Review 25 - 28
- Is the flight on time?
- I’m afraid…
- Do you think…?
- It’s important to…
Part 1
Preview
Alex is reading an article about how to woo (impress) clients. What advice do you think the article gives? Check ✓ your guesses.
Take them out to a nice restaurant. ____
Have a firm handshake. ____
Buy them gifts. ____
Speak loudly. ____
Copy their gestures. ____
Ask about their families. ____
Example answer
Answers will vary. Sample answer.
- __ Take them out to a nice restaurant.
- ✔ Have a firm handshake.
- __ Buy them gifts.
- ✔ Speak loudly.
- ✔ Copy their gestures.
- __ Ask about their families.
Part 2
Practice
Watch the video. What other advice did the article give?
Watch the video again. How does Alex try to impress the clients? Check ✓ your guesses.
He takes them out to dinner at a nice restaurant. ____
He has a firm handshake. ____
He gives them some gifts. ____
He tidides up and redecorates his work space. ____
He introduces them to the president of his company. ____
He picks them up at the airport. ____
He copites their gestures. ____
He changes his clothes. ____
Answer
- ✓
- __
- __
- __
- __
- __
- __
- __
Transcript
Tom: What’s up, Alex?
Alex: Huh? Oh, I’m just doing some research.
Tom: Really? What kind of research?
Alex: You know our Brazilian clients are coming tomorrow, right? So I really want to impress them. I’m reading this article on how to woo clients.
Tom: Oh? What does it say?
Alex: Well, it says it’s really important to have a firm handshake. If you have a weak handshake, you might be seen as a poor leader.
Tom: Uh, I’m afraid that was a little too firm.
Alex: Sorry.
Tom: So, how else do you woo clients?
Alex: Well, you’re supposed to copy their gestures… like if they fold their arms, you fold your arms.
Tom: Oh, I see. You’ve been practicing, haven’t you?
Alex: You noticed?
Tom: Uh…yeah.
[At the office…]
Kate: Uh, Alex?
Alex: Yes?
Kate: Have you made dinner reservations for tonight?
Alex: Oh, was I supposed to… um, no, not yet… um… so should I stick to a budget, or do you think it would be appropriate to splurge a little…?
Kate: Oh, I think it makes sense to splurge, don’t you? These are important clients, so you should take them somewhere really nice.
Alex: Sure, that’s a good idea. Uh, could you recommend a good place?
Kate: How about Luigi’s?
Alex: Okay. Good idea. I’ll call them right now. Yes…yes, I can wait…yes, I’d like a reservation for three people for tonight…7:30 if possible…the name is Alex…great, thank you.
[Later that day...]
Kate: We’re so glad to be able to work with you in person. So, to get started, why don’t you tell us a little about your goals for your visit?
Luisa: Certainly. Well, first of all, I’d like to become more familiar with your company and the services you offer. Yes, and I’d like to give you some more details about the project we’re planning, and talk about how we might collaborate on it.
Part 3
Discuss
Answer the questions
Do you think Alex impressed the clients? Why or why not?
What do you think are good ways to woo clients? What are some other ways to impress clients?
Have you ever had to entertain visitors that you didn’t know very well? Where did you go? What did you do?
Part 4
Review: Is the flight on time?
Pick one of the flights below. Use the information and practice with your teacher.
| Flight A | Flight B |
| Flight to New York | Flight to Barcelona |
| Leaves from Gate 93 | Leaves from Gate B2 |
| The flight is on time | The flight is delayed six hours |
| Dinner is not served on the flight | There are no window or aisle seats left |
Try to:
- Talk about your checking in at an airport
- Confirm information
Checking in at the airport
- Are you checking any luggage?
- Your flight is departing from (Gate 14).
- You’ll be seated in an emergency exit row.
- Walk down the hall and go through security.
Confirming information
- My flight is leaving from (Gate 14), right?
- Dinner will be served on this flight, won’t it?
- ls the flight on time?
Example conversation
A: Are you checking any luggage?
B: Yes, I'm checking ... My flight is leaving from Gate...?
Part 5
Review: I'm afraid...
Discuss a problem that you know that fit the descriptions below or think of your own.
Your luggage was stolen.
The hotel misplaced your passport.
Try to:
- Report bad news
- Ask for help or advice
Reporting bad news
|
the flight has been canceled. |
Asking for help or advice
|
|
- Would it be possible to (use your phone)?
- Do you know of (any internet cafes nearby)?
Example conversation
A: Unfortunately, my milk spilled.
B: Oh, no! How did that happen?
Part 6
Review: Do you think...?
Use the alternatives below and give reasons for your choices.
go to a spa or go for a hike
go to a museum or go shopping
Try to:
- Compare and contrast alternatives.
- Give reasons for my choices.
Comparing and contrasting alternatives
- What do you feel like doing? Do you want to take a guided tour or explore on our own?
- Do you think we should splurge or stick to our budget?
- Which do you want to do, make reservations in advance or keep our options open?
Giving reasons for choices
- I’d rather explore on our own. Guided tours are too crowded.
- I think it makes sense to splurge. I mean, you only live once!
- It would probably be a good idea to make reservations in advance. We’ll be travelling during the busy tourist season, and the hotels might fill up.
Example conversation
A: What do you feel like doing? Do you want to see a movie or hang out at the mall?
B: I’d rather hang out at the mall. I need to buy a new pair of sneakers.
Part 7
Review: It's important to...
Describe the cultural faux pas below and explaining why they are a problem.
go to a spa or go for a hike
go to a museum or go shopping
Try to:
- Compare and contrast alternatives
- Give reasons for my choices
Describing cultural differences
- In the U.S, it’s important to be on time.
- It’s inappropriate to kiss people when you first meet them.
- It’s insensitive to ask someone how much money they make.
Explaining why something is a problem
- Being late is seen as inconsiderate.
- It’s customary to shake hands.
- That’s considered to be personal information.
Example conversation
A: In Japan, you shouldn’t wear shoes into someone’s house. People in Japan usually take their shoes off at the door.
B: In South Korea, it’s also customary to take off your shoes at the door.