Check your vocabulary

Exercise 1. Translate the following words and word combinations into the Russian

              language.  

1) to get people together….……………………………………………………….

2) the launch pad …………………………………………………………………

3) the Post –it note ………………………………………………………………..

4) a short cut ………………………………………………………………………

5) to save time …………………………………………………………………….

6) to keep to time …………………………………………………………………

6) a one-off situation ……………………………………………………………...

7) light hearted ……………………………………………………………………

8) tone …………………………………………………………………………….

9) an office move …………………………………………………………………

10) complete strangers ……………………………………………………………

11) static event ……………………………………………………………………

12) time wasters …………………………………………………………………..

13) issue…………………………………………………………………………

14) to resolve in some outcome ………………………………………………….

Exercise 2.   Match each item in the box to its definition below            

                  short cut  light-hearted  static event  complete stranger

                          conduit         time wasters    the launch pad    

                     outcome      one-off situation            Post-it note

1. people you have never met before …………………………………………...........

2. an event happening, done or made only once ………………………………..........

3. something that does not change or move, regular stable ………………………….

4. a final result of a process, meeting or activity ………………………………….

5. a flat hard area where rockets are launched into space …………………………...

6. a place or a system that is used for passing information

from one group of people to another …………………...…………………………

7. funny and not intended to be serious ……………………………………………..

8. a small piece of coloured paper with a sticky substance

on the back which is used for writing notes ……………………………………..

9.something that wastes time, a way of saving time or effort

in doing something             …………………………………………………...

10. a path or route that is quicker and shorter than the usual way …………………..

.

Exercise 3.   Discussing the reading.

           Write down your answers to the questions given below.

           Then talk about your answers with your colleagues using the following

           phrases to express politeness in agreeing or disagreeing or interrupting                                                            

           someone.

  Expressing opinions: a) I think / believe / suppose

                                b) In my opinion

                                c) To my mind

                                d) It seems to me that

                                e) I feel that 

                                f) I’m sure / convinced that

                                g) Well, unfortunately, I think we’ll probably have to …                                                                  

Agreeing:       a) Yes, that’s right.

                        b) I think I agree with you.

                        c) Exactly.

                        d) Good / excellent idea.

                        e) You are perfectly right (strong agreement)

                        f) You may be right there (mild agreement).

                        g) That’s true, I suppose (mild agreement)

                        h) I suppose so (mild agreement)

  Disagreeing:       a) I’m not sure, I agree.

                             b) Yes, but what about the …?

                             c) I really don’t agree (strong disagreement)

                             d) That’s not really how I see it (mild disagreement)

                             e) I think, you are mistaken (mild disagreement)

                            f) I’m afraid I can’t agree with you there (mild disagreement)

                            g) Of course, not. That’s absurd (strong disagreement)

                            h)  I’m sorry, but that’s out of question (strong disagreement)

Interrupting       a) Can I come in here?

politely:            b) Sorry to interrupt you, but ….

                        c) If I can just stop you for a moment …

 

1)What does ‘Post –it note’ mean? ………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………...

2) How was the idea of ‘Post-it note’ generated?.........................................................

………………………………………………………………………………………...

3) What are the reasons to hold a meeting besides getting people together?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4) Can a meeting save time? …………………………………………………………..

5) How often does a company organize meetings?........................................................

…………………………………………………………………………………………

6)Who usually takes part in the meeting? …………………………………………….. …………..…………………..…………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

7) How long can a meeting last? ………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

8) Are meetings time wasters?........................................................................................

9) What is the aim of a meeting? ……………………………………………………...

…………………………………………………………………………………………

10) What does the following statement mean – ‘the meeting presents itself in the

  right way’? …………………………...................................................................

…………………………………………………………………………………………

 

IV. Read the following text to find the answers to the following questions”

         1) What is the formality of a meeting determined by?

         2) How do formal meetings differ from informal ones?  

 

  Meetings can be either formal or informal, and this can be dictated by the subject or even the person, or the company holding the meeting. For example, a meeting to decide the right family to foster a child would be formal as there are legal implications – here the formality is determined by the subject. However, if you are calling a meeting to debate who should be the lead in a number of different projects, you may yourself decide the level of formality the meeting should have.                                                                                              

Some managers might decide that it should be formal, but some other managers might consider an informal meeting best as they like to maintain an informal atmosphere in their team.

Formal meetings are identified through:

a) a dedicated minute taker being present

b) a strong Chair

c) a fixed agenda

                                           

                                                  Informal meetings are identified through:

                                                            a) an attendee taking the minutes

                                                            b) more of a “discussion”-type atmosphere

                                                            c) a more flexible agenda

 

V. Read the texts about different types of meetings and define:

          a) the main idea and the supporting details for each text

          b) complete the table with appropriate information from the texts

 

 Refresh your memory.

* The main idea tells the main point, or idea about the topic.

         The main idea is often found in the first sentence of a paragraph, but

        not always. The main idea can also be in the middle or at the end of the 

        paragraph.

       The other sentences in the paragraph usually give supporting details for the

 main idea.

      * The supporting details are single or specific pieces of information widening

                 the main idea. They are some kinds of details, such as definitions,  

                 examples, facts and reasons.        

 

A) Business meetings

Meetings are often places where business takes place, whether it is discussing a contract, debating terms and conditions, or negotiating a deal. However, business meetings have other levels that need recognizing:

· It is at business meetings that you are seen “performing”

· It is in business meetings that you may find yourself in front of other influential staff who you might otherwise rarely see.

Let’s look at those two points in detail, starting with the first one.

When we are at work we are judged not only on our outcomes but also on how we operate. How well do you articulate? Are you good at explaining complex ideas and concepts? How are your manners with other people? How do you manage difficult behavior and situations?

A meeting gives you every opportunity to demonstrate these skills - skills that are highly priced by managers.

The second point builds on this. Depending on the type of business you work for, you may not have access to senior managers or even see them regularly. In large organizations the office may even be in another building, or on a separate floor, and if you wanted to impress them (let’s say for a promotion) you probably have little access to them. However, senior members of the staff often attend meetings, and this could be your place to shine.

 

     the main idea ________________________________________________

supporting _________________________________________________.

details         _________________________________________________

 

  Answer the following questions about the paragraph

     1)What is the main function of a business meeting?

     2) What other functions does a business meeting have?

     3) How are we judged at work?

 

B) Team meetings

What makes a team cohesive rather than a group of individuals all working together in one room? The answer is that they share common goals. They may all have different jobs and responsibilities but they are working towards a collective vision or idea and they share the same results. How is that vision or idea communicated and sustained?

Team meetings vary considerably in style but they tend to fall into our earlier categories of formal or informal. The style may also be dictated by other factors such as:

a) where everyone is based

b) the number of people in the team

c) what type of work is undertaken

d) how often they meet

 

the main idea ____________________________________________________

 supporting _______________________________________________________

details    _______________________________________________________

Answer the questions about the paragraph:

1) What makes a team work together?

2) What factors may the style be dictated by in a team meeting?