Conversational English

Contents:
Unit 1 Unit 4
Unit 2 Unit 5
Unit 3 Unit 6

Unit 1

Part A

Asking someones’ name occupation and company

Exercise 1: Read and practice with your classmates.

A
  • David: Hello.
    • Linda: Hello.
  • David: I’m David Clark.
    • Linda: I’m Linda Rivera.
  • David: What do you do?
    • Linda: I’m an accountant. How about you?
  • David: I’m a manager.
    • Linda: Where do you work?
  • David: I work in a bank.
    • Linda: Really?! Me too.
  • David: What bank do you work for?
    • Linda: I work for Diamond bank.
  • David: Do you like your job?
    • Linda: Yes, I do.
      B
  • Susan: Excuse me.
    • Carol: Yes...
  • Susan: What is your name?
    • Carol: My name is Carol.
  • Susan: Nice to meet you! I am Susan.
    • Carol: Nice to meet you too!
  • Susan: What do you do? Are you a teacher?
    • Carol: No I’m not.
  • Susan: Oh, Are you a student?
    • Carol: Yes, I am.

Think of other phrases you can use in a conversation E.g: “How old are you?”, “Are you married?” Use them while talking to the teacher or your classmates.

Exercise 2: Work in pairs. What country do you come from? What is your Nationality?
“Where are you from?”, “Are you from....?”

  • Hi! I am Jack Jones. What is your name?
    • I am Marie.
  • And what is your last name?
    • My last name is Dupont.
  • Are you from the United States?
    • No, I’m from Canada.
  • Oh? What city are you from?
    • I am from Montreal. Are you American?
  • No, I’m not. I’m from England.
    • I see. What do you do?
  • I’m an engineer. How about you?
    • I’m a journalist.
 
  • Japan - Japanese
  • China - Chinese
  • France - French
  • Italy - Italian
  • United States - American
  • Korea - Korean
  • Nigeria - Nigerian
  • Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabian
  • Spain - Spanish
  • Thailand - Thai

Part B

At an office

Exercise 1: Look at the picture. What do you see? Talk about it.

Example:

  • Sofa - There is a sofa in the living room.
    Radio - There is no radio in the living room.
    Now talk about telephone, chair, table, closet etc.

  • Closet
  • Air-conditioner
  • Telephone
  • Fax machine
  • Armchair
  • Chair
  • Floor
  • Power point
  • Plants
  • Computer
  • Photocopy machine
  • Desk
  • Blinds
  • Wall
  • Mirror
  • Ceiling

Exercise 2: Ask “Is there..”, “Are there..” questions about the picture in Exercise 1.

Example:

  • Is there a telephone on the table?
    -Yes, there is a telephone on the table.

Exercise 3: Ask “Where is..”, “Where are..” questions about the picture in Exercise 1.

Example:

  • Where is the television?
    -The television is on the floor.

  • Where are the books?
    -The books are on the shelf.


Exercise 4
:
Describe the picture using the given prepositions.
Near

Next to

Behind

Opposite

On

From the left / right

#Draw a plan of your office. Talk about it with your classmates.

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Unit 2

Part A

Answering quickly and politely

Everyday conversation.

Exercise 1: Role-play the dialogs with your partner.

A
  • Would you like to come to a party?
    • Well, I’d like to. When is it?
  • Saturday night.
    • Sorry, I’m busy on Saturday.
  • What are you doing?
    • I have an important appointment.
  • Appointment? Really? Well, may be some other time.
B
  • Excuse me. Is this seat taken?
    • No, it isn’t.
  • Is it ok, if I sit here?
    • Yes, of course.
  • Uh, is that your newspaper?
    • Yes, it is.
  • Can I borrow it for a minute?
    • Yes, sure.
C
  • Good morning.
    • Good morning. Can I help you?
  • Well, I’m looking for a book.
    • What’s the title?
  • Instant English. Do you have it?
    • Yes it’s on the shelf
  • How much is it?
    • $6.00
  • Can I see it, please?
    • Of course. Here you are.
  • Thank you.
    • Your English is very good.Are you studying it?
  • No. I’m teaching it.
D
  • Can I help you?
    • Pardon me?
  • Can I help you?
    • Oh, no thanks, I’m just looking.
  • Think of some situations when you have to give a quick answer.Make up a conversation. Speak in front of the class with your partner. Use the vocabulary from the first part of the exercise. E.g:

You are asked to offer some help.

  • Can you help me please?
    -Yes, of course. What do I have to do?

You are asked to carry a luggage.

  • Can you help me with this, please?
    -Certainly. Where... ?

Part B

Responding to requests for information.

Excercise 1:Imagine that you are asked to give some information about your company.How would you do it? Read and role-play with your partner.

  • Hello.
    • Hi.
  • Hmm... I’m new here. Can you tell me more about your company?
    • Yes, of course. What’s your position?
  • I’m a technician.
    • Great! Listen.Business hours usually start at 9 am and finish at 5pm, Monday to Friday . Offices are normally closed on Saturdays. Lunch hour begins at 12 and finishes at 1pm.
  • Thanks.
    • If you have any other questions you cansee me at my office. I’m in hurry now.
  • Ok, see you around.
 

Exercise 2: Answer the questions.

  • When do the business hours start?
    Are offices open on Saturdays?
    When is the lunch hour?

Now talk about your company.Make up at least 10 questions about your company or it’s routine and ask your classmates.

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My homepage

 

Unit 3

Part A

Requesting people to do things.

Asking permission.

Exercise1: What do you think they are saying? Use “Can”

 
     
 

 

Making an offer.

What do you think they are saying? Use “Can”.

 
     
 

 

Exercise 2: Match the request with a suitable response.

  1. Could you make a copy of this report?
  2. Would you type this letter? It’s rather urgent
  3. Could you meet Mr. Ramone at the airport for me?
  4. Could you phone Ms. Taylor about the new brochures?
  5. Would you make some more coffee?
  6. Could you work on Saturday?
 
  • Of course. What’s her extension?
  • Sure. Black with sugar.
  • I’m rather busy now. Can I type it tomorrow?
  • I’d rather not. It’s my birthday.
  • No problem. What time is he arriving?
  • Sure.

 

Part B

Refusing permission and giving a reason

Exercise 3: Read and role-play with your partner.

Secretary: Good morning, Mr. White. The receptionist informs me that you wish to see Mr. Nelson. I am his secretary. Would you be good enough to tell me what you wish to see him about?

Visitor: My business is personal.

Secretary: I'm sorry, but I can't make an appointment for you unless you state your business.

Visitor: I prefer not to. It's a private matter.

Secretary: I'm sorry that I can't help you. I suggest that you write him a note. Tell him what you wish to see him about and ask for an appointment. Good day.

   

Exercise 4: Talk with your partner. Make an offer/Ask for something then Accept or Reject it. Use the studied vocabulary. Be polite and creative, E.g:

  • Could you please stop smoking?

    • No, I’m sorry.

    • Yes, certainly.

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Unit 4

Part A

Greeting a visitor at your office

Exercise1: Read and practice with your classmates.

A

Secretary: Good morning. Can I help you?

Visitor: My name is John Gray. I’m with the ABC Company. I would like to see Mr. Nelson.

Secretary: Unfortunately, he’s busy at the moment. Can you tell me what you wish to see him about?

Visitor: I wish to discuss a new order with him.

Secretary: I’m sorry. I can’t arrange an appointment now. If you’ll give me your telephone number, I can call you up to arrange an appointment. Mr. Nelson will be glad to see you.

   

B

Secretary: Good morning. I’m Mrs. Black’s secretary. She is not in the office at the moment. Can I do anything for you?

Visitor: My name is John Gray. I’m with the ABC company. I would like to see Mrs. Black about our latest order.

Secretary: Mrs. Black is busy today, but I can give you an appointment for tomorrow at 10 AM. Will that be Ok?

Visitor: Yes, Thank you.

 

Exercise 2: Fill the gaps.

  • We can _______ your business now or we can talk about it later.

  • There are three _______ waiting in the reception area.

  • The manager will be busy later, but she is not doing anything ________ .

  • “Can you ______ an appointment for tomorrow?”

  • We always ______ customers.

 

Vocabulary:

  • to arrange - to plan, to prepare for

  • at the moment - at the present time, now

  • to discuss - to talk about, to talk over

  • to greet - to welcome, to say hello to

 

Exercise 3: Answer the questions about exercise 1.

A
  • What does Mr. Gray want?
  • Who does Mr. Gray work for?
  • Can Mr. Nelson see Mr. Gray?
  • Why or why not?
  • What does Mr. Gray want to discuss?
  • Will the secretary call to arrange an appointment?
B
  • Is Mrs. Black busy at the moment?
  • What does Mr. Gray give to the secretary?
  • What does Mr. Gray want to see Mrs. Black about?
  • Does Mr. Gray have an appointment?
  • Is an appointment at 10 AM tomorrow Ok to Mr. Gray?

Exercise 4: Read and practice with your classmates.

A

Secretary: (to her boss) Miss Brown is here for her ten o’clock appointment. May I Bring her in?

Secretary: ( to Miss Brown) Please come with me, Miss Brown.

B

Secretary: Good morning, Mr. Redding. Mr. Nelson has someone with him at the moment, but he’ll be free in a few minutes. Will you have a seat?

Visitor: Thank you.

Secretary: Mr. Nelson is ready to see you now. Please come this way.

 

Answer these questions:
A:
  • At what time is Miss Brown’s appointment?
  • Does she have to wait to see Mr. Nelson?
B:
  • Is Mr. Nelson Busy or free now?
  • When will Mr. Nelson be free?

Exercise 5: Close your books. Act with your classmates.

  • Greet him/her politely.
    Ask him/her to wait. Give reasons.
    Arrange an appointment.
    Bring a visitor in the boss’ room.
    Be polite and formal.

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Unit 5

Part A

Talking about places in a building

Exercise 1: Read and practice with your partner.

Dear Mr. Souza
I’m sorry I’m not in my office to meet you. I’m in Miss Ho’s office. Please take an elevator to the 4th floor. Come out of the elevator, go right then turn left. Miss Ho office is the second on the right, it’s opposite the photocopying room.

Mr. Chang

Describe your way to the Store Room, Photocopying Room, Conference Room and Stairs. Use the following format. Role-play with your partner.

  • Excuse me, where’s (place)?
    I’m looking for_____
    Go on up to the ___ floor and turn left
    Come out of the elevator______
    The (place) is the __________door on the
    It’s opposite the (place)

    Thank you
    You’re welcome

Exercise2: Imagine that you are a receptionist. What would you answer?

Come to the blackboard and draw a plan of a building section. Show Personnel, Marketing and Sales Departments on it. Explain how to get there. Role-play with your classmates.

Exercise 3: Now draw a plan of your company. Describe how to get to your office. Use the studied vocabulary.

 

Part B

Directions

Exercise 1:

Look at the map and circle the' correct prepositions.

 
  • The hotel is (next to / opposite) the bank.
  • The supermarket is (on / near) First Street.
  • The fountain is (in / near) the park.
  • The restaurant is (across from / next to) the hotel.
  • The bus stop is (opposite / next to) the library.
  • The library is (near / on) the corner.
Exercise 2: Describe your way from the corner of First and Main Street to the Restaurant, from the Restaurant to the Supermarket, from the Supermarket to the Hotel. This is the way you walk from the corner of Hill Avenue and First Street to the Fountain:

Go along Hill Avenue, past the hotel. Then turn right and go across the Second Street. Walking along the Second Street you'll pass a Restaurant and a Supermarket. After few minutes of walk you'll get to the Main Street. Go across the road and turn left. Walk along the Main Street. You’ll see a park. Walk into it. The Fountain will be there.

Exercise3: Draw a map of the area around your company. Tell your classmates how to get from one point on the map to another. Start like this:

  • Excuse me...
    -Yes, can I help you?

  • Could you tell me how can I get to the Post Office?
    -Yes, of course. You have to ...

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Unit6

Review

Exercise 1: What do you do, when you meet someone for the first time? Role-play some dialogs with your friends (not less than 15 phrases for each person).

Exercise 2: Describe your company. E.g:

We have 53,600 employees worldwide and sales of $13,716 m. We manufacture cars, trucks, buses, marine and industrial engines. We also work in the aerospace industry. Our position as a major international group with large operations in Europe and North America is a result of quality, safety and caring for people and the environment.

Prepare a dialog where you first introduce yourself and then talk about your company (not less than 15 phrases for each person).

Exercise 3: Imagine that a foreigner approaches you and:

  • asks to help him with a map
    asks for a light
    asks where can he have a dinner
    asks how can he get to a supermarket
    invites you for a dinner
    talks very impolitely
    faints because of hot weather

What would you say, how would you act? Role-play with a classmate.

 

Exercise 4: Read. What does Kim say about her apartment?

  • Dan: And where do you live, Kim?

    • Kim: Well, I’ve got a place over on Seventh Street. It’s a good location. It’s only a block away from the shopping center on Eight street.

  • Dan: Oh, that’s good!

    • Kim: You bet! The rent’s cheap... only a 100$ a month.

  • Dan: Oh...

    • Kim: It’s pretty big for one person. It’s got a large living room and a good kitchen.

  • Dan: I see.

    • Kim: Although, it’s got a bedroom window next to a parking lot.

  • Dan: Oh, that’s noisy, huh?

    • Kim: It sure is. And the apartment is only two blocks away from the airport. The planes are landing every two minutes.

  • Dan: Oh, no ...

    • Kim: I can’t sleep at night.

  • Dan: Hmm.

    • Kim: And it’s got roaches!

  • Dan: Ah! Oh, no!

Describe your place. Does it have a good location?Then talk about your company. Do you think your company has a good location?

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