BUSINESS ENGLISH 6

LESSON C1

How Do They Present Their Different Ideas?

I. WARM-UP

Vocabulary
Match the words in A with their meanings in B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

A
alternatives
efforttacklefavorable
gratefulBa. the feeling that you want to thank someone because of somethingkind that he/she has doneb. something you can choose to do or use instead of something elsec. to make a determined effort to deal with a difficult problem
d. making people like or approve of someone or somethinge. exertion of physical or mental powerII. DIALOGUE BOX
John :			
Gian :			
John :			
Jim		 :
John :
Gian :
John :
Jim		 :
John :			

Good day! Let’s start with the issues of the meeting and then tackle the rest of theagenda. Could you help me with this, Gian?
Sure, why not? You know we have all the meetings to be realized which is why wehave to double our time to get our reports done and go home early.
Well, I’ve heard you’re exerting a lot of effort, which is the main reason I want tomake things of an advantage for you.
Gian, is right. We have lots of meetings which people are not happy about.
Okay, but what alternatives are there? I’d be willing to discuss it.
Well, a simple option is... cutting the number of meetings?
Okay, well, maybe. Any other suggestions?
I think it’s the least that we can do.
Alright, I understand your point. So we’ll only have one meeting a month and you
can just email your reports in the evening. Would that be fine?

Gian and Jim : Thanks, John.

BUSINESS ENGLISH 6

LESSON C1

How Do They Present Their Different Ideas?
Comprehension Check
1. What issues does Gian raise?
2. What alternatives does John give?
III. LANGUAGE BOX
In adding Information to a sentence, a relative clause is used.
• I wanted to ask the president, which was impossible because he was on leave.
• Productions are 30% low last year, which is not considerable.
A relative clause can be used to give a reason for something.
• The management has low supervision, which is the main reason people are leaving.
• They had never tried anything like that, which is why they had difficulty finishing thedelegated task.

IV. SAY IT! Your company has decided to employ twice as many staff as before. Unfortunately,
the rooms are not enough for everyone. Put yourself in a situation where you will
present a plan to the existing staff. In this plan you need to explain how you aregoing to fit all the new workers in.
• What would be your positive response to this?
• How will you present your own idea without offending others and the suggestions
they have made?
• If you are the team leader, how will you gather different ideas that will lead to themeeting’s awareness?

BUSINESS ENGLISH 6LESSON C2

Agreeing and Disagreeing

I. WARM-UP

Vocabulary

Guess the meaning of the following words and phrases from the given examples.
1. financial situation- I think the financial situation is sorted out.
2. opinion- What is your opinion on this matter?
3. profitable- It would be more profitable if we changed our system.
4. extension- I’m going to file an extension for my credit in the cooperative.
5. production- The production has been shut down.
6. aluminum- Aluminum is usually used in kitchenware.
II. DIALOGUE BOX
James :			Bella		 :		Edward :Bella		 :						James :
Bella		 :Edward :Collin		 :James :

Now, I think the financial situation is sorted out. I guess Bella has something todo with this.
Thanks James. In my opinion, if we want to stay profitable, we should seriously
consider extension.
I totally agree with that.
Yes, we have to extend our production. We make aluminum for construction
and for vehicles. I think we could also do packaging - aluminum dishes fortakeaway food and aluminum foil for wrapping.
It’s a totally different process, Bella.
Yes, it is, but we have to consider the production’s financial situation.
I think Bella has the best solution to the problem. Collin, what do you think?
I think so! James, how about you? Have you decided?
Yes, I have decided. I will take it.

Comprehension Check
1. What is Bella’s suggested solution to the problem?
2. If you were James, what would be your stand on Bella’s suggestion?

BUSINESS ENGLISH 6

LESSON C2Agreeing and Disagreeing
III. LANGUAGE BOX
A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly used together in English.
There are different kinds of collocations in English.
Strong collocations are word pairings that are expected to come together.
• adjective + noun – a massive demand, growing market, a conclusive reasons• noun + verb – a company evolves, a company develops, a company stagnates• verb + adverb – seriously consider, study something carefully, totally different• verb + noun – come up with reasons, look for opportunities• adverb + verb – deeply regret, firmly believe, totally agree
collocations with common verbs – do business, make a difference

IV. SAY IT! Directions: Read the scenario below and answer the questions.
For instance, the company you’re working for is experiencing a great loss in theproduction. The reason is, most of the employees are retiring and others are filingfor a resignation. They’re against the changing of shifts twice a month. They’reobliged to follow and adjust to it even though it’s against their will.
Follow-up questions:
1. Do you agree or disagree that companies should be permitted to do this?
Provide reasons or examples to support your opinion.
2. If you were in this situation, would you do the same thing as most of the otheremployees did?

BUSINESS ENGLISH 6

LESSON C3

Running a Meeting

I. WARM-UP

Vocabulary

Match the words in column A with their meanings in column B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

A
issue
shift
protestagendaobserve

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

B
list of items that have to be discussed at the meeting
to say or to show publicly that you object to something
to see, watch, perceive or notice
an important subject that people argue about or discuss
a person’s scheduled period of work

II. DIALOGUE BOX
Louigie		 :								Christine :Rosie		:				
Louigie		 :				
Christine :Kate		:
Louigie		 :Good afternoon everyone. As you all know we are here to discuss the main
issues that emerged in the last meeting. Our agenda for today is the changingof shifts: morning and night shifts. What is your experience regarding this?
Yes, we really had a hard time explaining to the employees about the change.
The employees keep protesting on why the company has to do the suddenchange on schedules.
I think we have to raise this with the HR department. We have to hire more
employees to fill the vacant positions in the production.
That may be the best solution.
Rosie and I agree to that.
Okay then. Let’s try that idea. I guess that would be all. Let’s call it a day.

Comprehension Check
1. What is the meeting’s main agenda?
2. What is the employees’ stand on this matter?
3. What could be the possible solutions on this issue?

BUSINESS ENGLISH 6

LESSON C3

Running a Meeting
III. LANGUAGE BOX
Many verbs are commonly followed by another verb.
Some verbs must be followed by the infinitive ‘to’:
Examples:• I’m planning to finish the report on Monday.
• I’m going to report on Monday.
Some verbs just need the infinitive without ‘to’:
Example:• Let John finalize what he’s doing.
Sometimes the ‘-ing’ form of the verb in needed:
Example:• We can postpone having a meeting today until the president arrives.

IV. SAY IT! You are a manager of an advertising company. Conduct a meeting regarding
reduction of cost in the IT Department. Make use of ‘the infinitive’.
These are the agenda:
a. IT Department running costsb. Staff cuts

LESSON C4

BUSINESS ENGLISH 6How to Defend an Idea

I. WARM-UP

Vocabulary

Read the words and their meanings. Construct your own sentences using the following
vocabulary.
1. propose – to offer or suggest_________________________________________________________________
2. prepare – to make something ready beforehand for a specific purpose_________________________________________________________________
3. successful – achieving or having achieved success_________________________________________________________________
4. option – something that you can choose to do in preference to one or more alternatives_________________________________________________________________
5. anniversary – a date which is remembered or celebrated because a special event happenedon that date in a previous year_________________________________________________________________
II. DIALOGUE BOX
Susie : I propose that we set our anniversary party next month.
Anna : I really don’t think that is a good idea. We need more time to prepare.
Susie : Well, I honestly believe that next month is the best option because we will be very		busy after that then, we won’t have time to prepare.
Molly : Do you think we can finish all the preparations on time?
Susie : Yes. I’m quite certain that we can finish all the preparations before the party. I can		truthfully say, if we all work together, this plan will be successful.

Comprehension Check
1. What is Susie’s proposal to the group?
2. How does Susie defend her idea?
3. If you were Susie’s colleague, would you agree with her proposal? Why or why not?

BUSINESS ENGLISH 6

LESSON C4

How to Defend an Idea
III. LANGUAGE BOX
Adverbs are often used when expressing an opinion or idea.
Examples:• Quite honestly, we have no choice.
• Basically, we need to diversify.
It is also used before the verb to emphasize opinions.
Examples:• I really don’t think we need to act immediately on the matter.
• I strongly believe this is our only option.
An emphatic adverb would come after an auxiliary or modal verb.
Examples:• I can honestly say that we are losing our quality.
• I’m quite certain that this is the best solution.		Activity: Suggest an opinion using these example adverbs.		1. Basically, ________________________________.		 2. Quite honestly, ___________________________.		 3. I really __________________________________.		 4. I can honestly say _________________________.		 5. I can truthfully say _________________________.

IV. SAY IT! 1. The social committee of your company is planning the 30th anniversarycelebration of its foundation. They have proposed a day trip in a hot-air
balloon for all staff, followed by a dinner party where the balloon is due toland. Think of possible advantages and disadvantages of this idea and discuss
it with someone.
2. You are a member of the social committee and there is someone who does notlike the celebration you have proposed. Discuss the matter using the usefulexpressions for defending an idea.

BUSINESS ENGLISH 6

LESSON C5

How to Speak to a Group

I. WARM-UPVocabulary

Match the words in column A with their meanings in column B.
A
1. familiarize
2. precaution
3. destination
4. pull up
5. scenery
6. on behalf of			Ba. the vehicle slows down and stops
b. doing something for someone
c. to learn about something and start to understand it
d. the land, water or plants that you can see around youe. an action intended to prevent something dangerous or		 unpleasant from happening
f. the place to which the person or thing travels or is sent

II. DIALOGUE BOX
Hi! I am John from Sunflower Tours. I’d like to welcome you all to Tokyo. Right now, I’d like totake a minute to familiarize you with the area and discuss some brief safety precautions. Thebus ride to your hotel will just take about 15 minutes so I’d like you to remain seated until wereach our destination. You are not allowed to eat or drink while on the bus. And please be
reminded that it is against the law to get drunk in public. We’re going to be pulling up to thehotel in just few minutes. Please remain in your seat and enjoy the scenery of the left handside of the bus until we have come to a complete stop. Double check to make sure your bag
has been taken off the bus. On behalf of Sunflower Tours, have a wonderful vacation and I
hope to see you tomorrow at the information session.

Comprehension Check
1. How long does it take from the airport to the hotel?
2. What are the safety precautions enumerated by the tour guide?
3. If you were the guide, where would you take the tourists?

BUSINESS ENGLISH 6

LESSON C5

How to Speak to a GroupIII. LANGUAGE BOX
We use polite phrase when addressing a group of people.
Examples:												• Please stay in your seat and keep quiet.
• I hope you will enjoy your stay here.
• I wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
• It’s been a pleasure to meet you.
• Thank you all for coming.

We often use ‘which’ or ‘that’ to give details to help somebody identify something:
Examples:• This is the only company that received outstanding sales last year.			 • El Nido is a famous company which supplies the best tasting wine.
‘Who’ is used to give details that identify a person:
Example:			

• Mr Smith is the CEO of Farma Distributors who gives emphasis on theimportance of benefits to encourage workers to work hard.

IV. SAY IT! A group of business management students would like to visit your workplace
to research about your company. You are given the task of guiding thesestudents around and providing them with the information below:• important people in your company• interesting facts about your company• do’s and don’ts