Arriving at the Company Warming up

Ex. 1. Discuss the questions below.

1. How do you greet a new contact or colleague in your country?

2. Do businesspeople shake hands? When?

3. Is it Ok to use first names with someone you don’t know well? Can these things be different in other cultures? Give examples from your experience.

Language input

Ex. 2. Learn the new words and word combinations. Consult the dictionary if you don’t know the meaning.

Greetings

Hello, / Hi, / Good morning / afternoon / evening. Good / nice to see you again. I’m glad / happy / pleased to see you. How are you? – Fine, thanks. And you? How have you been? – Very well. And you?

Introductions

Introducing oneself Can / May I introduce myself? My name’s Peter. Let me introduce myself. My name’s … . I’d like to introduce myself. I’m … . I don’t think we’ve met. I’m … . Introducing someone else Can / May I introduce a good friend of mine? This is … . Have you met …? I think you two have already met: Steve Smith – Helen Krieg. I’d like you to meet … / I want you to meet … . Making contact Excuse me, are you Mrs. …? / You are Mr. …, aren’t you? – Yes, that’s right. Hello, you must be Mrs. … . How do you do? – How do you do? Nice to meet you. – Nice to meet you, too. Please, call me … . – Then you must call me … .

Good-byes

Good bye / Bye / I’ll say good bye / See you later / See you soon. I’m afraid I’ve got to go. / I’ve got some things to prepare for … . I want to get away before the traffic gets too bad. It’s been a very useful meeting / nice afternoon. Thank you for (all) your help. Have a good / safe trip / flight. – Thank you … (same to you). Enjoy the rest of your stay. – Same to you. It was nice meeting you. – I really enjoyed meeting you, too. I hope to see you again. – I hope so, too.

Ex. 3. Practice the following dialogue with a partner.

Vince: Hello. Are you going to the civil aviation session?

Paul: Yes, that’s the one in the main auditorium, I think.

Vince: I’m Vince Newman, Senior Vice President of JSC “AVIATION CONSTRUCTION”, USA. I see from your badge you are Paul.

Paul: Yes, that’s right. Paul Lodge, Chief Engineer from “AIRBUS S.A.S.”

Vince: Nice to meet you. Are you staying here in town?

Paul: Yes, at the Post House. It’s just outside the city centre.

Vince: Well, we must meet up after the session. Here, let me give you my card.

Paul: Thank you. And here’s mine.

Vince: Thanks. Catch you later.

Ex. 4. Insert words or phrases you find appropriate and act out the dialogues.

a) Martin: Excuse me, …………………… Jacqueline Turner?

Jacqueline: Yes, that’s ………………………………………… .

Martin: May I ……………… myself? I’m Martin Young. How do you do?

Jacqueline: ……………………. Mr. Young.

b) Chris: Hello, Chris Evans. Mind if I join you?

Frank: Oh, ……………….. not. Frank Richards.

Chris: ………………., Frank. So how are you finding the conference so far?

Frank: Actually, I’ve only arrived this morning.

Chris: All right. I … .

Ex. 5. Explain the difference between the following phrases.

1. How do you do? – How are you?

2. Excuse me, are you Mrs. Krame? – Sorry, I don’t know your name.

3. May I introduce myself? – Hi everybody. My name’s Jim Sellers.

4. This is Mary. – Let me introduce you to Mary Higgins.

5. Goodbye. It’s been very interesting talking to you. – See you. I really had a good time.

Ex. 6. Think of the most suitable reaction to the following phrases and act out small dialogues.

1. How are you?

2. How do you do?

3. Pleased to meet you.

4. It was nice meeting you.

5. Have a good weekend.

6. See you next month.

7. You must be Ann Peterson.

8. I hope to see you again.

Ex. 7. Produce a dialogue based on the suggested topic.

You have arrived at the company to meet the Director of the Department of Research and Development. You have arranged this appointment in advance. Speak to the secretary. Introduce yourself. Explain the purpose of your visit.