Professional English

Cambridge English for

Human Resources
UNIT 5
additional activities

Listening extension

a You are going to look more closely at the techniques Chinua Okeke used in his

counselling session with Fergus ODonnell (see page 45 of the Students Book).
In pairs, look at these lines (an) from the dialogue in Audio 5.7 and answer the
following questions.
1 Which speaker, Chinua or Fergus, said the lines below? How do you know?
2 What do you notice about the language in these lines? (Think about grammar and
vocabulary.)
a And how do you think she would feel about that?
b And you came with family?
c And, of course, you dont have to say, but how does she feel about the prospect of
moving back to Dubai?
d By going back to Dubai?
e Did she tell you that?
f Do you?
g Maybe its not so simple. You might consider your options.
h Relieved? I see, and whys that?
i She doesnt mind?
j So is it just about work or are there any other factors involved?
k So you thought the return to Dubai would cheer her up?
l So your plan is to get the job in Dubai and then surprise her with the good news?
m What do you think would be best?
n Why do you say you think she would be?

b Look at the script of the counselling session in Audio 5.7 on the next page. Use
the missing lines in Exercise a to complete the dialogue. Then listen and check
your answers.

c In pairs, take turns to role play the dialogue.

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UNIT 5 Listening extension

Fergus: theyre a great bunch of guys to work with. No, its just time for a change.
Chinua: 1
Fergus: Something like that.
Chinua: 2
Fergus: Sorry, I dont get you. How do you mean?
Chinua: Well, beyond work. Relocations a big life change.
Fergus: Ah, I guess so.
Chinua: 3
Fergus: Just my wife, Mary.
Chinua: 4
Fergus: Oh, she doesnt mind.
Chinua: 5
Fergus: Well, to be honest, I think shed be relieved.
Chinua: 6
Fergus: How can I put it? Shes not exactly taken to it here. She feels lonely and
isolated.
Chinua: 7
Fergus: Not in so many words, but in Dubai she had her own circle of friends. Here,
shes on her own all day. She used to be so cheerful. I hate to see her so
down.
Chinua: 8
Fergus: Yes, Im hoping thatll do the trick.
Chinua: You said earlier you think shed be relieved to go back to Dubai.
9
Fergus: Well, Im just thinking about it before I talk to her about it. I mean, theres no
point getting her hopes up until Im offered the job.
Chinua: 10
Fergus: I guess thats it.
Chinua: 11
Fergus: Hm, pretty angry, I suppose, that I hadnt talked to her about it first. Do you
think I should?
Chinua: 12
Fergus: Probably, but then shed just say we should stay. Shes always supported
my career but I want to be fair to her, too. It seems one of us has to make a
sacrifice.
Chinua: 13
Fergus: Here and now? Or with Mary?
Chinua: 14
Fergus: You know, youre starting to get repetitive. OK, Ill talk to her. Are you
satisfied now?
Chinua: It doesnt matter what I think, its how you feel that counts.
Fergus: Oh, Im right enough. But one other thing.
Chinua: Yes?
Fergus: Thanks for your time. I appreciate it.
Chinua: Youre welcome.

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Cambridge English for Human Resources

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Professional English

Cambridge English for

Human Resources
UNIT 5
additional activities

Teachers Notes

Before you begin

This activity is an extension of the task in Exercises 10ad on page 45 of the
Students Book. Students will need to have completed that task before doing
this one.

a Although this activity can be done immediately following Exercises 10ad on

page 45 of the Students Book, you may find it more useful as a recycling and
revision task in a lesson later on in the course.

Ask students to summarise the situation in the counselling session between

Chinua and Fergus (Fergus is thinking of moving from Nigeria to Dubai). Then ask
them to work in pairs to discuss the questions.
Answers
1 Chinua the lines are typical of the questioning and prompting techniques of
a counsellor. The form of these questions is ideal for prompting the client to
think and reflect about their own situation.
2 Some language features to note are:
The majority of the lines are questions (only g is a statement).
Verbs which focus on emotion and attitude lines a and c use the verb feel; lines
h, i and k are also about what people think or feel about a situation.
Modal and conditional verbs are frequently used lines a, g, k, m and n.

b Students match the lines to the gaps in the dialogue. Ask them to write in only
the letters (i.e. they should not write in the missing words).
Answers
1d2j3b4c5i6h7e
8k9n10l11a
12f13g14m

c Ask students to work in pairs to role play the dialogue. The first time students
role play, allow them to use the lines from Exercise a. After each student has
taken a turn in the counsellor role, ask students to repeat the task, using the
same questioning and prompting techniques, but with their own words.

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Cambridge English for Human Resources

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Cambridge University Press 2011

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