Basic HTML Version
1d
First impressions
5
Pronunciation
short questions
a
1.6
Listen to these exchanges. Notice how the
speakers use short questions to show interest.
1 C: I mostly work on web adverts.
P: Do you?
2 P: I’m in sales.
C: Oh, are you?
3 L: Oh yes, my brother goes to
Get !t
.
Y: Does he?
b
Work in pairs. Practise the exchanges.
6
Look at the audioscript on page 173. Practise the
conversations with your partner.
7
Imagine you are a participant at the business skills
seminar. Complete the pro!le information card.
Then do the seminar task. Use the expressions for
opening and closing conversations to help you.
Real life
opening and closing conversations
First Impressions
Task: You are at a
networking event.
Introduce yourself to
as many people as
you can and arrange
to follow up useful
contacts. You only
have two minutes
with each person.
1
Work in groups. Discuss the seminar handout.
1 Do the colours and clothes mean the same
thing in your country?
2 What does ‘punctual’ mean in your country?
3 Do you use !rst names or surnames in your
country?
4 Which advice is appropriate in your country?
5 Which advice is not appropriate in your country?
2
1.5
Listen to four participants at a business
skills seminar in the UK. They are role-playing
‘!rst meetings’. Tick the points on the handout the
speakers follow.
3
1.5
Look at the expressions for opening and
closing conversations. Listen again and tick the
expressions Paula, Colin, Lucy and Yuvraj use.
Which pair of participants do you think gave the
best performance?
X
OPENING AND CLOSING CONVERSATIONS
Opening a conversation
May I introduce myself?
Allow me to introduce myself.
How do you do? My name’s …
Hello, how are you? I’m …
It’s a pleasure to meet you.
I’m very pleased to meet you.
Closing a conversation and moving on
Thanks for your time.
It’s been good talking to you.
Let me give you my card.
Let’s stay in touch.
Why don’t I give you my card?
How about meeting again?
4
Look at the expressions for opening and closing
conversations again. Which expressions are the
most formal?
networking
[n]
/!net"w#$
(
r
)
k%&/
8
Work in pairs. Compare the information you
found out about different people in Exercise 7.
t
Dress appropriately. A dark blue suit is great for a business meeting, a red
tie or scarf suggests power and energy. But what if you work in the arts?
t
Be punctual, courteous and positive.
t
Make sure you know the other person’s name. Use it!
t
Make the other person the focus of your attention. Sound interested! Ask
questions!
t
Know what you want to say and say it e!ectively!
t
Don’t forget to follow up on your meeting with a phone call or an email.
You never get a second chance
to make a good !rst impression.
Name
Company
Position
Responsibilities
Current projects you
are involved in
16
TALK ABOUT
X
ROUTINES AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES
X
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
X
THE ROLES WE PLAY
X
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
WRITE
X
A WEBSITE PROFILE
real life
opening and closing conversations t
pronunciation
short questions