INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS ENGLISH

Day 4

First….

Homework REVIEW

Samuel approves leases for Bayside Properties, a real estate company. One day, Elaine, a real estate appraiser, approaches Samuel to inquire about leasing office space in one of the company’s buildings. Elaine has previously rented space in a Bayside building, but that building has been sold; Elaine needs to find new space at the end of her lease.

Samuel would like to rent to Elaine—she is not only an ideal tenant with an excellent credit record with the company, but Samuel knows that Elaine is in the position to speak favorably to others about the company’s good service and careful maintenance of their buildings. In addition, Elaine is a close family friend.

Samuel has the perfect space for Elaine coming available just when she needs it. The problem is, rental rates have increased quite a bit since Elaine signed her last lease with Bayside, and it is more than she wants to pay. Elaine asks Samuel for a break on the rent. What should he do?

Describe this picture

Why should we prepare before calling someone? Time zone difference May not know the question to ask Can get the answer from someone else They may be busy They may be on vacation They have left work Out of the office

Preparing for a call

Listen to this audio. Tell me what you would do to prepare for making a call. Try to guess what the person might say Getting together information you may need Recent correspondence (knowing what we

talked about in the past) What you want from the call, need to say,

and what to find out.

What would you need for…

IT Technician about your computer dying.

A retail store purchaser about buying your items.

Receiving Calls

What are you expected to take when you listen to a call? Person’s name Company Title Phone number Time of the call Any extra information needed

Listening…

Listen to the two examples of phone calls. Please write their: Names (from and to) Phone number Company Time of call Message

Asking for someone on the phone Introduction

Good morning (afternoon, evening) My name is XXXXX from XXXXXX (company) My name is XXXXX calling from XXXXX (company)

Asking for someone I’d like to speak to XXXX please. Is XXXXXX available/there? Can I have the XXXXXX department please?

Asking for availability When do you expect them to be back? Can I call them later in the day?

Leaving a message Could I leave a message for them? Could you give them a message for me?

Leaving a message (Secretary) Name Company Contact information

Email Fax Phone

Why you called When you expect to get a reply.

Leaving a message (answering machine)

Name Company Title (optional) Contact information Message When you are available.

Phone numbers

Calling someone internationally The number 0 can be used as either said as

“zero” or “ought” or “oh” There are 4 parts of a number

Exit number (to exit the country. Dial 00) Country code (USA is 1, UK is 44, AU is 61) Area code (Area of the country. USA is 3, UK is

4, AU is 2) Local number (America is 7 numbers, UK is 7,

AU is 8)

Repetition

Sometimes English speakers will say word too fast or with a heavy accent I’m gonna go to da mall.

Gonna = going to, da = the Do you wanna go to eat? Canna get you somethin?

Wanna = want to, Canna = can I, somethin = something

There might be a problem hearing the caller. Ways to ask for repetition:

Sorry, I didn’t catch your XXXXXX Could you repeat that? I’m sorry, I couldn’t understand you. Could you say

that to me again (slowly). Could you spell that for me?

Why couldn’t the person understand?

Spelling a name or company

“-” is a hyphen “_” is an underscore, “~” is a tilde.

Getting past the Secretary

Listen…

Listen to this conversation from Mr. Walter Barry to TCG in France. What is he trying to do? What did he do wrong? What should he have done? Why did she act this way towards him? Did she do a good job?

Homework

Exercise 1: Please place the sentences in the correct order.

Exercise 2: You were overhearing your colleague talking to someone on the phone. Please fill in what you assume was being said to them.