Working Abroad

Global work culture

p.68
Global Work Culture

VOCABULARY
 CLook at the words and phrases in bold in Exercise 4. Discuss the
meaning of the words with a partner and choose the best meaning
or synonym, A, B or C.

4. widely used
1. fluent in
A common or usual
A speak with a native accent
B popular or well-known
B speak a language very well
C to be found everywhere
C speak fast

2. be put off 5. alone

A make it difficult for someone to pay 5 A feeling unhappy or lonely

attention B without people you know
1B B arrange to do something later C without help from anyone else
C get demotivated
2C 6 (tend to)

Exercise 5 3C 3. nuances
A slight differences in manner
A have a tendency to (come across)
B be always annoying
C move in a particular direction
4A B slight differences in colour
C slight differences in meaning
6. come across
5B A easy for people to understand

6 A, C B meet or find by chance

C seem to have particular qualities
 Exercise 6A

dis-, im-, in- or un- = NOT

1 indirect
2 unfriendly/reserved/shy
3 informal
4 dishonest
5 unhelpful
6 unkind/cruel
7 impolite/rude
8 friendly/sociable/communicative/open/outgoing
9 unsociable/uncommunicative/unfriendly/reserved
10 disrespectful
Exercise 6B
Exercise 6B

1. friendly
•2 sociable
•3 indirect, dishonest
•4 helpful, unkind
•5 respectful, informal,
impolite
 WRITING (P.76)
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS
Lead-in
1. In what situations might you
need to give advice or make
suggestions to colleagues?
2.Have you ever received
advice or recommendations
from a colleague? If so,
explain the situation.
 Exercise 1
Suggestions, advices & recommendations

Recently it has become obvious that staff need to be trained in cross-cultural

working as we now have several project teams with members from different countries.
For these projects to be most effective, it is advisable that everyone is aware of the
cultural background of each team member. If people are not familiar with the
differences, then cultural problems will become more complicated. Consequently, to
avoid misunderstandings, it is essential that everyone in the team learns how each
culture differs.
We therefore suggest that all staff in these teams do a suitable cross-cultural training
course. You ought to do this quickly because, unless training is arranged with immediate
effect, some projects will probably suffer. If this happened, it would be a disaster for the
company.
Our recommendation would be to organise a course for the staff immediately.
Another suggestion is to visit the other countries. If team members visited other
members in their own countries, they would get to know each other better and develop
better working relationships.
 Exercise 1
Suggestions, advices & recommendations
1. it has become obvious that staff need to be trained in cross-
cultural working
2. For these projects to be most effective, it is advisable that
everyone is aware of the cultural background of each team
member.
3. to avoid misunderstandings, it is essential that everyone in the
team learns how each culture differs.
4. We therefore suggest that all staff in these teams do a suitable
cross-cultural training course.
5. Our recommendation would be to organise a course for the
staff immediately. Another suggestion is to visit the other
countries.
Exercise 2 1 advisable
2 would
3 obvious
Exercise 2
4 suggest
5 ought
Exercise 2
 Writing Task
Look at the notes on a situation below. Write a formal
report of about 180 words giving suggestions, advice and
recommendations about the best course of action.

 Situation on cross-cultural teams

• Staff don't get on – projects delayed /
misunderstandings
 Suggest/Advise
• get feedback from each team member
• more training
• arrange meeting with whole team
• move members to other teams
 Recommendation
 There have been several problems recently with our cross-cultural teams. It
seems that some of the team members are not getting on with each other and
this is causing serious delays and misunderstandings.
Firstly, the most important thing to do would be to get feedback from every
team member, focusing on both the strengths and the weaknesses of their teams.
I would then advise the company to provide training for all project team
members immediately. If possible, the company should also try to arrange for
team members to meet face-to-face so that they can get to know each other
better and understand their different cultures. If it becomes apparent that there
are still problems, then one thing which could be done is to move team members
from one team to another. However, it is hoped that this will not be necessary.
In conclusion, I would strongly recommend that you organise training for

Sample current team members and also for anyone else who may be involved in cross-
cultural working in the future.

Writing