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BUSINESS ENGLISH · BUSINESS ISSUES · PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2-B1)

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1 In the office

Match the words to the images:

a coat hanger a filing cabinet an exercise ball a post-it note

a projector a sofa a water cooler a work station

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8.

Which of these things do you have in your place of work?

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WORK SPACE

2 Reading

You are going to read a text on office design. Put T (True) or F (False) next to each statement then
read the text to check your answers.

1. Open-plan offices are generally good for business.

2. Open-plan offices are cheaper.
3. People communicate better in closed offices.
4. Closed offices make businesses more innovative.
5. It’s easier to concentrate on your work in a closed office.
6. Employees who work in closed offices are absent more often.

Open-plan vs. closed offices

Which are better?

For most companies, the design of the office space is very important. The office space should help
employees to work more efficiently, concentrate on their work and work better in a team. There are
two common designs — closed offices and open offices.
Open offices are good for companies for a number of reasons. Firstly, they cost less because they
use less space and use less electricity to heat or cool. In addition, businesses can save on equipment
because people are sharing resources such as printers and photocopiers. Since there are no walls
or barriers between work stations, staff can learn from each other and interact more efficiently. For
example, when you work in an open office you can get feedback on your work instantly and you can
ask questions without needing to knock on doors. Increased collaboration between employees can also
result in business innovation.

On the other hand, many employees prefer closed offices, mainly because there is less noise and it’s
easier to concentrate. With a busy open-plan office, the high level of noise can make it difficult for
employees to focus on their work. Another advantage for business is lower absenteeism. When people
work in an open environment, there is a greater risk of catching a disease when somebody is ill. And
when employees are absent, the company is less productive.

3 Talking point

Discuss the questions below with a partner.

1. What kind of office do you prefer?

2. What do you think of open-plan offices?
3. Would you like to work in a different office? Why?

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4 Phrases in the text

Match the verbs on the left with the words on the right to form phrases from the text.

1. save on a. a disease

2. share b. doors

3. get c. equipment

4. knock on d. feedback on your work

5. focus e. on your work

6. catch f. resources

Make sentences about closed and open offices using the phrases above.

5 Linking words and phrases

Look at the words and phrases below. Complete the text and check your answers.
on the other hand because firstly since
in addition for example

Open-plan vs. closed offices

Which are better?

For most companies, the design of the office space is very important. The office space should help employees to
work more efficiently, concentrate on their work and work better in a team. There are two common designs —
closed offices and open offices.
1
Open offices are good for companies for a number of reasons. , they cost less because they use less
2 3
space and use less electricity to heat or cool. , businesses can save on equipment
4
people are sharing resources such as printers and photocopiers. there are no walls or barriers
5
between work stations, staff can learn from each other and interact more efficiently. , when you
work in an open office you can get feedback on your work instantly and you can ask questions without needing
to knock on doors. Increased collaboration between employees can also result in business innovation.
6
, many employees prefer closed offices, mainly because there is less noise and it’s easier to concentrate.
With a busy open-plan office, the high level of noise can make it difficult for employees to focus on their work.
Another advantage for business is lower absenteeism. When people work in an open environment, there is a
greater risk of catching a disease when somebody is ill. And when employees are absent, the company is less
productive.

Here are some more linking words you can use in a discussion:
Good for speaking: on top of that, what’s more,
Good for writing: however, furthermore, for instance,

In pairs, discuss the pros and cons of any of the issues below.

1. working fixed hours vs. working flexitime

2. commuting by car vs. commuting by bike
3. using email vs. talking on the phone

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WORK SPACE

6 Homework

Choose a topic below to write about.

1. working in an office vs. working at home

2. teamwork vs. solo work
3. working for a multinational firm vs working for a small business

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TEACHER MATERIALS · PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2-B1)

WORK SPACE

Key

1. In the office

Students can work alone or in pairs.

1. a water cooler 2. a work station 3. a post-it note 4. a filing cabinet
5. an exercise ball 6. a coat hanger 7. a projector 8. a sofa

2. Reading

Students can work alone or in pairs. Go through the answers with the class. You may want to pre-teach difficult
or unfamiliar vocabulary, e.g. ‘resources’, ‘barriers’, ‘interact’, ‘noise’, ‘absenteeism’.
1. T 2. T 3. F 4. F 5. T 6. F

4. Phrases in the text

1. c 2. f 3. d 4. b 5. e 6. a

5. Linking words and phrases

Go through the linking words. Present any additional connectors that you think might be helpful. Encourage
students to use the vocabulary to develop their arguments.
1. Firstly
2. In addition
3. because
4. Since
5. For example
6. On the other hand

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