BEP 52 – Utiliser un langage vague (Partie 2)

This is the second in our two-part Business English Pod series on strategically using vague language. Last time we covered being vague to make a polite excuse or to avoid sounding arrogant. We saw how you can use vague language to create flexibility.

Today we’ll work on referring to vague numbers and learn language you can use when you don’t remember the name of someone or something. You’ll also practice some more strategic uses of vague language, such as avoiding socially inappropriate or impolite topics.

Questions d'écoute

1) Why doesn’t Mike want to come to the party if Tracy is there?
2) When should Mike show up at the party?

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BEP 51 – Utiliser un langage vague (Partie 1)

Today is the first in a two-part Business English Podcast lesson on using vague language. “Vaguemeans not clearly defined. Par exemple, if you ask someone what time it is and they say “À propos 7 or so,” they are being vague. There are lots of reasons to be vague. Sometimes you need to be vague because you don’t know some information or because the information is not important. And sometimes vague language is just more polite.

Dans ces deux épisodes, we’ll be looking at how to speak in a vague way, but different situations require different styles. You’ll have to use your knowledge of the culture, the people and the situation that you are dealing with to decide which style is most appropriate. Our goal is to give you the communication tools you need to succeed in different environments. In future episodes, we’ll also be looking at other styles of speaking.

You’ll be listening to Jen and Mike, two employees at Nexus communications. Jen is inviting Mike to a party.

Questions d'écoute

1) What do you think Jen means byulterior motive?”
2) Is Mike a computer expert?

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Actualité économique 10 – Viacom poursuit YouTube pour 1 Milliards de dollars

Today we have a Business English News story on a company that’s been in the news quite a bit recentlyYouTube. En particulier, we refresh and discuss some of the key vocabulary we covered in our Video Vocab series on the law and legal vocabulary:

Vocab vidéo 04 – Basic Legal Terms
Vocab vidéo 05 – Affaires judiciaires
Vocab vidéo 06 – Droit commercial

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BEP 50 – Adoucissement des réponses négatives (Partie 2)

This is the second in a two-part Business English Podcast lesson on softening negative replies. Last time you worked on softening negative replies in conversation to keep the atmosphere friendly and cooperative. Aussi, you practiced refusing an offer of help and letting someone down gently.

Aujourd'hui, we’ll be looking at refusing and disagreeing politely.

All these skills form part of a soft or gentle speaking style, which should form part of your communicative repertoire or toolbox.

Questions d'écoute

1) Why is the GM of Avitek unable to meet with Nick on Thursday.
2) How is the weather in Kiev?

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BEP 49 – Adoucissement des réponses négatives (Partie 1)

This is the first in a two-part Business English Podcast lesson on softening negative repliessaying “non” politely.

“Non” is one of the strongest words in any language. Because it carries so much force, “non” is hard to say politely. Yet giving a negative reply, disagreeing or refusing a request are all things we have to do on a daily basis. So it’s important to learn how to say “non” in a way that enables you to maintain good relationships. In many cases this requires you to take a softer and more indirect approach. So today we’ll work on ways to soften negative replies in a variety of everyday situations.

In the dialog we meet up again with Nicholas Fisher, the European sales director for Harper-Tolland from BEP 35 et 36. He is flying into Kiev to support local sales staff by meeting with a large potential customer, Avitek. This is a Ukrainian company that manufactures cargo and firefighting aircraft. In our dialog, Nick is being met at the airport by Harper-Tolland’s sales manager in the Ukraine, Oksana Ivanchuk.

Questions d'écoute

1) Has Nick been to the Ukraine before?
2) What day of the week is it?

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