Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Upper Intermediate
Module Three
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Course and Module Outline and Objectives
Exercises and practical activities have been chosen to practise key grammar, vocabulary, and
functional language. The focus is on developing language for communication, and present
students with useful practice of situations in which they can then use what is learnt in the
classroom in varying contexts.
The creation of a presentation at the end of each module, obliges the students to put into
practice all the four linguistic skills as well as soft skills such as brainstorming and the fifth
skill of being aware of the cultural awareness and maintaining an objective stance when
delivering constructive feedback.
An innovative addition to classroom: Peer Response and Cooperative Learning.
This has been proven to be a valuable teaching strategy for both the teacher and the
student. Students get a chance to think critically working in groups to create mini projects to
then present to the class to evaluate the results both on course criteria and effectiveness of
the communication skills and strategy used. Moreover, trainers can observe the individual
student learning progress and training strategies for future classes and programmes.
Cooperative learning requires students to discuss a given project in small groups. By
allowing the students to engage in meaningful discussion, they begin to learn to analyse and
participate in an educational process that they will find more interesting than a general
lecture on a chapter in a book. It is an innovative way to teach and learn a language, as
opposed to spending hours reading and writing, students have the opportunity to engage in
challenging and constructive speaking and listening activities.
On this course students learn how to think in English and produce real functional materials!
The course objectives are simple: • Every student talking in English • Every student listening
to and understanding English • Every student thinking in English, and • Every student taking
part in class.
End of Module Check / Teach the Teacher: After studying this module, students must be
able to give a brief outline of the linguistic content explain a) the use b) examples of the
structure of linguistic focus. To check on, consolidate and further the content, you need to
prepare a short presentation or speech to share with your class and the teacher. Class
members then give their peer feedback on the overall presentation, and the linguistic
accuracy.
Module Tutorial: Make Recommendations & Suggestions | Conditionals and Modal Verbs. LINK
Charing a meeting: LINK
Booklets can only be used exclusively when delivering courses with Denise Richardson
Working with words I Managing projects
1 What are the five most common problems in managing projects? Read the text and
compare your ideas.
2 How do the problems mentioned in the text affect the project? What solution can
you think of for each problem?
18
3 Match these suggested solutions to the problems in the text in 1. Do you agree
with the solutions? Why or why not?
A Never assume that everyone understands. Make sure thaL everyone can talk to each
other and share information. Resolve any conflicts straight away or you will run into a lot of
problems and complications later on.
8 Take time to review how projects have gone m the past Keep a running list of what worked.
what didn't, and how to do 1t better next time
c Spend longer on research and preparation. Make contingency plans, and don't just
concentrate on making it to market before your competition If you get there first but your
product 1s faulty, you'll get nothing but complaints and a bad reputation.
D Create an accurate forecast. Outline ways Lo develop belter upfront planning of the
resources. Make sure you allocate enough funds to each department and keep track of
spending.
E Define 'checkpoints' throughout the project so you stay on track. Monttor everyone's
performance and prioritize tasks when there 1s a problem. Addressing problems quickly will
save lime later. You can still make the launch date you've set or even finish ahead of schedule.
4 Do you associate these phrases from the texts with successful (S) or unsuccessful
(U) projects, or both?
run out of money within budget behind schedule upfront planning over budget
miss the deadline stay on track ow of control budget constraints lack of planning
make the launch date accurate forecast ahead ofschedule unreal,stic budget
5 Choose the correct answer from the words in italics.
Good communication will help you to resolve I address conflict quickly.
2 When time is short. you must promote I prioritize tasks and do the most important
ones first.
3 Try to hold I keep track of spending so that you don't go over budget.
4 Make sure you allow I allocate sufficient resources to the different departments.
5 Always expect the unexpected and manufacture I make contingency plans.
6 It is important to examine I check progress at every stage of a project in case there
are any problems.
6 Choose a verb from the list that can go with all three phrases in each group.
stay set run keep check
1 smoothly I out of time I into problems
2 on track I within budget I the course
3 the facts I progress I details
4 a budget I a timescale I a launch date
5 to a budget I track of I costs down
7 Work with a partner. Turn to File 06 on page 137. Use the words and phrases in
4-6 to discuss what has gone right and wrong for the project. Suggest how the
project could be managed better.
8 Work in small groups. Using the ideas from the texts and your own experience,
make notes on how to manage a project successfully. Then give a short
presentation to the class.
[19
Business communication skills
Context Meetings I Asking for and giving an update I Making and
T he Tech-Tariff project is a responding to suggestions
collaboration between MMT-Tec
(service provider) and Anvikon
(mobile phone manufacturer).
T he aim is to launch a high-tech
phone W1lh new advanced
features from Anvikon in
combination with MMT-Tec's
new tariff which includes free
videophoning and multimedia
message services. Sarah and
Michelle from MMT-Tec and
Ian from Anvikon are meeting
to discuss the progress of
the project.
1 091> Read the Context. Listen to Part 1 of the meeting and make notes about the
items on the agenda.
Agenda
1 Update on marketing activities (MMT-Tec):
• Launch date , '.xi for 15th Nov�1nbtr
• Adverl1sing campaign 2 ______ _ _________
• Launch party: Venue 3_________________
Caterrng ··----------------
2 Update on Anvikon activities:
•Handset�---------------------
3 Proiect schedule 6___________________
3 Work with a partner. Student A, turn to File 03 on page 136. Student B, turn to File
42 on page 147. Update each other on your project.
4 Work with a partner. Student A and Student B, turn to File 37 on page 146. Follow
the instructions and ask and answer questions about these 'To do' lists.
• l'rinl oul imd lollale !ii wp,er, of • �111.r,.1! colle.r,..�� i,.,,,d MK .for r,.U
propo!al to wbmil to mana9emenl tM dt.lr,..1ls 11.bo-«t �M CO'fl-te:r1<'t\U.
5 W ork with a partner. Think of five personal goals or plans you have bad during the
last six months. Tell your partner which of these you have achieved and when, and
give some details. Which have you not achieved and why?
- __E_l
ro ind
D cussron
How does a policy of communicating with investors help big companies to
build a relationship of trust?
What do you think is involved in the organization of an investor road show?
k
Work in gro ups. Yo u are a project team organizing a series of investor road
shows in the Far East (Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore) on
behalf of WK.
..
l Read the road show guidelines provided by WK.
-
2 Brainstorm the tasks for each item in the guidelines.
3 Make a schedule for the project (you have eight weeks before the first road show).
Decide on a timescale for each of the tasks.
4 Allocate the tasks to the different members of your project team.
You are now four weeks away from the first road show.
1 Decide which of your allocated tasks you have already done (make a note ofwhen
you did these) and which you still have to do.
2 Decide on two tasks which have been delayed. Think of reasons for the delay.
Hold a project update meeting to check that the project is on schedule.
1 Discuss progress of your tasks.
2 Make suggestions for dealing with problems.
3 Make a revised schedule for the final month.
Working with words Business communication skills
1 Replace the phrases in italics with the phrases from 1 Sondra is discussing progress of a HR project with
the list. Make any changes that are necessary. Dimitri. Choose the best answer from 1-8 below to
miss the deadline be ahead of schedule complete their conversation.
set-8-bttdget run out of money Sondra OK, Dimitri. What's the current 1 ____ ofthe
allocate funds prioritize tasks staff satisfaction survey?
keep track of resolve conflicts Dimitri Well, on the whole, we're 2 . We've
We need to decide what we're going to spend set a budget received replies from the questionnaires but we haven"t
and try to keep to it. collated the answers yet.
2 The contractors failed to control spending and they Sondra You do know the regional HR conference date
quickly spent everything ________
3 for next month. don't you?
3 The whole project ran very smoothly, and in the end we Dimitri Yes, but we've 4 with IT. They haven't
finished two months early ________ set up the database for us yet, to collate the results.
4 l'm responsible for the budget and giving out money Sondra So the real problem 5 !T's time
________ to the different departments management?
working on the project. Dimitri Partly, yes.
5 If you communicate well, you can usually settle Sondra How about 6____ as much of the report as
disagreements quickly. you can?
6 We need to put things in order of importance Dimitri That's 7 , but until we have results from
-------- and then work steadily through the survey, there's nothing to put in the report.
the project. Sondra So what you're really 8____ is, without the
7 There are strict penalty clauses, so it'll be expensive if database you can't continue?
we are late ________ Dimitri Err, yes.
8 I always look at bank statements carefully so 1 a stand b status c state d view
that I have information about what is happening with 2 a in time b up to scratch c in the lane
-------- spending. d on track
2 Will your next project be on time and within budget? 3 a set b has been already set
Complete these sentences. Use the answers to c has already been set d had set
complete the puzzle and find the hidden answer. 4 a hit a stop b knocked a problem
c came to a problem d hit a problem
1 We must costs under control.
5 a lies with b stands with c sits with d lays with
2 Don't forget to contingency plans.
6 a to prepare b you're preparing c preparing
3 If the project smoothly, it will finish on time.
d prepared
4 Make sure you all the facts first.
7 a likely b possible c probable d possibility
5 I'm going to the course - I'm not giving up.
8 a saying b telling c talking about d explaining
6 You need to a realistic timescale.
2 Match 1-8 to a-h.
How far are you a the venue has been
booked ...
2 Things aren't b we should scrap the
running ... _ idea.
3 We finalized the c as smoothly as I'd
draft ... _ hoped.
4 So what do you ... _ d with the new packaging?
5 If you ask me, ... _ e an ideal solution.
6 I'm not ... _ f mean exactly?
7 That's not ... _ g three weeks ago.
8 Up to now ... _ h convinced.
Language at work I Present perfect and past simple
1 Complete these dialogues with the past simple or
Present perfect present perfect form of the verbs in brackets.
Use the present perfect
A l need to ask David if he I ________ (decide)
1 to link a present situation with something that took place at
to set up the focus group.
an unspecified time in the past
B Don't worry. I z________ (already I speak)
Ana has sent the new brochure to all our clients.
to him about it.
The present situation is that all the clients have the new A Really? When 3 (you I see) him?
bro chure. The past event is that Ana sent the new brochure
B 14 (call) him first thing today.
(we don't know when).
A What 5 (he I say)?
2 with yet and already to talk about tasks expected to be done
B He 6 (not I make) up his mind yet.
or which are done earlier than expected
He needs some documents from head office, and they
A Have youfinished that report yet?
B Yes. And I've already done most of the next one as well.
still 7 (not I arrive).
3 with how long, for and since to talk about duration of states A a (you I finalize) all the
and activities (see page 121) arrangements for Mr Eng's visit yet?
4 with just to talk about things that have happened very B I'm dealing with it now. I 9 (fix) a
recently date for him to come and visit - the 19th.
I'vejust seen Tom in the cafeteria.
A W hat about Bob? I think he needs to be there.
5 with unfinished time periods: since, sofar this week, up to now,
B That's fine. I 10 (speak) to Anna a
recently, this month, today
couple of days ago, and the 19th is fine for him too.
You've been late three times this month - please be on time for
the rest ofthe month.
A 11 (you I arrange) the visit to the
warehouse yet?
Past simple B Yes, I 12 ________ (just I organize) that - for
the afternoon.
Use the past simple
A What about dinner that evening?
1 when referring to (or thinking of) a finished time period like
yesterday, last week, at 5.30, on 11 May, at Christmas, in 2002,
B r 13 (book) a table yesterday - at
etc. the Mill - I hope that's OK.
I went to the sales conference last week. A Fine. That all sounds excellent. You 14 _______
(be) very efficient.
2 for questions with When? What time? How long ago? etc.
because the expected answer is a finished time period 2 Match sentences 1-6 to contexts a-f.
A When did you see Mr Li? (Not: When ha.e yoa seen Mr Li?}
1 Has our bid for the contract been successful? -
B l saw him yesterday. (Not: Iha�e seen him yesterday.)
2 Was our bid for the contract successful? -
3 with many present time expressions usually used with the
3 Have you spoken to the caterers this week? -
present perfect, like this week, today, just, if they refer to a time
4 Did you speak to the caterers this week? -
period that is about to finish or has just finished
We've made a lot ofprogress this week. (said on Wednesday 5 I've just cancelled the order. -
- the time period is still in progress) 6 I just cancelled the order. _
We made a lot ofprogress this week. (said at 4.30 p.m. on
Friday- the time period is about to finish) a The result of the contract bids was announced last week.
b I only cancell�d the order. I didn't reorder or complain.
c They're announcing the results of the contract bids now.
d I am expecting to speak to the caterers some time this
week. It is Wednesday.
e I was expecting to speak to the caterers this week. It is
5.00 on Friday. I am about to leave the office.
f I cancelled the order a couple of minutes ago.
(107-
Life Upper Intermediate Business Writing
Worksheet 3: Reporting trends and figures
1 What are some of your country’s largest exports? What does your country import a
lot of?
2 What is your country’s balance of trade like? Does it currently export more or less
than it imports?
3 Which countries are some of your country’s main trading partners (for exports or
imports)?
1 Which exports have increased this month? Which exports have fallen?
2 In which market sector have imports increased?
3 Who are Brazil’s two main trading partners?
4 What predictions does the report make about future exports and imports?
Trade in Brazil
We begin our monthly summary of trends in international trade with one of the fastest growing economies in
the world, Brazil.
Exports
This month exports in Brazil decreased slightly to 15,549 million USD from 15,991 million USD in the previous
month. Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of soybean (41%), orange juice (55%) and sugar (35%). Exports of
all three products rose steadily again this month. However, there was a sharp fall compared to last month in
other exports including iron ore, oil, and coffee. This was due to current economic pressures in China and
especially in the USA. Despite these falls, market analysts believe Brazil’s overall export figures for this year
will remain at similar levels to last year.
Imports
Imports went down by 3% on last month but this was predictable because last month’s figures reached a
peak of 22,105 million USD, with major growth in imports of consumer durable goods, including cars. Brazil’s
two main trading partners (China and the USA) took a 30% share of the total import trade. Because of the
increasing demand for consumer products, in particular electronics, Brazil’s imports will probably reach an all-
time high by this time next year.
Life Upper Intermediate 2nd edition Business Writing ©National Geographic Learning 2019
3 Underline words and phrases that describe trends in the report in Exercise 2.
Write them in the correct column of the table and write if the word is a verb (v),
adjective (adj), adverb (adv) or noun (n).
to increase (v) quickly (adv) a sudden (adj) drop (n) to level out (v)
4 Work in groups to think of other words to describe trends. Add them to the table.
1 Why was there a sharp fall compared to last month in other exports including iron
ore, oil, and coffee?
2 Why will Brazil’s imports probably reach an all-time high by this time next year?
3 What two phrases did the writer use to introduce the reason for these two trends?
6 Look at the prepositions in bold in these sentences from the report. Complete
sentences 1–6 with these prepositions.
This month exports in Brazil decreased slightly to 15,549 million USD from 15,991 million USD.
Brazil’s overall export figures for this year will remain at similar levels to last year.
1 Annual sales fell _____ 1.2 million _____ 1.15 million this year.
2 Exports in the UK this month stayed _____ £30,000 million.
3 Tax on consumer durables rose again _____ 2.8% this year.
4 Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index remained steady _____ around 0.1% owing to
steady growth figures.
5 Spending on raw materials increased _____ 250,000 euros _____ 280,000 euros.
6 Because of news of poor employment figures, the London FTSE fell _____ 1.3%
7 Write a short report of some trends and figures in your company or for a
company you know well. For example, compare sales figures from last month and
this month or from last year to this year. Give some reasons for the trends.
I CAN
report trends
use prepositions to report figures
give reasons for trends
Life Upper Intermediate 2nd edition Business Writing ©National Geographic Learning 2019
End of Module Test.
End of Module Check / Teach the Teacher: After studying this module, students must be
able to give a brief outline of the linguistic content explain a) the use b) examples of the
structure of linguistic focus.
To check on, consolidate and further the content, you need to prepare a short
presentation or speech to share with your class and the teacher. Class members then give
their peer feedback on the overall presentation, and the linguistic accuracy.
Teachers will be evaluating all the skills and rating as an ongoing individual student
evaluation process.
My feedback:
Grammar Focus:
Language Production Focus:
Reading
Listening
Writing
Speaking
Fluency
Pronunciation
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Booklets can only be used exclusively when delivering courses with Denise Richardson