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BEP 17c – Presenting an Argument in English (2)

Business English, Communication, English for Meetings /

This is the second of a two-part Business English Pod series on presenting an argument.

This podcast is one of the most popular as voted by you, the listeners. And to celebrate our 4th anniversary, we’re giving it another go by updating the examples and explanations. We hope you enjoy it!

When you’re presenting an argument, it’s important to back up what you’re saying. You need to have relevant facts and examples at your fingertips and think ahead to what your opponents might say. It’s also helpful to know how to talk in broad terms and give your argument some contrast. Finally, it’s good to know how to conclude your argument in a clear, concise way.

In this lesson, we’ll explore these points in detail. We’ll talk about ways to give powerful examples. We’ll also look at language for making contrasting points and generalizations. And, we’ll show you how to finish up your argument, either formally or informally.

Last time, we met Jack and Dan, who work for an American guitar manufacturer. Jack thinks moving production to Costa Rica would be a good financial move for the company. But Dan isn’t so sure.

Listening Questions

1. Why are shipping costs increasing? Give one example.
2. Why does Dan think that moving production to Costa Rica would be more expensive?
3. What is happening to the company’s market share?

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BEP 17c – Presenting an Argument in English (1)

Business English, Communication, English for Meetings /

It’s our 4th anniversary and to celebrate, we’re bringing back one of our most popular podcasts as voted for by you, the listeners. We’ve freshened up the examples and explanations, and we hope you’ll enjoy this new version.

When you’re making an argument, you’re trying to get others to see your point of view. To do this, you need to present your argument – and it’s supporting details – in a clear and organized fashion. Otherwise, it’s going to be difficult for your audience to follow your argument or support you.

Today, we’ll look at ways to make an initial recommendation and begin an organized argument. Then, we’ll talk about how to sequence the points of your argument, how to add new points, and how to emphasize points so they have a greater impact on your listeners.

Here’s the scenario for our dialog. Jim, Dan, and Jack work for an American guitar manufacturer. Jack believes the company should build a new factory in Costa Rica to save money on production costs. Let’s hear how he organizes and supports his argument.

Listening Questions

1. What is Jack’s recommendation?
2. According to Jack, why is the company losing money?
3. How does Jack explain that labor costs are more expensive than raw materials?

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BEP 144 – Meetings: English for Teleconferences (2)

Business English, English for Meetings, Intermediate English, Teleconference English /

English for Teleconference Meetings 1

This is the second of a two-part Business English lesson on English for teleconferences.

Teleconferences allow people from different locations to have a meeting over the telephone. While convenient, teleconferences do have some issues to keep in mind, such as keeping track of who’s talking. Sometimes two people talk at the same time or talk too quickly. Because participants can’t see each other, it’s helpful to use “signposts” or short statements that prepare others for what’s about to be said. Other issues such as laying out an agenda and managing the time also come into play.

In the last episode, we heard a conversation between Craig and Elsa, two employees at StarCom, an electronics manufacturer. Craig has his first teleconference coming up and Elsa gave him an informal tutorial, teaching him about the equipment and some of the protocols for a teleconference.

Today, Craig is participating in the teleconference. The host of the teleconference is Tony, a manager in Chicago. Also participating are Diana, a colleague in London, and JP, who works in Marketing at the Dallas location. They’re discussing the upcoming holiday season, new product lines, and advertising.

Listening Questions

1) How does JP help Craig with the agenda?
2) According to Diana, why were the printer test results disappointing?
3) Why doesn’t Diana think the problem will be resolved quickly?

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BEP 143 – Meetings: English for Teleconferences (1)

Business English, English for Meetings, Intermediate English, Teleconference English /

English for Teleconference Meetings 1

This is the first in a two-part Business English Pod series on teleconferences – meetings that take place over the phone.

Nowadays, we have virtual teams interacting across the globe in virtual meetings without having to leave the office. Teleconferences offer a host of advantages, including minimal travel and meetings costs.

However, teleconferences do have their challenges, especially since participants cannot see each other. It’s helpful for people to introduce themselves, use their names and their colleague’s names when speaking, minimize background noise, and speak slowly and clearly. In these two episodes, we’ll learn vocabulary associated with teleconferences. We’ll also learn ways to professionally and tactfully handle any issues that come up.

Today, we’ll listen to Craig and Elsa. Craig is a new hire at StarCom, a computer and printer manufacturer. He’s fresh from university and needs to learn how to do a teleconference, so he asks for help from Elsa, who works in HR.

Listening Questions

1) What types of equipment are needed for a teleconference?
2) What is the purpose of a passcode?
3) What are three problems Elsa mentions that can often occur during a teleconference?

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