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BUSINESS ENGLISH · BUSINESS ISSUES · ADVANCED (C1-C2)

REDUCING
ERRORS

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1 Warm up

In pairs, discuss the following questions.

1. What do you do when you come across vocabulary in a business context that you don’t understand?

2. What mistakes can people make with writing that won’t be detected by computer software?

3. What is the best way to approach answering a Writing question in the BEC Higher exam?

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REDUCING ERRORS

2 Reading - Part 5

Read the following article about elements to avoid when writing in a business context. For each
question 1 - 11, write one word in CAPITAL LETTERS. There is an example at the beginning (1).

Beyond Spell Check

When it comes TO 1 making your writing as effective as possible for business situations, there is more
to check for THAN 2
simply grammatical and spelling errors. Firstly, unless you’re on very
close terms with the recipient of an email that is clearly private, it is always advisable to err on the
side of formality. The issue with any writing is that it can always potentially BE 3
seen by
people other than your intended audience. This is particularly true if it is conveying information of any
kind. Instances when employees have found their jocular email forwarded AS 4
part of an
email chain seen by potentially hundreds of co-workers aren’t difficult to find. So it’s best to save the
informal address for the coffee break or lunchtime, even IF / THOUGH 5 it can feel a little unusual
addressing a close colleague just as you would a customer. AS 6
with any writing, careful
consideration of your audience is paramount. It’s important to be very aware of any jargon or in-house
terms you typically use which may NOT 7
be overly clear outside of your immediate business
circle. These should also be studiously avoided when it comes to writing. However, if you’re forced to
use a particular term, be sure THAT 8
it is explained within the context of the writing. The same
is true of any information pertaining to the company which clients OR 9
people working
for other businesses may not be familiar with. Language is frequently used to signify belonging to a
particular social group. Your aim in business is to create relationships and break DOWN 10

barriers, not build them up by making co-workers, customers, or management feel as though they are
not a part of YOUR 11
sphere.

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REDUCING ERRORS

3 Proofreading

Read the following sentences. Each contains a grammatical error. Identify the mistake and rewrite
the sentence underneath so that it is correct.

1. I will like to invite you to join us for our departmental meeting next Thursday afternoon at 3pm.

I would like to invite you to join us for our departmental meeting next Thursday afternoon at 3pm.

2. The train arrives at 8am in Edinburgh on Thursday which should be give us plenty of time to arrive
at the conference before the 10am starting time.

The train arrives at 8am in Edinburgh on Thursday which should give us plenty of time to arrive at the conference
before the 10am starting time.

3. Following the morning presentations, we are wanting to meet you in the afternoon assuming you
have availability.

Following the morning presentations, we want to meet you in the afternoon assuming you have availability.

4. While we are in the meeting, I’d like to ask you to have prepared the drinks and snacks for when
we have finished.

While we are in the meeting, I’d like to ask you to prepare the drinks and snacks for when we have finished.

5. I will be contacting you in the near future to discuss further possibilities and I am hoping you will
be interested in doing business with us.

I will be contacting you in the near future to discuss further possibilities and I hope you will be interested in
doing business with us.

6. Before the meeting started, we have arranged for each attendee to receive a small gift from the
company.

Before the meeting started, we arranged/had arranged for each attendee to receive a small gift from the
company.

7. If you are able to attend, please contact Gemma at reception who is happy to reserve you a place
at this special event.

If you are able to attend, please contact Gemma at reception who would be/will be happy to reserve you a
place at this special event.

8. As you can see from the report, a number of our products is not performing in the way we
anticipated which I will explain during the course of the presentation.

As you can see from the report, a number of our products have not performed/are not performing/didn’t
perform in the way we anticipated which I will explain during the course of the presentation.

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REDUCING ERRORS

4 Writing - Part 1

The bar chart below shows expenditure for four different offices for a company during a business
year. Using the information from the bar chart, write a short report describing the results over the
period. Write 120 - 140 words.

....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................

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REDUCING ERRORS

5 Speaking - Part 3

In Speaking - Part 3, you will be given a situation to discuss with a partner. You should approach the
task as though it was a business meeting and make sure you practice taking turns with your partner.

Look at the following prompt card and practice discussing the situation with your partner.

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TEACHER MATERIALS · ADVANCED (C1-C2)

REDUCING ERRORS

Key

1. Warm up

5 mins.
This task opens the class by asking students to think about the importance of their approach to the various skills
required in English in a business context. Ask students to discuss the questions in pairs or small groups. Circulate
and help as needed.

2. Reading - Part 5

15 mins.
This is an opportunity for students to practice a Reading - Part 5 task. Ask the students to read the instructions
carefully and complete the task in exam-style conditions. When everyone has finished, be sure to go through the
answers.

1. TO 2. THAN 3. BE 4. AS 5. IF/THOUGH 6. AS
7. NOT 8. THAT 9. OR 10. DOWN 11. YOUR

3. Proofreading

10 mins.
This is a quick proofreading task focusing on grammatical mistakes. Ask the students to find the mistakes and
correct them. This can work well as a pair activity, or you may prefer students to correct it individually then
discuss in pairs or groups. Give them a time limit to encourage them to read quickly.

1. I would like to invite you to join us for our departmental meeting next Thursday afternoon at 3pm.
2. The train arrives at 8am in Edinburgh on Thursday which should give us plenty of time to arrive at the conference
before the 10am starting time.
3. Following the morning presentations, we want to meet you in the afternoon assuming you have availability.
4. While we are in the meeting, I’d like to ask you to prepare the drinks and snacks for when we have finished.
5. I will be contacting you in the near future to discuss further possibilities and I hope you will be interested in
doing business with us.
6. Before the meeting started, we arranged/had arranged for each attendee to receive a small gift from the
company.
7. If you are able to attend, please contact Gemma at reception who would be/will be happy to reserve you a
place at this special event.
8. As you can see from the report, a number of our products have not performed/are not performing/didn’t
perform in the way we anticipated which I will explain during the course of the presentation.

4. Writing - Part 1

20 mins.
This is an opportunity for students to practice a Writing - Part 1 task. Ask them to read the information and
complete the task in exam-style conditions. Be sure to give them feedback on their work if needed. You may
decide you want students to complete this in pairs so that they can support each other and discuss what to write
which would be an effective way of tackling the task for lower level students who need to build their confidence.
Encourage students to set aside time to edit their work at the end of the task.

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TEACHER MATERIALS · ADVANCED (C1-C2)

REDUCING ERRORS

Model answer:

The chart shows the amount of money spent by three different departments at four different international offices.
The expenditure on sales was the lowest of the three areas, with Bangkok spending just $12,000 over the year
and Paris spending just over three times that at $38,000. Generally, the highest level of spending was on Design,
with Paris again outspending the other three countries at $87,000 and Bangkok spending the least at $32,000.
The amount spent on marketing came in at a close second with Boston leading this category by spending $89,000,
considerably more than the other offices. London spent the least in this category at just $24,000. Spending in
Paris was generally the highest of the four, with Bangkok spending the least, although the difference in exchange
rates is likely to have an effect on this.

5. Speaking - Part 3

10 mins.
This is an opportunity for students to practice a Speaking - Part 3 task. Explain that in the speaking part of the
exam, they will be working in pairs and for Part 3, they will have to discuss a situation with a partner. They should
make sure that they contribute and take turns during the discussion. In the exam, the examiner is likely to ask
further questions about the topic. For pairs, they can just use the first two prompts. However, an additional
prompt has been given in the case that you need to have three students which is a situation that can arise in the
exam.

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