III Spoken English

Socializing

1. Objectives:

• to hold social and business conversation with business contacts;

• to create the right impression when talking to a business partner.

Tasks:

• to discuss leisure interests;

• to respond appropriately to a visitor’s comments;

• to explain local customs to a foreign guest;

• to discuss cultural differences;

• to deal with problems encountered on a trip.

2. Introduction. Think about 1-2 words in the story in Russian. Translate the words into English.

Hints:

• the focus of this activity is on a range of fixed expressions to cover good and bad news, praise and criticism;

• success in business depends on creating the right impression;

• do say interesting phrases rather than a criticism;

• respond correctly and fluently when you recognize the type of information you are being given;

• these expressions do not need to be analyzed for grammatical form;

• the kind of language used characterizes you as friendly or unfriendly, helpful or unhelpful, contributing or hindering.

3. Key words:

	to take part in a conversation with a foreigner
	to respond to a visitor
	to reply to a letter
	to explain local customs to a foreign guest
	to deal with a problem
	to encounter Helen
	to change
	a wedding
	a wedding cake
	to hand a letter to a person
	an exhibition
	a big exhibition
	Never mind. = It doesn’t matter. = Don’t worry.
	Oh, dear.
	Good heavens.
	I have no idea.
	Good luck.
	Same to you.
	Bad luck.
	Better luck next time.
	a price of a computer
	to play tennis
	to see round the company/ Kharkiv
	You’d better take an aspirin.
	You’d better not go to the cinema.
	We will need the car…
	Will you need the car…?
	a presentation
	to give a presentation
	a joint venture
	be careful
	privacy
	to touch his hand
	I am touched.	Я тронут
	social distance
	a gesture
	eye contact
	Make an eye contact please.	Смотрите мне в глаза.
	to toss a coin to move	подбрасывать монетку кому ходить
	heads	орёл
	tails	решка
	Follow the instructions.
	salty	слишком солёный
	fatty	слишком жирный
	vinegary	слишком много уксуса
	smoky	копчёный
	spicy	много специй
	tangy	с сильным запахом или острый на вкус
	sugary	слишком сладкий
	peppery	слишком перчённый
	fiery	слишком жгучий (во рту)

4. Activity 4. Organisation of the dialogue “Socialising” by students at previous lesson.

Plan

1. Comment.

2. Reply.

5. Activity 5. Each part of the dialogue “Socialising” is made with one question or a phrase.

1. It’s an interesting film, isn’t it?

2. Yes, it is.

6. Activity 6. Build up your conversation.

1. What kind of films do you like?

2. What sports do you like?

3. What model of car do you drive?

4. What sorts of cars do Europeans buy?

5. Do you play tennis?

6. How often do you play tennis?

7. It looks delicious.

8. What do you think the business is in your country?

9. How many hours do you spend watching TV each day?

10. It might rain. You’d better take along an umbrella.

11. It’s customary.

12. I always insist on it.

13. What is the purpose of your trip?

14. Who are they?

15. Where do they come from?

16. Is it a business trip or a holiday?

17. I’ve been to Ukraine several times.

18. There is a big exhibition there.

19. What a pity.

20. What’s wrong with it?

21. Some other time perhaps.

22. We are doing business with companies from other countries.

23. It tastes of pepper.

24. Could you put my case somewhere safe?

25. It’s confidential.

26. I’m not very good at history.

27. I’m not really sure.

28. I’ll find out for you.

29. I’ll drink to that. - Я выпью за это.

30. That’s fantastic. We must celebrate it.

31. Nothing serious I hope.

32. Oh, on what subject?

33. Have you taken any aspirin?

34. Let me help you look.

35. Don’t worry.

36. Oh dear. What a shame!

37. Lucky you.

38. In my culture we don’t stand close to each other.

7. Activity 7. Teacher presents his own communicative plan of the dialogue “Socialising” and the questions or phrases to make up the dialogue. Students provide their own answers.

Plan:

1. Comment.

2. Showing interest.

3. Reply.

4. State your position.

5. Advice.

6. Offering help.

1. I have failed my driving test.

2. What went wrong?

3. I am always very nervous in exams.

4. Well, better luck next time.

5. You need to change your training strategy.

6. Shall I help you in any way?

8. Activity 8. Socialising. Social expressions. Fill in the gaps in the following four short conversations with a suitable expression from the list at the side.

	A: B: A: B: A: B:	____ you are going to get married soon. _________. ____, next July. July 21st. Can you come to the wedding? ____! That’s when we are away on holiday. ____, we’ll send you some wedding cake. That’s very kind.	That’ right. Oh, what a pity. Congratulations. Never mind. I hear.
	A: B: A: B:	____! Look at the time. ____, or we’ll miss the train. ____, I can’t find my umbrella. Do you know where it is? ____. But you will not need it. It’s a lovely day. ____. I hope you are right. Let’s go.	Hurry up. OK. Good heavens. Just a minute. I have no idea.
	A: B: A: B: A: B:	____ in your exam! ____. I hope we both pass. Did you study all last night? ____. I watched TV and went to bed early. ____? I did the same. ____, after the exam. All right. Let’s go to study.	Good luck. See you later. Same to you. What about you? No, of course not.
	A: B: A: B: A:	I passed. ____! I failed. ____! What went wrong? I’m always very nervous in exams, and this time I was very nervous ____. Oh, ____. Well, all I can say is ____.	Bad luck. indeed Well done. I see. better luck next time

9. Activity 9. Social chit-chat.

Situation: You go to a reception at an international conference in London.

Activity 9.1: Talk to the other participants. Mind intonation would change the meaning.

	Statement	Reply
	It’s an interesting conference, isn’t it?	Yes, it is, isn’t it?
	How’s business?	Very good indeed. Thank you.
	Cheers!	Cheers!
	Which hotel are you staying in?	The Sheraton. It’s not far from here.
	Do try these vol-au-vents [`vɔǀ ǝu `vɔn].	Thanks. They look delicious.
	Sorry. I didn’t catch your name.	It’s Julie.
	I’m afraid there’s no more wine.	Don’t worry. I’ll have an orange juice instead.
	Is this your first visit to Ukraine?	Yes, it is.
	Do you fancy another drink?	Yes please. I will have a gin and tonic.
	You are from Sweden, aren’t you?	That’s right. I am from Stockholm.
	I am off now.	Bye-bye then. See you later.
	Let me give you a lift back to your hotel.	It’s very good of you but I’d like to walk.
	I have just heard. We’ve won the export achievement award.	Congratulations. That’s good news.
	I’ve got a terrible headache.	You poor thing. (Бедненькая.)
	The director has had to go in to hospital for a few days.	Nothing serious, I hope.
	I’m going to Sweden on holiday next week.	That’s nice. How long are you going for?
	I’m giving a presentation to the guests tomorrow.	I hope it goes well for you.
	Be careful when you switch it on.	Why? What’s wrong with it?
	I can’t find my glasses.	When did you last have them?
	Well, here’s to a successful joint venture.	Cheers!
	Thank you for inviting me, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to come.	What a pity. Some other time perhaps.
	You should have been at the meeting yesterday.	Why? What happened then?

10. Activity 10. Cultural heritage, customs and features.

Activity 10.1. Discuss cultural heritage and customs in this country. They are:

1. Social distance.

2. Touching.

3. Gestures.

4. How loudly people speak.

5. Eye contact.

6. Traditional greeting.

7. Traditional handshake etc.

Activity 10.2. Ask and answer questions as follows:

1. Do you keep a social distance between a chief and a subordinate?

2. Do people touch each other during a conversation?

3. What gestures are used when communicating with people?

4. How loudly do people speak in classrooms?

5. Do people avoid eye contact when speaking?

6. What kind of greeting is traditional in your country when man meets woman?

7. Do men and women shake hands during the first meeting?

Criteria for evaluation are:

• Вопрос к подлежащему;

• Альтернативный вопрос к подлежащему;

• Предлоги направления и движения;

• Инициируйте разговор с иностранцем;

• Объясните местную традицию посещения церкви иностранцу.

H/w:

1. Вопрос к подлежащему.

2. Альтернативный вопрос к подлежащему.

3. Предлоги направления и движения.

4. Dialogue “Socializing: driving test”.

5. Ask and answer 6 questions about cultural customs and features in Ukraine.