Unit 11 Тaking part in a meeting

Before you start

1. Look at some things that people say about speaking in meetings. Tick the ones you agree with then compare your answers with a partner.

1. It's difficult to think of the right words.

2. I always have a lot to say.

3. I don't like it when people disagree with me.

4. People are always interrupting me.

5. I'm not sure if people always understand me.

Reading

2. Look at this agenda and answer the questions.

1. What is the meeting about?

2. How many people will attend the meeting?

3. What is Carla's role?

AGENDA

Meeting Friday 28th June

Chairperson: Clare

Participants: Ella, Tom, Jake, Mila, Frank

Minutes: Carla

Purpose of meeting: To plan the visit by exchange students 16th-20th September

Main points:

1. Daily activities

2. Evening activities

3. Accommodation

4 End-of-week celebration

3. Now read part of the meeting and answer the questions. (Clare = A, Jake = B, Ella = C, Tom = D)

1. What do the speakers agree about?

2. What do Tom and Ella disagree about?

A ... So, now we need to talk about point 4, the end-of-week celebration. Can we brainstorm some ideas? Jake, what do you think?

B Why don't we have a party?

C Yes, I agree. Definitely a party. _/

A OK, that's a good idea. Any ideas for what kind of party? What about you, Tom?

D What about having a big party for all the students and their families? We could use the main hall, so people can dance. We could get a band...

C Yes, that's right. We want somewhere to dance, but I don't think we should have a band. I think we should have a DJ.

D Well, I don't agree with you. In my opinion, a band is much more exciting than a DJ.

C Yes, but a DJ can play different types of music ...

A OK, Ella, we can decide later. Let's agree that we're going to have music.

B Excuse me, can I say something?

A Of course.

B My brother is a DJ...

Vocabulary

4. Look at the headings. Find two phrases in the dialogue which do each of these things and write them under the headings.

ask for ideas / opinions

1 2

make a suggestion

1 2 _________

give your opinion

1 2 _____________

agree

1 2 _____________

disagree

1 2 ______________

interrupt

1 2 ____________

Speaking

5. .Work in groups of four. Read the dialogue aloud. Take turns to be Clare, Ella, Tom and Jake.

5. . Work in different groups to have a meeting.

Your class teacher is leaving the school. A few of you are having a meeting to decide what to buy him/her and when to present it. Appoint a chairperson and someone to take minutes. Use phrases from the table in Exercise 4 to:

1. ask for ideas/opinions

2. make suggestions

3. give your opinion

4. agree or disagree

5 interrupt

Writing

7. Write an e-mail to the rest of the class to tell them what you decided in your meeting and to invite them to the presentation. Use these phrases.

As you know, X is leaving on ...

We have decided to ...

We would like you to join us...

Can you please...