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English for Construction Английский язык для строительства. Учебно-методическое пособие

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Continuatoin of the Table
Introduction cliche
Formal meeting Informal meeting
First, we will demonstrate an overview of… Next, Mr. Smooth will present the data that he gathered and his ideas for… He will be followed by Mr. Hanson, who will discuss adapting our product to meet market needs, and at last we’ll make a conclusion with the main recommendations.
Since we have very limited time today, please hold your questions until the end of the presentation.
First I would like to talk about... Then I would like you to take a look at… Following that we’re going to talk about… Then I’m going to wrap things up with our team’s recommendations. Lastly we are going to discuss…
Any questions so far? Please feel free to interrupt me at any time.
In general, the audience would like first to hear your answers on the following questions:
1. What is the company you work for?
2. What is your actual job?
3. What is the project you work at?
Use the Present Continuous tense if you wish to concentrate on your current activities to speak
about.
Don’t forget to tell the audience first about how long your presentation will take. When demonstrating the visuals (slides in PowerPoint format or a similar software), it is important to use a certain number of expressions or key phrases to create a logical connection between the slides and the main idea of your presentation. To make it easier for listeners to get the presented information, it is also necessary to think about a clear structure of the presentation. Specify the topic and objectives of the presentation, and try to consider expected organisational issues. You decide whether to answer questions during or after the presentation, but do not forget to inform the audience about your decision. Be ready with some typical phrases that you can use to answer on the complex questions in the end.
As a matter of fact, it is recommended to comment on the question first to give yourself some time to think about it. There are 4 main types of expected questions in total:
1) “good” questions (they help to add some more information or improve your message to
the audience);
2) “difficult” questions (you can answer them depending on the situation);
3) “unnecessary” questions (answered them briefly, as the information on it has already been
presented before);
4) “irrelevant” questions (do not ignore them, however, reply in polite form).
Exercise 2. Put the following responses into 4 groups: response to good questions, difficult questions, unnecessary questions, irrelevant questions.
1. I’m afraid I don’t see the connection. 8. Sorry, I don’t follow you.
2. I don’t know that off the top of my head. 9. I’m afraid I don’t have that information with me.
3. I think I answered that earlier. 10. Good point.
4. Interesting. What do you think? 11. Well, as I said…
5. Well, as I mentioned earlier… 12. I wish I knew.
6. I’m glad you asked that. 13. That’s a very good question.
7. To be honest, I think that raises a different issue. 14. I’m afraid I’m not in a position to comment on that.
For the presentation, it will also be useful to learn terms that help to correctly convey the main idea of your presentation to the listener and clearly explain the information in graphs, tables, etc. It is also necessary to know the elementary names of graphs, tables, etc. in English (Appendix 2).
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Phrases for the main part
Now we will look at… I’d like now to discuss… Let’s now talk about… Let’s now turn to… Let’s move on to… That will bring us to our next point… Moving on to our next slide…
Concluding phrases
Indicating the end of your talk Making recommendations
I’m now approaching/nearing the end of my presen­tation. Well, this brings me to the end of my presentation. We’re very close to the end now, but there are a cou­ple of important things. Finally, I’d like to highlight one key issue. As a final point, I’d like to…
Summarising points Inviting questions
I’d like to run through my main points again. To conclude/in conclusion, I’d like to… To sum up, we… So, just to recap… Just to summarise the main points of my talk…
Answers to questions
I think I answered your question earlier. I’m glad you asked that. Well, as I already said… That’s a very good question. So, you are asking about…
We’d suggest + noun/verb-ing/that… We therefore recommend that… In my opinion, we should… Based on the figures we have, I’m quite certain that… Given these results, it seems to us that the best thing to do (now) is…
Are there any questions? And now I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. If you would like me to elaborate on any point, please ask. I’d be really interested in hearing your questions on this.
Exercise 5. Put the words in the right order to make sentences.
1) points main again through like go I’d to the;
2) approaching of the my now presentation I’m end;
3) practice it now put let’s all into;
4) that market we the focus on Asian I’d recommend;
5) most important let the me summarise results.
Exercise 6. Use the following words to complete the task: recommend; with; sum; decide; time; listening; to; then; just; thank; up; next; solutions; third.
This brings me (1) ___to____ the end of my talk. So, to (2) ________ (3) ________, I explained the problem (4) ________ the existing system and (5) ________ presented three possible (6) ________. The first solution requires new equipment, the (7)________ solution needs more staff and the (8) ________ solution needs a complete change of strategy. We now need to (9) ________which solution we will select. I (10) ________the third solution because it will benefit
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the company for longer. Finally, I’d like to (11) ________ you for (12) ________this afternoon. (13) ________ is nearly up, so we (14) ________ have a few minutes for questions.
Exercise 7. Study the variants of response.
Asking for clarification
If you don’t understand the question, politely ask your opponent to repeat or explain it:
1. I’m sorry. Could you repeat your question (more slowly), please?
2. I’m sorry. Could you rephrase your question, please?
3. Sorry, I didn’t hear the first/last part of your question.
4. Sorry, could you speak up, please?
5. I’m afraid, I didn’t quite catch that.
6. I’m afraid, I don’t quite understand your question. If I’m not wrong, I think what you are asking is… Avoiding giving an answer
Sometimes you may not want to answer a question, perhaps because it’s not the right time or it doesn’t matter. Avoid giving a direct answer, make sure your tone of voice is friendly and your response is polite:
1. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer not to discuss that today.
2. I’m afraid I can’t give you a full answer right now.
3. Perhaps we could deal with this after the presentation / at some other time.
4. I’m afraid that’s not really what we’re here to discuss today.
Admitting you don’t know the answer
If you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest and say so. Try to find someone in the audit who is ready to answer this question:
1. Sorry, that’s not my field. But I’m sure Peter Smith from Sales could answer your question.
2. I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to your question, but I’ll try to find out for you.
3. I’m afraid I’m not in a position to answer that. Perhaps Maria could help.
Exercise 8. Read the introduction to a presentation and choose the right variant of words or
phrases in italics.
Good afternoon, dear colleagues and welcome in/to/for our discussion on corporate culture. I want to begin/starting/continue by drawing/telling/outlining some of the main topics/matters/issues in corporate culture because/for/in order to you will be able to say if your company pays attention to this question. I will then look/turn/change to some of the legal and financial things/aspects/pieces of management, and will illustrate/give examples/discuss of the kinds of issues you are facing. I will finish by/with/in giving a brief summary of the service that we offer, and I will explain what you
need/shall/ should do if you would like to look into the matter. As we are rather needed/pressed/ short for time.
I would be grateful if you could spend/stay/save any questions you could ask/say/arise until the end of discussion. In the end I will do/give/have my best to answer them.
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UNIT 8
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION — BUSINESS LETTER
STRUCTURE OF A BUSINESS LETTER
The English tradition of writing formal letters adheres to specific rules and structures. While these letters may seem daunting at first, they can be easily mastered with a grasp of certain secrets and a sufficient vocabulary.
There are many kinds of business letters. Of these, the following should be highlighted:
1) letter of recommendation;
2) letter of application;
3) letter of complaint;
4) letter of apology;
5) order letter;
6) request letter;
7) refusal letter;
8) cover letter.
Structural framework of English business letters
1. Sender’s name and address. Positioned on the left side of the letterhead, this section includes
the sender’s name, address, contact number, email, and fax (if applicable).
2. Date. The date the letter is written is placed below the sender’s contact information.
3. Recipient’s address. The recipient’s address is positioned at the lower right corner of the
letterhead.
4. Salutation. A formal greeting addressing the recipient, such as “Dear [recipient’s name]”,
is used to initiate the letter. For unknown recipients, the phrase “Dear Sir or Madam” is appropriate.
5. The main part. The body of the letter consists of several paragraphs, each addressing a specific point or aspect of the communication. Maintain a formal tone throughout the letter, avoiding slang, abbreviations, and emotional language. Utilise modal verbs like “would”, “could”, and “shall” to add formality and politeness to your writing.
6. Conclusion. Conclude the letter with a polite closing phrase, such as “Sincerely”, “Best regards”, or “Yours truly”.
7. Signature block. Below the complimentary close, leave space for a handwritten signature. Type your full name and position below the signature line.
Key tips for composing formal letters in English
1. Choose the appropriate greeting:
– use “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last name]” for known recipients; – opt for “Dear Sir or Madam” when addressing unknown recipients.
2. Address the recipient with respect. Always show respect and courtesy towards the recipient, even in letters of complaint or disagreement.
3. Maintain a professional tone:
– refrain from using informal language, slang, or colloquialisms; – avoid using overly emotional or aggressive language.
4. Use clear and concise language:
– convey your message in a straightforward and easily understandable manner; – avoid jargon, technical terms, and ambiguous phrases.
5. Proofread carefully:
– review your letter thoroughly for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation before
sending it out.
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Exercise 1. Read and translate a letter of recommendation. Study its structure and write
a letter of the same format.
Letter of recommendation (Reference letter)
From: Ms. Christina Lee Executive Manager CTA Corporation 3286 West State Street, Los Angeles, California
To: Mrs Helen Smith Manager 0403 Bradly Street Los Angeles, California May 31, 2021
Dear Helen Smith, I am writing this letter to recommend Tom Stone as a Marketing Manager for your organisation. Tom has been associated with our company for good 8 years. He started as a Manager Assistant and with his hard work he managed to get a promotion and become a manager of the department. Tom has been a hardworking and responsible employee towards his duties. He has undeniable leadership skills which help her to keep the team organised and subordinated. He always ready to help and to take new challenges. Tom has excellent communication skills. In addition, he is reliable and computer literate. He is flexible and willing to work on any project that is assigned to him. Tom would be a tremendous loss for our company, but he has my highest recommendation. If I can be of any further assistance, or provide you with further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours Sincerely, Christina Lee
Exercise 2. Read and translate a letter of application. Study its structure and write a letter of
the same format.
Letter of application
From: Mr. Andrew Stain 5638 Wall Street, Toronto
To: Chinese Language School 2090 Green Street Los Angeles, California June 02, 2021
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to apply for the post for the Chinese language teacher which I saw advertised in the May edition of the magazine CUB Jobs. Please find my enclosed curriculum vitae. I feel I have the required qualifications. I have Master’s degrees in Chinese and Pedagogy. I have also worked extensively with students in United Kingdom and China. Since my second degree is Pedagogy, I have an in-depth understanding of the way children behave. I have always been able to establish excellent working relationships with my students and their parents. I think my education and working experience would allow me to make a significant contribution to your organisation. Thank you for taking time to review my application. I look forward to speaking more with you about my candidacy. Feel free to contact me any time.
Yours Sincerely, Andrew Stain
Exercise 3. Read and translate a letter of complaint. Study its structure and write a letter of
the same format.
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Letter of complaint
From: Mr. Andrew Stain 5638 Wall Street, Toronto
To: PhotoWorld 2090 Green Street Los Angeles, California June 02, 2021
Dear Sir or Madam, I have been a loyal customer of your online shop for already 5 years and I always appreciated the excellent customer service and products you offer. Yet a recent unpleasant experience shook my belief in your ability to provide top service. I ordered a brand-new version of expensive camera on your website on June 14. It was delivered by your delivery service with a delay. The packaging was undamaged so I signed the documents and paid. But when I unpacked, I realised that the camera was dirty, like it was in usage before I purchased it. Also, the screen was slightly cracked on the edge. I don’t want this experience to ruin my positive impressions about your shop. I would like you to replace the item or give me a full refund. The copy of the receipt and photographs are attached. Please respond promptly.
Yours Sincerely, Andrew Stain
Exercise 4. Read and translate a letter of congratulation. Study its structure and write a letter
of the same format.
Letter of congratulation
From: Ms. Christina Lee Executive Manager CTA Corporation 3286 West State Street, Los Angeles, California
To: Mrs. Helen Smith Manager 0403 Bradly Street Los Angeles, California May 31, 2021
Dear Mrs. Smith, It is immense pleasure to congratulate you on the successful completion of 15 years in the company. I know it is hard to achieve such things for anyone, but you managed to do it with your hard work, dedication and passion towards the job that enabled you. I wish that you keep achieve such milestones in future as well. You have been the inspiration for all the team. I wish you even more success in the future. I once again congratulate you on your achievements and as your colleagues we would like to give you a party in the evening in the office after the work day. We hope you will accept our small present to make this moment memorable.
Sincerely, Christina Lee
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Exercise 5. Read and translate a letter of aplogise. Study its structure of the letter and write
a letter of the same format.
Letter of apologise
From: Ms. Christina Lee Executive Manager CTA Corporation 3286 West State Street, Los Angeles, California
To: Mrs. Helen Smith Manager 0403 Bradly Street Los Angeles, California May 31, 2021
Dear Mrs. Smith, I would like to sincerely apologise for my late coming to the meeting which took place on March 31. I understand this attitude of mine was deprived of professionalism. I can imagine that my absence and late coming can affect the decorum as well as it created the negative impression at the annual meeting. I feel really sorry but the reason is that the bus on which I was going to work broke down and it took time to change public transport. I hasten to inform that this situation will not happen again. Kindly accept my apology.
Sincerely, Christina Lee
Exercise 6. Study the extracts from two letters. Put the following words in correct place. Use
each item once only.
to further opportunity as
position enclose form favourably
available enquiries for take
with in consider audio
Extract 1
Dear Sir, With reference (1) ______ your advertisement in today’s “The Times”, I am interested (2) ______ applying for the (3) ______ of accounts clerk with your company. Could you please send me (4) ______ details and an application (5) ______.
Yours faithfully
Extract 2
Dear Sir, I would like to apply (6) ______ the position of accounts clerk with your company. (7) ______my application form. I am at present working (8) ______ an assistant in the accounts office at Big Industries. My duties include (9) ______ and copy typing and dealing (10) ______ correspondence and telephone (11) ______. Twice a week I have been going to evening classes in book-keeping and I intend to (12) ______ an examination in two months. I am applying for the position because I would like an (13) ______ to make more use of my training. I would be (14) ______ for interview at any time. I hope that you will (15) ______ my application (16) ______.
Yours faithfully
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Cover (motivation) letter
The structure of a motivational letter (statement of purpose/motivation letter) is a way to tell about yourself and the events that influenced you, which prompted you to make the decision to work or study abroad, as well as to explain what was the fundamental factor in your choice. Reading such a letter allows the employer to find out why you should be chosen as a candidate. A motivation letter is an essay written in free form.
A typical motivation letter consists of three parts:
1. Introduction: in this part, you need to provide information about yourself and interest
a potential employer in your candidacy.
2. The main part: here you describe your achievements, motivation, strengths and desired
job in the future, as well as provide information about awards, internships and achievements.
3. Conclusion: it is important to summarise your letter and tell what benefits you can bring
to the organisation.
There must be two important sections in the motivation letter: the section with your contacts and the recipient’s contacts (at the beginning) and your signature (at the end). The length of the letter should not exceed 1000 characters. It is important to clearly understand what exactly should be included in the text and what should not.
The letter should contain:
– information about your specialty and your attitude towards it;
– tasks that you will face;
– information about your work experience (or research);
– a description of your skills and abilities that may be useful in future work.
Special attention should be paid to the achievements that have influenced your professional activity.
When writing, it is important to follow a clear structure and formal style of presentation. The letter should not exceed one A4 page. Information that has already been provided in other documents should not be repeated.
Exercise 7. Study the Appendix 2 and write your own motivation letter using the information applied.
Exercise 8. Read and translate a motivation letter. Study the structure of the letter.
66 Bay St
APT G7
Trent, FL 5432
Trent High School 1100 Golden Eagle Ave Naples, FL 3452 September 15, 2022
Dear Mr. Barns, I’m writing to you regarding the English Teacher position that opened up recently. I have read about the vacancy on your website. I am particularly keen on working in your multicultural developing team. I would be well suited to the position because I am an enthusiastic and resourceful professional capable of coping with the most burning educational challenges. My self-confidence lies upon 6 years of experience. I have a lively interest in innovative ESL methods and tools, so I use a wide range of technologies and creative teaching styles. Currently I am employed as an English Teacher at Brickmale School, Toronto, and am supervising the Speaking English club there. Two of my students won 1000 $ grants under English for life program on linguistic research projects. I would be pleased to provide my skills to contribute to a diverse range of academic programs provided by Naples High School. Please find my CV enclosed.
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I am looking forward to discuss the details of our cooperation personally. I will contact you next Monday to make an interview arrangement. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail mihael_morris@gmail.com. Your consideration is greatly appreciated.
Yours faithfully, [Signature] Mihael Morris
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БИБЛИОГРАФИЧЕСКИЙ СПИСОК

1. Баландина Ю.В. Деловой иностранный язык. Business Letters : учебно-методическое по­собие / Ю.В. Баландина, Ю.А. Сазанович, Н.А. Тишукова. — Санкт-Петербург : Университет ИТМО, 2016. — 45 c. — URL: http://www.iprbookshop.ru/66438.html. — Текст : электронный.
2. Муртазина Э.М. Деловая иноязычная коммуникация на английском языке. Грамматиче­ские особенности научного стиля : учебное пособие / Э.М. Муртазина, Ю.Н. Зиятдинова, Н.А. Фи­липова [и др.]. — Казань : Казанский национальный исследовательский технологический универ­ситет, 2015. — 128 c. — ISBN 978-5-7882-1800-7. — URL: http://www.iprbookshop.ru/61966. html. — Текст : электронный.
3. Бод Дон-Мишель. Kind regards: Деловая переписка на английском языке : практическое пособие / Дон-Мишель Бод; перевод Т. Гутман. — 2-е изд. — Москва : Альпина Паблишер, 2019. — 320 c. — ISBN 978-5-9614-6530-3. — Текст : непосредственный.
4. Исмаилова М.Ю. Практикум по стилистике деловой переписки на английском языке. Пунктуация : учебное пособие / М.Ю. Исмаилова. — Москва : Московский гуманитарный уни­верситет, 2013. — 69 c. — ISBN 978-5-98079-923-6. — URL: http://www.iprbookshop.ru/22454.html. — Текст : электронный.
5. Михайлова Г.И. Основы деловой корреспонденции на английском языке : учебное посо­бие / Г.И. Михайлова, Ю.В. Савастьянова. — Новосибирск : Новосибирский государственный ар­хитектурно-строительный университет (Сибстрин), 2015. — 89 c. — ISBN 978-5-7795-0735-6. — URL: http:// www.iprbookshop.ru/68805.html. — Текст : электронный.
6. Преображенская А.А. Деловая переписка на английском языке : курс лекций / А.А. Пре­ображенская. — Москва : Национальный открытый университет «ИНТУИТ», 2016. — URL: https:// www.book.ru/book/917704. — Текст : электронный.
7. Терещенко Ю.А. Деловой английский язык : учебное пособие для магистрантов / Ю.А. Те­рещенко. — Саратов : Ай Пи Эр Медиа, 2019. — 76 c. — ISBN 978-5-4486-0567-3. — URL: https:// www.iprbookshop.ru/85745.html. — Текст : электронный.
8. Шевелева С.А. Деловой английский : учебное пособие / С.А. Шевелева. — Москва : ЮНИ­ТИ- ДАНА, 2017. — 2-е изд. — 382 c. — ISBN 978-5-238-01128-8. — URL: http://www.iprbookshop. ru/71767.html. — Текст : электронный.
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