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Tiếng Anh Thương mại - Tập 5- Lắng nghe! Lắng nghe! transcript
Tiếng Anh Thương mại - Tập 5- Lắng nghe! Lắng nghe! transcript
TAN: Well, I'm not convinced that the work is as urgent as this report suggests,
so perhaps we should…
DENISE: Sorry Lin - I don't think Tan had finished. We'll get to you in a minute.
LIN: Sorry.
TAN: As I was saying, perhaps we should get a second opinion before we spend
any money.
WALTER: In my opinion, yes. If you ask me, there is a serious risk of an accident.
And it's not a recent problem...
DENISE: Yes Barbara.
BARBARA: What about the problem with parking? There were no places again this
morning.
DENISE: All comments through the chair if you don't mind Walter. Parking isn't on the
agenda for this meeting - perhaps you could suggest it for our next meeting Barbara.
Well, if there's no more discussion - we'll put it it to a vote.
JOHN: Hear hear!
Today we're looking again at meetings. In meetings, especially formal meetings, it's
important to keep the discussion relevant, and to the point. So we're looking at some
words and phrases that a Chairperson might use to stop irrelevant discussion and
interruptions. We're also looking at ways of stating an opinion, and agreeing or
disagreeing.
First of all - notice how Tan states that he doesn't agree with the report.
Well, I'm not convinced that the work is as urgent as this report suggests.
Tan says 'I'm not convinced'. He means he disagrees with the report. But by saying he's
'not convinced' - he is leaving himself open to another point of view.
Notice that all of these ways of disagreeing are polite. If you use stronger terms of
disagreement - it can sound rude, or argumentative.
Well, I'm not convinced that the work is as urgent as this report suggests, so perhaps...
Don't be ridiculous!
Excuse me?
When disagreeing, the speaker normally also gives a reason for their opinion, and may
use an expression showing that it is their opinion. Listen to Walter.
Well, as far as I'm concerned, it's a question of safety. So I think we should go ahead.
In my opinion, yes.
Let's practise some phrases you can use to introduce your opinion about something.
In my opinion...
And of course you can simply state 'I think...' or 'I believe'...
Notice that Tan asks for clarification of the point Walter makes. He wants to make sure
he understands what Walter is saying.
Let’s look at some ways of seeking clarification, and checking understanding. Practise
these with Tan.
One of the roles of the Chairperson is to make sure everyone gets to have their say. All
discussion should go through the chair - that is, people talk to the Chairperson, not to
each other directly. So the Chairperson sometimes has to interrupt, or stop someone
from speaking. Let's see how Denise does this.
Well, I'm not convinced that the work is as urgent as this report suggests, so perhaps...
Sorry.
By saying 'I don't think Tan had finished', Denise is politely telling Lin that she shouldn't
interrupt, and Lin apologises. But what should you do if someone keeps trying to
interrupt?
So perhaps...
Sorry Lin - I don't think Tan had finished. We'll get to you in a minute.
Notice that the language the chairperson uses is always polite, but firm. She uses
'sorry', 'thank you' and 'please' as a way of respecting the other members of the
committee - although she is in charge.
On the other hand, there is a time factor - it may be necessary to cut people short.
...and furthermore, if we look more closely at some of the estimates, we can see...
Yes but we do have to keep an eye on the time. Perhaps we can come back to that
point later.
I think it's quite important.
It is important, but I think it's more important we hear everyone's views on this. Barbara?
There were two key phrases used to stop Tan from sending everyone to sleep. The first
one - 'perhaps we should move on' is phrased as a suggestion - but it is said in a firm
way - with a falling intonation at the end.
This falling intonation makes it a more definite statement, rather than a suggestion.
The second one was put as a reason for moving on - that time is short - notice the
emphasis on the word 'do', and practise after me:
What about the problem with parking. There were no places again this morning.
All comments through the chair if you don't mind Walter. Parking isn't on the agenda for
this meeting - perhaps you could suggest it for our next meeting Barbara.
When Walter makes a comment directly to Barbara, Denise says: 'All comments
through the Chair if you don't mind'.
This is a way of reminding Walter of correct meeting procedure. 'All comments through
the chair' means he must speak to the meeting, not directly to one person at the table.
Denise suggests that 'Parking isn't on the agenda for this meeting'. But so that Barbara
doesn't feel bad - she suggests it could be discussed at another time.
Finally - we've looked at disagreeing, let's look at ways of agreeing with a point.
Hear hear!
I think so too.
Agreeing is simpler than disagreeing, as you don't have to state a reason. Repeat these
phrases after me:
I agree.
That's right
I concur.
Absolutely!
Let's review some of the other important expressions we've looked at in today's
episode.
When giving opinions in a meeting, it's important to use phrases such as 'in my opinion',
'From my point of view' or 'I think' - instead of just stating your opinions as facts. This is
respectful of other people who may have different views.
But when you strongly agree with something someone else says - you can say 'Hear
Hear!'
That's all for today - see you next time on The Business of English.
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