Приветствую вас, дорогие читатели!
Я из тех людей, кто много работает, вечно занят и грустит от мысли, что уровень английского так и остался на уровне «upper-intermediate» после многих лет изучения в школе. Среди множества советов «как изучить английский» самый частый – это уделать этому занятию 30 минут в день. Что ж, попробуем. Итак, день первый, достаю учебник. Начнем с темы Communication.
Words apply to good communicators:
- Articulate = ability to explain your thoughts clearly. A person using articulate speech was easily understood by the rest of the class.
- Coherent = clearly and logical. We need a more coherent explanation as to why no one saw you for two days.
- Eloquent = able to express ideas well. I haven't heard such an eloquent speech since my friend explained why he couldn't pay me back.
- Fluent = fluency in the language. I speak fluent English and some Spanish.
- Focused = concentrated. He always focused on his job.
- Outgoing = sociable, extrovert. She was super outgoing and always organizing these new events.
- Persuasive = good at influencing people. Alex is very persuasive, but he never made us do anything we didn't want to do.
- Responsive = reacting in a positive way. Was he responsive to his staff?
- Succinct = concise in speech. I need a concise report on the status of this operation. A succinct summary of the outcome is provided in the present report.
Words apply to bad communicators:
- Digress = to talk or write about something that is not your main subject. I'd now like to digress from my prepared speech.
- Hesitant = pauses, not sure that it is right. When I like someone, I'm always a little more hesitant.
- Inhibited = afraid to speak. Many people are inhibited about discussing personal matters.
- Rambling = talking in a confused way, not keeping to the topic. Crazy ramblings of a mad man.
- Reserved = unwilling to express your emotions. My friends always say I'm too reserved, but my family always says I'm too boring.
- Vague = uncertain. We give vague answers to hard questions.
Reading:
Good communicators really listen to people and take in what is said. They maintain eye contact and have a relaxed body language, but they seldom interrupt and stop people talking. If they don’t understand and what to clarify something they wait for a suitable opportunity.
When speaking, effective communicators are good at giving information. They do not confuse their listener. They make their points clearly. They will avoid technical terms, abbreviations or jargon.
If they do need to use unfamiliar terminology they explain by giving an easy to understand example. Furthermore, although they may digress and leave the main point to give additional information and details where appropriate, they will not ramble and lose sight of their main message. Really effective communicators who have the ability to engage with colleagues, employees, customers and suppliers are a valuable asset for any business.
Idioms:
- to put it in a nutshell = to talk about the most important thing. It is a very complicated system, but to put it in a nutshell it works exactly like a big kettle.
- to get straight to the point = to give the main facts in a short, clear way. OK, I`ll get straight to the point. I am afraid we`re going to have to let you go.
- to hear it on the grapevine = to hear about something because the information has been passed from one person to another in conversation. I heard it on the grapevine that he`s been fired. Is it true?
- to put someone in the picture = to give the latest information. Some important decisions were taken at yesterday’s meeting. Let me put you in the picture.
- to get the wrong end of the stick = understand something in the wrong way. If you think our biggest problem is market share, then you have get the wrong end of the stick.
- to be on the same wavelength = to share similar opinions and ideas. “You and your boss seem to agree on most things.” “Yes, we are on the same wavelength.
- can`t make head or tail of it = to fail to understand anything. This report makes no sense at all. I can`t make head or tail of it.
- to talk at cross purpose = misunderstand what the other is referring to or trying to do. I think we are talking at cross purpose. I mean next month, not this month.
- to beat about the bush = discuss a matter without coming to the point. He never gives you a straight answer. He’s always beating about the bush.
- to get our wires crossed = get the wrong meaning. Everyone arrived at different times for the meeting. We must have got our wires crossed.
What expressions can you use in these phone situations?
- the person speaks too fast or too quietly: «Could you speak up, please?»
- you want someone to stop talking while you do something: «Could you hold on a second, please?»
- you don't understand a word/expression the other person uses: «Could you repeat that, please?»
- you want to make sure of the spelling of something: «Could you spell that, please?», «Can I read it back to you»?
- you want more information about a subject: «Could you be a bit more specific?», «Could you clarify that?», «Could you explain that in more details?», «What do you mean by ...?»
- the connection is not good and you can't continue the conversation: «Sorry, it's a bad line. Can I call you back?»
- summarizing the call: «Let me go over what we`ve agreed», «Let me just summarize …»
Reading:
KS: Modern Electronics, Kira Samohina speaking.
B: Hello, Kira, this is Ben. How are you?
KS: Very well, thank you. How can I help?
B: We need some sales literature. We're planning a big advertising campaign for your new laser printer. And there's a lot of demand for your other products too, by the way.
KS: That's good. Hold on a second while I get a pen ... OK? What do you need?
B: Can you send some more brochures, 5,000 would be good, plus some updated price lists, the same amount? Also we need point of sales literature.
KS: Sorry, Bernard, I didn't catch that. Could you slow down a little, please? I need to take notes.
B: Oh sorry. right. I said, we need more brochures.
KS: Right, I've got so far. Could you give me some more details?
B: Certainly. Er 3,000 brochures for Switzerland, 1,000 for France and 500 each for Spain and Italy. Also, we need point of sales literature especially posters - at least 200 and oh yes some of those pens and pencils with the company logo on, a couple of hundred, also 50 or so of the bags we give out for exhibitions.
KS: Let me check that, 200 posters, pens and pencils and 50 bags. Got it.
B: Good. Another thing, you might like to know, we've managed to get a big new customer, Seelmayer.
KS: Seel ... sorry, could you spell that for me please, Ben? I don't think I know the company.
B: Certainly, S-E-E-L-M-A-Y-E-R. KS: Thank you.
B: We're very excited about it. They're a big restaurant chain. They've placed an order for 18 of the new lasers; please tell your boss, Mr Fujiwara ...
KS: Sorry, did you say 80 lasers?
B: No, 18, one eight.
KS: Right, I'll let my boss now. He'll probably want to write to this company to thank them.
B: Yes, please tell him to write to them, it'd be good PR. They're expanding very fast in Europe and they'll probably order some
computers and fax machines as well. They're planning a big roll-out here in the next few years. Tell them that.
KS: Sorry I don't follow you. What does 'roll out' mean?
B: A roll-out is when a company plans to expand throughout a country; it's a nationwide expansion if you like.
Итак, мы справились! Поблагодарим себя за старания и вклад в собственное развитие. Как говорится, a different language is a different vision of life.