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Business English: Easy English for Meetings
Do you participate in English-language meetings?
Do you need to prepare an agenda in English? Write the minutes in English?
And is English your second language?
This course is specifically for non-native English speakers needing skills in planning and participating in meetings. So if you work in administration or management, for a large company or small business, and if you have lower-intermediate or intermediate English language skills then this course is for you!
I’m a professional, qualified and experienced English trainer with over 9 years’ experience teaching business English to companies and individuals. I base my training on many years’ experience working in the public and private sectors in Australia, and believe that learning by doing is the most effective way.
So in this course you’ll listen, watch, read, write and produce your own Invitations, Agendas, Minutes and more! You’ll have direct contact with me, your teacher, and I’ll work with you every step of the way.
By the end of this course you will be a confident and effective communicator in English, and a professional at planning and participating in meetings!
Planning a Meeting
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IntroductionLearn a little about me, the course and what we are going to learn together! Also, learn how you can contact me directly during this course for feedback on your work, or if you have any questions.
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How this course fits into the CEFR FrameworkNo language training course can exist in a void - it must clearly fit within a recognised framework, targeted to a certain level of English speaker. This course has been designed within the CEFR Framework - Common European Framework of Languages. I have designed this at the CEF A2-B1 level. To find out more about what this means, please see the attached document.
During the Meeting
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Warm-Up!
Before we get stuck into the course, let's get our minds focused on the topic at hand. Namely - meetings. This lecture asks you to think about different types of lectures, and then - the types of meetings you currently participate in.
Key Skills: Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2
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Why have meetings?
Just as a language course does not exist in a void, neither does a meeting. We need to have a reason to meet, a clear idea of what outcomes we expect. And so this lecture examines the reasons for meetings. We also touch on language and formality.
Key Skills: Reading, Listening
Knowledge Level - CEF A2 /A2+
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Reading Activity - Formal or Informal Meetings?
This is a reading activity, something to get you thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of formal and informal meetings. You can share your responses to the questions which follow the article on the Discussion Board.
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Sending Meeting Invitations - by Email and Telephoning
We move on now to inviting our participants: by phone and per email. And we also look at the different language we use (and different phrases) for formal and informal invitations.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2/ A2+
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Culture Tip - Using First Names
Language and culture always go hand in hand. This is no clearer than in the use of first names. What may be considered impolite in one culture is not impolite in another. And so here I discuss the use of first names in a business English context. The aim? To accustom you to using first names, particularly if this isn't common practice in your country or culture.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2/ A2+
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Preparing the Agenda
One important step in the planning of meetings is preparing the Agenda. What goes in? Who is it sent to? What attachments or reports do you need? Is your agenda formal or informal? Let's look at that together in this lecture.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2/ A2+
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Changing the Meeting Date
Sometimes a meeting room is no longer available. Or the majority of participants can't attend. Or there's a public holiday. Or there is some other reason which causes a meeting date to be changed. But how do we do it? What language (phrases) do we need? Let's look at that in this lecture.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2/ A2+
Wrapping Things Up
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Greeting Participants and Engaging in Small Talk
The day of the meeting has arrived, and participants are arriving. Perhaps it is your job to meet and greet the guests. Or perhaps you are the Chair, greeting clients and suppliers. Or perhaps you are an attendee, meeting new counterparts and greeting old colleagues. This lecture focuses on meeting and greeting as well as small talk norms.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2/ A2+
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During the Meeting - Opening Remarks and Key Phrases
Time to start the meeting, and here is where we look at the common structure - or "script" - followed when opening a meeting. What does the Chair say, and in what order? Let's focus on that here- This is a great lecture for Chairpeople as well as attendees and meeting secretaries.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2/ A2+
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Making a Point and Reporting on Progress
Now we're in the middle of a meeting, and someone is reporting on a project and its progress. What language do they use? How do they refer to information on a chart? What grammar is important? And what if we are the ones who need to speak or give a report? Relax - this lecture will show you how it's done.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2/ A2+
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Clarifying Information and Politely Interrupting
During the meeting - perhaps during a report - you need to check you have understood correctly. Or you'd like to interrupt and add some extra information, something new. But how do you do that politely? What words or actions do you need to break in? Let's focus on that together in this lecture.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2/ A2+
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Managing Disagreements During the Meeting
During the meeting - perhaps during a report - you find yourself disagreeing with the information being presented. Or you disagree with an outcome. Or you're critical of someone's performance. It is absolutely possible to maintain politeness whilst disagreeing or criticising - in this lecture we look at how.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading
Knowledge Level: CEF A2/ B1
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Focus on - The Minutes
We're coming to the end of our meeting now, and so it's time to focus on writing the Minutes. Here are some handy tips on action verbs, structure and a look at some best practice standards.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading, Writing
Knowledge Level: CEF A2-B1
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Closing The Meeting: Finishing Up
Time to finish the meeting, thank our participants and say goodbye. Here's how to do it in the best English.
Key Skills: Listening, Reading, Writing
Knowledge Level: CEF A2-B1
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