English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

UNIT 1: COMPANIES IN ELECTRICAL

AND ELECTRONICS FIELD
I. Overall objectives

At the end of this unit you will be able to:

✓ Ask and answer about company background and culture.
✓ Respond to some common queries and address suitable questions related to
company for the interviewer in a job interview.
✓ Talk about the company you want to work for in the future in terms of
background and culture.

II. Key language knowledge

1. Vocabulary
A. Company Background B. Company Culture
1. competitor (n) /kəmˈpetɪtə(r)/ 19. achievement (n) /əˈtʃiːvmənt/
2. consumer electronics (CE) (n) 20. consider (as) (v) /kənˈsɪdə(r)/
/kənˈsjuːmər ɪlekˈtrɒnɪks/ 21. contribute (to) (v) /kənˈtrɪbjuːt/
3. corporation (n) /kɔːpəˈreɪʃn/ 22. cooperate (v) /kəʊˈɒpəreɪt/
4. employ (v) /ɪmˈplɔɪ/ cooperation (n) /kəʊɒpəˈreɪʃn/
employee (n) /ɪmˈplɔɪiː/ 23. culture (n) /ˈkʌltʃə(r)/
5. found (v) /faʊnd/ 24. create (v) /kriˈeɪt/
establish (v) /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/ creativity (n) /kriːeɪˈtɪvəti/
6. graphics processing unit (GPU) (n) 25. encourage (v) /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/
/ˈɡræfɪk ˈprəʊsesɪŋ ˈjuːnɪt/ 26. enhance (v) /ɪnˈhɑːns/
7. goal (n) /ɡəʊl/ 27. focus (on) (v) /ˈfəʊkəs/
objective (n) /əbˈdʒektɪv/ 28. innovation (n) /ɪnəˈveɪʃn/
8. headquarter (v) /hedˈkwɔːtə/ innovative (adj) /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/
headquarters/ head office (n) 29. integrity (n) /ɪnˈteɡrəti/
/hedˈkwɔːtəz/ /hed ˈɒfɪs/ 30. respect (n, v) /rɪˈspekt/
9. home appliance (n) /həʊm əˈplaɪəns/ 31. reward (v) /rɪˈwɔːd/
10. mission (n) /ˈmɪʃn/

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

11. multinational (adj) /mʌltiˈnæʃnəl/

12. operate (v) /ˈɒpəreɪt/
operation (n) /ɒpəˈreɪʃn/
13. revenue (n) /ˈrevənjuː/
14. segment (n) /ˈseɡmənt/
15. semiconductor (n) /semikənˈdʌktə(r)/
16. specialize (in) (v) /ˈspeʃəlaɪz/
specialization (n) /speʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/
17. subsidiary (n) /səbˈsɪdiəri/
affiliated company (n) /əˈfɪlieɪtɪd ˈkʌmpəni/
18. vision (n) /ˈvɪʒn/

2. Grammar

A. Passive voice in present and past simple tenses:

S + to be + P2 (+ by + O)

Examples:
William Hewlett and David Packard founded HP company in 1939.
S V O

HP company was founded by William Hewlett and David Packard in 1939.

S to be + P2 by + O
Notes: In passive sentences:
➢ by + O goes after adverbs of place and goes before adverbs of time.
➢ by people, by me/ us/ them/ him/ her, by someone, … can be eliminated.

Present Simple Past Simple

Positive S + am/ is/ are + P2 S + was/ were + P2

Negative S + am not/ isn’t/ aren’t + P2 S + wasn’t/ weren’t + P2

Question (Wh-) + am/ is/ are + S + P2? (Wh-) + was/ were + S + P2?

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

B. Useful expressions for giving opinions:

a. Express strong opinions (when you are certain about what you think):
➢ I’m sure/ certain that …
➢ I strongly believe that …
➢ It’s obvious to me that …
➢ I have no doubt that …
b. Express cautious opinions (when you are not certain about what you think):
➢ I think/ suppose/ consider that …
➢ In my opinion/ From my viewpoint …
➢ As far as I know/ I’m concerned …
➢ It seems to me that …
➢ According to me …

3. Online learning checklist

Look at the list below and tick the online learning tasks you have completed.
Online learning task Completed

Vocabulary
Presentation .....................
Task 1 .....................
Task 2 .....................
Task 3 .....................
Task 4 .....................
Task 5 .....................
Task 6 .....................
Task 7 .....................
Section Test .....................
Grammar
Presentation 1 .....................
Task 1.1 .....................
Task 1.2 .....................
Task 1.3 .....................
Presentation 2 .....................
Task 2.1 .....................

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

Section Test .....................

Listening
Task 1.1 .....................
Task 1.2 .....................
Task 2.1 .....................
Task 2.2 .....................
Task 2.3 …..................
Task 3.1 .....................
Task 3.2 …..................
Task 4.1 …..................
Task 4.2 …..................
Task 5.1 .....................
Task 5.2 .....................
Reading
Task 1.1 .....................
Task 1.2 …..................
Task 1.3 …..................
Task 2.1 .....................
Task 2.2 …..................
Task 2.3 …..................
Task 3.1 …..................
Task 3.2 …..................
Task 3.3 …..................
Task 4.1 ......................
Task 4.2 ......................
Task 4.3 ......................
Task 5.1 ......................
Task 5.2 ......................
Writing
Task 1 …..................
Task 2 …..................
Task 3 …..................
Task 4 …..................

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

4. Face- to-face class materials

LESSON 1: COMPANY BACKGROUND

Warm-up:

➢ Watch a video clip about a company.

➢ Answer the questions:
✓ Which company is it?
✓ What is the vision and mission of this company?
✓ Do you know any background information about this company?

Activity 1: Games - Company Guessing

➢ Work in two groups.

➢ Look at the hints on the slide to guess which companies are being mentioned.
➢ Two groups ring the bell/ raise your hand to answer.
- Correct answer at the 1st hint ➔ 10 points
- Correct answer at the 2nd hint ➔ 5 points
- Correct answer at the 3rd hint ➔ 2 points
➢ The group with more points will be the winner.
………………………
➢ Work in five groups.
➢ Each group makes a complete introduction about ONE of five companies
mentioned in the games based on the cues given.

Activity 2: Listening - Individual and Pair Work

➢ Two senior students are exchanging some background information about

Canon Inc. Listen to their conversation and complete the table with NO MORE
THAN TWO WORDS OR A NUMBER.

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

Former name Precision Optical …………………… (1)

- The world's largest manufacturer of ………………… (2)

Reputation and office copying equipment
- The tenth largest public company in Japan
Foundation year …………………… (3)

Headquarters Tokyo, Japan

CEO Fujio Mitarai

Specializations optical and …………………… (4)

✓ cameras ✓ computer printers

Products ✓ …………………… (5) ✓ medical equipment
✓ photocopiers
Number of employees More than 190,000

Number of subsidiaries …………………… (6)

Annual revenue $45 billion

provide …………………… (7) and profitable solutions and

Mission
services to add to global prosperity and human well-being
dedicate to see all people, regardless of ……………… (8),
Vision customs, or language, living and working together in
happiness into the future

➢ Turn to the transcript on page … Practice the conversation with your partner.

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

Activity 3: Role Play - Pair Work

Student A: You and your friend have just graduated from HaUI and applied for a job
in Hon Hai Precision Industry Company. You are both going to have an interview
next week. Exchange some information about company background with your friend,
so that you can answer the interviewer’s common questions.

Trading name Foxconn Technology Group

Reputation

Foundation year 1974

Headquarters

Chairman Terry Gou

Specializations

✓ Electronics components
✓ PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards)
Products
✓ Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)
✓ Computer chips
Number of employees

Number of subsidiaries 10

Annual revenue

contribute to customer’s success by developing

Mission
effective products and services
Vision

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

Student B: You and your friend have just graduated from HaUI and applied for a job
in Hon Hai Precision Industry Company. You are both going to have an interview
next week. Exchange some information about company background with your friend,
so that you can answer the interviewer’s common questions.

Trading name

✓ the world’s largest contract electronics

Reputation manufacturer
✓ one of the biggest exporters of China

Foundation year

Headquarters New Taipei City, Taiwan

Chairman

✓ Computer
Specializations ✓ Communication
✓ Consumer electronics
Products

Number of employees 1.3 million

Number of subsidiaries

Annual revenue Over $136 billion

Mission

become a leader in developing creative, competitive

Vision
and comprehensive solutions for customers

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

Activity 4: Company Introduction - Group Work

➢ Work in four groups.

➢ Imagine that you are the co-founders of a company in electrical/ electronics
field. You are welcoming a group of visitors and want to introduce them about
your company background.
➢ Prepare a brief overview about your company. You should talk about:
- Name of company
- Foundation year
- Headquarters
- Key people ((Vice) Chairman, CEO, (Vice) President, …)
- Specializations/ Major products
- Number of employees/ subsidiaries (if any)
- Annual revenue
- Mission/ Vision (if any)
- Slogan (if any)

Good morning ladies and gentlemen!

First, I’d like to welcome you all to …,
and give you a brief introduction about
the company before we begin our tour ...

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

LESSON 2: COMPANY CULTURE

Warm-up:

➢ Listen to a song named “The HP Way”.

➢ Complete the lyrics with only ONE WORD for each blank.

¤ THE HP WAY ¤

I live my life on the HP way

Don't feel no strife
I am here to stay
I'm shown great trust, I'm shown ……………. (1)
And boy does that have an effect
The HP Way makes me believe I'll change the world

No compromise given readily

I optimize my ……………. (2)
I can ……………. (3) and achieve
I nail ……………. (4) with my team
The HP Way makes me believe I'll change the world

And when I hit speed bumps of life

Flat tires or sick kids and wife
I know my boss will innovate
Be ……………. (5) when I am late

I live my life on the HP Way

……………. (6) like a knife
Hone it every day
Some say Bill and Dave's way is old
I say shut up and join the fold
(The HP Way makes me believe I'll change the world) x 3

➢ Answer the question: According to you, what is the HP Way?

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

Activity 1: Culture Type - Individual and Group Work

➢ Look at the pictures of four types of company culture.

➢ Read the description about four different companies.
➢ Match the companies with their CEO’s quotes and suitable types of culture.

CEO Tim Cook:

“We’ve turned up the
volume on collaboration
because in order to be
successful, we have to be

✓ Encourage risk-taking and innovation the best collaborators in

✓ Emphasize on individual ability and freedom the world.”

CEO Alan Mulally:

“At Ford, we have a
noticeboard with our
business plan on one side
and the behaviors we
✓ Focus on competition and achievement
expect listed on the other”.
✓ Goals: Success and beating all competitors

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

CEO Jack Welch:

“If the business divisions
were not first or second in
their markets, they would
✓ Support teamwork and cooperation be sold.”
✓ Include collaborative working spaces which
encourage free discussion

CEO Mark Zuckerberg:

“Move fast and break
things – Unless you are
breaking stuff, you are not
✓ Focus on efficiency and stability moving fast enough.”
✓ Formal workplace with strict procedures for
guidance

➢ Discuss in groups.
➢ Share your ideas using the expressions for giving opinions:

✓ Which company corresponds with which culture? Why?

✓ What type of company culture do you want to work for? Why?

Activity 2: Listening - Individual and Pair Work

➢ The HR (Human Resources) manager of Samsung Electronics are

interviewing a graduate of HaUI, who wants to apply for a job in the company.
➢ Listen to the interview and complete the table with NO MORE THAN TWO
WORDS.

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

- The world’s largest …………………… (1) manufacturer

- Headquarters: Suwon, South Korea
- Foundation year: 1969
- CEO: Kwon Oh-hyun
Company background
- Specializations: …………………… (2), semiconductors,
home appliances
- Major products: LCD and LED panels, mobile phones,
televisions, printers, …………………… (3), camcorders
Develop …………………… (4) that create new markets and
Company’s mission
enrich people’s lives
Major competitors Apple, Sony, Panasonic, Sharp

✓ Great reputation in the …………………… (5)

Reason to work for the ✓ Admire high-quality products, especially Samsung
company Galaxy line of smartphones
✓ Enhance knowledge and skills
✓ Technical knowledge and skills
Possible contribution to
✓ English communication skill
the company
✓ Strategies for effective …………………… (6)
- …………………… (7) culture: A knowledge management
Company culture system ➔ expertise sharing
- Focus on teamwork, …………………… (8) and consensus
Affiliative style:
Company’s ✓ Concept: “people first, task second”
management style ✓ Create good relationship between managers and
employees
- Increasing annual …………………… (9)
Company’s goals - Place in top 10 world’s best workplaces
- Become a global enterprise that attracts the best talents
Company’s possible
The world's largest …………………… (10) company
position in next 5 years

➢ Turn to the transcript on page … Practice the conversation with your partner.
➢ Underline the phrases which are used to express opinions in the interview.
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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

Activity 3: Role Play - Pair Work

Student A: You are a graduate of HaUI and want to apply for a job in Panasonic
Corporation. The HR Manager is in charge of interviewing you. Answer his/ her
interview questions and raise some queries about the company.

Note: You have to use at least THREE structures to express your opinions.

Student A Student B
(Interviewee) (Interviewer)
- Multinational electronics corporation
- The world's fourth-largest television manufacturer
- Foundation year: 1918
- Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Company
- President: Kazuhiro Tsuga ………………
background
- Specializations: Consumer electronics, home appliances
- Major products: air conditioners, refrigerators, washing
machines, televisions, personal computers, mobile
phones, cameras
Company’s Create value and contributing to society with innovative
………………
mission technologies and products
Major competitors Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba ………………

- Great reputation in electronics field

Reason to work - Admire high-quality products, especially LED televisions
………………
for the company - Enhance knowledge and skills
- Gain experiences

Possible ✓ Technical knowledge and skill

contribution to the ✓ English communication skill ………………
company ✓ Creativity/ ability to work in groups

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English 5 for Students of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Students’ Book

Student B: You - the HR Manager of Panasonic Corporation - are in charge of

interviewing a graduate of HaUI, who wants to apply for a job in your company. Ask
him/ her some interview questions and answer his queries about the company.

Note: You have to use at least THREE structures to express your opinions.

Student A Student B
(Interviewee) (Interviewer)
Create culture:
✓ Focus on risk-taking and innovation
Company culture ………………
✓ Encourage employee creativity by
rewarding for innovative ideas
Participative style:
Company’s ✓ Encourage employee input in
………………
management style decision-making
✓ Reward team’s effort
✓ Increase annual revenue
✓ Introduce non-electronics products

Company’s goals ……………… to the market

✓ Create new business and promote
innovation
Company’s
possible position in ……………… The world’s largest television manufacturer
next 5 years

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Activity 4: Mono Talk - Individual Work

Talk about the company in electrical/ electronics field that you want to work for in the
future. You should talk about:

✓ Some features of company background and culture

✓ The reasons you want to work there
✓ Your possible contribution to this company

Good morning ladies and gentlemen! Now

I’ll tell you about the company I want to
work for in the future. After graduation, I’m
going to apply for a job in …

5. Students’ self-assessment
Look at the objectives specified at the beginning of the unit and write down what you
have (not) achieved and what you need to do to improve your English.
I can:
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
I still cannot:
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
I need to
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………

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Transcript (Activity 2 - Lesson 1):

A: Hi! Do you have any plans for after graduation?

B: Well, I’m looking for a job in Canon Inc.
A: So do I! I want to work for Canon’s branch in Bac Ninh province. The company
was originally named Precision Optical Industry, wasn’t it?

B: That’s right! Do you know what it is famous for?

A: As far as I know, Canon is the world's largest manufacturer of digital cameras and
office copying equipment. And it is the tenth largest public company in Japan. But
when was it founded?

B: It was founded in 1930.

A: Where is its head office?
B: It is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Do you know who is the CEO of Canon?

A: Fujio Mitarai. I once saw him on TV. What does this company specialize in?

B: It specializes in optical and imaging solutions. Do you have any information about
the company’s products?

A: As far as I’m concerned, its major products include cameras, camcorders,

photocopiers, computer printers and medical equipment.

B: As a large company, how many employees and subsidiaries does it have?

A: Canon employs more than 190,000 people working in 51 affiliated companies
worldwide.

B: What is its annual revenue?

A: It’s about $45 billion.
B: Well, seems like you’ve read a lot about this company.
A: Just a little bit. But I have no idea about its mission.
B: Canon’s mission is providing innovative products and profitable solutions and
services to add to global prosperity and human well-being.

A: What about its vision?

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B: It is dedicating to see all people, regardless of culture, customs, or language,

living and working together in happiness into the future.

A: Great! I think it would be a perfect workplace for us. See you at the interview!
B: See you then. Bye!

Transcript (Activity 2 - Lesson 2):

HR Manager: Good morning! I’m the Human Resources Manager of Samsung

Electronics. What do you know about our company?

Candidate: Well, Samsung Electronics is a multinational company headquartered

in Suwon, South Korea. It is the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer. It was
founded in 1969 and Mr. Kwon Oh-hyun is the CEO. The company specializes in
consumer electronics, semiconductors, and home appliances. Its major products
include LCD and LED panels, mobile phones, televisions, printers, digital cameras
and camcorders.

HR Manager: Do you know about Samsung Electronics’ mission?

Candidate: As far as I know, the company’s mission is developing innovative

technologies that create new markets and enrich people’s lives.

HR Manager: Who do you think are our major competitors?

Candidate: In my opinion, Apple is now the biggest competitor. Sony, Panasonic,

and Sharp also seems to be serious ones.

HR Manager: Why do you want to work for our company?

Candidate: Your company has a great reputation in the electronics field. I really
admire your high-quality products, especially Samsung Galaxy line of smartphones.
Moreover, as a fresher, I think that your company will be the best platform for me to
enhance my knowledge and skills.

HR Manager: What can you contribute to our company if you are hired?

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Candidate: I am always willing to contribute to the company in any way I can. I’m
sure that I will bring not only technical knowledge and skills, but also English
communication skill and the strategies for effective teamwork, to your company.

HR Manager: Good job! Do you have any questions for me?

Candidate: Yes. Can you describe the company’s culture?

HR Manager: I’d say that our company mainly focuses on building a cooperate
culture. We build a knowledge management system to share expertise amongst
employees. We also focus on teamwork, communication and consensus.

Candidate: How would you describe the company’s management style?

HR Manager: I suppose that it’s affiliative style. Following the concept “people first,
task second”, we try to create good relationship between manager and employees.

Candidate: What are the company’s current goals?

HR Manager: I have no doubt that the company’s primary goals are increasing
annual revenue and placing in top 10 world’s best workplaces. Becoming a global
enterprise that attracts the world’s best talents is also our qualitative objective.

Candidate: Where do you think the company is headed in the next 5 years?

HR Manager: Such a good question! I strongly believe that in the next 5 years,
Samsung Electronics will become the world's largest information technology
company.

Candidate: Thanks for your time! This discussion makes me more excited about this
job opportunity and I would love to be the person you hire.

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