, Derek Hammond Chairman


Vocabulary Writing expressions (formal and informal) Replace the missing words in the following sentences from business letters. In sentence a-j, one word is missing. In k-t, two words are missing. a How are things you? b I apologize not replying sooner. c Further our telephone conversation yesterday… d See you the weekend. Best wishes, Jim. e I Thought. I’d send you a copy this article. f Sorry I wasn’t there meet you when you called. g Sincerely, Brian Green h It was great pleasure meeti ng you last week. i Take care yourself. j How’s a going? k Thank you your letter 6 May. l Get back to me soon you can. m I look forward hearing you. n W ith reference your fax 3 June,… o I am writing regard your recent advertisement. p I’ll be touch the next couple of week or so. q I can be any further assistance, do please contact me again. r Let know when you’re next Zagreb. s It was nice talking you other day. t Please pass my regards your sales manager, Ms Fontaine. Now wr ite the letter s of the sentence s in the box be low accord ing to whether they usually come at the beginning or end of a business letter, and whether they are formal or informal. Formal

Beginning End

Informal


Vocabulary Writing expressions (formal and informal) Complete the following text using the words below: Copies

receipts

figures trade

record

journals

Post it ®

letters contracts

forms

report memos

diagrams

invoices

mail

questionnaires

• The first thing I do when I get into the office is get myself a coffee and check the morning …………………. . • Whenever I have important …………………. to write, I usually draft them several

times before finally sending them. • One thing I can’t stand is filling in …………………. they never give you enough

space to write your answers! • In my job, I have to design market research…………………., which usually means putting together some kind of …………………. Afterwards. • I work in the legal department, so that means a lot of drafting and drawing up of …………………. • I read as many …………………. as possible – just to keep up with what’s going

on. • I work for a design firm, so I often find myself faxing …………………. of plans and …………………. • I have to keep a …………………. of all my expenses, so I always ask for …………………. - I have a pile by the end of the month! • I Try to settle …………………. as quickly as possi ble, but I query them immediately if the …………………. don’t add up. • I used to circulate ………………….

to other people in the department, but these days I just email them on the Intranet or stick a …………………. on their desk.


Listening Comprehension E-mails in real life Watch the following video and discuss the questions below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTgYHHKs0Zw

• How often do you recieve autoresponses? • Who is Tripp Crosby?

• What is the problem with the report? • What is the meaning of "semi-colon, closed parentheses"? • What does the circular disclosure say?


Grammar Practice Preposition + noun + preposition Complete the following extracts from business letters, faxes and emails with the nouns in the box. Pay particular attention to the prepositions on either side of each noun. accordance account addition agreement behalf case effect favour pressure regard terms touch view

a I am writing with ………………… to your advertisement in Marketing Week. b We are basically in ………………… with the main points in your proposal. c I’ve been in ………………… with our distributors in Poland concerning your enquiry. d There are on or two points in ………………… to those we discussed which we now need to address. e No one at the meeting was in ………………… of the idea. f The goods have been insured in ………………… of damage in transit. g There will be a 3 % price increase with ………………… from 1st January. h Plan A has been rejected on ………………… of the considerable costs involved. i We decided, in ………………… of the political difficulties, not to export to Iraq. We are again under ………………… from head office to reduce overheads. j k Certainly, in…………………. of experience, she’s the best candidate we’ve seen so far. We are investigating the complaints in ………………… with our normal l procedures. m May I, on ………………… of myself and the whole team, thank you for making our visit so enjoyable.


Grammar Practice Preposition + noun + preposition

When you learn a new verb it’s important to know which preposition can follow it. Some verbs are regularly followed by one preposition: ✓ You can depend on that. Other verbs may be followed by a number of prepositions: ✓ Agree with, agree on, agree to, agree about. Prepositions (in, at, of, for, through, etc.) are a restricted group of short words, each having many different purposes. They usually take their precise meaning from the words around them. Apart from their standard uses to refer to time, place and movement, prepositions also combine with verbs, nouns and adjectives to form a lot of useful phrases and expressions. Such phrases are best learned ‘ whole’ as items of vocabulary.

Now complete these sentences with a verb and a preposition from each box. agree, apologise, think, hear, refer

for, about, about, with, to

• The CEO thinks a joint venture is the best way to break into the Russian

market, but I don’t _______________ him. • Did you _______________ the alliance between Lxps and RocketFarm? • If you _______________ the annual report, it clearly sets out the facts. • He really needs to _______________ the consequences of his acts. • The chairman had to _______________ misleading the shareholders at the MTSL.


Grammar Prepositions

Twenty-three prepositions are missing from the following letter. How many can you find? Write them in. Dear Mr Savage, Thank you your letter 12 th April. I m very sorry the difficulties you ve ’

’

had getting on our engineers come and repair the alarm system we installed January. Please accept my apologies. I am as concerned the delay as you are. The manager who is responsible our after-sales service is new the department and not yet familiar all our procedures, but this is no excuse such a long delay. Rest assured, he is now aware the problem and will arrange an engineer call whatever time is most convenient you. Obviously, this will be free charge. I have also authorized a 10 % refund the purchase price. If you are still not fully satisfied the system, please contact me personally and I shall be happy supply you a replacement. My apologies once again the inconvenience this has caused you.


Writing Letter-writing expressions You have been given responsibility for writing to a very good customer your boss knows personally, but you don’t. See what your boss would write below and make what you write a little more formal.

Informal Dear Nick, How are things? I go t yo ur lette r, thanks. Sorry I haven’t got back to you sooner. About our phone call the other day,… Great to meet you last week! I’m writing about our contract renewal. I’m afraid I can’t give you a bigger discount. But how about a higher credit limit? Let’s meet and have a chat about this. I’ll give you a call sometime nex week. I’m putting in a copy of our new catalogue. If you need any help, just let me know. See you at the conference! Let’s talk soon Best wishes, Tony

Formal Dear Mr Salzmann, a (hope/ well) b (thank / letter of / 12 January c (apologies / no replying) d (Further to / conversation / last Friday) e (pleasure / meeting) f (writing / regard) g (unfortunately / unable increase) h (what / can do / offer)

/

i (perhaps /meet / discuss) J (in touch) k (enclose) l (any further assistance / please do contact) m (loo k forward / meeting / again) (look forward / hearing) o (Yours)


Unit 4 SOLVING PROBLEMS

Skills: Discussing the processes and techniques for solving problems Vocabulary: Steps for solving problems People and products Grammar: Modal verbs Past deductions Listening: Problem solving techniques

Reading: A secret to creative problem solving What is brainstorming Speaking: Unexpected situations


Speaking Unexpected situations Sometimes while socializing we have to face unexpected situations. How do you cope with them? Choose some of the topics below. Situation

What would you say?

You have forgotten the name of a person you are talking to. Find out his/ her name politely. You are late for a meeting. You are in an important business negotiation. The other person ask you if he/she can smoke. The waiter in a restaurant has just given you the bill. You are sure it’s much too high. You’re having dinner with a foreign

colleague in his/her country. The food is unfamiliar to you and you don’t know what to choose. An important client invites you to the theatre. You can't attend because you have already accepted another invitation. At a conference you meet someone you think you’ve met before. You have just spilled red wine on a client’s dress


Listening Problem solving techniques When you're solving complex business problems, it's all-too-easy easy to skip over important stages, meaning that you can miss good solutions, or, worse still, fail to identify the problem correctly in the first place. One way to prevent this happening is by using a tool like the Simplex Process. This powerful step-by-step tool helps you identify and solve problems creatively and effectively. It guides you through each stage of the problem-solving process, from finding the problem to implementing a solution. This helps you ensure that your solutions are creative, robust and well considered. In this video, we look at each step of the Simplex Process. We also review some of the tools and resources that will help at each stage. https://youtu.be/qct9UY5p_5M What are the steps? Explain what to do in each step Match each of the four stages of a problem-solving meeting (a-d) to two things you might say (1-8). A- Defining the problem B- Brainstorming ideas C- Reviewing ideas D- Selecting the solution 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Okay, let’s see what we’ve got so far. On balance, I think we should go with… I think there are three main aspects to the problem. I think we’ll have to reject this idea for now. I’d like to hear what you all have to say. Now, how do we implement this? Okay, basically the problem is this. Let’s keep the ideas coming.


Vocabulary Steps for solving problems

Complete the checklist below using the verbs in the boxes.

a-d brainstorm

define

review

select

e-l assign eliminate

break criticize explore invite

draw up restate

(e)________the problem down into parts Step One: problem

(a)____the

basic (f)________the problem as challenge (g) ________everyone to speak

a

Step Two: (b)____ideas (h) ________nothing at this stage (i)________the possibilities of each idea Step Three: (c)____your ideas so far (j) ________impractical suggestions (k) ________ an action plan Step Four: (d)____the best solution (l)________different different people

tasks

to


Vocabulary Steps for solving problems

The following sentences were used in a problem-solving meeting. Decide at which step in 1 each sentence was used.

1 Now, what we need are as many ideas as possible.

2 How could we make this idea work? 3 On balance, I think we should go with this idea. 4 Let’s think about what we can do, instead of what we

7 Okay, let’s see what we’ve got so far. 8 I think we’ll have to reject this idea for now. 9 Now, how do we implement this? 10 Olay, that’s a nice idea.

can’t.

5 I’d like to hear what you all have to say. 6 Okay, basically, the problems is this.

11 Joanne, can I leave the details to you? I think there are three main aspects to the problem. m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Reading A Secr Secret to Cr Crea eativ tive e Prob Problem lem Solv Solving ing "The whole idea behind creative problem solving is the assumption that you know something that will help solve this problem, but you're not thinking of it right now," explains Art Markman, Markman , cognitive psychologist and author of "Smart Thinking." Put another way, your memory hasn't found the right cue to retrieve the information informati on you need. Chan Changing ging the descr descrip iptio tion n tells tells your your mind mind that hat you'r you're e in a differ iffere ent situatio situation, n, which hich unlocks unlocks a new set set of me memor morie ies. s. "The "The more more differe ifferent nt ways you descr d escribe ibe the t he problem problem you're you're trying trying to solve, the more different different things you know know about that you you will call to mind," says Markma Markman n Ask yourself two questions: questions : 1. What type of probl oblem is this? Most of the time, we get stuck on a problem because our focus is too narrow. When you yo u think think specifi specificall cally y , you lilimit your memory mem ory and stifle stifle creativi creativity. ty. Instead, think more abstractly. Find the essence of the problem. Take vacuum vacu um cleane cleanerr filters, filters, for example. Vacuums Vacu ums used to have have bags ba gs that were consta constan ntly tly ge getting tting clogged, clogged, so innovat innovators ors focused focused on how to make make a be bett tter er filter. Jame James s Dyson yson reali ealized that that the problem oblem was actual actuallly about about sep separati aration, on, or separating the dirt from the air, which doesn't always require a filter. "That freed him to try lots of different methods of separation," says Markman. Hence: the Dual Cyclone vacuum that led Dyson to fame and fortune.

2. Who else has faced this type of problem? When you think about your problem abstractly, you realize that other people have solved the same type of problem in radically different ways. One of their solutions may hold the key to yours. For ex examp ample le,, Dyson reali realized zed sawmill sawmills use an indus industri trial al cyclone cyclone to separat separate e sawdu sawdust from from air and mod ified ified that technology technology to crea create te the the first first filter filter-fr -free ee vacuum. "When you begin to realize that the problem you're trying to solve has been solve solved d over over and over again again by people eople in other other area areas, s, you can look at the solutions they came up with to help you solve your own," Markman says. You may not use one of their solutions exactly, but you free your memory to retrieve more information, making that elusive "aha" moment easier to reach. By re-describing the problem, you're much more likely to find inspiration for a truly creative innovation.


Reading A Secr Secret to Cr Crea eativ tive e Prob Problem lem Solv Solving ing

Answer: What is the assumption assumption behind creative creative problem solving? Why do you you need to change the point of view? What are the th e two questions you have to ask yourself? Why is it mentioned mentioned James Dyson? Dyson? Why is it important important to redescr redescribe ibe the problem? problem?


Vocabulary Peop eople and and products ucts

Decid Decide e whet whethe herr the adje adjectiv ctives es below below can can be use used d to desc describ ribe e peopl people e (s (sta taff ff) ), produ product cts s or both. both. Tick Tick the the cor correct boxe boxes.

Staff a b c d e f g h i j k l

Products

best-selling efficient high- quality welll-q qualified household dedicated unique luxury loyal permanent perman ent part-time reliable


Vocabulary People and products

The adjectives below can all be used to describe people in a company. Change each adjective into its opposite by adding un-, in-, im-, ir- or dis-.

a …reliable

k … articulate

b …flexible

l … honest

c …organized

m … rational

d … patient

n … decisive

e

o …supportive

…responsible

f …creative

p …competent

g …consistent

q

…assertive

h …inspiring

r

…sociable

I …committed

s …considerate

j ….practical

t …competitive m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Vocabulary People and products

Complete the following staff appraisals using an appropriate positive or negative adjectives from the previous activity.

a Laura’s real ideas person. She’s exceptionally… b Brian can only do things his way. He’s a bit … c Max is always there to give people a hand when they need it. really very… He’s really He’s really He’s d With Olaf, it’s just one mistake after another. He’s completely… e Greta tends to take no notice of other people’s needs.She’s rather… f Richard’s office looks like a bomb hit it –papers everywhere! He’s totally… g With Miyumi, the job always comes first. She’s totally… h Sam can never make up his mind about anything. He’s extremely…

i Callum really knows how to motivate his staff. He’s incredibly… j You can never depend on Leo to do what He’s totally…

he’s supposed to do.

k Elena meets all her targets month after month. She’s incredibly… l Jeanette too often allows her personal life to interfere with her work. She´s rather… m Eric always has to be the best at everything. He’s extremely… n Gareth tends to keep himself to himself. He’s a bit…


Reading What is Brainstorming?

Published in 22 October 2012 Does Brainstorming

Work?

This is the question psychologists have been baffled by for nearly half a century and we're still on the path of discovering whether brainstorming is a technique that extracts the best out of people or if it's a method that suppresses creativity. Journalist and author, Jonah Lehrer, argues that brainstorming produces less original ideas than those people who work by themselves. From Alex Osborn, the father of brainstorming, to Charlen Nemeth, Jonah explains why brainstorming just doesn't work. Brainstorming is the most widely implemented creativity technique of all t ime. It was pioneered by this ad executive named Alex Osborn. In a series of best-selling business books in the 1940’s and early 50’s, he outlined the technique called brainstorming. Which, basically there’s j ust one rule to brainstorming which is don’t criticise. Whatever you do in a brainstorming meeting, you cannot criticise the ideas of other people. All ideas are good ideas. And the assumption behind this is that the imagination is very meek, and shy and fragile (laughter)and if it worries about being criticised it’ll ju st clam up and won’t be able to free associate at all, but the only problem with brai nstorming is that it just doesn’t work. Psychologists have known this for 6plus years. You know study after study has shown if you put people in a room and tell them to brainstorm they’re gonna come up with fewer ideas and less original ideas than those same people who might work by themselves. And so brainstorming would become less than the sum of our parts.


Reading What is Brainstorming?

Now the reason brainstorming doesn't work returns us to the very first rule of brainstorming which is ‘thou shalt not criticise’ . Because as studies by Charlen Nehmeth have shown, groups that engage in what she has called debate and dissent where they’re encouraged to engage in constructive criticism, they come up with anywhere between 25 to 40 percent more ideas and those ideas are rated as much more original. And that’s because when we don’t criticise each other, when we all just pretend every idea is a good idea, we tend to float on the superficial surface of the imagination. And our free associations, left to their own devices, are not that interesting so if I ask you to free associate on ‘Blue’ I can predict with a high degree of accuracy, that your first answer will be ‘green’, followed by ‘ocean’, ‘sky’ . And then things get a little more complicated, you may say, you know, ‘Joni Mitchell’ or ‘Miles Davis’ or ‘ jeans’ or ‘smurfs’ but nothing too profound or surprising. (um) And that’s because our free associations are bound by language, and language is full of cliches but the way we get past those cliches is to engage in criticism. You know that is what surprises us, that’s what invigorates us, that’s what wakes us up, it means we’re really paying attention to the ideas of other people. It forces us to dig a little bit deeper and that’s when things get interesting.


Grammar Modal verbs: Past deduction

We can use modal verbs to talk about how sure or unsure we are about something in the past just as we use modals in the present with a slight change in the form. He must be really happy about his promotion. (present deduction) He must have been very happy when he was told about his promotion. (past deduction) When we use a modal verb to talk about a situation where we are not expressing a fact but we are using deduction the form is MODAL + have + past participle Must have + past participle We use ‘must have + past participle’ when we are quite sure about something. He must have forgotten his phone at home again. He’s not answering. Might have/may have/could have + past participle We use ‘might have/may have/could have + past participle’ when we are not sure about something but we think it was possible. He was supposed to be here an hour ago but he could have been stuck in a traffic jam. Can’t have + past participle

We use ‘can’t have + past participle’ for things that we are sure did not happen in the past. I can’t have left my phone at work. You phoned me when I was walking to my car. That’s it. It must be in the car.


Grammar Modal verbs: Past deduction

Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.

1 - She ___ misunderstood my directions. Why else is she late? A) must have B) can't have 2 - He ___ gone to the beach. He hates being in the sun. A) can't have B) may have 3 - I ___ written down the number incorrectly. I've just called a hospital not the restaurant. A) might have B) must have 4 - They ___ been at the cafe but I didn't see them. A) could have B) must have 5 - John ___ been very happy when he found out he was going to be a father. He's wanted this for a long time. A) may have B) must have


Unit 5 EATING OUT Skills: Describing restaurants, typical dishes, table manners and etiquette Expressing preferences and opinions Ordering food Vocabulary: Useful expressions at a restaurant Grammar: Reported speech Listening Menu Lunch conversations Reading Business lunch etiquette Speaking Business meals

Writing Reporting a conversation


Speaking Business meals

Why do you think business lunches are so popular?

a Is lunch an important meal for you? b Do you ever have business lunches? c Which of the following are most likely to say to a foreign colleague visiting your country? I thought you might like to try some of our local cuisine. I thought we could just grab a quick pizza or something. I thought we’d just work through lunch and eat later.

d What kinds of restaurants do you like?


Listening Menu File Name: 07. Intermediate B 2.43

Listen to the following conversation and role play a similar situation using the menu below:


Vocabulary: Useful expressions at a restaurant

Description a superb menu

Location down the road

a very pleasant five here atmosphere

minutes

Adding emphasis Mm … from This is delicious

absolutely

does an excellent round the corner lasagna/ steak, etc

a superb menu

specializes in fish

does an excellent lasagna/ steak, etc

you can get fresh oysters

a fantastic view of the city


really nice

really nice

great news

pretty good great news


Vocabulary: Useful expressions at a restaurant

Ordering/asking

At the table

for suggestions

Expressing opinios/ comments

So, what are you

Could you pass me

going to have? Hmm, I wonder

one of those…? nice! What is it? Nice place. Do you come Looks like some kind

what’s in it?

here often? No, no I insist. You’re

of …, only… Hmm. I don’t fancy it.

my guest.

it looks a bit … I quite like the

I’m not sure. How

about you? Hmm? Oh, sure.

Mm, that looks

Here you are Now, what would you like

look of this… I think I might try

to drink? This is their

a bit of that. k I’m allergic to mussels.

standard

menu. You could try the lamb.

That sounds nice.

That’s very good here.

Shall we order a bottle of

This

the house red?

delicious. How’s yours?

Could

we

order

some

is

absolutely

It all looks very good.

mineral water, too? Now,

how

about

a

dessert? And those

are

the

specials. So, what

do

you

a

great

recommend? Well, they do lasagne. Is there don’t eat? I’ll get this.

anything

you

Better not. I’m on a diet.


Reading Business Lunch Etiquette

Planning a business lunch with a client, co-worker or boss? Well here are a few things to consider before you do. You must know the restaurant. If you’re inviting a client for lunch then this should definitely not be your first visit to the restaurant. Bee familiar with the seating. Ask if it’s possible to reserve a certain table away from the restroom, kitchens or front door. Introduce yourself to the matradee. Know him or her by name. Know what the noise levels like a lunchtime. You don’t want to shout or raise your voice when speaking about a sensitive deal. Also you don’t want to take a vegetarian to a steak house. If anything you’ll be the one making the sacrifice over the meal choices, not your client or boss. Eat first, talk business after. Have a little small talk. Get to know each other. Then dive into business before the meal or after dessert. If your client wants to dive right in by all means do so. A few things to remember about the table. Pass the salt and pepper together, they are married. Do not touch your nose, mouth, teeth, hair or head at the table. Leave your handbag, keys, cell phone, notes, folders off the table. If you’re expecting a call relevant to your meeting notify the table prior to starting lunch. After using sugar place the packets underneath the saucer and don’t tuck your napkin in your shirt, it must always be placed on your lap. Don’t push your plate away or start stacking for the wait staff. If it’s a large party wait until 5 0r 6 people have been served, then you may begin. If passing food offer to your neighbour first and remember enjoy yourself.


Reading Business Lunch Etiquette

True or false?

1 Choosing a restaurant is noy essential. You can go wherever you want with your guest. 2 It is important to choose a table near the restrooms. 3 You should keep an appropiate voice tone. 4 It is better go straight to business during lunch.

5 Keep your hands on the table. 6 Do not start eating until all the guests have been served.


Listening Lunch conversations File name: 07. Intermediate B 2.44 - 2.46

Listen to business people from different countries chatting over lunch and answer the questions.

Conversation 1

a

What is Hiro worried about?

b Hiro uses different expressions to stop his colleague choosing the fugu. Complete them. Conversation 2 a What is Hans’s problem? b The Spaniards use different expressions to encourage. Hans to try the squid. Complete them. Conversation 3

a Why does Louise have a problem choosing what to eat? b Jean Claude and Louise mention lots of different cooking methods.


Grammar Reported Speech If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’ s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request. Direct Speech

Indirect Speech

Simple Present Greg said, "I am an English teacher."

Simple Past Greg said that he was an English teacher.

Present Continuous Edward said, "I am watching the news."

Past Continuous Edward said that he was watching the news.

Simple Past Silva said, "I went to school yesterday."

Past Perfect Silva said that she had gone to school the day before.

Present Perfect Captain said, "I have built a ship."

Past Perfect Captain said that he had built a ship.

Future Tense Eli said, "I will buy the book tomorrow"

Future in the past Eli said that she would buy the book tomorrow.

Present Perfect Progressive She said, "I have been waiting for two hours."

Past Perfect Continuous She said that she had been waiting for two hours.

Conditional (Future Possible) My mom said to her, "If you come tomorrow , I will introduce you to my husband."

Conditional (Present Unreal) My mother told her that if she came the next day, she would introduce her to her husband.

Conditional (Present Unreal) Lori said to William, "If you loved me, you would say it."

Present Unreal Lori told William that if he loved her, he would tell her.


Grammar Reported Speech

Change this direct speech into reported speech: 1. “He works in a bank ” She said

__________________________________________________________ 2. “We went out last night ” She told me

________________________________________________________ 3. “I’m coming!” She said

________________________________________________________ 4. “I was waiting for the bus when he arrived ” She told me

________________________________________________________ 5. “ I’d never been there before” She said

________________________________________________________ Reported statements: 1. “You should go to bed early ” She told me

________________________________________________________ 2. “I don’t like chocolate” She told me

________________________________________________________ 3 “I won’t see you tomorrow ” She said

________________________________________________________ 4. “She’s living in Paris for a few months ” She said

________________________________________________________ 5. “I visited my parents at the weekend ” She told me

_____


Vocabulary Time conversions in Reported speech

now

today

then / at that time yesterday / that day / Tuesday / the 27th of June

yesterday

the day before yesterday / the day before / Wednesday / the 5th of December

last night

the night before, Thursday night

last week

the week before / the previous week

tomorrow

today / the next day / the following day / Friday


Writing Reporting a conversation

Read the dialogue and report it.

Mike: "What are you doing here, Liz? I haven't seen you since June." Liz: "I've just come back from a business trip in Ireland." Mike: "Did you enjoy it?" Liz: "I love it! and the Irish people were so friendly." Mike: "Did you go to the conference?" Liz: "Yes, it was my first time. I can show you some pictures. Are you doing anything tomorrow?" Mike: "I must arrange a couple of things. But I am free for lunch." Liz: "Let´s go to a new restaurant close to the office. What time shall we meet?" Mike: "Great! I'll be there at 12. Is it all right?" Liz: "Sure, see you there then!"

Mike asked Liz...


Unit 6 CONFERENCE CALLS

Skills: Talking about telecommunications Discussing and holding conferences calls Vocabulary: Conference calls expressions Expressions about doing business Grammar: Questions tags Listening Conference calls in real life Reading: Digital meetings: The growth in video conferencing Speaking: The difference between regular and call conferences


Speaking The difference between regular and call conferences

How different are your meetings from the one you can see in the picture?

Is teleconferencing the future? What sort of meetings (if any) do you think absolutely have to be face to face? Appraisal interviews - complex negotiations - crisis meetings job interviews - multinational team briefings - new product demonstrations - project meetings updates - routine decisionmaking - sales presentations - team-building sessions


Reading Digital meetings

The growth in video conferencing

An increasing number of companies are turning to video conferencing to bring people together for meetings. Experts predict that in the next 10 years, video conferencing will replace as much as 20% of business travel. So why has there been such growth in digital meetings? “The key driver behind our use of video conferencing is cost ,” says Martin Pile, Director of Corporate Communications with a multinational engineering company. “The technology means that we can save on airfares and hotel bills. Our people can meet more frequently at less cost. “Video conferences also enable us to bring together people who would never meet if the technology was not there.”Fiona Clark, a communications consultant who advises companies about digital conferencing solutions, is also enthusiastic. But she sounds a note of caution. “Companies have to realize that the technology is not free. Video conferencing systems are getting cheaper and more reliable, but companies which want to use them still have to make some kind of investment. This can be a particular problem for small and medium-sized companies ,” says Fiona. m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Reading Digital meetings “There’s also the problem of people feeling comfortable with video conferencing ,” she adds. “Meeting via a video link-up definitely beats discussing issues via

email. But users often find the video conference environment difficult at first.” Fiona often recommends companies that adopt video conferencing to invest in training for the staff who will meet each other digitally. “People have to realize that a meeting via video conference is not the same as a face-to-face meeting. People can feel nervous and act in a different way than usual,” Fiona comments. “We provide training where we videotape users and get them to notice their nervous tics on screen. If people play with their hair or put their hands in front of their mouths because they’re nervous, we can draw their attention to this and help them to appear more relaxed,” she adds. “We also advise people to slow down their body language. Hand and body language can seem more aggressive on screen. ” “And don’t forget that everyone should wear name tags during video conferences, says Fiona. Having a video conference may not be as easy as going to a real meeting, especially at first. But more of our meeting are going to be held via video link-up in the future. It looks like we’re all going to need some of that training.

Questions: Do you agree that having a video conference is more difficult than having a face-to-face meeting? According to the article, what are the advantages and disadvantages of video conferencing? Can you think of other problems users can have with video conferencing? Have you ever participated in a video conference? If so, what did you like or dislike? If not, would you like to?


Vocabulary Conference calls expressions

Complete the sentences with the words from the box.

agenda - agreed - come - covered - finish - finished - getting hear - inputs - interrupt - introduce item - join - leave - meeting - mínimum - objectives - recap skip - started - time - waiting

a- Sorry, I have a bit of a problem__________ through. b- We’re just ____________ for Sulliman. c- Let’s go ahead and start. Welcome to the _______________. d- Did you all get a copy of the ____________? e- Before we start, let me _____________ Harek Gorsky. f- I’ve asked him to _____________ us today because. g- All right, then, let’s get _________________. h- As you can see, we have several ____________ today. i- I’d like to be ____________ by 10.30, if that’s OK. j- Can we keep our __________ quite short? k- And let’s also try to keep interruptions to a ____________. l- Sorry to, ______________ ,but... m- I suggest we _____________ ítem one on our agenda until …


Vocabulary Expressions about doing business

Match the words and phrases to make expressions:

This is just

If you’re having

Problems

The report

To negotiate

Costs

Email me

Was due

Reminder

Room

Itemised

On fees

Fully

A quick

Yesterday

Quote

The delay in

estimate

Give

Precise

Report as an attachment

Set and

A rough

Getting back to you

Sorry for

Breakdown of costs

Figures

Send a

First draft of the

For the project

A detailed

Proposal in

A budget

Be under

Stick to

Head office

Get a

Pressure from

Position is asap

Let me

Know what the

On schedule

I just

missed

The deadline


Vocabulary Expressions about doing business

Expressions with the word business

1 A ....... represents written documentation of the vital issues necessary to convince

investors that a particular opportunity is worthy of investment. (a) business class (b) business card (c) business park (d) business plan 2 Whether you are looking for a job or running a company, giving out ....... is crucial to

marketing your skills or services. (a) business studies (b) business cards (c) business hours (d) business plans Q3 ....... passengers have a lavatory reserved for their exclusive use.

(a)

Business hours (b) Business park (c) Business class (d) Business card

Q4 The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center ....... are 8 am 5 pm Monday through Friday.

(a)

business hours (b) business cards (c) business suits (d) business parks

Q5 Today, it is rare to s ee a ....... worn with a waistcoat in North America, although it is

still popular among cons ervative-minded bus inessmen in the rest of the world. (a) business park (b) business card (c) business suit (d) business plan Q6 "Well here we are rapidly approaching the ....... of the season."

(a)

business card (b) business park (c) business end (d) business suit

Q7 The Economics & Business Education Association represents teachers and lecturers

of ....... and related subjects in schools and colleges throughout the UK. (a) business hours (b) business studies (c) business parks (d) businessmen Q8 Our ....... attitude is reserved entirely for the way we behave at work.

(a)

business wise (b) business card (c) businesswoman (d) businesslike

Q9 We offer ....... e-mail services that give you superior spam and fraud protection and

a custom domain name in your e-mail, all for a reasonable price. (a) business card (b) business class (c) business end (d) business plan Q10 Data marts can be a good way to serve the data needs of a particular set of .......

users, allowing specialized functions such as data cleansing, joining, formatting and transformations to be performed automatically. (a) business plan (b) business card (c) business end (d) business suit


Listening Conference calls in real life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ

Watch the video and answer the questions What are some of the diffciulties people have to face during conference calls? What can you do in order to avoid the problems?


Grammar Question tags

Question tags are short questions at the end of statements. They are mainly used in speech when we want to: • confirm that something is true or not, or • to encourage a reply from the person we are speaking to. Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject. A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag. • Jack is from Spain, isn't he? • Mary can speak English, can't she? A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag. • They aren't funny, are they? • He shouldn't say things like that, should he? When the verb in the main sentence is in the present simple we form the question tag with do / does. You play the guitar, don't you? • • Alison likes tennis, doesn't she? If the verb is in the past simple we use did. • They went to the cinema, didn't they? She studied in New Zealand, didn't she? • When the statement contains a word with a negative meaning, the question tag needs to be positive • He hardly ever speaks, does he? • They rarely eat in restaurants, do they?


Grammar Question tags

Complete the sentences with the correct question tags. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Mr McGuinness is from Ireland, isn´t he? The car isn't in the garage, _______? You are John, _______? She went to the library yesterday, ______? He didn't recognize me, _______ ? Cars pollute the environment, ______ ? Mr. Pritchard has been to Scotland recently, ______ ? The trip is very expensive, ________? He won't tell her, _______? Hugh had a red car, _______?

Find and correct the mistakes in each sentence. 1. You're Australian, aren't they? ___________________________________ 2. You aren't English, aren't you? ___________________________________ 3. Mary smokes, didn't she? ___________________________________ 4. Sharks don't like vegetables, don't they? ___________________________________ 5. Moles can't see, can it? ___________________________________ 6. You'll be there, won't she? ___________________________________


Unit 7 NEGOTIATIONS Skills: Negotiation techniques Expressing opinions and making suggestions Vocabulary: Useful language for negotiations Grammar: Conditionals (revision and third conditional) Listening: Delivery charges Negotiations extracts Reading: The IF generation Speaking: Making proposals

Writing: What would you change in your life?


Speaking Making proposals

A rich friend is offering to give you and your partner $100 if you can agree how to split it. You are not allowed to split it 50:50. You can’t say 70:30 or 60:40 and make a side deal to adjust the amounts later. You have one minute to think about what you want and one minute to negotiate a deal with your partner. Try to use the following language in your discussion

Make proposals

Respond

Let’s …

That’s fine with me.

Why don’t we …?

OK – it’s a deal!

I suggest we …

Maybe another option would be …

I think we should …

I think it might be better to …

How about …?

I’m sorry – I can’t agree to that.

No way!

Did you and your partner reach agreement? If so, how? Did you try to win more than your partner? Did you try to find a way in which you could both feel happy?


Listening Delivery charges File name: 07. Intermediate B 16

Viktor, a supplier, talks to two of his buyers, Xavier and Yacoub,

about new delivery charges. Listen to the two negotiations and answer the questions.

Which buyer is more likely to reach an agreement with Viktor? How does Xavier respond in the first negotiation? How does Yacoub respond in the second negotiation? In the second negotiation, how does Viktor respond to the proposal?


Vocabulary Useful language for negotiation

What do you say ina negotiation when the other person makes an offer you don’t want to accept? Match each sentence 1-10 with a strategy a-h.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

a

Say that you agree in principle

b

Dismiss the offer completely

c

Make a neutral response

d

Give yourself time to think (two answers)

e

Make an alternative proposal

f

Stress the benefits of your idea to the other person

g

Clarify (two answers)

h

Ask for more information

There’s no way! None of your competitors charge for deliveries.

I see. Well, I can understand your position. How much are you thinking of charging? Do you mean five per cent of the order value on each delivery? Let me think… Here’s another idea. How about a flat rate of – say… You’d gain because you wouldn’t have to deliver so often. So you’re saying you’d be willing to buy in larger quantities? I’ll need to do some calculations to see how that would work. It sounds like a reasonable idea, but…


Reading The IF generation Before reading the text, discuss these questions: 1. Is it difficult for you to make decisions? Do you often look for the opinions of other people before you decide on something? 2. Are you the kind of person that looks for excuses when it comes to doing things that need a lot of effort? (ex. giving up smoking, exercising regularly, learning a foreign language on a daily basis etc.) 3. Do you regret not doing something in the past because you know that if you had done it, your present life would be better? 4. How do you understand the quote by Sun Tzu: Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?

THE IF GENERATION Nowadays, many people have issues with appreciating what they have; it is always the matter of ‘If I were richer…’, ‘If I were younger…’, ‘If I were him…’ etc. I don’t have a problem with the fact that we want more from our lives; what annoys me is the fact that we keep saying what we would do ‘IF … When I was younger, I thought that if my parents had been richer I could have been more fortunate with my life. I was losing my time on thinking that if I had been born in the family of my cousin, I would have enjoyed private tennis lessons, skiing holidays in Austria or expensive, fashionable clothes. What I didn’t take into consideration back then was the fact that I didn’t really like sport, I absolutely hated skiing and expensive clothes often covered the lack of personality. In other words, I was jealous of the things that I didn’t want in reality.


Reading The IF generation

Nowadays I keep finding myself the new ‘ifs’ that can successfully keep me away from being happy. I think that if I had more time, I would start going to the gym; if I had more money, I would eat healthy etc. Result? An overweight 30-year-old woman, always complaining about how difficult life is. But the problem of ‘ifs’ doesn’t finish here. We tend to overuse the 1st conditional in quite straightforward situations. ‘I’ll visit you if I have time’ usually means ‘I won’t visit you, I’m busy’ or ‘I will lend you the money if I can’ equals: ‘ I will not lend you the money, don’t put me in an uncomfortable situation’ . Why do we choose to send confusing messages when we can simply say what we think? We have to be not only politically correct anymore, we must be socially correct too.

Answer: 1. Is the author annoyed with the fact that nowadays people don’t appreciate their lives? 2. Does the author regret not being able to train tennis? 3. Does the author think that expensive clothes may compensate for an uninteresting character? 4. Is the author physically fit? 5. Is the author happy with her life? 6. Does the author think that people often say things which they don’t mean?


Listening Negotiation extracts File name: 07. Intermediate B 2.52 File name: 07. Intermediate B 2.53

Listen t o an extract from a negotiation and complete the notes.

Mammoth construction PLC Schumman Tender: Our original bid: 7.8 m Euros Client counter-offer: ______________ Euros. Project to be completed within _______________ Plant to be operational by ______________ Our revised bid: ___________________ euros in advance __________________ euros mid-contract __________________ euros on completion TOTAL: ________________ euros Schedule overrun penalty: ________________ euros per week Listen to another negotiation extract and complete the notes. Smart Move PLC: The communication skills specialists Telesales training ( 2–day seminar) NO. seminars: ________________ over ______________ month period NO. trainers: ________________ to be approved Max. NO. participants per seminar: _____________ Full fee: _____________ (pound) Discount: _________________% = _____________ (pound) Final fee: ___________________ (pound) ___________% none-refundable deposit = ___________ -(pounds)

Do you think you´ve just listened to a win-win negotiation?


Grammar Conditionals

TYPE

When We Use It

1st

The if Clause Is True in the Present or the Future

Verb Tense of "if" clause

Verb Tense of "then" clause

Simple Present

Present or Future, Depending on the Context

a) If I have a problem tomorrow, I'll call you. 2nd

The if Clause Is Not True in the Present or the Future

Action Verbs: Simple Past would + base form 'be' verbs: were

a) If I were you, I would take the job.

3rd

The if Clause Is Not True in the Past

Past Perfect

would + Past Perfect

a) If he had been honest*, he would have been happier. * He wasn't honest, and he wasn't happy.



Practice 1 1 He almost fell from the balcony. I'm sure that if he had fallen, he (break)___________ his leg or something. 2 If I leave now, I (be) __________ home in two hours. 3 If you (like) ____________ , I'll lend you my car for two days. 4 If we increased the price, we (run) _____________ the risk of pricing ourselves out of the market. 5 If you (ask) ___________ your boss, I'm sure he would have considered your proposal.

Practice 2 1 That was a bad decision. If I (be) _________you, I would change it as soon as possible. 2 Sunshine - at last! Imagine if the English weather was like this all the time. (it/not/be)___________ wonderful? 3 He's usually pleasant, but when he's tired he (be) __________ pretty short-tempered. That's the way he is. 4 If you (not/be) ___________ so stubborn you would find it a lot easier to keep your friends.



Practice 3 1- If I ....... you, I wouldn't risk it. (a) had been (b) am (c) would be (d) were 2- If they had waited another month, they could probably ....... a better price for their house (a) would get (b) had got (c) have got (d) could get 3- It's quite simple really. When it's cold, water ........ (a) froze (b) has frozen (c) freezes (d) had frozen 4- If he decides to accept that job, he ....... it for the rest of his life. (a) has regretted (b) had regretted (c) is regretting (d) will regret 5- If you ....... of applying for that job, my advice is: forget it. (a) are thinking (b) will think (c) will be thinking (d) would think 6- If he hadn't been driving so fast, he ....... have hit the motorcyclist. (a) didn't (b) hadn't (c) wouldn't (d) hasn't 7- ....... he been more careful, he would have spotted the mistake. (a) Were (b) Had (c) Has (d) Is 8- If she goes on passing her exams, ....... soon be qualified to practise as a lawyer. (a) she's (b) she had (c) she has (d) she'll


Writing Regrets

Are you happy with your life? Do you have any regrets?

What would you change in your life if you could? Write about the biggest regret you've had in your entire life. What led up to this occurring and what was the aftermath? What have you learned from this situation and how have you applied it to what you do now?


Unit 8 MAKING PLANS Skills: Discussing future plans Speaking: Planning activities

Vocabulary: Idioms for traveling Grammar: Future forms Listening: Arranging to meet Reading: Travel plans

Writing: Planning a business trip


Speaking Planning activities

Discuss: Are you free this Friday? What are you doing this weekend? Are you busy tonight? Do you have time after class?


Listening Arranging to meet

Listen to the conversation and write the plans of the speaker 1 and speaker 2.

Today 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

Tomorrow

_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________


Vocabulary Idioms Travel and transport

1) Jump on the bandwagon

A)You are asking them to do nothing that might cause trouble or upset a stable situation.

2) In the same boat

B)A person who is doing things in the wrong order.

3) Miss the boat

C) Two or more parties are in the same unpleasant or difficult situation.

4) (not) rock the boat

D)If a person or organization something when it is already fashionable.

5) Paddle one's own canoe

E) A person w ho always makes sure they gain advantage in a business deal.

6) Cart before the horse

F) You do what you want to do without help or interference from anyone.

7) Drive a hard bargain

G) To do something that great ly annoys or irritates you.

8) Drive up the wall

H) A passenger in a car w ho gives unwanted advice to the driver.

9) Backseat driver

I) You begin a journey.

10)Highways and byways

J) You take large and small roads to visit every part of the country.

11) My way or the highway

K) You are telling that person that either they accept what yo u propose or they leave the project.

12) Hit the road

L) You fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you don't act quickly enough.

13) On the home stretch

M) Someone who finds it difficult to stay in one place and likes to travel and discover new places.

14) Itchy feet

N) You are approaching the end of something such as a task, a race or a journey.

decide to do successful or


Reading Travel plans Read the text and match the advertisement with the text (1-2). 1 When you are travelling with children, family holidays need planning. We organise clubs, activities and supervision for children of all ages. As a result, they have a great time and you don't have to worry about a thing. Children love our holidays, and we love having them along. All our childcare staff are English speaking and have a great number of fun ways to keep children happy. During the morning and afternoon they organise nature walks, face painting, singing sessions and games on the beach. Older children learn how to sail, snorkel, try their hand at windsurfing, practise football, or learn to play volleyball. 2 With over 30 years' experience in the Alps, we know what makes a great holiday. We choose the best Alpine resorts, with lots of snow for you to enjoy. Our hotels are warm, welcoming places that combine hotel-style comforts with the relaxed atmosphere of a chalet. Some hotels are for adults, while others also offer childcare. You'll find good food, wine and company at all hotels.


Reading Travel plans

Read the brochure again and write which holiday (1-2) the following questions refer to. 1. What time do activities for kids start every morning? ............................................................................ 2. Do we need to bring our own skiis? ............................................................................ 3. What other languages do nannies speak? ............................................................................ 4. Are there any vegetarian dishes? ............................................................................ 5. Can 7-year-olds go snowboarding? ............................................................................


Vocabulary Phrasal verbs for travelling

Get away: to leave to go somewhere often for a break or holiday. Look forward: to excited about something that is going to happen. See off: to go to the place that someone is leaving from to say goodbye to them. Take off: when an aircraft leaves and begins to fly. Check in: to register at a hotel or airport. Look around: to look at what is near you, in your area. Get back: to return. Complete these sentences with the correct phrasal verb. Change the tense when needed: 1. I'm so exhausted. I think it's time for a holiday, I really need to _______________ away. 2. We have to _______________ at the hotel after 12PM. 3. Are you _______________ to going back to Cape Town? 4. I need to _______________ my Mum at the airport, she is going to New York. 5. Let's have a _______________ the village before we have dinner. 6. What time does the plane _______________? 7. I _______________ to London on July 4th.


Grammar Future tenses

will-future

prediction, assumption spontaneou s action

going tofuture

planned action in the future logical consequen ce (sth. is going to happen)

Simple Present

Present Progressive

Future Progressive

future action is fixed (e.g. timetab le)

planned action in the near future

action will definitely happen (it usually happens)


Grammar Future tenses Match 1–8 with A–H. 1 There’s been a change of plan. H 2 We’ll need to leave here at about 7.30. 3 I didn’t do very well in my exams. 4 You’d better bring some sun cream. 5 I forgot that it’s Amy’s birthday today! 6 Oh no! Look at the traffic. 7 Tomorrow is the last day of term. 8 Sorry, I can’t come to the cinema tomorrow evening. A We’re going to be late! B The doors open at 8 o’clock. C I’m babysitting for my neighbour. D But I’m going to study much harder this year. E It’s going to be really hot today. F All classes will finish at 1 p.m. G I’ll send her a text message. H We’re meeting at 12 instead of 1.30. Put the sentences in the correct future simple form; will, going to or present continuous. a. I/have/a party/for my birthday. b. When/you/see/the doctor? c. I am hungry. I/get/ a sandwich. d. I am thirsty. I/buy/ a bottle of water. e. Where/you/go/for your honeymoon? f. I/study/English because I want a good job. g. I/start/my course/on 5th April, next month. h. Where/you/go/this summer? i. Can you lend me some money? I/pay/you back/tomorrow. j. I/ travel/ around the world one day. k. I/ work/ tomorrow. l. My friend/ go back to/ Italy on Friday. m. I/ see/ you/ later. n. You/ do anything/ on Saturday? o. Yes, I/ see/ a friend. p. It looks very much like it/ rain. q. I’m sure/ he/ pass the exam. He studied very hard


Writing Business trip Read these extracts from interviews with people about their business trips. Then look at the words in bold in each extract and find six pairs of opposite phrases. The first one has been done as an example.

You are going to write about a business trip. • Where and when did you go? • Why did you go? • How did you go? Did anything interesting happen during the journey? • Who did you meet? • What happened during the trip? • What happened later, as a result of your trip? • Have you learned anything from the experience?


IRREGULAR VERBS LIST

Infinitive

Past Simple

Past Participle

be

was / were

been

become

became

become

began

begun

bring

brought

brought

buy

bought

bought

choose

chose

chosen

come

came

come

did

done

begin

do

drink

drank

drunk

drive

drove

driven

ate

eaten

fall

fell

fallen

feel

felt

felt

find

found

found

fly

flew

flown

forget

forgot

forgotten

get

got

got (gotten in USA)

gave

given

go

went

gone

have

had

had

hear

heard

heard

keep

kept

kept

know

knew

known

eat

give


leave

left

left

lend

lent

lent

let

let

lost

lost

made

made

met

met

let

lose

make

meet pay

paid

paid

put

put

put

read (pronounced /red/)

read run


ran

run

say

said

said

see

saw

seen

sell

sold

sold

sent

sent

sang

sung

sat

sat

sleep

slept

slept

speak

spoke

spoken

stand

stood

stood

swam

swum

took

taken

taught

taught

told

told

think

thought

thought

understand

understood

understood

wear

wore

worn

wrote

written

send

sing sit

swim

take

teach tell

write


LANGUAGE REFERENCE

Unit 1:

Useful vocabulary to connect ideas in a presentation: another important thing is …..

it can make a real difference because what can make a real difference is…. I think…..

is pretty important too.

It helps if … but it’s not essential. What you need most of all is …. You don’ need … as long as…

Relative clauses Defining relative clauses are used to specify which person or thing we mean. Who or that are used for people. Whichor that are used for things. We don't use commas in a defining relative clause.

I have a friend who / that speaks five languages. She showed me the coat which / that she had bought.


Non-defining relative clauses (extra information clauses) are used to add extra information to a sentence.

Mr Fry, who speaks five languages, works as a translator for the EU. Mr Fry, that speaks five languages, works as a translator for the EU.

We use commas in a non-defining relative clause.

The area, which has very high unemployment, is in the north of the country. The area, that has very high unemployment, is in the north of the country.

Who is used for people. Which is used for things. That cannot be used.

Relative clauses – common mistakes Common mistakes

Correct version

Why?

The man who was sitting next to me had a brown jacket.

After a relative clause we do not repeat the subject (the man, he).

The book what I bought was by Edward Lear.

The book that I bought was by Edward Lear.

Only that or which are possible, NOT what.

He lent me the book, which I found it very useful.

He lent me the book,which I found very useful.

A relative clause can have only one direct object.

The winner, that was 25, will receive $12,000.

The winner, who was 25, will receive $12,000.

That cannot be used in a non-defining (extra information) clause.

Our office is about two kilometres from the centre, which I share with my two colleagues.

Our office, which I share with my two colleagues, is about tw o kilometres from the city centre.

A relative clause follows the noun (office) to which it refers.

The man who was sitting next to me he had a brown jacket.


Vocabulary:

Graphs and trends Increase Fall Improve Decrease Recovery To level off To bottom out Fluctuate Peak Remain Go up/ down Rise Plateau Decline Climb Drop To be steady • to increase • to remain (unchanged) • to decrease • to go up • to be steady • to go down • to rise • to plateau • to decline • to climb • to drop

Sharp Dramatic Gradual Significant Slight


Unit 2 A global mindset (the language of meetings ) Useful language for meetings: As a matter of fact Clearly Essentially Frankly If you ask me In short In theory Incidentally Luckily On the other hand Overall Strangely enough Personally To be honest However, By the way Actually Obviously Fortunately In general To sum up Technically

Verb + object + to + infinitive

Verbs which can be followed by this form include advise, ask, allow, expect, encourage, force, help, invite, order, persuade, need, tell.

They helped their neighbour to fixhis car. She asked me to give her some advice. He told his assistant to send the parcel. She persuaded him to have lunchwith her. We need someone to help us.

The negative form is object + not + to + infinitive.

She advised me not to sell my house.

After some verbs we use the structure someone + to + infinitive.


Verb + to + infinitive We use to + infinitive after certain verbs, including agree, arrange, decide, offer, seem, plan, want, need, promise, hope, refuse.

I have decided to lend him the car. He offered to help me. He promised not to say anything.

We also use to + infinitive after these structures: ask someone to, tell him to, want her to, etc.

He told me to go there. She asked me to help her.

Verb + -ing We use a verb in its ing form after certain verbs, including avoid, admit, can't stand, deny, dislike, enjoy, hate, like, love, mind andpractise.

I enjoy going to the cinema. I don't like living in a city.

The -ing form is used after prepositions.

I'm looking forward to seeing you. He insisted on seeing the shop manager. m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Unit 3: email writing

Vocabulary:

copies receipts figures record letters report diagrams invoices trade journals contracts memos mail Post it* forms questionnaires

Prepositions:

Agree, apologise, think, hear, refer For, about, about, with, to Rely on- combine with- consist of- advise on- succeed in- budget for- spend on- account for- compete with- invest in

Preposition + noun + preposition

accordance account addition agreement favour pressure regard terms touch

behalf case effect view


Unit 4: HANDLING problems

Prefixes 1-UNRELIABLE

2-INFLEXIBLE

3-DISORGANISED

4-IMPATIENT

5-IRRESPONSIBLE

6-UNCREATIVE

7-INCONSISTENT

8-UNINSPIRING

9-UNCOMMITTED 10-IMPRACTICAL

11-INARTICULATE

12-DISHONEST

13-IRRATIONAL

14-INDECISIVE

15-UNSUPPORTIVE

16-INCOMPETENT

17-UNASSERTIVE

18-UNSOCIABLE

19-INCONSIDERATE

20-UNCOMPETITIVE

22-INFLEXIBLE

23-SUPPORTIVE

24-INCOMPETENT

21-A CREATIVE

25INCONSIDERATE

26-DISORGANISED 27-COMMITTED

28-INDECISIVE

29-INSPIRING

30-UNRELIABLE

32-UNCOMMITTED

31-CONSISTENT

33-COMPETITIVE 34-UNSOCIABLE

Collocations connected with:

People and products (p= product, s= service)


Structures of past tense passive forms past simple passive I was told about it yesterday. present perfect passive He's (he has) been fired from the company. past perfect passive I'd (I had) been given the money by a friend. past continuous passive The room was being decorated.

Past passive forms – common mistakes Common mistakes

This problem solved last week.

This problem was solve last week.

My car was repairing at that time.

She has already be invited.

Correct version

Why?

This problem was solved last week.

To make a past passive form we usewas/were + past participle of the verb.

This problem wassolved last week.

To make a past passive form we usewas/were + past participle of the verb.

My car was being repaired at that time.

To make a past passive form of a continuous tense we use was/were + being + past participle of the verb.

She has already beeninvited.

To make a passive form of the perfect tense we usehave/has/had + been + past participle of the verb.


Unit 5: Business lunch etiquette

Vocabulary:

Description

Location

Adding emphasis

a superb menu

down the road

Mm …

a very pleasant five minutes here atmosphere

from This is delicious

absolutely

does an excellent round the corner lasagna/ steak, etc

a superb menu

specializes in fish

does an excellent lasagna/ steak, etc

you can get fresh oysters



really nice

really nice

great news

pretty good

great news


Reported Speech

We use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell'. Tense present simple

present continuous

past simple

past continuous

present perfect

past perfect*

will

Direct Speech “I like ice cream” “I am living in London”

“I bought a car”

“I was walking along the street”

“I haven't seen Julie”

“I had taken English lessons before”

“I'll see you later”

Reported Speech She said (that) she liked ice cream. She said (that) she was living in London. She said (that) she had bought a car OR She said (that) she bought a car. She said (that) she had been walking along the street. She said (that) she hadn't seen Julie. She said (that) she had taken English lessons before. She said (that) she would see me later.


would*

can

could*

shall

should*

might*

must

“I would help, but..”

“I can speak perfect English”

“I could swim when I was four”

“I shall come later”

“I should call my mother”

She said (that) she would help but... She said (that) she could speak perfect English. She said (that) she could swim when she was four. She said (that) she would come later. She said (that) she should call her mother

"I might be late"

She said (that) she might be late

"I must study at the weekend"

She said (that) she must study at the weekend OR She said she had to study at the weekend

* doesn't change.


Reported Questions Grammar form: Wh-questions Direct Question “Where is the Post Office, please?”

“What are you doing?”

“Who was that fantastic man?”

Reported Question She asked me where the Post Office was. She asked me what I was doing. She asked me who that fantastic man had been.

Yes-no questions Direct Question

Reported Question

“Do you love me?”

He asked me if I loved him.

“Have you ever been to

She asked me if I had ever been to Mexico.

Mexico?”

“Are you living here?”

She asked me if I was living here.


Reported questions - common mistakes Common mistakes

She asked me why did I work so much.

She asked me it was raining.

She asked me if I have been to Bristol? She asked me what I do for a living.

Correct version

Why?

She asked me why I worked so much.

The word order in reported questions is:subject + verb.

She asked me if it was raining.

Yes-no questions (closed questions) begin with if when they become reported questions.

She asked me if I had been to Bristol. She asked me what Idid for a living.

If the reporting verb (in this case ask) is in the past tense, we usually change the tense of the verb which follows: I am ⇒ I was I can ⇒ I could have been ⇒ had been was ⇒ had been will ⇒ would can ⇒ could m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Reported Requests Direct Request

Reported Request

“Please help me”.

She asked me to help her.

“Please don't smoke”.

She asked me not to smoke.

“Could you bring my book

She asked me to bring her book that night.

tonight?” “Could you pass the milk, please?” “Would you mind coming early tomorrow?”

She asked me to pass the milk.

She asked me to come early the next day.

Reported Orders Direct Order

Reported Order

“Go to bed!”

He told the child to go to bed.

“Don't worry!”

He told her not to worry.

“Be on time!”

He told me to be on time.

“Don't smoke!”

He told us not to smoke.


Time Expressions with Reported Speech Sometimes when we change direct speech into reported speech we have to change time expressions too. We don't always have to do this, however. It depends on when we heard the direct speech and when we say the reported speech. For example: It's Monday. Julie says "I'm leaving today". If I tell someone on Monday, I say "Julie said she was leaving today". If I tell someone on Tuesday, I say "Julie said she was leaving yesterday". If I tell someone on Wednesday, I say "Julie said she was leaving on Monday". If I tell someone a month later, I say "Julie said she was leaving that day". So, there's no easy conversion. You really have to think about when the direct speech was said.


Possible conversions:

n ow

then / at that time

today

yesterday / that day / Tuesday / the 27th of June

yesterday

the day before yesterday / the day before / Wednesday / the 5th of December

last night

the night nigh t before, Thursday night

last week

the week before / the previous week

tomorrow

today / the next day / the following day / Friday


Uni nitt 6: Conf Confer eren enc ce call lls s

Doing business: expressions with the word business

business plan business cards Business class business hours

business suit business end business studies businesslike business class

business end

MODALS: PAST REFERENCE Should have: expressing expres sing unful unfulfille filled d obligation in the th e past past Structure: should shoul d + (not) have + past particip participle le of verb We use use sh shou oulld have to say th that at

You should have told them the truth.

someone some one di didn't dn't do some somethin thing, g, but

You shouldn't have gone there – it was

it wou would ld have been the t he correct correct thing to do it.

a mistake. I don't think you should have done it.

We of often ten use sh shou oulld have to express regret about the past, or

I’m so sorry rry for shouti sho uting ng at yo you u –

to say that we made a mistake.

I shouldn’t have raised my voice.


May,, might, May might, could could:: pr prob obab ability ility in the pr pres esent ent Structure: modal verb + ve verb rb inf infini initive tive with without out ‘to’ may ma y be be,, migh mightt do, cou could ld go, et etc. c.

We us use may, cou ould ld or mig igh ht to say sa y that that it is poss possible ible tha thatt something will happen in the future or is happening now.

They may m ay be arriving tomorrow. tomorrow. He might be away on holiday at the moment. He could be away on on holiday. h oliday. He might get the job.

The ne The nega gati tive ve of ma may y is ma may y not. not. The Th e nega negati tive ve of of mi migh ghtt is mi migh ghtt not. Both ma Both may y not not and mi migh ghtt not mean that it is possible that something somethin g will not happen happen or is not happening now.

He might not get the job. I may not pass the exam. I might m ight not go to the match tomorrow.

We don’t us use e cou could ld no nott to exp xprress pr proba obabi bilit lity y in th the e pr pre ese sent nt and future. I couldn’t go to the the ma matc tch h tomo tomorr rrow. ow.

Must have, can't can't have, have, couldn't couldn't have: pas pastt pro probab babili ility ty Structure: Structur e: modal ver verb b + have + past participle participle must have been, been, can't have have gone, couldn't have have gone, etc. We use use mus mustt have have to expr expres ess s that we feel sure that something was true in the past.

They must mu st have left early. He must have already already gone.

We us use e ca can' n'tt ha have or co coul uldn dn't 't have hav e to say that that we believe believe something was impossible impossibl e in the past.

He can't have escaped through this window – it’s to too o smal small. l. She can't have said that. She couldn't couldn' t have said that.


Must have, can't have, couldn't have: expressing past probability Structure: modal verb + have + past participle must have been, can't have gone, couldn't have gone, etc. We use must have to express that we feel sure that something was true in the past.

They must have left early. He must have already gone.

We use can't have or couldn't have to say that we believe something was impossible in the past.

He can't have escaped through this window – it’s too small. She can't have said that. She couldn't have said that.

May / might / could have: expressing past probability Structure: modal + have + past participle may have been, could have gone, might have lost, etc. We use may have, could have, might have to say that it was possible that something happened in the past (but we are not 100% sure).

He may have missed the bus. The road might have been blocked. (= ‘I think the road was blocked, but I’m not 100% sure.’)

The negatives are may not

He may not have left yet. I might not have given her the

have andmight not have. We don’t use couldn’t have in the same way.

money; I’m not sure.

I could not have given her the money, I’m not sure.


Unit 7: Dealing with negotiations

Structure of second conditional positive

negative

question

I wouldn't refuse if you offered me $10,000.

If I had more time, I'd travel more.

I would be surprised if he didn't come. wouldn't = would not didn't = did not

I'd = I would

What would you say if you met the President?

Structure of third conditional positive

If I'd (I had) known you were coming, I would have waited for you.

negative

question

If she hadn't (had not) been ill, she would have gone to the cinema.

Would you have told me if you'd (you had) known about it? m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Audio scripts 2.26

Extract 1 It’s a joke, really, this idea that everyone’s opinion is valued. I mean,

how much can you disagree with the boss? After, all, she’s the boss!

Extract 2 You often leave a meeting not really knowing what you’re supposed to do next, what the action plan is. I usually end up phoning people afterwards to find out what we actually agreed.

Extract 3 Nobody seems to come to the meeting properly prepared. If you want a copy of the report, they don’t have it whit them. Need to see the figures? They’ll get ‘back to you. It’s hopeless?.

Extract 4 You often get several people all talking at the same time. So no one’s really listening to anyone else. They’re just planning what they’re going to say next. It’s survival of the loudest!.

Extract 5 They’re usually badly organized. Nobody sticks to the point. People get

sidetracked all the time. It takes ages to get down to business. As they say: ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’ .


Extract 6 You know even before you begin who’s going to argue with who. The facts don’t seem to matter. It’s all about scoring points, looking better than your colleagues and impressing the boss.

Extract 7 I try to stop them over-running We sometimes hold meetings without thairs. That speeds things up a lot! I’ve even tried showing the red card to people who won’t shut up, like in football. Not popular.

Extract 8 Well, to be honest, everybody knows we don’t actually decide anything in meetings. The boss already knows what he wants to do anyway!

2.27 Extract 1 A Okay, You’ve all had a chance to look at the quarterly sales figures.

B Yes, They’re terrible. A Agreed, but if I could just finish. We’re 30 % down on projections. The question is why? C Can I just come in here? It seems to me that our marketing strategy is all wrong. B Now, just a minute. Are you trying to say this is our fault? C Well, what else can it be? We’re offering generous discounts …


B Look, sorry to interrupt again, but … C No, hear me out. We’re offering very generous discounts to our biggest customers as part of our introductory offer. And sales are still slow. Something’s going wrong, and I say it’s the marketing.

B Well, if you ask me, the problem is the product itself. C And what is wrong with the product? BabySlim is an innovative addition to our product line. B Innovative, yes. But there is no market for diet baby food. I said so at the very beginning. Who’s going to admit they’ve got a fat baby? A You know, maybe she has a point …

2.28 Extract 2 A So, that’s the position. The company has been officially declared bankrupt. B Yes. A And our chief executive officer has been arrested on charges of corruption. B Yes. A Of course, our company president has been on television to make a public apology. B Of course. A But there was nothing he could do.


B Of course not. Gentlemen, it is a black day in our company’s proud history. A Yes. A very black day. Very, very black. C Can I just come in here? B Please, do C Well, it’s just a suggestion, but shouldn’t we all be looking for new

jobs?

2.29 Extract 3 A Now, just a minute, just a minute! B There’s no way we’re going to accept this”!

A Could I just…? B They can’t make. English the official company language! A Could I just…? B If head office thinks we’re all going to speak English from now on… A Could I just finish what I was saying? B Franky, it’s bad enough that we have to speak English in these meetings. A Please! Let me finish. No one is suggesting we can’t speak our own language. B But that is exactly what they are suggesting! C Can I just say something?


B Go ahead. C Well, as I understand it, this is only a proposal at this stage. A That’s precisely what I was trying to say –before I was interrupted. B Now, hang on a second … C If I could just finish. .. The idea is to introduce English gradually over the next two years… B Oh, no! Not while. I’m in charge of Human Resources. A Yes, well, that brings us on to item two on the agenda restructuring the Human Resources department.

2.35 Extract 1 A Okay, we both know the problem. Basically, we can’t get retail stores to stock our new product. They say it’s too expensive. So the question is: how do we get access to the customer? B What if we offered it on a sale or return basis?

A No, I don’t think so. If we did that, we’d just create cash flow problems for ourselves. B Hmm. Well, another option would be to sell it direct online. A It’s a possibility, but I really don’t think we know enough about ecommerce to take the chance. And if we start bringing in Internet specialist, we could end up spending a fortune.

B Of course, we wouldn’t have this problem if we’d priced the product more sensibly in the first place.


2.36 Extract 2 A Right our objective for this meeting is to think of ways we can get the supplies we need. As I’m sure you’ve all heard, our sole supplier is about to go bankrupt!

B Hopefully, it won’t come to that, but if it does, we’ll certainly have to act fast. Suppose we bought the company out? A What and took on all their debts? I don’t think so. C Alternatively, we could just manufacture our own components. I’ve spoken to our technical department. They say they can do it. A Yes, but do you have any idea how long it would take to get an inhouse production facility operational?

C Well, what choice do we have? Unless we do something. We’ll be out of business within six months! B What I want to know is why our suppliers didn’t tell us they were in trouble. If we’d known this was going to happen, we could have had our

own production plant up and running by now.

2.37 Extract 3 A What I want to know is: how do we maintain our profit margins with labour costs rising the way they are? B Well, it seems obvious, but how about raising prices? I mean, even with a 2 % price rise, we’d still be very competitive.


C No, I’m afraid that’s not an option. This is an extremely price-sensitive market. B I know that, but what else do you suggest? If we don’t cover our costs we’ll soon be running at a loss. A Now, let’s not panic. The answer could be to shift production to somewhere like South-East Asia. We’ve talked about it before. C And close down our plants here? Wouldn’t it be easier if we just tried to renegotiate with the unions – get

them to accept a lower pay offer? A If we’d been able to get the unions to accept a lower pay offer, John, we wouldn’t be considering outsourcing to Asia.

2.38 Extract 4 A Now, what on earth are we going to do about all this unsold stock piling up in the warehouses? If we don’t move it pretty soon, there’ll be no space for new product. And we’ll be left with a lot of old product nobody wants! So, ideas? Anybody?

B Well, in my opinion, our product development cycle is way too short. Why don’t we delay the new product launch to give us time to sell existing stock? A This is a technology-driven business, Robert. If we don’t continually upgrade our product, the competition will. B And if we didn’t all keep upgrading every three months, we wouldn’t have this problem!


C Wait a minute, wait a minute! This old stock, couldn’t we just sell it off at a discount to create space for the new stuff? Say , 15 %? A I’d rather not start talking about a 15 % discount at this stage if you don’t mind. C Well, if we’d discounted it scones we wouldn’t have had to be so generous now.

2.44 Conversation 1 A …So, Hiro. What’s this fugu? It’s a kind of fish, isn’t it? B Ay yes. Er, it’s rather unusual, er… A Traditional Japanese dish, eh? B Yes, but, er, it’s a little exotic. You may not like it. A No, no, I like trying new things. Fugu sounds good to me. B I think you’d prefer something else. Fugu can be … a little dangerous.

A A bit spicy, you mean? Don’t worry about that. I love spicy food. B No, not spicy. It’s, er…It’s poisonous. A It’s what? B Poisonous. A Poisonous? B If it isn’t cooked the right way, yes.


A Well, I … B Some people love it. And this is a very good restaurant, but 30 people die every year from bad fugu. Really, I think you should try something else. A Yeah, well sure. I think you’re probably right. Maybe I’ll have the tempura instead. B Yes, tempura. Much better idea, David.

2.45 Conversation 2 A Now, Hans, we thought you might like to try the local speciality. B Ah, yes?

C Yes, it looks a little strange at first. But you’ll love it. You like shellfish, don’t you? B Well. I like prawns. And the mussels we had the other day were excellent. C Then you’ll really enjoy this. It’s squid.

B Squid? C Yes, like octopus, you know? B Yes, I know what squid is. C Ah, but this is not just squid. B No?


A No, this is something really special. It’s served in its own ink – as a sauce. B It’s served in ink? A Yes, you know, the black liquid that squid make. B Erm, yes. It sounds a bit … Actually. I hope you don’t mind, but could I just have something a bit simpler? C Well, if you’re sure you don’t want to try it. It’s really very good. B Yes, I’m sure it is, but, erm…

2.46 Conversation 3 A Now, is there anything you don’t eat, Louise?

B Well, I am on a special diet at the moment. Jean-Claude. I hope that’s not a problem-. A No, of course not. This is a very good menu. I am sure we can find something you’ll like. What can’t you eat? B Well, I can’t eat anything fried. In fact, no fat at all. Nothing made of pastry or cooked in oil. No red meat, of course. Not too much sugar. I can eat white fish but only boiled. A What about the chicken here? That’s very plain and simple.

B Is there a sauce on it? A Yes, it’s a delicious cream and wine sauce. B No cream, I’m afraid.


A No cream? B Or wine. I’m not allowed any alcohol at all. Not that I drink much anyway. A I see. Well, I’m sure they’ll serve it without the sauce. B Hmm. How’s the chicken cooked? A Er, it’s roast chicken. I imagine. B I can only have grilled. A I’ll ask them to grill it.

B Hmm. I’d prefer fish really. A Well, how about the trout? B Is it boiled? A No, baked in the oven. B Hmm. I may not like it. What does it come with? A It come with potatoes and fresh vegetables. B Oh, I can’t eat potatoes. All that carbohydrate! Vegetables are okay. But no beans and…

2.47 Extract 1 A Excuse me, Mr Kessler. Mr Gorsky has joined you. B Ah, thank you. Hello, Jarek. C Hello, Peter. Sorry I had a bit of a problem getting through.


B That’s okay. We’re just waiting for Sulaiman. He’s emailed to say he’s gone down to Port Rashid to see what’s

happening with our deliveries and he’ll phone in on his mobile from there. So, let’s go ahead and start. Welcome to the meeting, everyone. Did you all get a copy of the agenda? Good … Okay, before we start, let me introduce Jarek Gorsky. Jarek is the new chief engineer at our sister company in Warsaw. I’ve asked him to join us today because I’d like his input on how we handle some of these changes to specifications the client is asking for.

C Hello, gentlemen. B All right, then let’s get started. As you can seel, we have several objectives today. The main one, of course, is to agree an action plan that will get us back on schedule within the next three months. I spoke to Mr Al-Fulani yesterday and explained the situation. He’s prepared to give us another few weeks to sort out our present difficulties and I have assured him that that is what we will do. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you what’s at stake here. Now, I’d like to be finished by 10.30, if that’s okay, so can we keep our inputs quite short? And let’s also try to keep interruptions to a minimum… D Er, Peter, Sorry to interrupt, but I suggest we skip item one on our agenda until we hear from Sulaiman. B Yes, I think that would be best. Let’s move straight on to item two…


2.48 Extr tra act 2 D So just to recap recap on what wh at we’ve said. There are some problems we did not foresee between our two main work teams. There’s been a language barr barrier. ier. Our German engineers and and Polish workers workers are speaking mostly mostl y German … The Pakistanis are more comfortable in English and are also having some difficulty with our work patterns, which are different from what they are used to in Dubai. B Thanks Ernst…Okay, so, are we all agreed that we need some onsite training to resolve resolve this problem? Can I hear your views, views, please? please? D I agree. E Agreed F Yes, I agree. ag ree. C Yea Yeah, h, I think so. B Fine A Excuse me, Mr Al-Fahim Al-Fahim has has joine joined d you. you. B Ah, thank thank yo you. u. Hello. Hello. Sulaima Sulaiman. n. How ar are e things at the por port? t? G Hel Hello lo,, Pe Peter ter.. No Nott goo good, d, I’m afra afraid. id. The ba bad d we wea athe herr he herre ha has s completely closed the seaports at Jebel Ali and Port Rashid. Nothing is either going in or coming out at the moment. I have my Pakistani team standing doing nothing while we wait for 800 window units and until those are fitted, we can’t complete the wiring and plumbing in the hotel complexes. B Don’t we ha have ve backup backup sup uppl plies ies in pla place ce fo forr a situa ituatio tion n li like ke th this, is, Sulaiman?


G I’m sorry, peter, This weather is really most unseasonal and we simply cou could ld not not be fully pre prepar pared ed fo forr it. Sorry, y, Sulaima Sulaiman, n, I can’t hea hearr you very well. well . B Sorr Oh, h,… Is tha thatt bette better? r? G O B Much better, thanks. E Er, could I just come in here? here? B Karim? E Yes, it’s just that I want to say this is not only a cultural and supply problem. We have had so many changes to specifications –changes almost every week now. The client just keeps changing his mind. And this is making life very difficult for us all.

F Karim’s right. We’ve had to keep revising our work schemes to cope with all the changes. certain inly ly brin bring g all the these se chan hanges ges to the B Yes, it’s a good point. I’ll certa attention attenti on of M. M. Al-Fu A l-Fulani lani when I next speak to him. him . They ‘re not in our original origi nal contract contract … Right, we’re running short of time. I think what’s needed here with all these delays and changes of plan is a fresh look at this entire project on a logistical level. level. Ernst, Jar Jarek, ek, can I leave leave that with you? C Okay, Peter. D Yes, sure.

B And keep me posted. I’m beginning b eginning to think we may eve even n need to renegotiate our our contract with Mr. AlAl -Fulani. Okay, Okay, I think we’ve covered everything every thing for now. Let’s schedule another another meeting for next week. I’ I’ll ll email you the details. We’ll have to finish fi nish there. Thanks everybody. everybody.


2.49 Spea Sp eak ker 1 Spend as much time as possible at the outset getting to know exactly who you’re dealing with. Inexperienced negotiators tend to go straight in there and start bargaining. That may be okay for a small, one-off deal, but it’s no way to build a long-term business relationship. So create rapport first. This could take several hours or several months! months ! When you’re ready ready to star startt ne negotia gotiatio tions, ns, mak make e sure yo you u agre gree e on a procedure before you begin. And while they’re setting out their proposals, interrup rupt. t. Li Listen. sten. An And d tak take e note notes. s. Th The en hav have e lunc unch! h! Don’t be don’t inter tempted to make your counter-proposals and enter the bargaining phase until after a goo good, d, lon l ong g break. b reak. You’d be surprised how much you can find out over a decent meal. Bargaining,, of course, is the critical Bargaining criti cal phase, but it can be surprisingly surprisi ngly quick. If it i t isn’t, isn’ t, break break off and fix another meeting. meeting . Don’t try to run run

marathons. When you you do finally finall y get to t o the t he agreement stage, agree the general terms, but leave the t he detail details s to the lawyers - that’s what they’re there for. Close on a high h igh note and remember to celebrate!

2.50 Spe Sp eaker 2 Prepare thoroughly. If you don’t, you won’t know whether to accept an offer and may end up actually arguing with your own side, which is suicide in a negotiation. negotiation. So, make sure you establish all the poi p oints nts you’re going to negotiate and have a clear idea of your opening, target and walk-away position on each. Your opening position, or OP, is our initial offer – o on n price or whateve whatever. r.


Your TP, your target position, is what you’re realistically aiming for. And your WAP, or walk-away position, is the point at which you walk away from the negotiating table. Always be prepared to do that. Know what our fallback position, or FBP, is – what you’ll do if you don’t reach an agreement. Some people call this your BATNA, your best alternative to a negotiated agreement. You nearly always have a BATNA, however undesirable. But if you really haven’t got one, you’d better be good at bluffing or you’re going to lose big time!

2.51 Speaker 3 Ideally, a successful negotiation is a kind of joint problem solving meeting where we identify each other’s interests, wants and needs, and then explore the different ways we could satisfy those. I say ‘ideally’, because it hardly ever is like that. Win- win negotiation is a great idea, but most people have a simple I’ win – you lose’ mentality. So what do you do with the person who simply won’t listen, who keeps

interrupting, who becomes aggressive, who makes last-minute demands, who won’t make a decision? I must have read dozens of books on negotiation tactics. The problem is, so has everybody else. So they don’t really work. My only advice is: don’t get personal – ever; don’t agree to anything until you’ve discussed everything; don’t make any concessions without asking for something in return; ask lots and lots of questions; and don’t give in to pressure. Remember, if the answer must be now, the answer must be ‘No’.


File name: 16 Int Business Intermediate B Conversation 1 Viktor: Well – the thing is – we need to discuss the delivery terms. Up to now, we’ve always included free delivery in the price. But unfortunately, our transport costs have risen so much in the las few months that we’re now going to have to charge for delivery. Xavier: Pay for deliveries? There’s no way! None of your competitors charge for deliveries! Viktor: Not for the moment, no. But we think they’ll have to take a similar step very soon. After all, their costs have risen just as much as ours! Xavier: In the meantime it ’ totally unacceptable. We’ll have to switch to another supplier if you insist on this.

Conversation 2 Viktor: Well – the thing is – we need to discuss the delivery terms. Up to now, we’ve always included free delivery in the price. But unfortunately, our transport cost have risen so much in the last few months that we’re now going to have to charge for delivery. Yacoub: I see. Well, I can understand your position. But how much are you thinking of charging? Viktor: We’d like to propose five per cent on each order.


Yacoub: Do you mean five per cent of the order value on each delivery? Viktor: Yes, that’s right. Yacoub: Let me think … Here’s another idea. How about a flat rate of –

say 20 euros per delivery? That way, we could save money by ordering less frequently and by ordering larger quantities. And you’d gain because you wouldn’t have to

deliver so often. And you could carry more in each load which would be economical. Viktor: Hmm … so you’re saying you’d be willing to buy in larger

quantities? Yacoub: With the flat rate, we’d have the option to save money by doing

that, yes. Viktor: Well, it sounds like a reasonable idea…

But I’ll need to do some calculations to see how it would

work.


Infinitive

Past Simple

Past Participle

be

was / were

been

become

became

become

began

begun

bring

brought

brought

buy

bought

bought

choose

chose

chosen

come

came

come

did

done

begin

do

drink

drank

drunk

drive

drove

driven

ate

eaten

fall

fell

fallen

feel

felt

felt

find

found

found

fly

flew

flown

forget

forgot

forgotten

get

got

got (gotten in USA)

gave

given

go

went

gone

have

had

had

hear

heard

heard

keep

kept

kept

know

knew

known

leave

left

left

lend

lent

lent

eat

give


let

let

let

lose

lost

lost

made

made

met

met

make

meet pay

paid

paid

put

put

put


read run


ran

run

say

said

said

see

saw

seen

sell

sold

sold

sent

sent

sang

sung

sat

sat

sleep

slept

slept

speak

spoke

spoken

stand

stood

stood

swam

swum

took

taken

taught

taught

told

told

think

thought

thought

understand

understood

understood

wear

wore

worn

wrote

written

send

sing sit

swim

take

teach tell

write


Email writing:

Useful phrases and vocabulary

Salutations

When you don’t know the name:

Dear Sir or Madam To whom it may concern Hello (no salutation) When you know the name: Dear Mr, Mrs, Ms…

Dear John Hello Pat Hi Mary Hey John Mira (no salutation) When writing to a group: Dear all Hi everyone

Opening sentence Replying to an email:

Thanks (very much) for your email. This is to say thanks for your email. m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

Opening sentence Giving a

I’m (just) writing to…

clarify…

Just a (quick) note to… confirm… Just a short email to… inform you… follow up on…

reason:

let you know… reply to… request… tell you… thank you… update you…

Attaching files I’m sending you/attaching… I’ve attached… Please find attached… I’m sending you the price list/document as an

Attachment.

When things go I’m afraid you forgot to attach the file/… wrong:

I’m afraid I can’t open the file/document. Can/Could You send it again in… format, please?

Making

I am interested in receiving/finding out…

enquiries

I would like to receive… We would be grateful if… Could/Can you please send me…? Please send me… Would you be able to (help)…?

Can you help? I’d appreciate a reply asap.

Please answer asap.


Replying to an Thank you for your interest. enquiry

I’m pleased to send you… I’m sending you…(in an attachment)

Please find the requested information attached. We hope you find this satisfactory. We hope you are happy/satisfied with this. Thanks for choosing…

When there will be a delay: Your request is being processed. We are working on your request.

Informing

I’d like to inform you of…

Just a few comments about your last mail: I’m writing to tell you about/let you know… Just a note to say… Here’s the low-down on… Just to update you on… FYI: This is to let you know… Hope this helps…

Let me/us know if you need anything else.

Requesting

Have you…yet?

action

Can you send…to me by Friday, please? I need…by Thursday.

Please get/keep in touch. Keep me posted.


Replying

Thanks for your email… In reply to your email, here are… Re your email, I… You’ll find informationattached. I’ll get back to you asap… I’ll follow up the points mentioned in your email…

Making

Just a quick note to arrange a time to meet.

arrangements

I’m writing to set up/arrange…

How/What about Tuesday? Is…OK?

Where should we meet? Should I pick you up at/from…? Could you collect me at…?

Confirming

I’d like to confirm…

arrangements

Just writing to confirm…

Tuesday is good for me. Please send me an email by 5 pm today to confirm this. Looking forward to seeing/meeting…

Changing

I’m sorry but can’t do/make Thursday.

arrangements

This is to let you now that I’ve had to put off/postpone… I’m writing to call off/cancel… I’m afraid I can’t make/manage Friday. How about…instead?


Giving good

I am/We are pleased to inform you…

news

I’m happy to tell you… You’ll be happy/delighted to hear that…

Giving bad

We regret to tell/inform you…

news

I’m sorry, but… Unfortunately,…

Complaining

I’m writing to complain (about…) We’re not happy with… I was disappointed to find/hear… I’m afraid that… Unfortunately,…

Apologizing

For a delay in answering I do apologize for the delay in replying. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Sorry this is so late. For not being able to help: Sorry, I don’t know I’m afraid I can’t help you.

For something more serious We must apologize for… We deeply regret…

My sincere apologies (close) We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Please accept our apologies. I’m so sorry…


Friendly ending I look forward/Looking forward to hearing from When you want you/to you reply a reply:

Offering more help:

Hope to hear from you soon. I’d appreciate a reply asap.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance. Feel free to get in touch…

If you have any other questions If you need more help With any questions Let me know if you need anything else/if I can help you further.

General

Thanks for your help/cooperation. Hope all is well with you. Have a nice day/weekend!

Close

Yours sincerely Kind/Best regards Regards Best wishes All the best Best See you (soon) Take care Bye (for now) (just the name or initials) (no close)


Useful verbs (in context)

To apologize

I’d like to apologize for any

inconvenience caused. To appreciate

We’d appreciate a reply…/I’d appreciate it if you could send me…

To arrange

I’m writing to arrange a meeting…/Can you arrange for somebody to collect me…?

To ask (if)

Could ask you to send me…?/This is to ask if you could…

To assist

Please let us know if we can assist you in any way.

To clarify

I am writing to clarify the terms of the agreement.

To complain

I’m writing to complain about…/I’m afraid must complain about…

To confirm

I’d like to confirm my booking/the

date of our next meeting. To contact

Please contact Mr… at our London

office. To enquire

I’d like to enquire about…


To follow up

Just wanted to follow up on that unpaid invoice.

To get in touch

Please get in touch (with me) asap.

To inform

FYI: This is to inform you that…/inform you of a problem…

To let sb know

Can you let me know the price of…?/This is to let you know that we…

To need

I need those figures on my desk before tomorrow’s meeting.

To postpone

I’m afraid we’ve had to postpone the

conference. To put off

Sorry, but we’re going have to put

off the meeting till next week.

To receive

We’ve just received the invoice…

To regret

We regret to inform you that…

To reply

I am writing to reply to your enquiry about…

To send

We are sending you the handbook as an attachment.

To touch base

Just wanted to touch base with you before the meeting.

To update

This is to update you on the Johnson account.

To write

I’m writing to let you know…


Abbreviations and acronyms

Common abbreviations:

& (ampersand)

and

+

and/plus

Ad(vert)

advertisement

Am

in the morning

Appt

appointment

Asap

as soon as possible

At the mo

at the moment

Eg

for example

Etc

etcetera/and.so on

Ie

in other words

Info

information

Pls

please

Pm

in the afternoon

Re

regarding/about

Rep

representative


Rgds

regards

Jan

January

w/e

weekend

Feb

February

wk

week

Mar

March

yr

year/your

Apr

April

Mon

Monday

May

May

Tues

Tuesday

Jun

June

Wed

Wednesday

Jul

July

Thurs

Thursday

Aug

August

Fri

Friday

Sept

September

Sat

Saturday

Oct

October

Sun

Sunday

Nov

November

Dec

December m o c . s a m o i d i x e l e s . w w w

07.Intermediate B

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