Tag: Business English

Business Podcast – Selling Nostalgia

B2 – Upper intermediate

There are many things that one considers when buying certain products. Is connection to tradition something that makes you buy a product?

In this lesson, listen to the podcast and discover how some producers use tradition as a marketing campaign.

Discussion Questions:
1. How are traditions used as a means to make people buy some products?
2. What are the factors you consider when you are buying a product?
3. Talk about one product / service offered by your company. How would you sell it to someone?
4. Do you follow New Year’s Eve traditions like drinking Spanish champagne and eating 12 pieces of grapes?

Ways To Drive Traffic To Your Website

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Almost everyone in the world is on the world wide web nowadays. Doing business online has never been more important for businesses in offering their products and services and for reaching out to their target markets.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertadams/2017/04/10/23-proven-ways-to-drive-traffic-to-your-website/?sh=668d84ec2654

Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think of Jeff’s idea to compete against yourself? Do you think this would work?
2. What are the benefits and drawbacks for a business to go online?
3. Does your company do business over the internet?
4. What features do you look for in a website when doing some transactions?
5. How do online businesses make the market competitive?

How to Sound Credible

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being credible can greatly affect our professional career.  Lack of it will make it difficult for us to have a good deal with clients.

What is credibility and how important is it? Click on the link below to listen to the podcast.

Skills 360 – How to Sound Credible (Part 1)

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the audio saying about credibility? How would you explain credibility?
  2. Why is credibility important to an employee and to a company?
  3. How do try to maintain your credibility at work?
  4. Why are company principles and values important? Name one corporate value that you think is the most important to uphold at all times and why do you think it is important.
  5. Explain the importance of admitting mistakes? What should you do after committing one?

Speaking Activity: Talking Business

B1 – Intermediate

This speaking activity will give you phrases and dialogues you can use when on the telephone, during meetings, while having a presentation and making negotiations.

For every topic, there are recorded audios and scripts.  Remember the phrases that are useful for conversations.

Talking Business 

Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Business English 2

Business English – B2 – Upper intermediate

Read the list of business phrasal verbs and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences and will be answering some discussion questions.

Business Phrasal Verbs

Discuss:

1. If you had the chance or the opportunity what business would you like to set up?
2. Describe a time when a meeting was called off and why it happened.
3. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation at work and what you did to resolve it.
4. What are some of the reasons leaders at work have to step down?

Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Business English 1

Business English – B2 – Upper intermediate

Read the list of business phrasal verbs and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences and will be answering some discussion questions.

Phrasal Verbs for Business English

Discuss:

1. During the economic crisis, what were some of the things that your company had to cut back on?
2. Are there any reports that you have to hand in at the end of the day/month?
3. In your profession or industry, what are some of the things you look out for to be able to do a good job?
4. At work, who are some of the people you count on?

Speaking Activity: At Work

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Business English – B1 – Intermediate

For this activity, you’ll be able to learn common phrases that you can use at the office. Be ready to also share some of your past work experiences and to talk about employment in your country.

Click the title below and be ready to have a discussion.

Topic: At Work

Public Loo Converted into Cafe

C1 – Advanced

Would you feel comfortable eating at an old toilet? Some business owners in London got really creative with their space.

Watch the video below and see the transformation of this old Victorian toilet.

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about the transformation of the old public toilet?
2. Would you consider dining in this cafe?
3. Describe some of the peculiar cafes or restaurants that you have visited or seen in the past.

Italian City Bans Foreign Food

B1 – Intermediate

In this age of globalization,  an Italian city is doing everything to keep their food tradition.

Some groups do not approve of this even if Italy’s Agriculture Minister supports the foreign food ban.

http://www.english-online.at/culture/italy-foreign-food-ban/italian-city-bans-foreign-food.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about banning foreign food in a city?
  2. Is this possible in the city where you live in? Why or why not?
  3. Do you like foreign food? Why or why not?
  4. Are there many foreign restaurants in your city? Which one is your favourite and why?
  5. How can cities and regions preserve their food traditions?

Behaviors That Could Kill Your Career

C1 – Advanced 

Does your job feel like a dead end? It’s easy to look around and blame company politics. But what if the problem is you?

Let Jack Welch help you evaluate yourself. Read the article on ten pitfalls that could stall your career.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141110044443-86541065-10-behaviors-that-could-kill-your-career

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you guilty of any of these behaviors?
  2. What is the danger of over-committing?
  3. Do you have colleagues who have a rigid attitude? How do you deal with them?
  4. How can we fix or solve complacency?
  5. What are some methodologies, immediately actionable practices, and respected credentials does your company employ?