English Economy 2

8 MEETINGS

PRESENTATION

Taking part in group meetings, informal or formal meetings. Discussions techniques.

EXERCISE

Here are twelve opinions about meetings: put a tick ( √ ) besides the ones you agree with and a
cross ( X ) beside ones you disagree with. Then find out what your partners think about each of
them. Try to use the English expressions in your discussions.

DO YOU AGREE?

1. More time is wasted at meeting than any other business activity. x

2. The purpose of meeting is to decide when the next when will tile place x
3. A meeting is a group of people who can decide nothing alone and who
4. It’s better to send everyone a memo about a new procedure than to have.
A meeting about it.
5. Meeting help everyone to feel personally involved in decision-making.
6. It’s better for the boss to make a decision than to have a meeting.
7. The most important person at a meeting is a chairman.
8. The most important piece of paper at a meeting is the agenda.
9. Most meeting are unnecessary, they’re just a way of making people think
They are important.
10. Meeting lead to better decisions, because of the exchange of ideas.
 English Economy 2

EXERCISE

Write down what would you say in meeting for each of these situation. The first is already
done for you, as an example.

1. You’re attending a meeting and someone makes a point you don’t quite follow.
I’m sorry, could you say that again, please? I didn’t quite follow.
2. You make a good point at a meeting and want to make sure everyone agrees with you.
I think this point the most good, can you agree with me?
3. The meeting has gone too long and you think it’s time for lunch.
sorry it was time lunch can we take a break, and then continue later after the break
4. You are in the chair. You want everyone to vote on a topic.
I want you not to discuss another topic because I have chosen the topics to be
discussed
5. You are in the chair. You want to go on the next topic without a formal vote.
I think we can choose another topic that is also so much more it would be better
6. Another participants asks you to give your views on topic you have no knowledge of.
Sorry i have not been a lot of knowledge on the topic I can I answer it at the end of
this meeting
7. You have given your views at some length. Now you want to find out if your boss agrees
with your proposal.
How the boss with my proposal, do you agree? I hope you agree with my proposal
8. The meeting is likely to go on for a long time and you’re dying to go on toilet. What do
you say to the chairman?
Excuse me, sorry chairman may I permit out? I want to go to the toilet
9. Your partner made a really stupid point just now. Make it clear that you disagree, without
being rude and provoking an argument.
Your points are very good, but sorry I do not agree with your point, and I want the
most points better than you
10. Your boss made a point you agreed with a few minutes ago. Refer back to this before you
give your own views.
okay thank you for approving my statement