Effective Meetings (Part 1)



Socializing (Part II)

1. Requests: Sample dialogue

John: That’s been a tremendous help, Saheed. Really helped clarify things. We’ll get these proposals off to the agency, see what they have to say about it. Could you help with that Alessandra?

Alessandra: Certainly.

John: Thanks a lot. Saheed, would you mind letting Carol know that we’ve finalized the proposals?

Saheed: Sure. I’ll go through the latest modifications with her too.

John: Brilliant, I really appreciate it.

2. Formal vs. informal

The language we use for making a request will depend on:

the nature of the request

&

who we are asking

More formal or polite language ◊ for difficult or more personal requests, especially with someone we don’t know well

Less formal language ◊ for smaller requests, or with people we know well

3. Language focus: Requests

Requests (favours)

I wonder if you could…

I was wondering whether you could…

Would you mind…-ing…?

Could you?

I’ve got a favour to ask you. Could you…?

Would you do me a favour and..?

I’d really appreciate it if you could…

It’d be a great help if you…

Is there any way you can…

Will you give me a hand with these boxes?

4. Language focus: Requests, responses

Responses

Sure/Certainly.

Not at all. /It’d be a pleasure.

I suppose so.

Well…that’s not so easy/ a bit of a problem.

5. Lending and borrowing

Lend = to give something to someone for a short period of time (expecting it to be given back)

e.g. Could you lend me 10 pounds?

Borrow = to get or receive something from someone with the intention of giving it back after a period of time

e.g. I wonder if I could borrow your copy of the proposal?

6. Responding positively Vs negatively to requests

When we respond positively to the request ‘Would you mind…’ we say ‘No’:

‘Would you mind postponing the meeting?’

‘No, not at all. / No, that’s all right.’

When we respond negatively we tend NOT to say ‘Yes (I do mind)’:

‘Would you mind cancelling the appointment?’

‘Well, I’m not sure…/ ‘Well, that would be quite difficult…/ ‘I’m afraid it’s the only possible date…/ I’d rather not, actually…

7. Sample dialogue: Invitations & Arrangements

John: Now, I must rush off. I’m meeting a potential client at 2pm. Oh, by the way, my wife was wondering if you’d both like to pop round one night this week. Shall we say tomorrow evening? Yes?

Saheed: Well I’m going to show Carol the proposals when she gets back from the conference tomorrow. The conference finishes at 6 so I probably won’t get to your place until 8.30, is that too late?

John: No, not at all. I’ll let Susan know. Alessandra, are you free?

Alessandra: Um…Yes…let me think…tomorrow evening I think I’m free…yes, ok, I’ll be there.

Peter: Brilliant. Right, I must be off. See you later.

Alessandra: What does he mean by ‘pop round’?

Saheed: Probably tea. You know how the English love to ‘pop round’ for tea. I’m only joking. I suppose it means dinner.

Alessandra: Should I take a gift?

Saheed: Well the English love beer… why don’t you bring the beer and I will bring some flowers for his wife. She’s a lovely person. I think you will both get along just fine.

8. Language focus: Invitations

Inviting

We’d like to invite you to…

Would you like to come to…?

We were wondering whether you could come to…?

What about…?

We would be delighted if you could join us for dinner on Sunday.

9. Language focus: Invitations, Accepting and declining

Responding

Accepting

Thank you…

I’d love to…

That would be nice.

I’d be delighted.

Declining

I’d love to, but…

I’m sorry, but I’ve got another engagement.

I’m afraid I can’t come. I’m going to…

NOTE: When declining an invitation, an explanation or excuse should normally be given.

10. Language focus: Invitations – Time & Place

Time

Would Tuesday evening suit you?

What sort of time?

Shall we say 6 o’clock?

How about 8.30?

Place

Is it far?

What’s the best way of getting there?

I’d recommend you take a taxi.

I’ll send / give you a map.

11. Language focus: Invitations – Number & Confirming

Number

It’ll just be the four of us.

We’ve invited a few friends.

There’ll be six people there.

There’ll be another couple from…

Confirming

So, that’s 8.30 on Friday?

Let me just confirm that. Saturday at 9.00, at your place.

I look forward to that/to seeing you.

I can’t wait!

12. Future forms

When making arrangements we may have to use more than one future form!

Let’s take another look at the previous dialogue:

John: Now, I must rush off. I’m meeting a potential client at 2pm. Oh, by the way, my wife was wondering if you’d both like to pop round one night this week. Shall we say tomorrow evening? Yes?

Saheed: Well I’m going to show Carol the proposals when she gets back from the conference tomorrow. The conference finishes at 6 so I probably won’t get to your place until 8.30, is that too late?

John: No, not at all. I’ll let Susan know. Alessandra, are you free?

Alessandra: Um…Yes…let me think…tomorrow evening I think I’m free…yes, ok, I’ll be there.

Peter: Brilliant. Right, I must be off. See you later.

Alessandra: What does he mean by ‘pop round’?

Saheed: Probably tea. You know how the English love to ‘pop round’ for tea. I’m only joking. I suppose it means dinner.

Alessandra: Should I take a gift?

Saheed: Well the English love beer… why don’t you bring the beer and I will bring some flowers for his wife. She’s a lovely person. I think you will both get along just fine.

Why do they use 4 different forms for the future in this dialogue?

13. Which future form? Present continuous

Present Continuous

We can use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS with a future meaning, when we talk about plans or arrangements for a fixed time and/or place. (We generally use it with a future time phrase).

‘I’m meeting a potential client at 2pm.’

NOTE: An arrangement suggests that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened.

14. Which future form? Going to Vs Present Continuous

We use GOING TO to talk about intentions – things that people have decided to do, and plans.

I’m going to show Carol the proposals.

Going to and the present continuous are often both possible when we talk about plans.

We can say:

I’m going to meet my boss at 4.00.

Or

I’m meeting my boss at 4.00.

However when you are talking about intention only, you must use GOING TO not the PRESENT CONTINUOUS.

E.g. ‘What are you going to do when you retire?’

‘I’m going to learn how to surf and spend all my Summers in Hawaii!’

In this case no preparation or organisation has occurred.

15. Which future form? Will

We can use will to make spontaneous decisions.

‘I’ll let Susan know’

‘ok, I’ll be there.’

‘…why don’t you bring the beer and I will bring some flowers for his wife.’

We use will to agree, refuse, offer and promise to do things.

‘Could you bring the beer?’ ‘Ok, I will.’

‘I’m sorry but I simply won’t get involved. It’s none of my business.’

‘I’ll buy the flowers, if you like.’

‘I’ll pay you back by Friday.’

We also use will to make requests.

‘Will you send me another copy of the proposal?’

16. Which future form? Going to Vs WILL – predictions

We use GOING TO to make predictions when we can see the future in the present – we can see things coming or starting.

e.g. Look out! You’re going to break that glass! (I can see it now.)

We use WILL to make predictions when we think or believe things about the future.

e.g. I think you and her will get along just fine.

17. Present simple for future

We can use the PRESENT SIMPLE to talk about timetables, cinema/theatre programmes, dates, etc.

e.g. The conference finishes at 6.

Our train leaves at 9.15.

18. Future summary

|FORM |MEANING/USAGE |EXAMPLE |

|Will |Spontaneous decisions, agreeing, refusing, |I’ll help you out with the proposal. |

| |offering, promising, requesting, predictions based | |

| |on opinion. | |

|Going to |Intentions, Plans, Decisions : already made, |We’re going to invite our new client to the |

| |predictions based on physical evidence |seminar. |

|Present Continuous |Fixed arrangements |I’m meeting the boss Friday morning. |

|Present Simple |Schedules, timetables, programs |What time does your flight arrive? |

19. Arriving for Dinner: Sample dialogue

John: Come in.

Alessandra: Hello.

Rose: You must be Alessandra. How nice to meet you.

Alessandra: Very nice to meet you, Mrs Grant. And thank you for inviting us to your home.

Rose: My pleasure. You must call me Rose.

Saheed: Rose. Pleasure to meet you.

Rose: Thank you. Please do sit down.

John: Alessandra, what can I get you to drink? A beer, a glass of wine?

Alessandra: A glass of wine would be nice.

John: Red or white?

Alessandra: Red, please.

John: And Saheed?

Saheed: A beer, please.

Rose: So, how’s your stay in England going, Maria?

20. Language Focus : Thanking and Responding

Thanking

Thank you. It's/They're beautiful/lovely. (a gift, flowers)

Thank you very much. That's very kind of you.

Thank you, but you shouldn't have.

Thank you for inviting me. Your house is lovely.

Thanks for everything.

Responding

I'm glad you like it/enjoyed it.

It's/was a pleasure.

You're welcome.

Don't mention it.

21. Language focus: Offering, Responding and Declining

Offering

Would you like...?

Can I get you...?

What would you like to drink...?

Responding

A (type of drink), please.

Could I have a (type of drink)?

I'd love a drink/beer/wine/Coke. I'm really thirsty.

Have you got orange juice/something cold/decaffeinated coffee?

Declining

No thank you.

I won't have anything, thanks.

Thank you, but I've had enough.

I'd love to, but I'm driving.

22. Sample Dialogue 1: During Dinner

Saheed: The point is politicians don't care what the public think.

John: I don't believe that. Surely they've got to be concerned? (to Rose) Thank you, darling. That was delicious.

Rose: Thank you.

Saheed: (to John) Of course they're concerned. They need votes.

Rose: Would anybody like coffee?

Alessandra: Yes, please. Can I help you?

Rose: No, no need.

John: Saheed? Coffee?

Saheed: Thank you. Do you have any decaffeinated?

Rose: I'll just check the cupboard...

Saheed: (to John) I think a lot of young people aren't interested in politics.

John: You're probably right. But whose fault is that?

Saheed: I don't know. The politicians' fault, mainly.

John: Well, I don't think anything's changed. I'm sure I wasn't interested in politics when I was twenty.

Saheed: What about elections? Do young people in England vote?

John: I've no idea. I imagine most of them are pretty disillusioned.

Alessandra: Excuse me. I'll see if Rose needs any help.

What do Alessandra and Saheed fail to do?

What could Alessandra have done to enter this discussion?

23. Sample Dialogue 2: During Dinner

Saheed: The point is politicians don't care what the public think.

John: I don't believe that. Surely they've got to be concerned? (to Rose) Thank you, darling. That was delicious.

Saheed: Yes, it was.

Rose: I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Alessandra: Yes, you really are a good cook Rose. The puddings in England are really good.

Rose: Do you think so? I suppose we do tend to have a bit of a sweet tooth. Now what about some coffee? Alessandra?

Alessandra: That would be nice. Thank you.

Rose: And for you Saheed?

Saheed: Yes, please. Do you have decaffeinated?

Rose: I think we've got some somewhere. John?

John: Just normal for me. Can I give you a hand?

Rose: No, thanks, I can manage just fine.

John: So, what were you saying about politicians, Saheed?

Saheed: (to John) I think a lot of young people aren't interested in politics.

John: I don't think that's true. What do you think Alessandra?

Alessandra: I think you're wrong, Saheed. A lot of my friends in Italy are very involved in local politics.

Saheed: Really?

Alessandra: Yes. OK, they may be fed up with politicians, but this doesn't mean they don't do something about it.

How do John and Saheed make sure Alessandra is not left out?

How do Saheed and Alessandra interact differently with Rose?

24. Language focus: Compliments and Comments

Compliments

That was excellent/delicious/very good.

Well done!

Good effort!

You're looking/you look very nice/great/beautiful.

Stimulating conversation

* Remember: Offering your opinions and making comments is one of the most effective ways of entering and encouraging conversation. It provides a stimulus for further comment and reaction.

Comments

about a job:

That must be rewarding/hard work/demanding/exciting/dull/boring.

about a film/show/play:

That was terriffic/well-acted/absorbing/intriguing/disappointing/boring/awful.

about a person socially:

He/She's easy-going/chatty/talkative/extroverted/has a (good) sense of humour/interesting/good company.

He/She's shy/quiet/ introverted/hard to get to know.

about a subject/piece of news:

That's fascinating/surprising/astonishing/incredible/interesting.

It's upsetting/shocking/disturbing/depressing/worrying.

about a joke:

That's funny/ hilarious/ not very funny/a great joke/ not a good joke/ in bad taste.

about a person at work:

He/She's competent/hard-working/meticulous/conscientous/demanding/serious/lazy.

26. Compliments

“There is nothing you can say in answer to a compliment. I have been complimented myself a great many times, and they always embarrass me—I always feel that they have not said enough.”

- Mark Twain

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