- •1 Structure of a business letter
- •1 This is how a business school teacher is explaining the parts of a business letter to a student:
- •2 Now read the letter and name its elements:
- •Grammar: The Sequence of Tenses – Узгодження часів
- •2 Writing a business e-mail
- •1 Why do people use e-mail in business? Make a list of reasons.
- •2 Read some 'rules' for writing good business e-mails. Which rules do you follow?
- •3 Read the e-mail below from a student to a company about their work experience programme. Which rules in ex 2 does he break?
- •4 Look al the phrases in italics (1-6) in the e-mail. Match them with the formal phrases (a-f) below:
- •5 Here are some phrases to use in e-mails. Write starting (s), ending (e), saying why you are writing (w) or requesting (r) after each one and the ones in ex 4:
- •6 Rewrite Luigi’s e-mail using the rules in ex 2 and some of the phrases in ex 5. Grammar: Reported Speech (statements) – Непряма мова (стверджувальні речення)
- •3 Doing Business on the Internet
- •1 Match words that have a similar meaning:
- •Grammar: Reported Questions, Requests, Orders – Непрямі питання, прохання, накази
- •4 Business across Cultures
- •1 Match words that have a similar meaning:
- •2 Match the words and phrases in the box with the correct definition:
- •5 Put these statements about customs and culture into the correct order. Translate the sentences:
- •Grammar: First Conditional – Умовні речення і типу
- •5 What is Economics About?
- •1 Read the following words and try to guess their meaning. Mind the stress!
- •2 Match English and Ukrainian equivalents:
- •3 Choose the correct word:
- •4 Complete the sentences:
- •Grammar Second Conditional – Умовні речення іі типу
- •6 Products, Goods and Services
- •1 Match words that have a similar meaning:
- •3 Match the words and phrases in the box with the correct definition:
- •Grammar: Third Conditional – Умовні речення ііі типу
- •7 Markets
- •I. Give English equivalents of the following:
- •III. Answer the questions:
- •IV. Translate into English:
- •Grammar: Modals – Модальні дієслова (1) Ability (здатність, спроможність): can, could, be able to
- •Permission (дозвіл): can, could, may, be allowed to
- •8 Export and Import
- •1 Match words that have a similar meaning:
- •4 Fill in the missing prepositions: (of (2), in, at (2), by (3), on (2), for, through, to)
- •5 Translate into English:
- •Grammar: Modals – Модальні дієслова (2)
- •9 Money and its functions
- •1 Match words that have a similar meaning:
- •2 Translate the sentences into Ukrainian. Define the part of speech of the underlined words:
- •3 The words in the box frequently occur before "money". Find combinations that mean:
- •4 Match the words and phrases in the box with the correct definition:
- •Grammar: Modals with the Perfect Infinitive – Модальні дієслова з перфектним інфінітивом
- •10 Aggregate supply
- •I. Find equivalents:
- •II. Match the synonyms:
- •III. Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs if necessary:
- •IV. Match the terms with their definitions:
- •V. Define which of the following items best completes the statement:
- •VI. Complete the following sentences:
- •VIII. Translate into English:
- •Grammar: The Infinitive – Інфінітив
- •11 Aggregate demand
- •I. Match the antonyms:
- •V. Complete the following sentences:
- •VI. Translate into English:
- •VII. Replace the Ukrainian words and phrases by their English equivalents in the correct form:
- •Grammar: The Gerund – Герундій
- •(12) Grammar: The Participle – Дієприкметник
4 Business across Cultures
do's and don'ts spell out (v) superior patience bill cause offence to smb (v) embarrassment |
правила поведінки докладно пояснювати начальник, старший терпіння, терплячість рахунок (за послуги, товар, тощо) образити (скривдити) когось збентеження; розгубленість; |
gift acceptable bow (v) custom tip be offended polite |
подарунок прийнятний вклонятися звичай чайові бути ображеним ввічливий |
Before doing business abroad it is important to understand the social and business culture of a country in which you are going to operate. The following are just a few of do's and don'ts for business people visiting a foreign country:
* In the USA, it is polite to look people in the eye, to offer your hand, and to smile;
* In France people shake hands much more than Americans or most Europeans; if you fail to shake hands, you may be considered rude;
* In Japan and Korea bowing, rather than shaking hands, is usual behaviour;
* In Turkey, your coat should be buttoned when you are with superiors;
* Never discuss business over dinner in France;
* Don't pass documents with the left hand in Saudi Arabia;
* Don't expect written contracts in most Moslem countries;
* Don't expect the contract with South Korean businessmen to spell out all the details. Written contracts are typically documents that change as conditions do;
* In Japan it's very important to get everyone's opinion. Patience is a prime factor in their culture. They also avoid saying "no" directly;
* Offer gifts in Japan. The Japanese enjoy giving and receiving beautifully presented gifts;
* Do not bring liquor to an Arab house. For many Arabs, alcohol is forbidden by religious law;
* In China expensive presents are not acceptable and cause great embarrassment. Give a collective gift from your company to theirs;
* In British restaurants a tip is included in the bill. In some Mediterranean countries, such as Greece and Spain, the customer is expected to pay a little extra for satisfactory service;
* Don't criticize royalty in Great Britain;
* In Arab countries, don't admire an object openly. The owner may feel obligated to give it to you.
Thus, if you are aware of the customs of the country you are visiting, you will not cause offence or be offended.
1 What should a businessman know before starting business abroad? 2 In which country is it not recommended to discuss business over dinner? 3 In what countries will you never make written contracts? 4 Where do they change written contracts as conditions do? 5 What is considered polite in the USA? 6 What behaviour is usual in Japan and Korea? 7 In which country do they avoid saying "no" directly? 8 You shouldn't bring liquor to an Arab house. Why? 9 What gifts are not acceptable in China? 10 Should you not criticize royalty in Great Britain? 11 In which country should you shake lands? 12 Is the custom of giving tips still common in many countries? 13. When do you tip and how much?