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Learning Objectives
Theme/Function
Talking about routine at the office
Checking for information
Looking for agreement
Grammar
Count/non-count nouns with how much and how many
Count/non-count nouns with some and any
Quantifers
Vocabulary
Words of office: report,diary,time off...
Speaking
Practice talking about routine at the office
Practice using expressions related to daily work at office
Reading
Read an article about a guide to office speak
Practice understanding vocabulary from the context
Writing
Write a visiting arrangement for company staff
Video Listening
1. Work in pairs . Think about the dialogue from the video.What can you remember? Work with your partner to fill in the blanks and create a new conversation.
Watch the video
Michael: Sorry to__________you,Dave.Did you__________the report for the board?
Dave: I'm afraid not.I am still__________it.
Michael: Remember__________today at noon.And I do need to__________before we__________it.
Dave: I know.Don't worry.It will be finished within the next hour.
Michael: __________it took you so long?
Dave: Last week I had to__________the sales forecast for the month.I also took three days off.You knew I was__________,didn't you?
Michael: Yes,of course.Did you__________finish the Strategy document?
Dave: Yes,I did.We do need time to__________it together,don't we?
Michael: Yes,we do.When would it__________for you?
Dave: Let me check my__________.
...
2. Role play . Imagine you are in an office.Ask your colleague about some work she needs to finish.Use the dialogue above as a model.You can change names,dates,actions,etc.
Example:
A: Good morning,Sam.Did you finish the agenda for the board meeting?
B: No,not yet.It will be ready in an hour.
A: Thanks.Did Dave send you the report for the board?
Speak Like a Native
submit
In English you can"send"and"hand over"a report.When we use"submit",we imply that the recipient will act on the information we are providing.We submit reports,invoices,applications or resignations.
Vocabulary
1. Work in groups . Look at the pictures.Each picture represents an item in the office.Work together to complete the pictures with office-related words.
2. Work in groups . Can you find the hidden words for workplace language in this puzzle? All the words go across or down.There are no diagonal or backwards words.Work together to mark them off.
Survey: Find Someone Who
Work in pairs . Student A looks at this page.Student B looks at page 18.Obtain information by asking about work in progress.
Example:
A: Did you finish that report on production costs?
B: I'm afraid not.I'm still working on it.
A: Remember it's due Friday morning.I have a meeting with some potential investors.
B: I'll make sure it's on your desk by then.
Expressions
Whole class . Fill in the table first with a question tag.Then,walk around the classroom and ask students the following questions.If the answer is"yes",write down the English name on the list and ask more follow-up questions.If the answer is"no",ask someone else.Then report your results to the class.
Survey: Find Someone Who
Work in pairs . Student B looks at this page.Student A looks at page 17.Obtain information by asking about work in progress.
Example:
B: Did you finish that estimate of construction costs?
A: I'm afraid not.I'm still working on it.
B: Remember it's due Tuesday afternoon.I have a meeting with the CFO.
A: I'll make sure it's on your desk by then.
Reading
1.Read the passage A Guide to Office Speak .
A Guide to Office Speak
Few things are as irritating as the jargon of the modern workplace.But what do our everyday office catchphrases really mean?And where do they come from?
It probably won't surprise you to learn that"thinking outside the box"has just been voted the most overused business cliché in the country,according to a poll sponsored by the gaming company Ubisoft.Apparently,"thinking outside the box",which refers to looking at things from a new perspective without preconceptions,was invented by some suit in the Walt Disney organization years ago.But now it is even being used by serious office workers.
"It's not rocket science"is another much-hated example,but it hardly has any impact in an office environment these days since it is heavily overused.Experts believe this most patronizing of phrases meaning"duh,are you stupid? "came into the American business community's consciousness during the Cold War,when rockets were first developed.The act of launching craft into space was considered so extraordinary that the science behind it was understood to be extremely difficult.So,anything else must be relatively easy.
Once upon a time"let's touch base"must have been a charming way of getting a business"contact",if I can use that expression,to keep in touch.When someone got up in a PowerPoint presentation and said,for the first time that they wanted their company to"push the needle",meaning"take things to the next level",it must have stimulated corporate minds."Swallow the frog"is a more recent innovation,which has not yet become boring and nicely expresses the idea of getting the nastiest task of the day out of the way first.But soon,as with all its predecessors,it will quickly become tedious and uninspiring.
The absurdities of office life,including its strange language,have been joked about many times over the years but sometimes,as these examples demonstrate,the world of bizspeak really is just beyond parody...
2. Work in groups . Work together and discuss the correct meaning of these office clichés commonly used in Britain and complete the form.
What do they really mean at the office?
3. Work in pairs. Describe a situation when you had to think outside the box/swallow the frog/push the needle.Discuss with your partner:Are there any overused business clichés in China?
Writing
Your company is organizing a monthly board meeting in your city.On the program,4 hours of sightseeing is arranged.As a member of staff,you will write a passage of 150 words about how you are going to arrange the delegates to visit your city in 4 hours.
You should write about:
(1) Places you want to take them.
(2) How long you are going to stay in one place.
(3) How you are going to take them,by coach or mass transit.
(4) Any meals involved.
Sample:
Dear Colleagues:
The delegates will leave the hotel at 8 am from the hotel lobby.Before we leave,everyone will be given a bottle of water and a lunch box containing a club sandwich,a piece of cake and an apple.A 40-seater coach is booked for the event,and the coach will leave at 8 am sharp.Our first stop will be West Lake.We will start the tour with the West Lake.A comfortable drive will be offered to reach the lake area,and we will stay there for two hours.After that,we will be taken to the Arts and Crafts Live Exhibition Hall to enjoy a large collection of traditional Chinese crafts.We will stay there for one hour.When the tour is over,you will be transferred to the hotel,and we will help you with the check-in procedure.
HR Department