B1 – Intermediate
Working with a group of people can be both challenging and advantageous. Some prefer to work by themselves while others think sharing responsibilities could be the fastest way to get the job done.
In this lesson, you will find how the team managed to delegate each task effectively in order to plan an event.
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/intermediate-b1/planning-an-event
Vocabulary Questions:
- Give 1-2 synonyms of “organise“. Use them in your own sentences.
- What is an “emcee“? Use this word in your own sentence.
- What does “book” mean in this sentence, “I can do that if someone books the speakers.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- If you were part of this team, which task/s do you think you would prefer to do and why?
- Talk about a time when you had to organize/plan an event.
- What are some rewards and challenges of planning an event?
- How are tasks usually divided in your project teams?
- Why is delegating tasks important?
- Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? Why?
- What are your thoughts on this, “Democratic leadership is one of the most popular leadership styles because it involves input from the entire team and fosters employees’ sense of ownership in their work.”?
16 replies on “Planning an Event”
1.If you were part of this team, which task/s do you think you would prefer to do and why?
I would prefer designing the ad’s becuase is something creative
2.Talk about a time when you had to organize/plan an event.
I usually organize barbacues when there is a party birthday .On the other hand we organize the Christmas meals .
3. What are some rewards and challenges of planning an event?
I need to keep in mind how many people are going to attend to buy enough beverages anf food. Another importan thing is the space and people are going to sit down
4.How are tasks usually divided in your project teams?
The tasks are usually divided by country because in my team we have pretty much the same knowledge
5.Why is delegating tasks important?
Delegate is important over all for the bosses , this is a sign of trust and a way to be fair and distribute the workload
6.Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? Why?
It depends on the work , sometimes when it is a repetitive task a prefer doing it by myself but when there is challenge a prefer working as a team
7. What are your thoughts on this, “Democratic leadership is one of the most popular leadership styles because it involves input from the entire team and fosters employees’ sense of ownership in their work.”?
It is s good sentence . In my opinion it is important to know the people opinion .Brainstorming is a good example even starting form one idea that seems very simple you can develop an important project . All the ideas should be taken into account, after that a democratic system as a vote to get the best idea is a good option
Well done writing your responses to this lesson’s discussion questions! Always remember to end sentences with a punctuation mark such as a period (.).
Here is how this sentence can be written a bit better:
Keep going with this exercise to see more progress.
1. If you were part of this team, which task/s do you think you would prefer to do and why? I would prefer the tasks related to booking, such as book the speakers, the catering and the rooms, but I would not mind designing the invitations and posters.
2. Talk about a time when you had to organize/plan an event. I remember when I had to plan my wedding. It was quite stressful because at that time, I was living abroad and I could only dedicate my weekends or some days during my holidays.
3. What are some rewards and challenges of planning an event? The main reward is when the event has finished and everything has gone well, without problems. And for the challenges, all of it is a challenge, from booking a place, to getting things done according to the plan and the schedule.
4. How are tasks usually divided in your project teams? We usually divide the tasks depending on the workload that each person has at that moment and according to the personal preferences too. For example, if someone enjoys the designing part we let that person go with that, whereas there are other people who enjoy other kinds of tasks, we try to accommodate the personal predilections.
5. Why is delegating tasks important? Because nobody is able to do everything in the given time and not everybody is good at doing everything.
6. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? Why? That depends on the task at hand. If I need to do something related to Excel files, tables and metrics, I prefer to work alone because it helps me to focus on and not be preoccupied thinking that other people have changed data or modified something I was working with. But for other tasks, like designing, I prefer to work with others because that way you have more ideas to share.
7. What are your thoughts on this, “Democratic leadership is one of the most popular leadership styles because it involves input from the entire team and fosters employees’ sense of ownership in their work.”? I agree with that statement, but always keeping in mind that the team leader has the last word, so finally it is not a true democracy because there will be different opinions always.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic.
Just a little better way to write this sentence:
Keep making great progress!
If you were part of this team, which task/s do you think you would prefer to do and why? I think I would prefer to book a place and the catering. I also would like to talk to the speakers to plan their interventions and the event content.
Talk about a time when you had to organize/plan an event. Right now I am planning my own wedding and there are a lot of tasks to have in mind. The most challenging task for me is to agree with the guests to our wedding and planning the seating.
What are some rewards and challenges of planning an event? It is really rewarding when everything is as you have planned since the beginning. The main challenges are to copy with all people preferences (alergies, time of travel, accomodation…).
How are tasks usually divided in your project teams? There is always someone that prefers to do the marketing documents: invitations, seating plan, announcement, save the date…Another person good at social media and someone that is good at looking for different places and caterings.
Why is delegating tasks important? Because it is impossible that one person has everything in mind and be good at everything.
Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? Why? I prefer working with others, because I think that everyone can bring something unique to the event.
What are your thoughts on this, “Democratic leadership is one of the most popular leadership styles because it involves input from the entire team and fosters employees’ sense of ownership in their work.”? I agree with this statement.
Nice job sharing your thoughts on this topic.
Here is how these sentences can be improved with better word choices:
Keep it up!
1. If I were part of this team, I’d like to prepare the guest list and send out the invitations. I’d also organize/book the catering. I find these tasks fun and I like to look for beautiful places and good food.
2. I had to organize my daughters’ baptism and First Communion
3. The rewards of planning are for example create memorable experiences, creativity etc. The challenges: deadlines, coordinating multiple vendors etc.
4. Yes, the tasks are always divided in my project teams.
5. Delegating task is important to improves efficiency, reduce stress, focus on priorities etc.
6. I prefer to work with other but each one with their responsibilities and knowing what they have to do.
7. I totally agree.
Well done answering your lesson’s discussion questions.
For question # 7, you may cite the reasons or explanation you agree with the statement in order to express your thoughts better.
In addition, here are some minor corrections you can make in the following sentences:
Keep at it!
1. If you were part of this team, which task/s do you think you would prefer to do and why?
I would like to arrange the room setup, because I enjoy tidiness and decorating.
2. Talk about a time when you had to organize/plan an event.
I have never had to organize an event.
3. What are some rewards and challenges of planning an event?
I imagine it’s incredible to realize that people are happy and that the reason for the gathering is being fulfilled.
4. How are tasks usually divided in your project teams?
All the team has the same tasks, only the material, deliveries in the office is my responsibility.
5. Why is delegating tasks important?
Because working together into a team is very important, people can share different ideas and when a person is unable to do something other people in the team maybe are able to do the task. At the end the most important is the work get done.
6. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? Why?
Now I work alone at home. Sometimes I get bored, but it’s true that you don’t have to argue with anyone. And always you are into a team, in the end you don´t stay alone.
7. What are your thoughts on this, “Democratic leadership is one of the most popular leadership styles because it involves input from the entire team and fosters employees’ sense of ownership in their work.”?
It’s impossible, because everyone thinks differently. A team always needs a leader who has the final say.
You did a good job in writing your responses to this lesson’s discussion questions.
Take a look at how this sentence can be improved:
Always practice to see further improvement in your skills.
1- I would like to organize the music.
2- Yes, I had to organize my daughters’ birthday parties.
3- You can organize it your way, leaving your own mark.
4- By type of project, type of responsibilities, type of venue, or type of activity.
5- Because one person can’t effectively handle all tasks, and working collaboratively and as a team is very rewarding.
6- I prefer to work as a team because it’s better to enjoy the good and the bad; you’re always together.
7- I completely agree.
Good work writing your answers here. Try to write more sentences to answer the questions so you can express your ideas more clearly and with more details.
Here is a just how to write this sentence a bit better:
You can do it!
How are tasks usually divided in your project teams?
We have distinct types of task depend on the role. So each role has a list of to do tasks and everyday we meet and say what task we are with. when we finish we take the next one of my type.
Why is it important to be prepared before the meeting?
Beacuse you can prepare your ideas for being share in the meeting. This makes more efficient the meeting.
Do you prefer to work – by yourself or with others? Why?
I prefer work with other because you can learn more than working alone. You can help to your workmates and at the same time you receive help from them.
How do you handle conflict in the workplace?
I try to be flexible and patient. I try to be in an open-mind attitude so that the other person can relax himself.
Talk about a time when you had to organize/plan an event.
Well done answering your lesson’s discussion questions.
See another way to write this sentence:
Continue practicing to improve your writing more.
1. How are tasks usually divided in your project teams?
The project manager decides what tasks and who have to do everyone of them
2. Why is it important to be prepared before the meeting?
Because the team can maximize the time available in the meeting.
Brainstorming can be more advantageous.
3.Do you prefer to work – by yourself or with others? Why?
I prefer to work with other because this allows to study differents options and to have more opinions to get better results
4.How do you handle conflict in the workplace?
I’m not a conflicted person, I like thinking about that before arguing with someone.
5.Talk about a time when you had to organize/plan an event.
I never have planned an event at work but, several times, I have worked in a group. The boss organized our tasks after a brainstorming.
It’s a good thing that you keep being consistent with your writing practice. Bravo!
See how you can better construct this sentence:
Until your next entry!