INSTITUTO INDUSTRIAL E COMERCIAL DA BEIRA

MOHG 025001

CV5

Use English Language for Social, Personal

and Professional Purposes

School Year: 2024

TEST 1 :ORAL TEST

Learning Outcome 1:

Maintain a social conversation about a

topic of interest

Task:: Students will be shown two images of Connections and Work

and Study which are in the module. Each students must explain
adequately in 3-5 minutes about the picture and what they think
about these topics Connections and Work and Study.
BODY LANGUAGE:
SOCIALISING Body language* is important when you’re socialising or chatting to people in English. It can help you transmit
the right messages, and also allow you to understand what other people are saying or thinking.
Answers on page 77
1 2 3
1Body language
descriptions
Write a description from below
next to each example of body
language (1 to 9).
interested, confident
listening carefully
confusion, displeasure
boredom, tiredness
showing interest
Arms folded Yawning Smiling and laughing
coldness, distance coldness, distance
nervousness
relaxed, positive 4 5 6
questioning something,
surprise

*BODY LANGUAGE
Body language is a non-verbal
form of communication. It
involves communicating what
you’re feeling or thinking
through your body. Different
types of body language
include movement (changes Tilting your head
to the position of your eyes, Maintaining eye contact Raising your eyebrows to one side
hands, legs, etc.), facial
expressions (happiness,
sadness, fear, disgust, etc.),
7 8 9
posture (how you stand
or sit) and gestures (the
movement of your hands).
Some experts include the
pitch, intonation, volume and
tone of your voice. Studies
have shown that when you’re
talking to someone, your
words can count for as little
as 7% of the meaning of
your message; however, body
language can account for up
to 80% of the meaning! So, Biting your nails Frowning Leaning forward
it’s extremely important!

BUSINESS SKILLS SOCIALISING IN ENGLISH

Copyright Hot English Publishing SL 2016 www.learnhotenglish.com 29
TRACK 13
HOW BODY LANGUAGE
CAN IMPROVE YOUR
COMMUNICATION SKILLS!
Answers on page 77
1 Pre-reading
Look at the paragraph titles and
pictures. What do you think the
writer is going to say about the
topic of each paragraph? Make
notes.
2 Reading I
Read or listen to the article
once to compare your ideas
from the Pre-reading task.
3 Reading II
Read the article again. Then,
answer the questions.
1. What is a firm
handshake a sign of?
2. How long should
you maintain eye
contact for?
3. What could it mean if
someone turns their
shoulders away from
you?
4. What’s the name of
the gaze that focuses
on the triangular area
between the eyes and
the mouth?
5. At what distance do
good friends stand from
one another in the US?
6. What could dilated
pupils mean?
7. Why should you try
to keep your feet,
hands and legs under
control?
8. What could a quick
touch to the nose when
someone answers a
question be a sign of?
9. What are the potential
advantages of mirroring
someone's movements
or actions?
BUSINESS SKILLS SOCIALISING IN ENGLISH
30 Copyright Hot English Publishing SL 2016 www.learnhotenglish.com
Learn how to read other people’s body language. And understand what you’re doing with
your body so you can communicate more effectively.
Greetings interested, or they want to leave.
When greeting
someone, smile, look Gaze
them in the eye and In social situations,
introduce yourself focus your gaze
in a confident voice. on the triangular
Also, remember area between your
that in most listener’s eyes and
western countries mouth. This is
(the UK, the USA, known as the “social
Australia, Canada, gaze”. It’ll make you
etc.), a firm handshake is seen as a sign of appear friendly and
confidence and trust; and a limp handshake confident. Avoid
could make you appear weak, submissive or dropping your gaze below the mouth as this
disinterested. could be misinterpreted as something more
than just friendly interest!
Eye contact
It’s important to hold Facial
the correct amount expressions
of eye contact. If Try to keep a
you stare, the other positive look on
person might feel your face so it
uncomfortable; and looks like you’re
if you don’t maintain interested. In order
enough eye contact, to avoid a blank
they could think look, keep listening
you lack confidence carefully to what
or aren’t interested. In general, you should the other person is
maintain eye contact between 70 and 80% of saying, and comment on the information or
the time. ask questions.
Alignment Personal
Make sure your body body space
is aligned with the Be careful not to
person you’re talking stand too close to the
to. This means that person you’re talking
your body should be to. People from
facing them, with certain countries
your feet pointing expect more personal
towards them and body space than
your shoulders others. For example,
angled at them. in the US, experts
This shows you’re interested and focused on have calculated that good friends usually stand
them. On the other hand, if the person you’re between 45cm and 120cm from one another;
talking to turns any part of their body away but for acquaintances or business colleagues,
from you (their eyes, knees, feet, shoulders, it’s between 120cm and 350cm. These figures
etc.), it could mean that they aren’t may vary from country to country.
 Barriers quick touch to the Be confident about who you are. Let
A bag, papers, an mouth, eye, ear or people know about any unusual hobbies
arm or a drink held nose as someone or pastimes you may have. People enjoy
in front of your body answers a direct learning about new things.
acts like a barrier question could be
to others and can a sign that they’re
make you appear lying. So, if you
cold, protective and notice the other
distant. Keep objects person touch their
away from the front nose, ear or neck
of your body to when you ask them GLOSSARY
project a more positive image and to appear a question, they might not be telling the truth. firm adj
more open. if your handshake is “firm”, you use a bit
of pressure (but not too much)
Mirroring trust n
if there’s a feeling of “trust”, there’s an
Dilated pupils (mimicking) open feeling of honesty
According to Mirroring involves limp adj
if someone’s handshake is “limp”, they
body language copying what the don’t use any pressure and it appears to
experts, when other person is be weak
to stare vb
we’re interested doing. For example, if you “stare” at someone, you look at
them continuously
in something or if the person you’re to align vb
someone, our pupils talking to folds if you’re “aligned” with something, you’re
facing it with your body directly in front
involuntarily dilate their arms, you do of it
(become bigger). too. Or, if they lean to point towards exp
if your feet are “pointing towards”
The opposite can forward, you do the someone, your feet are in the direction of
that person
happen when we’re same. We tend to mirror people involuntarily gaze n
disinterested (our pupils contract– become when we trust or like them. And research someone’s “gaze” is the way they look at
another person
smaller). If you notice someone’s pupils has shown that subconsciously we think that misinterpret vb
dilate, it could be a sign that they like you. people who mirror our movements are more if you “misinterpret” something, you
understand it wrongly
persuasive and honest than those who don’t. a blank look n
if someone has a “blank look”, their
Fidgeting So, if you notice the other person is copying face shows no emotion – it just looks
If you’re sitting down, the way you sit, move or talk, it could mean empty
personal body space n
try to keep your that they trust and like you. On the other the personal distance we keep from other
feet, hands and legs hand, you could use mirroring to show the people. In some cultures, it’s common
to stand very close to the person you’re
under control. This other person that you’re trustworthy. So, if talking to. In other cultures, this isn’t so
common
will make you appear the other person leans forward, you could to project vb
calm and confident. lean forward too. If they place their hands if you “project” any particular feelings,
you show those feelings through your
Avoid shifting about on their thighs, you might do the same. behaviour, words, actions, etc.
too much, drumming However, don’t make this too obvious. And involuntarily adv
if you do something “involuntarily”, you
your fingers or be careful – people who know about this do it without knowing that you’re doing it
to shift vb
bouncing a foot up could notice you doing it. Also, the other to move
and down as they’re all signs of boredom, person might be deliberately mirroring you in to drum vb
if you “drum” your fingers, you use your
discomfort or nervousness. an attempt to make you think that they like or fingers to create a rhythm
trust you. Watch out! to bounce vb
if your foot is “bouncing” up and down,
Touching it’s moving up and down
research n
Involuntarily touching a part of the body Communication is complex. But an scientific investigation
(particularly the face) is often a sign that understanding of body language can make it a thigh n
the top part of your leg – the upper half
someone is under stress or nervous. And a easier!

BUSINESS SKILLS SOCIALISING IN ENGLISH

Copyright Hot English Publishing SL 2016 www.learnhotenglish.com 31
TEST 2 :ORAL TEST

Learning Outcome 2:

Use a variety of strategies to maintain

communication

Task:: Students will again be shown two images of Connections and

Work and Study which are in the module. Each students must
explain adequately in 3-5 minutes about the picture and what they
think about these topics Connections and Work and Study.

Task: When speaking the students must apply the Body Language
learnt in this Learning Outcome
 Giving a presentation
When you are preparing a presentation, make sure it is New language Signposting language
clear and easy to follow. There are certain phrases you Vocabulary Presentation equipment
can use to help guide the audience through the talk. New skill Structuring a talk

KEY LANGUAGE BEGINNING A PRESENTATION

If you outline the structure of your presentation
at the start, it makes it easier for the audience to
follow what you are saying. Signposting language
Before you begin, briefly
can help you to do this effectively. outline your presentation.

These words tell the

listener the order of
the presentation.

FILL IN THE GAPS USING THE PHRASES IN THE PANEL

106
 KEY LANGUAGE CHANGING TOPICS
You can also use signposting language to move
between topics during your presentation.

INTRODUCING ENDING MOVING ON TO

A TOPIC A TOPIC ANOTHER TOPIC

LISTEN TO THE MATCH THE DEFINITIONS TO

AUDIO AND ANSWER THE PRESENTATION EQUIPMENT
THE QUESTIONS

The head of a sales team

is giving a talk about the
performance.

107
 KEY LANGUAGE ENDING A PRESENTATION
At the end of your presentation, you can give a brief summary of
your points and, if you want, allow the audience to ask questions.

SUMMARIZING DEALING WITH QUESTIONS

REWRITE THE SENTENCES, LISTEN TO THE AUDIO,

PUTTING THE WORDS IN THE THEN NUMBER THE SENTENCES
CORRECT ORDER IN THE ORDER YOU HEAR THEM

A company’s head of marketing

is talking about their new range.

108
 CROSS OUT THE INCORRECT WORD IN EACH SENTENCE, THEN SAY THE
SENTENCES OUT LOUD

CHECKLIST
Signposting language Presentations and talks Structuring a talk

REVIEW THE ENGLISH YOU HAVE LEARNED IN UNITS 22–28

NEW LANGUAGE SAMPLE SENTENCE UNIT

THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR

ONGOING EVENTS AND FUTURE PLANS

INTERRUPTING POLITELY AND

EXCHANGING OPINIONS

AGREEING AND DISAGREEING

REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

MAKING SUGGESTIONS AND

GIVING ADVICE

SIGNPOSTING LANGUAGE FOR

PRESENTATIONS

109
TEST 3 :ORAL TEST

Learning Outcome 3:

Adapt the speech so as to consider

cultural aspects

Task:: Students will be asked to choose from Workshop Practical

Activities a topic of their interest and present it

NB: When presenting consider the cultural aspect as well as not

forgetting the Body Language