Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
BY
MARI'AAGUDO MEDINA
ASTRID RUIZ THIERRY
MARlAJOSE GALINSOGAUCEDA
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STRRTEGIES
SUCESSFUL SOCIALIZING
Published by
Editorial Stanley
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Angela Gomez Martin
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Diseho Irunes
Layout
Mizar Publicidad, S.C.
Printers
Imprenta Berekintza
Editorial Stanley
E-mail: editorial@stanleyformacion.com
www.stanleyformacion.com
I.S.B.N. 84-7873-390-6
Dep. Leg. BI-2927-04
First published 2004
i
Index
PREFACE Hi
SURVIVAL LANGUAGE 1
FIRST MEETINGS 3
Greetings and introductions 5
Introducing yourself and others 6
Present Simple 7
Questions 8
What do you do? Job description 9
Job description practice 10
Describing a company 11
Possessive pronouns 12
Past Simple 13
Past Simple, Negative and Questions. Practice 14
Pronunciation of-ed past 15
Irregular verbs 16
A day in my life 17
ATTENDING VISITORS 19
Getting information 21
Welcoming visitors 22
The Present Perfect 24
Conversation starters 25
Expressing opinions and ideas 26
Expressing opinions and ideas 27
COFFEE BREAK 45
Describing people 47
Adjectives 48
Social English 50
Eating out 51
At the restaurant 52
Popular misconceptions 53
EDITORIAL STANLEY
III
Preface
Thus the basic conviction which guides the content of
The active language training focus our language training materials is that teaching a
and methodology language means training students to use it as a tool
for turning the foreign language barrier into a strategic
advantage for their company and themselves.
The Dawning of a New Era for the
Language Training Profession The Realities of Teaching
It is undoubtedly clear that we are at the dawn of a new Language in Business:
era for doing business everywhere. Political, economic,
technological, and socio-cultural forces are coming the Culture Power model
together to herald a new and radically different global The Business English, or Professional English environ-
and interdependent economy in which communication is ment is far-reaching and eclectic. As trainers and teach-
already the primary driving force for doing business and ers have come from and operated in many different
for competing for a share of the market. countries and cultural backgrounds, and have
To communicate with clarity, determination, and political themselves, many different views on teaching, it is not
correctness is becoming a business imperative in which surprising to find that everyone has their own idea on
cultural savoire faire will be a valuable asset for surviving methodology and what does and doesn't work in the
in the face of ever more accelerated change in order to Business English classroom. This is the reality - that we
do "Business at the Speed of Thought", to coin the title all have a history (or not) in teaching, and we all have
of Bill Gate's book. Training in communication skills in ideas formed from our 'own experience'.
English is, therefore, a key business and economic So what is the 'best' methodology? What are the
instrument for any non-English speaking countrY: English qualities that will create, in reality, an approach that
is clearly coming to be recognized as a strategic tool for REALLY works? It is true to say that in certain
competing on the world market. countries, or with certain groups of people, one
A clear sign of this is that communication skills are approach may work better than another, but, it is
beginning to formally be included in Competency Profiles also true to say that any teaching situation is an
for the assessment of management potential in many interaction between the learner, the teacher
companies; and English is the primary language identi- (facilitator) and the material or activity itself.
fied for managerial competency. English is no longer that It is also safe to say that language training is not a
"pending class I never took". Nor is it the wrongly tagged service like others. It is special because it cannot
"language barrier". English has become a major oppor- succeed without client participation. It's not like
tunity for those firms and executives who recognize that going to a restaurant or to a movie where the service
learning another language is an open door for gaining provider provides and the client consumes.
competitive advantage.
The question is not 'Is such and such methodology the
As a result of the redefinition in competency profiles best approach?1 or 'Is it right to teach the Grammar rules
throughout all business sectors, firm-based training pro- first?'. The question is 'What is right for this group, or
grams are being redefined as an asset to the company. individual at this time?' It may appear that there is only
This, in turn, is leading firms to be "smarter" in choosing one approach that will work for a particular mix of
their training services suppliers so that programs respond learner, facilitator and situation, but what would happen
appropriately to the greater awareness of language as if you tried another approach? Would it be the disaster
a tool and thus appropriately address the needs of the you think it would be? Are there any other factors that
changing workplace and the specific situations that re- you have not taken into consideration that may allow for
quire competent communication. more flexibility?
This translates into a very clear training imperative:
respond to client needs by training for communicative
competency. Learning a language, and thus teaching it,
involves much, much more than the traditional grammar
program; it involves above all learning how to communi-
cate, exchange and understand ideas and respond
appropriately according to the business situation in a
particular context.
EDITORIAL STANLEY
V
What's "..."
in English?
Greetings Greetingsandintroduction
Hello / Hi Hello, I Hello, my This
Hello / Hi is ...
am ... name is ...
How is the ok
family? Fine. Conversationstarters
Have a
nice day. Goodnight. Parting
It was nice to
meet you.
sorry, but I
must go.
It was a pleasure
meeting you.
2. Introducing others
Wha t do
you do? I work as
a
Look at this business card:
I'm a
consultant manager
operator personal assistant (PA)
waiter/waitress secretary
doctor driver
mechanic teacher
EDITORIAL STANLEY
FIRST MEETINGS
Present Simple
The Present Simple tense in English is formed with the
simple form of the verbs. To form the 3rd person singu-
lar of these verbs, you add an s.
All the other forms are the same as the simple form:
Afirmative
I work
you work
we work
they work
he/she/it works
Negative
I do not (don't) work.
you do not (don't) work.
we do not (don't) work.
they do not (don't) work.
he/she/it does not (doesn't) work.
Remember that...
We use Present simple to talk about
a general rule or truth:
Children like spaghetti.
a habitual or routine action:
I usually take the bus at 9:30am.
feelings or opinions:
I like animals.
I don't want to work this weekend.
Questions
Questions with "be"
EDITORIAL STANLEY
FIRST MEETINGS 9
Can you think of any other verbs that apply Think of a famous person, but do not say who
to your job? he/she is. Write a brief description about what
In what kind of other jobs do you find these he/she does, responsibilities, etc., and then
tasks? read it aloud to the rest of the class. Who is
he/she?
Introduce yourself! Use this guideline to make
a brief presentation about your job.
and
I am
(happy /
unhappy) with my current job because
(give a reason).
EDITORIAL STANLEY
FIRST MEETINGS 11
Describing a company
Now write a brief description of your company
using the new words we have seen.
Useful vocabulary
* based in * a staff of
* small * branch
* is owned by * is devoted to
* subsidiary * large / big
* located in * parent company
* medium-sized * head office
Possessive pronouns
I like my job. Complete the following sentences, using a
possessive pronoun.
you like your job(s).
e.g. My mother's name is Mabel. She
likes her job.
we like our jobs.
1. favorite restaurant
they like their jobs.
is
He likes his job. because I like food.
3. company is a large
multinational, but we are all friends
and colleagues.
EDITORIAL STANLEY
FIRST MEETINGS 13
Past Simple
infinitive positive Negative
read read read
work you worked you work
type he typed he did not type
invite she invited she didn't invite
have we had we have
go you went you go
do they did they do
Remember that.
i read a book every week
(PreaantSimpie)|n:d|
Iread that book years ago
past simple red
8.
2.
9.
3.
EDITORIAL STANLEY
FIRST MEETINGS 15
There are three different pronunciations of ed If a verb ends in t or d, the final ed is pro-
regular past tense verbs: nounced/id/.
If a verb ends in p, s, k, f, sh, ch or th, the final
/d/ /t/ /id/
ed is pronounced /t/.
* phoned * cooked * landed
If a verb ends in b, g, I, z, v, n, r, or a vowel
sound (i, y), the final ed is pronounced /d/.
Put the verbs in the right column, according to the pronunciation of-ed:
* helped * offered * reached * saved
* missed * started * lived * needed
* looked * called * tried * discovered
* invited * asked * jumped * waited
/id/ in /d/
Irregular verbs
infinitive participle gerund infinitive participle gerund
be was / were been lose lost lost
become became became mean meant meant
begin began begun make made made
break broke broken mean meant meant
bring brought brought meet met met
build built built pay paid paid
buy bought bought put put put
choose chose chosen read read read
come came come ring rang rung
cost cost cost say said said
cut cut cut see saw seen
drive drove driven sell sold sold
eat ate eaten send sent sent
fall fell fallen show showed shown
feel felt felt sing sang sung
fight fought fought sit sat sat
find fought fought sleep slept slept
forget forgot forgotten speak spoke spoken
get got got spend spent spent
give gave given stand stood stood
EDITORIAL STANLEY
FIRST MEETINGS 17
A day in my life
My name is Jessica Oak. I am a PA at MAGAM
International. Every morning I get up at 7 a.m. I
have breakfast and I go to work by bus. I write
letters, send faxes and e-mails. I attend meetings
and receive clients. At half past one I have lunch,
usually a salad, a sandwich, crisps and fruit. Then I
get back to work. At five o'clock I go home, and I
have supper at eight. After that, I like to read or
watch TV, and at 11 p.m. I go to sleep.
However, today my day was different. I didn't get
up until 8o'clock and I didn't take thebus but the
subway. When I got to the office, before turning on
the computer, I had some coffee. After that, I had
a meeting with my boss and my colleagues. Then, I
went back to my desk and found a beautiful bouquet
of flowers and some presents... it was my birthday,
and my colleagues had prepared a little surprise
party for me!
Signal Words
Everyday actions
.. have breakfast
..get up
..go to work
what do .. go to class
you do .. have lunch
every day? I
.. have a shower
.. get dressed
.. brush my teeth
.. have tea
What did you .. go to the gym
do yesterday? .. play the piano
.. watch TV
.. have supper
.. cook
.. play basketball
.. read a book
.. take the bus
..get off the bus
.. listen to music
.. have guests
Getting information
When attending visitors you will need to
obtain some information. What questions
do you ask to know the visitor's:
Lucia Blanco
Accountant
Caliber S.A.
P. Castellana 261 28O42 Madrid, Spain
(+34) 91 315 48 62
Welcoming visitors
Below are some expressions that we normally use
when receiving a visitor. Match the phrases in list A
(questions) with those in list B (answers).
You:
You are Enrique Lopez and work for COM-
TRUM in Madrid, Spain. You must welcome
Robert Wright, a counterpart from an Ameri-
can company. It's the first time you see him,
although you have spoken to him on the
phone many times.
Robert:
Write a dialogue with the information in
the box below.
You:
You:
Nice to
meet you.
Good journey?
First time
in Spain?
Robert:
Problems
finding our
company?
Coffee?
EDITORIAL STANLEY
ATTENDING VISITORS 23
YOu
Remember that...
We use Present Perfect to talk about
finished actions. But if we want to
describe the actions or to know when
something happened, we always use
Robert Simple Past.
You
Robert
You
Robert
I have been to Morocco three times. 3. Have you met [a colleague] before?
This week I have seen your assistant twice: 4. Have you seen [a famous
on Monday and Thursday. monument, building] yet?
(The week has not finished yet)
5. Have you tried [a dish/drink] yet?
EDITORIAL STANLEY
ATTENDING VISITORS 25
Conversation starters
When we meet someone for the first time, the first
Conversation starters
minutes can be difficult. However, we can use questions
of a general nature to break the ice. Here are some With visitors from another town or country.
topics we can talk about when starting a conversation.
To show interest you can use the following expressions: previous visits
flight
weather visitor's plans in town
Following expresions country accommodation
Add the conversational question tags to the Let's talk! Use question tags to start a con-
following sentences. versation about the topics proposed:
EDITORIAL STANLEY
ATTENDING VISITORS 27
I guess...
I am convinced
that...
In my (personal)
opinion... How do you fell
about this?
My opinion
is...
From my point What's the general
ofview feeling about this?
Imperative Modal
* Give me the pen. Can you give me the pen?
* Make another copy for me. Would you make another copy for me?
Positive Questions:
To use them in the affirmative, we put the modal The position of the modal and the subject are
verb between the subject and the main verb. changed.
* I can speak French and Italian. Will you come with me?
* They should come before 10 pm. Won't you come with me?
Can you finish this, please?
* It might rain today, so take the umbrella.
Can't you finish this, please?
Could you stay until 7:00?
Couldn't you stay until 7:00?
Negative:
Can Could
Can + infinitive To ask people to do something, we use Can
you ... ?. If we want to be politer, we can use
can do * can play -* can come
COULD.
I speak english.
* Can you open the window, please?
you ride a bike. or
he can
sing. * Could you open the window, please?
she cannot (can't)
it come tomorrow. * Can you wait a moment, please?
we or
you watch TV.
they * Could you wait a moment, please?
attend the meeting.
Who can do these things? Go around the class and find out!
e.g., Can you speak Chinese?
Can
Can't
Can
Can't
Can
Can't
Can
Can't
Can
Can't
EDITORIAL STANLEY
THE POLITE WAY 33
* I'd like some more information on the special * I'm thirsty. I'd like a drink.
offers.
* I'd like some information about hotels, please.
* I'd like to go to the movies tonight.
* I'd prefer a salad, if you don't mind.
* I'd prefer to meet tomorrow morning.
Suggestions Suggestions
* I'd order more of those, we will need them in I'd order the soup. It's the specialty.
the future.
I would suggest an Albarino wine.
* I would suggest to meet on Friday morning.
I'd put on a sweater. It's cold outside.
* I'd send a letter of apology, the client is very
upset.
Offers
Offers
To offer things or actions
HP
Let's practice! Read the situations and offer what 3. You have gone to the station to pick up a
you think is appropriate. visitor. When you meet him he is carry-
ing two suitcases, which look very heavy.
6.9., You are attending a congress. At the end of the
day you hear that one of your colleagues has
no money for a cab and there are no buses.
You have your car, and he lives near you.
Do you want a lift?/ Would you like a lift?
EDITORIAL STANLEY
THE POLITE WAY 35
Requests
Making requests Match the situation with what you would
request:
polite Can I have a cup of tea?
Situation Request
Could you fax this for me?
You are on a business trip. A pen.
Would you make another copy for the You have visited a client and
manager? now want to go to the hotel.
Salt, olive oil
and vinegar.
Would you mind sending me the
agenda before the meeting? You are taking notes and
your pen stops writing. Bill.
Do you think you could finish this
The salad has no dressing.
before 5pm?
You are signing a very A cab.
important contract.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Accepting Declining
Could you think of a question for each of Could you think a question for each
the answers? of the answers?
Yes, I think so. I'm afraid I need a little more time.
Is she attending the meeting? Can you finish the report for Friday?
Yes, please. No, not yet.
You can count on me. I'm sorry, but I'm busy right now.
EDITORIAL STANLEY
THE POLITE WAY 37
Thanks.
Thanks for
the drink.
Thanks for taking Thanks for
me to the movies. your help.
How do you say thank you in other languages? Match the word with the language.
Complaining
Match the statements with their correspondent in the column on the right.
Waiter Waiter
Customer Customer
EDITORIAL STANLEY
THE POLITE WAY 39
Waiter Waiter
He hasn't arrived
Well, maybe it doesn't yet, so you'll have
look like in the picture, to deal with me.
but it has the ingredients
the menu says. So 1 can't
do anything. You should I can't believe your attitude.
have ordered a different This is not acceptable. I
sandwich. insist that you bring me a
sandwich like the one in
I'm sorry, but I don't the picture, or I will write
think that's the correct a formal complaint and call
response. the press.
Customer Customer
Waiter Waiter
If you don't like the Oh, well, I
sandwich, try another guess you're
one the next time you right.
come.
Of course I am! And
I can't believe what I'm what's more, I will write to
hearing. I'm tempted to your manager to complain
call the manager. about the terrible way you
treated me!
Customer Customer
How would you complain in the following situations?
EDITORIAL STANLEY
THE POLITE WAY 41
Apologizing
What do these words and expressions mean?
to upset someone
to put your foot in it
a mix-up
EDITORIAL STANLEY
THE POLITE WAY 43
Saying no
Saying no A preference
I'm not keen on I'd prefer to do
doing...
I'd rather do...
I don't particularly
like doing... I'd really much
rather do...
I can't stand/bear
doing...
If snot my idea to do...
I'd rather not do...
Let's practice! In pairs, student A will propose different ideas to student B, who will politely refuse
them, suggesting some others instead. Then it will be student B's turn to give ideas while student
A proposes some other alternatives.
Student A Student B
1. Let's go to the movies. You love action 1. You like watching romantic movies
and war movies, and Van Damme's last and comedies; you go to the movies to
movie has just been released. have a good time, not to watch blood
and weapons.
Let's go out for dinner. You love
exotic cuisine such as Thai and 2. You like traditional, simple, cuisine:
Japanese, and they have just opened a fried eggs with fries and bacon is your
beautifully decorated Asian restaurant favorite dish! It's cheap, delicious, and
very near your house! you know what you're eating!
4. Your idea of an evening out is going to 4. Let's go out for a drink. You like
a jazz club where you can sit and enjoy going to trendy clubs, where you can
live music. have a wild time and dance till 6 am.
5. You don't want to order many units as 5. Let's order 2000 units. It's cheaper
you are not too sure you will be able to to buy big quantities as the supplier
sell them. offers a 20% off.
Describing people
When socializing we will have to describe In pairs match the adjectives to their
ourselves and people we know. Below are antonyms (their opposite).
some words that are used to describe people.
Write (P) next to the ones that are positive and
1. ambitious A uncompetitive
(N) next to the negative.
2. bright B sociable
3. careful C stubborn
4. competitive D cautious
Which apply to you?
5. flexible E unambitious
aggressive * calm 6. imaginative F careless
decisive * hard-working 7. impulsive G disorganized
loyal * quiet 8. outgoing H kind
serious * stubborn 9. selfish I dull
ambitious * careless 10. solitary J introvert
dynamic * honest 11. tidy K unimaginative
methodical * realistic 12. tough L messy
shy * successful 13. well-organized M introvert
amusing * cheerful
easy-going * idealistic
optimistic * relaxed
sincere * talented How would you describe yourself?
bossy * cold
emotional * impulsive
outgoing * reliable
sociable * talkative
bright * considerate
hard * kind
pessimistic * sensitive
strong * tidy
Adjectives
An adjective describes a noun. The comparative in English can be built in
two ways:
Adjective position
Before a noun
By adding -er
a nice car
big - bigger
After the verb to be small - smaller
John is nice
By using more... than
A few adjectives come after the verb to
A DVD costs 29. A CD costs 18.
be but do not normally come before a
A DVD is more expensive than a CD.
noun.
afraid alive awake
ill alone asleep
well
We add erwhen the adjective is monosyl- We use more... than when the adjective has
labic (one syllable), or when it is disyllabic two syllables or more (except when it is two
(two syllables) ending in y. syllables ending in y).
EDITORIAL STANLEY
COFFEE BREAK 49
Social English
How would you respond to these comments? What would you do in these situations? Match the
statements in the column on the left with the most appropriate alternative on the left.
Somebody sneezes.
"Never mind".
You're drinking
with some friends. "Happy birthday!"
"Cheers!"
I have forgotten to close
the window.
EDITORIAL STANLEY
COFFEE BREAK 51
Eating out
When receiving visitors, you may have to take them out for dinner. Here are some expressions
that you will use and hear at a restaurant. Which are said by the waiter? Which are said by the
customer?
And to I Good evening, I'd like a One person
drink? I can I help you? table. please.
1. 9.
2. 10.
3. 11
4. 12.
5. 13.
6. 14.
7. 15.
8. 16.
At the restaurant
Read this conversation:
Good afternoon,
can 1 help you? Can we have that
one over there?
We'd like a
Waiter: table for two.
Certainly, sir. Come Customer 2:
this way, please. Do
Customer 1: you like this table? Of course.
Waiter: Waiter:
What would I think 111 have
you like? I'll have the
the chicken soup. Caesar salad.
What about you?
Customer 1: Customer 1:
Customer 2:
Waiter:
Customer 1:
EDITORIAL STANLEY
COFFEE BREAK 53
Popular misconceptions
There are some general truths which are not so "true". Below you will find some useful expres-
sions to say what the real fact is.
Work in pairs with the following statements 4. If you drink water after milk you get a
below, taking turns to explain what is wrong stomach-ache.
with them.
3. Crocodiles cry.
8. Men are always better bosses than
women.
Research indicates a drastic increase, over the past Schools are suffering the effects of the psychological
15 years, of stress related absenteeism at work and at aspects derived from the stress related symptoms of
school, with a resulting 25% increase in public health
parents as well as teachers. Evidence of this is an
costs over this period.
increasing rate of failure at school.
30 percent of absenteeism at work is directly related
to traffic related effects (noise and air pollution) and Further research is being carried out in order to study
has resulted in an average loss of 10 percent of net the secondary effects of traffic and noise-related
earnings across all types of companies, regardless of stress, absenteeism and school failure on domestic
size or sector.
animals, as there is evidence of increased violence
The growing rate of pollution-related absenteeism toward family pets as well as increased aggressive-
has detrimentally affected families because the
ness between dogs in the public parks, which have
stress factors have flowed into the family environ-
ment, causing stress in children and other family at times been directed at children playing.
members, including pets.
People Cities has proposed attacking the problem of inner city pollution by addressing the public transport
system: if it were greatly improved it would resolve a great part of the pollution and congestion problems
being faced at the moment. The City Council voted last week to close the city boundaries to all private ve-
hicles, except cabs.
Several organizations have been invited to present information at an extraordinary meeting in order to establish
the steps necessary to upgrade the public transport system to meet the added demands that will arise from
closing the city boundaries to private vehicles. The organizations and departments involved are:
A non-governmental organization involved in Before getting into the role-play and pre-
environmental protection and a member of paring your role card for the meeting, it
the European Forum for Green Cities. is necessary to
Review language seen in this text.
Review basic language needed for
meetings
Alternative Moving
Energies Association Read and understand the objectives
Agree on an Agenda
A forum of experts in the field of alternative
Elect a Chairman
energy sources for transportation.
EDITORIAL STANLEY
FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLE-PLAY 59
I'm/we're
intending to... I doubt if...
I'd like to ask your
We're hoping opinion about...
to...
I expect
that...
What do you think
we should do?
It might be a
You should... good idea to...
EDITORIAL STANLEY
Conntent Delivery Guidelines
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CONTENT DELIVERY GUIDELINESS 63
Needs Analysis
Information and general questions for the completion of needs analysis
forms for groups or one-to-one students
Listening?
Vocabulary?
Writing?
Reading?
EDITORIAL STANLEY
CONTENT DELIVERY GUIDELINESS 65
Activities
Survival Language
Students should use English at all times and the teacher student. They should go around the room and greet each
should avoid using the students' native language at all other and begin a conversation. Give them 2-3 minutes,
times.. .and definitely should offer no translations. It's always then have them end that conversation and begin another
preferable to offer synonyms, or explain the word by refer- one with a different student, and so forth, until all students
ring to the action or thing in a situation. For example: "What have had a chance to greet everyone.
does invoice mean?" Explanation 1: An invoice is a bill.
Explanation 2: An invoice is a paper you send or give a cli-
ent specifying the amount of money they have to pay. Present Simple
This requires that on the first day of class you provide stu- Introduce the present simple tense then practice. Ask stu-
dents with basic survival language for successful learning, dents to brainstorm verbs related to their everyday working
and in order to follow the ground rules they are not to use life, and then ask students to form sentences using those
their native language in class. verbs. Add any others you think are relevant.
Go through the different expressions provided in the mate- Introduce questions and question formation. Have students
rial and make sure they understand them. Add any others write three questions they would like to ask other students
you think appropriate. Then quiz them, perhaps by dividing in the class, and have them write each one on an index
them into teams. card. Collect all the cards and shuffle them. Place them in
a pile in the center of the table. Then have students take
turns picking up a card and directing the question at a spe-
cific student, who, in turn, must answer the question as best
First Meetings he/she can. Do this until all the cards have been used. To
close the activity, brainstorm common questions they make
or receive at work or with clients and the possible answers
Greetings and Introductions they can give.
Brainstorm greetings with students. Ask them to call out Now put it all together. Prepare a set of cards, each one
expressions and write them up on the board. Complete the with the name of the person, position, company and ad-
list with any others you think are necessary or appropriate, dress, and other extra information (Careful! Point out to
and any "slang" expressions to point out regional language students that some information may not be appropriate to
differences. For example: What's up? How are ya? How's ask, such as marital status and age) (see examples below).
it going? Ask students to choose a card and then introduce them-
Now ask students to consider different social situations and selves to each other using the information on their card.
choose a correct expression. The objective is to differenti-
ate between formal and informal expressions.
EDITORIAL STANLEY
CONTENT DELIVERY GUIDELINESS 69
How do you do? Yes, I am. Have Yes, the actors were very
we met before? good. And the costumes
were fantastic.
Can I have your It's a Greek dish. It's I'm French. I was
telephone number? made with vegetables born in Marseille, in
and meat. the south of France.
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CONTENT DELIVERY GUIDELINESS 71
After all the students have had their identity unveiled ask them to introduce themselves using the guidelines provided
in the material. Then have them work individually to write it. This is a good opportunity to assess their writing skills
level more closely by collecting their papers and correcting them for the next session.
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Procedure: Notes:
1. Divide the class into pairs or groups of three. There are three sets of role-plays. If there are more
than three groups in the class, you can repeat the
2. Explain that you are going to give them a card with a situations; it may be interesting to see how different
situation, and that they will have to play the role of the
the students may act using the same information.
character on the card. There are two types of charac-
ters: one is the "host", and the other is the "visitor". Make sure that the students use the strategies and
The host has to receive and welcome the visitor, make vocabulary seen in class.
a small presentation about him/herself and his/her job,
and tell the visitor what the program of the visit is go-
ing to be (this he/she has to invent). He/she will have
to answer the questions from the visitors, and make
sure that there are no uncomfortable silences.
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Role cards
Company A
Presenter:
Your name: Maria Jose /Jose Martinez
Product/service: Wine |
Company activities: Very prestigious company, not very big but very well known among wine |
lovers. Production of quality wines. I
Markets:
Internal-37% UK -9% European Union - 26% Other countries - 28%
Future:
The company hopes to export to Central Europe and Asia.
Notes:
Your visitors are wine importers from Central Europe. They have been invited to learn
about your company, as you are planning to do business together.
Visitors
Company B
Presenter:
Your name: Paula / Pablo Bravo
Head Office: Oviedo, Asturias (North of Spain) - Factory 10kms from the office. I
Company activities: , Production of engine components. The company was founded in 1957. I
Notes: Your visitors are investors from England and Italy. They have been invited to learn about
your company, as they may invest in it to help you extend to other markets.
You are picking them up at the airport. Remember, you should:
- Welcome the visitors
- Introduce yourself and your job
- Talk about the company, answering the visitor's questions.
- Ask about the visitor's jobs, countries, etc.
- Give an overview of what the program of the visit is going to be.
- Offer your help.
Visitors
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Company C
Presenter:
Your name: Martina / Martin Frances
Notes: Your visitors represent some of most important law firms in South America.
They have come to Spain to meet the partners of the firm, as they want to sign a
collaboration-agreement.
You are picking them up at the airport. Remember, you should:
Welcome the visitors
Introduce yourself and your job
Talk about the company, answering the visitor's questions.
Ask about the visitor's jobs, countries, etc.
Give an overview of what the program of the visit is going to be.
Offer your help
Visitors
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Coffee Break
Complaining and Apologizing Describing People
Introduce the expressions for complaining and ask two Before getting into the list of words used to describe
students to act out the dialogue in this section. The "au- people, ask students to write down 5 or 6 adjectives to
dience" should listen carefully and write down all the describe themselves, and then have them present them-
complaining expressions they hear. selves to the rest of the class. Then go through the list
of words. Ask students to indicate which ones are posi-
Go through the complaint situations on the following tive and which ones negative. Practice by using them to
page, and then ask students to imagine they work for an describe people they know. Then do the exercise on an-
international company and, in pairs, think of problems tonyms. Expand on this by asking them to take their own
they may find and what they would do in each case. Then initial list of adjectives to describe themselves and ask
ask each pair to report back to the class. them to indicate the antonym.
As a group, find common problems identified by the dif- Introduce the order in which adjectives go in a sentence,
ferent pairs and different solutions to those same prob- and practice by having each student describe another
lems. If the solutions are all similar brainstorm other student in the class by using as many adjectives as pos-
possible solutions. sible. Then ask them to describe a famous personality,
without saying the name. The rest of the class has to ask
Go through the expressions for apologizing and do the questions using adjectives in order to find out who that
pair work activity. person is.
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Worksheet
I because
I because
because
Social English
Introduce Social English by doing the first set of matching Now put everything together by telling students they are
exercises. Then ask students to create a mini-dialogue going to do a role-play as a group. They are to imagine
to practice them. they are all meeting for dinner to celebrate the company's
success on the market. However, they each have
Do the second matching exercise and then ask students
to create another mini-dialogue to practice them. 1. a complaint to make (use your complaint cards)
Introduce the expressions for eating out. Have students 2. a specific issue they are worried about (use the news
work in pairs to create a conversation. Each pair should articles used earlier)
act out their conversation. Then ask 3 students to act
3. a specific request to make (use student requests made
out the Restaurant conversation, and afterwards com- to the group in an earlier activity)
pare with the conversations they created in the previ-
ous activity.
Have a group discussion on what subjects are appropri-
ate to talk about over lunch or dinner in their country and
compare with other cultures.
Introduce popular misconceptions and the specific ex-
pressions indicated.
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You asked for your meat medium The waiter spills some wine on You need to go to the restroom,
rare, and when you cut it you your jacket. How do you react? but don't know where it is. How
notice it is overcooked. What do do you ask?
you say?
You are at your favorite When you finish dinner you You ask for the Chef salad.
restaurant with some clients. want to offer liquors and coffee When served, you realize it has
They ask you for suggestions. to your guests. How do you almonds, and you're allergic.
What do you tell them? do it? What do you do?
You are with guests, and you You're celebrating your You are in a hurry as you have
have ordered typical Spanish anniversary at a charming to attend an important meeting.
food for starters. You realize they (and expensive!) restaurant. You've asked for the bill, but are
are not eating. Do something. The people at the next table are still waiting. Ask again.
very noisy. Say something.
You have Japanese guests. You booked a table at 1.30, but You see "teriyaki" on the menu.
What kind of restaurant would it's 1.45 and you're still waiting. Ask the waiter what it is like.
you take them to? Give What do you do?
3 reasons.
You've invited a foreign guest to You're having mushroom soup Your guest has asked for
dinner. He asks you what for starter and hake for the main chicken soup. Although he
"lasagna" is. Try to explain it to course. Ask the waiter to doesn't say anything, he doesn't
him. suggest a wine. seem to like it. It looks cold.
What do you say?
Your glass is dirty. What do A foreign guest asks you to The waiter asks you: "How
you do? suggest three typical regional would you like your meat
dishes. What do you suggest? cooked?". Answer, and ask for
Describe them. fries too.
After lunch you always have You're eating at a Japanese You are an expert with wines.
coffee and dessert. You are restaurant, and you don't know You ask for an expensive wine
eating with colleagues, and after how to use the chopsticks. bottle, but they bring you a not
the main course, it looks like What do you do? so good one. The price is the
they're going to ask for the bill, same. Ask for the one you
with no dessert. Do something! ordered.
You are in a very expensive When the bill arrives you You are dining with some
restaurant. You ordered a very discover they are overcharging colleagues, when you see two
special dish, but as the table next you. Instead of 120, they are more colleagues who have just
to you is smoking cigars you charging you 180. arrived. You want to eat
don't fully appreciate the together, so ask the waiter if he
exquisite taste. What do you do? can set two more places.
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86 CONTENT DELIVERY GUIDELINESS
Listen actively.
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CONTENT DELIVERY GUIDELINESS 87
3. How many times have you been absent from work? Why?
4. How many times have your children been absent from school? Why?
7. Do you think traffic noise, congestion and fumes have anything to do with your stress level and
your children's' stress level?
Yes No
8. Which of the following modes of transportation would you consider using in the future, if your
city were closed off to cars, buses and motorbikes?
Rechargeable battery powered roller skates.
Solar battery skate board Motor powered scooter
Motor powered hang-glider Traditional bicycle
Ideas and suggestions
The City Council of Madrid has met with the other major City Councils in Europe with a view to finding solu-
tions to the problem at heart: cities are becoming dangerous to our health. People Cities Inc. has been hired
to carry out an exhaustive survey in your country of these statistics, in conjunction with A Healthy Europe
Inc., a special investigation unit. The common objective is to reduce traffic created pollution (noise, fumes
and stress) by finding alternative modes of transportation.
The cities involved in this initiative (Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Lyon, Milan, Moscow,
Munich, Naples, Paris, Oslo, Rome, Vienna) have agreed to close off central city areas to all traffic, includ-
ing cars, buses and motorcycles. People Cities Inc. is researching reactions to this initiative and to alterna-
tive modes of transportation, and is also seeking public input of ideas for other means of transport.
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Role cards
Your members include all bus, taxi and You advocate stricter laws for the public
metro drivers using public transport, which will ensure that
they have greater respect for the drivers.
You believe that any new legislation
encouraging greater use of public Because of the increase in the use of public
transport will adversely affect their drivers, transportation, the stress levels for drivers
as they will have to work longer hours and will increase, and this will mean that they
are unlikely to receive increases in pay. will need to take more frequent breaks and /
or work for shorter hours.
More drivers would need to be employed,
and your members are already unhappy Inner city speed limits should be increased
with work conditions, which they believe to allow drivers to meet the increased
will get worse. demands.
Metro drivers are demanding more and
The taxi divers will be the worst affected, longer smoking and coffee breaks, which
as the Clean Air Act will make it compul- should include free coffee and cigarettes to
sory for them to change vehicles to the make up for the added stress.
expensive gas or electric ones, or they will
be out of work. All public vehicle drivers will demand a 30
percent increase in wages once the new
legislation is passed.
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