Idioms

in the black - in good financial condition with no debt

The company has been in the black for the past six months.

see eye-to-eye - to agree or feel the same way

Most of the employees see eye-to-eye on the future of the company.

Answer the questions

1. Why can't Elaine Strong answer the phone?

a. She's in a meeting.

b. She's out of the office.

c. She's talking with another customer. 2. What does caller want the secretary to send?

a. information on after-sales service b. a picture of the newest computers

c. a list of software products

3. What time should the secretary send the material?

a. 2:30 PM

b. 3:30 PM

c. 5:00 PM

4. What is the caller's name?

a. Cordell

b. Kordel

c. Kordell 5. What is the caller's telephone number?

a. 560-1287

b. 560-1828

c. 560-2187

3. Vocabulary activities

Complete the Text Completion Quiz

Secretary: Hello, Ultimate Computers. May I help you?

Caller: Yes, this is Jack Kordell from Hunter's Office Supplies. May I ⁽¹⁾ … to Elaine Strong, please?

Secretary: I'm sorry, but she's not in right now.

Caller: Okay, do you know when she'll be ⁽²⁾ ...?

Secretary: Uh, yes, she should be here later on this afternoon maybe about 4:30. May I take a message?

Caller: Yes. Ms. Strong sent me a brochure detailing your ⁽³⁾ … line of laptop computers with a ⁽⁴⁾ … of other software products, but there wasn't any information about after-sales ⁽⁵⁾…

Secretary: Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like me to fax that to you?

Caller: Yes, but our fax is being ⁽⁶⁾ … at the moment, and it won't be working until around 2:30. Hum . . . could you try sending that information around 3:30? That's should give me time to look over the ⁽⁷⁾ … before I call Ms. Strong, say, around 5:00.

Secretary: Sure. Could I have your name, telephone number, and fax number, please?

Caller: Yes. Jack Kordell and the phone number is 560-1287. And the fax number is 560-1288.

Secretary: Okay. Jack Kordell. Is your name ⁽⁸⁾ … C-o-r-d-e-l?

Caller: No. It's Kordell with a "K" and two "l's." K-o-r-d-e-l-l."

Secretary: All right, Mr. Kordell. And your phone number is 560-1287, and the fax number is 560-1288. Is that ⁽⁹⁾ ...?

Caller: Yes it is.

Secretary: All right. I'll be ⁽¹⁰⁾ … to send you the fax this afternoon.

Caller: Okay, bye.

4. Post-listening exercises

Imagine that you are opening your own clothing store or some other business. What kinds of office equipment and supplies do you think you will need to run your business? How much will this equipment cost? Will you rent the equipment or buy it? Do you create a Website for your business? Discuss your ideas.

Ex. 7 Listen to the recording “Job Interviews Tips”.

Discussion

Suppose you are the owner of an English school, and you are hiring a new English teacher for a new position. What questions would you ask the person to see if he or she is a qualifed candidate for the job?

Online Investigation

Check online for other good interview tips that could help people find a new job. What suggestions do you find not mentioned on this page? Can you find any questions specific to your particular field of interest or major?

Ex. 8 Listen to the recording “Job Promotion”.

Discussion

What factors and personal qualities do you think companies consider when giving an employee a promotion? On the other hand, what behaviors and personality traits work against a employee who is seeking a promotion?

Online Investigation

Knowing what to do and say on the job is critical to getting a promotion. Search the Internet for specific tips and advice on improving your chances of getting a promotion at your current or future job. Do these suggestions vary depending on your field of work? What is the perception of the "ideal" worker in your country and how does this differ from similar jobs overseas? You might want to interview people to prepare your ideas.

Telephone talk

Ex. 9 Read the information and act out your own dialog.

Ex. 10 Listen to the recording “A Free Cell Phone!”

1. Pre-listening exercises

Cell phones, or mobile phones, are becoming more popular around the world as a preferred form of communication, but can you find a cheap calling plan that will fit your budget? What do you look for when deciding on a cell phone or a phone carrier (e.g., cost of phone, number of minutes a month, cancellation fees, etc.)?

2. Listening exercises

Listen to the conversation and read along with the conversation. Review the Key Vocabulary and the sample sentences.

Key Vocabulary

- So, there must be a catch to buying this cellphone. I mean, why would the company offer it for free?

- The store charged me too much for the cell phone, so I'm going to return it.

- This is one of the few companies that allows you to roll over your minutes to the next month without losing them.