Mastering the Art of Conducting Meetings in English

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

11.6 Mastering the Art of Conducting Meetings in English

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand the key phrases and techniques for conducting a meeting in English.

What do you already know about conducting meetings in English?

Opening a Meeting

This phase includes starting the meeting, setting the agenda, and addressing any apologies or absences.
Right, everyone is here. I think we can start.

I have (not) received apologies for the absence of ...

 declare the meeting open/closed.

The aim/purpose of this meeting is...

At today’s meeting, we’re going to discuss ...

Are there any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting?

Directing the Discussion

These phrases help steer the meeting, manage time, and encourage participation while keeping the conversation focused.

How does everyone feel about ...?

Can we stick to the topic of this meeting, please?

I think we should take a break for five minutes.

I have to agree with ... on this one.

Let’s move on to the next item.

May I speak for a moment?

Please keep it brief / to the point.

We’ve only got ten minutes (left), so I suggest we move ... to the next meeting.

Closing a Meeting

This phase involves wrapping up the meeting, confirming understanding, expressing gratitude, and planning for the next meeting.

Does anyone have any other business?

If everyone is clear on that, I’d like to bring this meeting to a close.

Thanks for listening / being here today.

Shall we decide on a date for the next meeting?

Watch the video 

Exercise 2 - 6 mins

Work together with three other students.

You are a group of students. This is your final meeting of a group project that has just finished. Before you start the meeting, think of a project relevant for your school that might earn you some money.

Choose speech card A, B, C or D.

Take two minutes to prepare. Use Phrases for meetings.

Click here to open the Phrases for meetings.

The person with speech card A starts.

The meeting meeting should take five to ten minutes. Time the meeting.

You may repeat this exercise by changing speech cards.

You work in a supermarket. A meeting was organized on the following topics: largely company clothes, the length of breaks and the weekend schedule.

Assignment

Work with three of four classmates.

Choose a chairman.

Prepare your meeting briefly.

Have the conversation in which you:

raises all three points

discussed the points in the best way

decides together with the others on all three points

Key Takeaways

Recap the essential phrases and strategies for effectively conducting a meeting in English.

Practice Makes Perfect - Extra exam excercise 

Practice conducting a mock meeting using the phrases and techniques learned in the lesson.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.