Opinions are an important part of meetings and discussions. In this episode, we will explore both formal and informal language for giving and asking for opinions.
Business English – Lesson 1 – Business English Course | Business English Conversation
BUSINESS ENGLISH – LEARN WITH BUSINESS ENGLISH POD
WAYS TO GIVE AND ASK FOR OPINIONS
Opinions are an important part of meetings and discussions. In this episode, we will explore both formal and informal language for giving and asking for opinions.
FORMAL SITUATION
Let’s start with a more formal situation. Sheila, a vice president at Digi Soft, is discussing the deadline for a new software release with three software engineers: Walt, Bruce, and George.
Sheila asks, “When do you think we’ll be able to launch this product?”
Walt suggests starting testing in April and aiming for a June release. Bruce agrees, saying that May or June sounds about right. However, George disagrees, pointing out major problems with bugs in the update engine.
INFORMAL SITUATION
After the meeting, George, Bruce, and Walt have a more informal conversation in the break room. Bruce asks, “Did you see the Chelsea vs. Liverpool game last night? What did you think?”
They discuss the game, with Walt jokingly teasing George for being a Liverpool fan. They also mention the pressure of meeting the May deadline and not having time to watch football games.
ASKING FOR OPINIONS
Sheila, as the boss, asks for opinions in a formal meeting by using various phrases such as:
What’s your reaction to that?
What would you like to add?
How do you feel about that?
Could you please share your thoughts on that?
What’s your view on this?
What’s your feelings on the matter?
In the informal conversation, Bruce simply asks, “What do you think?”
EXPRESSING OPINIONS
In the formal situation, Walt and Bruce use more careful and formal language to express their opinions. For example, Walt says, “I tend to feel that we should be able to start testing the product in April.” Bruce agrees, saying, “From my point of view, that sounds about right.”
George, on the other hand, uses phrases like “I wonder if I could say something” and “It seems to me that May is much too early” to express his opinion cautiously.
In the informal conversation, George states his opinion more directly, saying, “Actually, that was one of the greatest games ever.” He uses phrases like “The way I see it” and “Obviously, there’s only one choice” to state his opinion firmly.
Business English Course – Making Suggestions in English | Business English Conversation
BUSINESS ENGLISH – LEARN WITH BUSINESS ENGLISH POD
Making, Accepting, and Rejecting Suggestions in Business
Welcome to Business English Pod, where we help professionals improve their business English communication skills. In this two-part series, we will focus on making, accepting, and rejecting suggestions. We will start by discussing how to make suggestions, and in the next episode, we will cover how to accept and reject suggestions.
This dialogue takes place at Stratos, a sports shoe company, where Karen, a marketing manager, is meeting with her team to choose a celebrity spokesperson for a new product. The product is a special kind of sport shoe made for overweight people. The team members are Charles, Sven, and Miguel. They all make suggestions on who to use as the spokesperson, and they discuss the target market and target consumer.
CHOOSING A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE NEW PRODUCT
The team discusses various options for the new product spokesperson, including a famous overweight business executive, a famous sports star, and someone from a sport where it’s normal to be heavy like American football. They also consider the target market and target consumer, which are in the UK and the US, and the need for someone who both Americans and Britons really like.
LANGUAGE USED TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS
The team uses different languages to make suggestions. Sven uses “one possibility would be to” to introduce his suggestion, while Miguel uses “perhaps we should” and the idiom “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to suggest using a famous sports star. Charles uses “I’ve got a suggestion” and “how about choosing someone from a sport where it’s normal to be heavy” to introduce his idea. Karen uses “shall we try to find someone in golf” to suggest using a golfer as a spokesperson.
Modal verbs should, could, might, and would are often used to make suggestions.
The phrases “perhaps we should” and “how about” are polite ways to introduce suggestions.
Using “it’s just an idea but” is a careful and polite way to introduce a suggestion.
“How about” and “what about” are normal ways to make suggestions.
“Shall we” and “what if” are also used to suggest an idea.
PRACTICE MAKING SUGGESTIONS
Practice making suggestions by responding to the cues provided. For example, if you hear “launch the new product in Q1 next year,” you can say “Perhaps we should launch the new product in Q1 next year.”
Business English Meetings: Responding to Suggestions in English | Business English Course
BUSINESS ENGLISH – LEARN WITH BUSINESS ENGLISH POD
Welcome back to Business English Pod!
Today’s show is the second part of a two-part series on making and rejecting suggestions. In the first lesson, we practiced making suggestions. In this episode, we will look at appropriate ways to reject and accept suggestions.
The listening takes place in a sport shoe company called Stratus. We will be listening to Karen, the marketing manager, meet with three members of her team: Charles, Sven, and Miguel. They are choosing a celebrity spokesperson for a new product.
Let’s talk about who we want to use as a spokesperson for this product. Let’s go around the table. Should we use a sports star or someone else?
One possibility would be to use a famous overweight business executive or CEO who is really successful.
I’m not sure it would work. Our customers want to be fit, not fat.
Perhaps we should just use a famous sports star. You know the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
But I can see one or two problems with that. Firstly, our target markets are in the UK and the USA, so we need someone who both Americans and Britons really like. Secondly, our target customers are kind of special.
How about choosing someone from a sport that is known to be heavy? American football, for example. Overweight but strong and fast.
That might be worth trying, but what about the UK?
Let’s try to find someone in golf who is popular in both the USA and the UK. That way, we can kill two birds with one stone.
Now let’s talk about accepting and rejecting suggestions. When rejecting suggestions, it’s important to avoid hurting people’s feelings.
Let’s think back to Karen and her team and the dialogue during the discussion. What language do they use to reject suggestions they don’t like?
Miguel politely interrupts and says, “That’s a good idea, but I’m not sure it would work.” Karen follows the same form by praising the idea first and then politely rejecting it. She says, “Good suggestion, but I can see one or two problems with that to be honest.”
To reject suggestions, you can also say “I’m not really sure about that” or “Do you think so?”
Now let’s look at ways to accept suggestions. Karen and Miguel, like Charles, agree with the suggestion of using a sports star who is heavy but agile. They say, “I can see what you mean” and “Yes, it might be worth trying.”
Other ways to accept suggestions include saying “Okay, let’s do that” or “Not a bad idea.”
Finally, let’s look at an idiom that Karen uses at the end of the listening. She says, “Let me think about this. What if we find someone in golf who is popular in the USA and the UK? That way, we can kill two birds with one stone.” This idiom means to do or accomplish two things at one time.
Now that you have learned many ways to reject and accept suggestions, let’s practice using them in different scenarios.
Telephone English | Answering a Phone Call | Business English Telephone Conversation
BUSINESS ENGLISH – LEARN WITH BUSINESS ENGLISH POD
Using the Telephone in Business
Welcome back to Business English Pod, the podcast for professionals on the move. In this episode, we will discuss the importance of using the telephone effectively in a business setting. Answering a call professionally and creating a good image of yourself and your company is crucial. Let’s begin by looking at a bad example of answering a call and taking a message, and then we’ll go into a good example.
Preparing for a Call
Ensure your tone of voice is pleasant and positive.
Always be prepared when making or receiving a call.
Clearly identify yourself and your company.
Listen actively and respond to what the other person is saying.
BAD EXAMPLE
In this example, Justin from Travis Co calls Dane Line, hoping to speak with Sylvie Peterson. However, a receptionist named Amy answers the phone. Let’s listen and identify the problems in their conversation.
Hello, who’s this?
Amy: Is this Dane Line?
Yes, what can I do for you?
Justin: Hi, may I speak to Sylvie Peterson?
Amy: Sorry, she’s not here. Can’t leave a message.
Justin: Sure, go ahead. My name is Justin Thomas with Travis Co. It’s about the construction schedule for 2008. My number is 3909 107.
Amy: Sorry, could you say that again?
Justin: I’m looking for a pen.
Amy: Okay, what’s your name?
In this conversation, Amy does not answer the phone professionally, does not identify herself or the company, and does not offer assistance. Justin is also unprepared and has to ask for a message. Neither party handles the call well.
GOOD EXAMPLE
In this improved example, Mark Rand calls Dane Line. Let’s listen and compare it to the previous conversation.
Hello, Daneline. This is Amy. How may I help you?
Mark: Hi, Amy. My name is Mark Rand. I’m calling for Sylvie Peterson.
Amy: Just a moment, please.
Mark: All right, thanks for holding.
In this conversation, Amy answers the phone professionally, includes the four important parts of a greeting (greeting, company name, name, offer of help), and handles the call smoothly. Mark introduces himself clearly, and the conversation is much more effective.
Mastering the Telephone Greeting
A standard telephone greeting in North America includes four parts: greeting, company name, name, and offer of help. In some situations, certain parts may be omitted or left out, but it is generally better to be too formal than too informal.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Let’s practice the four-part greeting. You will hear a prompt, and you can use the ideas in the prompt to create your greeting.
Prompt: Morning, Dave Dixon Construction. Help example answer: Good morning. This is Dave at Dixon Construction.
Remember to always be prepared, speak clearly, and create a positive impression when using the telephone in a business setting.
How to Make a Phone Call
When making a phone call, it’s important to use proper etiquette and communicate effectively. Here are some tips:
INTRODUCTION
Start with a personal greeting to the person who answers the phone.
State your name and, if applicable, the company you work for.
If you don’t know the person you’re calling, use “My name is” for your introduction.
ASKING FOR A PERSON
Use phrases like “May I speak to” or “I’m calling for” to ask for the person you want to talk to.
For example, “May I speak to Benedict Struck” or “I’m calling for Ravi Montero”.
PUTTING THE CALLER ON HOLD
If you need to check if the person is available, put the caller on hold.
Politely ask the caller to wait, such as “Just a moment, please” or “Could you hold, please?”.
Make sure to listen for the caller’s response.
Remember to be polite and patient during the phone call. Effective communication skills are important in all aspects of life, including phone conversations.
Telephone English | Answering a Phone Call | Business English Telephone Conversation
BUSINESS ENGLISH – LEARN WITH BUSINESS ENGLISH POD
Using the Telephone in Business
Welcome back to Business English Pod, the podcast for professionals on the move. In this episode, we will discuss the importance of using the telephone effectively in a business setting. Answering a call professionally and creating a good image of yourself and your company is crucial. Let’s begin by looking at a bad example of answering a call and taking a message, and then we’ll go into a good example.
Preparing for a Call
Ensure your tone of voice is pleasant and positive.
Always be prepared when making or receiving a call.
Clearly identify yourself and your company.
Listen actively and respond to what the other person is saying.
BAD EXAMPLE
In this example, Justin from Travis Co calls Dane Line, hoping to speak with Sylvie Peterson. However, a receptionist named Amy answers the phone. Let’s listen and identify the problems in their conversation.
Hello, who’s this?
Amy: Is this Dane Line?
Yes, what can I do for you?
Justin: Hi, may I speak to Sylvie Peterson?
Amy: Sorry, she’s not here. Can’t leave a message.
Justin: Sure, go ahead. My name is Justin Thomas with Travis Co. It’s about the construction schedule for 2008. My number is 3909 107.
Amy: Sorry, could you say that again?
Justin: I’m looking for a pen.
Amy: Okay, what’s your name?
In this conversation, Amy does not answer the phone professionally, does not identify herself or the company, and does not offer assistance. Justin is also unprepared and has to ask for a message. Neither party handles the call well.
GOOD EXAMPLE
In this improved example, Mark Rand calls Dane Line. Let’s listen and compare it to the previous conversation.
Hello, Daneline. This is Amy. How may I help you?
Mark: Hi, Amy. My name is Mark Rand. I’m calling for Sylvie Peterson.
Amy: Just a moment, please.
Mark: All right, thanks for holding.
In this conversation, Amy answers the phone professionally, includes the four important parts of a greeting (greeting, company name, name, offer of help), and handles the call smoothly. Mark introduces himself clearly, and the conversation is much more effective.
Mastering the Telephone Greeting
A standard telephone greeting in North America includes four parts: greeting, company name, name, and offer of help. In some situations, certain parts may be omitted or left out, but it is generally better to be too formal than too informal.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Let’s practice the four-part greeting. You will hear a prompt, and you can use the ideas in the prompt to create your greeting.
Prompt: Morning, Dave Dixon Construction. Help example answer: Good morning. This is Dave at Dixon Construction.
Remember to always be prepared, speak clearly, and create a positive impression when using the telephone in a business setting.
How to Make a Phone Call
When making a phone call, it’s important to use proper etiquette and communicate effectively. Here are some tips:
INTRODUCTION
Start with a personal greeting to the person who answers the phone.
State your name and, if applicable, the company you work for.
If you don’t know the person you’re calling, use “My name is” for your introduction.
ASKING FOR A PERSON
Use phrases like “May I speak to” or “I’m calling for” to ask for the person you want to talk to.
For example, “May I speak to Benedict Struck” or “I’m calling for Ravi Montero”.
PUTTING THE CALLER ON HOLD
If you need to check if the person is available, put the caller on hold.
Politely ask the caller to wait, such as “Just a moment, please” or “Could you hold, please?”.
Make sure to listen for the caller’s response.
Remember to be polite and patient during the phone call. Effective communication skills are important in all aspects of life, including phone conversations.
English Conversation Lesson – How to Greet People in English | 925 English Lesson 1
BUSINESS ENGLISH – LEARN WITH BUSINESS ENGLISH POD
English Business Lesson: How to Say Hello in the Workplace
Welcome to 925 English Business English for the Workplace! In this lesson, we will learn how to greet colleagues and customers in English. Before we begin, let me explain what 925 English is and how you can use it.
925 English lessons provide you with useful language and expressions that you can use in the workplace. We give you practical examples and phrases for different situations, along with advice on when and how to use them.
Greeting Someone You’ve Never Met Before
When you meet someone for the first time, it’s important to be friendly yet professional. Start by saying “hello,” “hi,” or “good morning.” Then, you can introduce yourself by stating your name and possibly your job or company. Alternatively, you can begin the conversation with a question. Avoid using informal expressions like “how are you” in a business setting.
EXAMPLES:
Hello there, I’m Paul Fulton.
Good morning, my name’s Shelly.
Hi, I’m Dave Hall from Delta Enterprises.
Good afternoon, Liz Howard. How are you today?
How do you do? I’m Frank Little, VP Regional Sales.
After someone greets you, respond by saying “hello” or something similar. It’s also a good idea to use the other person’s name in your response. Introduce yourself by saying “my name is” or simply “I’m.”
EXAMPLES:
Nice to meet you, Tony. I’m Carolyn Samus.
Hi Peg, my name is Kurt Lang.
Good meeting you, Paul. I’m Gene Dupont.
Pleasure to meet you, Frank. My name’s Laura Chang.
Let’s listen to a short dialogue between two women, Amber and Shelly, who meet for the first time at a company party:
Amber: Hi there, I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Amber from Marketing.
Shelly: Oh hi, nice to meet you Amber. Shelley Davis, Sales.
As you can hear, they start with a greeting, introduce themselves, and then continue the conversation. Now it’s your turn to practice. We’ll repeat the dialogue, and you can play the role of Shelly by saying “hi, nice to meet you” and your name.
What if you already know the person? In that case, you can be more informal. Instead of “hello” or “good morning,” use “hi” or “hey.” Since you know the person, you don’t need to state your name. Instead, ask a friendly question like “how are you?”
EXAMPLES:
Hey there, Bob. How’s it going?
Good to see you, June.
Morning, Lana. What’s up?
Oh hi, Chuck. What’s new?
When answering a question, if it’s a “how” question, you can say “good” or “not too bad.” However, if someone asks “what,” provide some actual information or say “not much.”
Let’s listen to a dialogue between two coworkers, Kobe and Liz, who engage in small talk before a meeting:
Kobe: Oh hey, Liz. How’s things?
Liz: Hi Kobe! Not too bad. And you?
As you can hear, they use more informal greetings and short, simple expressions. “Hanging in there” is another way to say “not too bad.” Now it’s your turn to practice. We’ll repeat the dialogue, and you can play the role of Liz by answering the question and asking Kobe a similar question.
That wraps up this lesson on how to say hello in the workplace. Practice these greetings and introductions, and stay tuned for more than than 925 English lessons. Happy learning!
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