Post-Reading

1. Explain the following.

1. an e-mail message

2. in a matter of minutes

3. a communication network

4. an up-to-date method

5. personal communication

6. a sender and a receiver

7. subject line

8. a Signature Block

2. Match the pairs of synonyms from A and B and translate them.

A B

1. current a. transmit

2. send b. reply

3. include c. contain

4. answer d. up-to-date

3. Make the sentences complete by translating the words in brackets.

1. We have come to deliver a (сообщение). 2. They have supplied (современный) equipment. 3. I sent the documents (с помощью) fax. 4. I will be able to (пересылать) that email to you.

4. Complete the sentences choosing the best variant corresponding to the contents of the text.

1. The most widely used form of communication is …

1. a fax message.

2. an email.

3. a business letter.

2. The symbol @ is followed by …

1. the person’s name.

2. headers and footers.

3. the domain.

3. A fax machine processes a text as a …

1. a graphic image.

2. a bit map.

3. electrical signals.

4. A fax messages faces a competition from …

1. modern technologies.

2. e-mails.

3. business letters.

5. Answer the questions below.

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-mails?

• Are e-mail letters as formal in style as ordinary letters?

• What are the rules for writing e-mails?

• What is the structure of an e-mail?

• Do you know what the symbol @ means?

• What is the procedure of sending a fax message?

6. Mark the main ideas of the text and retell it in English. Language Work

1. Look and memorise the words:

1. to transmit – передавать, отправлять, посылать

The information is transmitted electronically to the central computer.

2. destination – место назначения

send an email to its destination – отправить электронную почту по адресу

This program allows you to send an email directly from PC to its destination on the Internet.

3. to attach – прикреплять

attachment – прикрепление; информация, прикрепленная к сообщению

To attach a file to an email, follow some steps.

4. via – через, путем, с помощью

Contact us via e-mail.

2. Phrases usually start an email:

• Dear Sir / Madam

• I’m sorry I haven’t written before, but I’ve been very busy.

• It was wonderful to hear from you again.

3. Phrases usually end an email:

• Well, that’s all for now.

• I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

• Thanks for your email.

• Yours truly.

• Take care.

Reading and Speaking (3)

1. What is a contract?

2. What’s the difference between an agreement and a contract?

Business Documents and Contracts

A contract may be defined as an agreement between two or more parties to do or not to do certain things which is binding in law. Every contract is an agreement but not every agreement is a contract. For example, a business contract could be for the sale of goods or supply of services at a certain price. There are different types of contracts including:

• a sales and purchase contract;

• a partnership agreement;

• a lease of business premises;

• a lease of plant and equipment;

• an employment agreement;

• a loan contract;

• an employment contract;

• a turnkey contract.

The process for creating a contract generally includes information exchange, discussion, negotiation and employment agreements. A business contact must contain four essential elements: offer; acceptance; intention to create legal relations; consideration. These elements of a contract can be briefly explained as follows: a contract is formed when one party makes an offer and that offer is accepted by another party for an exchange of some benefit by the parties (this is the consideration element). The intention of the parties is that they are legally bound by the contract.

The party making an offer is known as the offeror, the party to whom the offer is made is known as the offeree. The contract comes into existence when an offer has been unconditionally accepted.

Contracts can be verbal or written. But a verbal contract is much more difficult to prove. Some types of contract such as those for buying or selling real estate and credit must be in writing.

If you are a business owner you are able to read a contract and understand what it means. But you should always get legal advice before signing a significant contract.

A business contract can include some general matters:

• parties to the contract

• date of the contract

• description of the goods and services that your business will provide

• payment amount and terms

• terms of delivery

• insurance conditions

• termination conditions.

Once a contract is made, it cannot generally be changed, that’s why one should never be pressed into signing a contract without first reading it carefully. Contractual agreements give rise to rights and obligations known as the terms of a contract.

In common-law countries the term ‘contract’ covers much more than the formal legal documents. A contract may take the form of any written agreement or a series of letters or even a conversation (an oral contract), if the essential elements are present.

In the Middle East, the spoken word is often honoured and followed more than the written word. It is common to continue negotiating what is in the contract even after the contract has been written and signed.