Business/23

• English
• Special Education

On the phone: messages

FORMAL:

-Hello. Is Mr Hawkins in? This is Mr Richards.

-No, I'm sorry, he's out of town until Thursday. Is there something I can help you with?

No, that's all right. I'll call back at the end of the week.

INFORMAL:

-Hi, this is Christine. Is Carol there?

-No, she's not. Can I take a message?

-Just tell her I called. I'll try her again later.

MORE FORMAL:

-Good morning. This is Mr Williams at Shop-Way. I'd like to speak with Mr Melnick, please.

-I'm sorry, I'm afraid Mr Melnick is in a meeting at the moment. May I take a message, Mr Williams?

-Yes please. Would you tell him to call me back?

-All right. I'll see that he gets the message as soon as he's free.

Discussion

1. What are some good strategies to be successful in your career?
2. Would you prefer to have a low-paid but fun job or a well-paid but stressful one?
3. Are you an ambitious person? Give examples.
4. Do you ever work late?
5. What are some ways that you can 'work smart'?
6. What skills does a modern office employee need in order to do well?

Working for a position

1. What position does the man have?
2. For how many years has the man been working here?
3. Why is the current position better than the previous one?
4. Until what time had his boss worked sometimes?
5. Why did Suzie get the promotion?

Mock Meeting

You work for a medium-sized company. Recently, your boss has come up with the idea of a ‘Family Fun Day’ to foster better relations between employees. Hold a meeting to plan out the Family Fun Day, including the activities, times, venue and budget.

Mock Meeting

Choose the correct answer!

Verb tenses

Do you think you __________ finish this report by the end of the day?

1. could / will
2. could / have
3. will / have
4. would have

Yes, the report ________ by the end of the day.

1. will be finished
2. I will finish
3. I have finished
4. I could have finish

I ________ it as we speak.

1. will finish
2. finish
3. would finish
4. am finishing

I will have finished ________ of the presentation by the time you get back from lunch.

1. to prepare
2. preparing
3. prepared
4. prepare

I _______ for many different jobs.

1. have be applying
2. have applied
3. has apply
4. have applying

If I had known about the layoffs, I ______ you.

1. would have told
2. will have told
3. will get
4. had got

We are currently ________ several acquisitions.

1. considered
2. have been considering
3. to consider
4. considering

These acquisitions ________ us as the leader in our industry.

1. would be established
2. would establish
3. would have established
4. will be establish

Goodbye!