Assignment 1. Read the conversations aloud completing them with appropriate phrases. Then get ready to produce similar conversations in class with one of your groupmates.
Conversation 1
J o y c e. __________________! What are you doing?
B u f f y. There's a lot of weird people outside at night... I just feel better with you safe and sound inside, Mom.
J o y c e. You have no idea how much tired I’m and...
B u f f y. Well, then why don't you go upstairs and get into bed, and I can bring you some hot tea?
J o y c e. That's sweet! (suspiciously) What'd you do?
B u f f y. Can't a daughter just be concerned about her mother?
J o y c e. (seeing Angel) Hi.
A n g e l. __________________.
B u f f y. Oh! Okay... Um... Angel, uh, __________________. Mom, this is Angel. Uh, we __________ ________ each other on the way home.
A n g e l.__________________.
J o y c e. Delighted… What do you do, Angel?
B u f f y. He's my business associate. Uh, Angel's been helping me with my new project, you know I've been toiling there.
J o y c e. It's a little late for working. I'm gonna go to bed, and, uh, Buffy?
B u f f y. I'll say _________ _________and do the same!
J o y c e. (to Angel) __________________. (goes up the stairs)
B u f f y. (pretending) Good night! We'll hook up soon and do that project thing!
Conversation 2
G i l e s: Olivia!
O l i v i a: Sorry I'm so late. The flight was a horror.
G i l e s: Bad weather?
O l i v i a: Baseball movie.
G i l e s (amused): Oh… so sorry.
O l i v i a: Yeah. That's enough small talk, don't you think?
(They kiss.)
Assignment 2. This role play is to meet your groupmates after the holiday and to discuss how their holidays were, whether or not they are ready to start up a new academic year, what their impressions of the first year are; which expectations they have; what problems they have (eg, where to live, etc.) Try to develop your ideas. Be ready to perform the role-play in class.
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
Unit 1. Business Communication: Face to Face
acquaintance, n
to have a mutual acquaintance
on first acquaintance (formal)
on further acquaintance
on short acquaintance
make sb's acquaintance (formal)
have a passing / nodding acquaintance with sth
I’m delighted to make your acquaintance. (formal)
appointment, n
Am. to schedule an appointment / Br. to book / fix / make / arrange an appointment
to have an appointment
conversation with sb
conversation about sth
deep in conversation
to engage sb in conversation
have/hold a conversation (with sb) / to carry on a conversation (with sb)
to get into (a) conversation (with sb)
(a) conversation turns to sth
to make (polite) conversation (with somebody)
greet, v
to greet sb with sth
greeting, n
to do sth (e.g. raise one’s hand) in greeting
to exchange greetings
handshake, n
to greet sb with a handshake
impression, n
the first impression
to be under the impression that …
to get an impression
to give bad first impressions
to form an impression
introduce, v
Have you two been introduced?
Let me introduce sb / sth to you.
to introduce sb to sb
introduction, n
to make the introductions
introvert, n
ant. extrovert
meet, v
syn. to run into sb / to come across sb / sth
It’s a pleasure to meet you. (formal)
Nice / pleased to meet you.
(It was) nice meeting you.
observant, adj
polite, adj
ant. impolite
small talk, n
to make small talk
shake, v
to shake hands (with sb)
to shake sb’s hand
to shake sb by the hand
Phrasal Verbs
to run into sb / to come across sb / sth
to come across to sb as being friendly / calm / etc.
(Career Prospects for Language Students, Corporate Life, Job Description, Job Hunting)
achieve, v
to achieve success/ one’s goal / objective/ aim/ ambition
achievement, n
to make achievements in smth
acquire, v
to acquire skills
activity, n
business activities
advertise, v
to advertise for smb / smth
to advertise smth on TV/ in a newspaper
advertisement, n
inf. advert/ ad
to put an advertisement in a paper
advertising, adj
advertising campaign
apply, v
to apply to smb for smth (a job/ vacancy/ post/ passport/ visa, etc.)
applicant, n
application, n
a letter of application – syn. covering letter
to fill in (Am. fill out) an application form
to send in ~
to accept ~
to turn down ~
atmosphere, n
attract, v
attraction, n
to feel an attraction to smb / smth
attractive, adj
background, n
benefit, n
fringe benefits – syn. perks
unemployment benefit
to be on benefit
bore, v/n
to get bored by smth
boring, adj
syn. dull, monotonous, routine
boss, v/n
syn. head, chief, (Am) president, CEO
bossy, adj
browse, v
business, n
business associate, n
syn. partner
capable, adj
capability, n
career, n/adj
to take up / follow smth as a career
chairman, n
syn. chairperson, chair
challenging, adj
charge, n
to be in charge of smth
to take charge of smth
to put / place smb in charge of smth
choice, n
to make/ take choice
to regret one’s choice
committed, adj
compete, v
competitive, adj
competence, n
competence for/ as/ in smth
competent, adj
ant. incompetent
to be competent in / as/ at smth
computer literate, adj
confidential, adj
curriculum vitae (CV), n
syn. résumé
deadline, n
to set / meet / miss deadlines
deal, v
to deal with smb/ smth
decide, v
syn. to make up one’s mind
to decide on/ against smth/ smb
decision, n
to arrive at ~
to come to ~
to make ~
to reach ~
degree, n
to have a degree in smth
to be degree qualified
department, n
syn. division
develop, v
development, n
director, n
managing director (MD), executive director, non-executive director, Board of Directors
dismiss, v
syn. to fire, to sack
to dismiss smb from a job/ post/ position
distribute, v
distribution, n
dole, n
syn. unemployment benefit
to be/ go on the dole
downturn, n
earn, v
to earn one’s living
earned, adj
ant. unearned
earnings, n
efficient, adj
ant. inefficient
efficiency, n
syn. capability, effectiveness, competence
employ, v
syn. to take on
employed, adj
ant. unemployed, jobless
employee, n
employer, n
employment, n
ant. unemployment
executive, n/adj
executive officer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
experience, n
to have some experience for / of doing smth
experienced, adj
ant. inexperienced
to be experienced in smth
expert, n/adj
to be an expert at/ in/ on smth
expert advice
fair, adj
ant. unfair
fair share/ price/ wage
flexible, adj
freelance, v/n/adj
headquarters, n
income, n
to live within/ beyond one’s income
annual/ monthly/ fixed/ earned/ unearned ~
industrious, adj
interview, v/n
to hold/ conduct / sit an interview
interviewer, n
interviewee, n
involve, v
job, n
syn. work, labour
demanding/ boring/ nine-to-five/ part-time/ full-time/ menial ~
to hunt for/ look for a job
job center
job description
job-hopper
job satisfaction
