Tag: Business English

Clearing Up Confusions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Rumors in the workplace can lead to hurt feelings and may mean employees have to work in a hostile environment. Whether a rumor is true or not, the outcome of spreading it can be damaging. Employers have a responsibility to try to control the spread of workplace rumors to ensure that the work environment is a positive place for all employees.

Watch the video and read the transcript about clearing up confusions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/english-at-work/47-language-to-clear-up-confusion

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you and your colleagues chit chat with each other? Why or why not?
  2. Talk about a situation where it was necessary for you to clear up a confusion at work.
  3. What are some common topics do coworkers speak about?
  4. What are things employees shouldn’t be talking about among themselves in the office?
  5. How damaging is it to spread rumors in the workplace? Explain and cite examples as well.

Google to Stop Searching Email to Sell Advertisements

 

© user: photo-mix / Pixabay / Public Domain
© user: photo-mix / Pixabay / Public Domain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you ever wonder why the right products show up on the side of your screen whenever you open the Google website? They are secretly scanning and searching for our activities and match it with the products we would likely buy. For some, the thought of it is scary. No wonder human rights activists are concerned about it for years.

Read more about it here:

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/google-stop-scanning-ads-gmail/3916800.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What email service do you use? Why?
2. Do you find online ads useful or annoying? Why?
3. Why do you think Google is the most popular search engine?
4. Do you worry about your privacy when you browse the internet? Why? Why not?
5. Do you think that email scanning is an invasion of privacy? Why? Why not?

Making Someone Redundant

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If one is ever made to be redundant, their employer must treat them with fairness and act in accordance with their contract and legal redundancy rights. That includes making sure they’re consulted, following the right selection process, and giving them sufficient notice period.

Everyone should know their rights when faced with this situation.

Watch the video and read the transcript about making someone redundant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/english-at-work/50-language-used-making-someone-redundant

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is work redundancy common in the workplace in your country? Talk about some instances you know of.
  2. What are the rights of an employee who has been terminated due to redundancy?
  3. In your opinion, how long should the notice period be?

Forget Office Cubicles, Try ‘Co-Working’

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In a more globalized world, sharing resources hasn’t been new. Now, a new concept of a “Co-working Space” which helps small businesses and self-employed individuals to stay connected with others by renting a room or small place to work.

Let’s learn more about this coworking work environments, watch the video and read the transcript.

https://www.voanews.com/a/co-working-new-office-style/3365475.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does Carl Pierre think the advantages of such a workspace are?
  2. What do you think about the concept of co-working spaces?
  3. What does your workspace look like?
  4. Describe your ideal/dream workspace.
  5. Do you think that, in the future, all business will be conducted from a co-working space? Why or why not?
  6. Do you think that, in the future, offices will become obsolete because of the Internet? Why or why not?

Tesco Homeplus Virtual Subway Store

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Innovation is the development and implementation of ideas that lead to more value for whatever business you are in.

When grocery chain Tesco wanted to expand their market share in South Korea, they came up with a brilliant idea. Because the people in South Korea work long hours, Tesco thought of an efficient way to sell their products.  Why is this shop interesting to view?

Watch the video to find out. Be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about Tesco’s virtual store at subway stations in South Korea?
  2. How was Tesco better than its competitor in terms of innovation?
  3. Do you think this innovative idea could be successfully applied in all countries? Explain.
  4. What are the most important innovations for you in your daily life?
  5. Have you ever worked for a company that has implemented any innovative ideas? Talk about it.
  6. Have you ever had an innovative idea? If so, did you put it into action?

Productivity Technique

B2 – Upper Intermediate

How do you get big things done? Certainly, there are several different things you can do to accomplish them. Here’s one technique you can try:

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the technique called and how does it work?
2. How can people improve their productivity?
3. What technology helps you to be productive?
4. Do you think smart phones increase or decrease productivity?
5. Are you a very motivated person or do you wait until the last minute to do things?

Egg Freezing Perk for Female Employees

B1 – Intermediate

Apple and Facebook are among the biggest tech firms known for giving their employees, some might call, “awesome” work perks.

Recently, some companies decided they will provide financial assistance to their female staff should they opt to go for egg-freezing in their 20s or 30s.

Read the article to know more about this egg freezing perk.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1704/170426-egg-freezing.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of this perk?
2. What are your thoughts on this statement: “When [IVF] is done purely to protect their job, I think it’s extraordinary that women think this is liberating.”?
3. What unique perks are given to employees at your company?
4. What perks do you want your company to start giving out to its employees?
5. What do you think is the best age to start having children. Tell some reasons why.

Ageism at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A newbie does not have enough experience. A senior colleague is not technology illiterate. These are some common assumptions and generalizations we sometimes make based on a person’s age.

Ageism exists in the workplace. Are we just supposed to just sweep this issue under the rug?

Click on the link below to read more on ageism in the workplace.

https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/apr/24/ageism-at-work-being-mistaken-for-the-work-experience-kid-is-humiliating

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the negative effects of ageism on an individual?
  2. What might be the positive impact of it?
  3. Does ageism in the workplace exist in your company and/or country? Talk about it.
  4. Talk about a situation when you witnessed ageism happening.
  5. What is your stand on this, “This [ageism] isn’t just an issue young people face.“?

Globalization

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Globalization has changed society in many ways. Some people believe this has been a positive change, while others argue that it has had many negative impacts. 

In business, globalization has its advantages and disadvantages.

Find out by watching the video and be ready to answer the discussion questions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what are problem caused by globalization?
  2. What are the negative impacts of globalization?
  3. Have you ever worked for a multinational company? If yes, did you enjoy it? If no, would you like to work for a multinational company? Why / why not?
  4. Why do you think there has been an increase in multinational companies in the last 50 years?
  5. How has this increase impacted on language learning?

Wildlife Travel Agent Drops Zoo Trips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Going on package tours sound really interesting. However, if these trips include activities that endanger animals and violate their rights, is it still worth it?

A travel agent in Brighton is changing things by adapting “responsible tourism”.

To read more about this, click the link below.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-39479367

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did the company “Responsible Travel” do and how do you think this would impact their business?
  2. What is ‘responsible tourism’? What are your thoughts on this?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that “Keeping animals in zoos is inhumane.“? Explain your point.
  4. Why is it important to protect animals and as well as their rights?
  5. Have you ever gone on a package tour that included animal attractions? Kindly talk about it.
  6. What are the pros and cons of going on package tours?