Free Business English Course
Business Conversation Skills - Lecture 5
G. Scott Barlow
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Introduction
Welcome to the ‘Free Business English Course’. This course will teach you important
skills that you can use to be successful in today’s global business place. In the course we will
focus on ve different business skills: Opening a Presentation, Arranging a Meeting,
Speaking on the Telephone, The 30-Second Verbal Business Card, and Making Small Talk.
When you log into your course, please print the PDF (US or A4) of the lecture sheet
before starting the lecture. You will use this to do the exercises during the lecture, so it is very
important for you to have a copy that you can write on. There is a page at the end of the
worksheet that you can use to write down vocabulary that you don’t know and then translate
into your own language. There is also a page for notes. Next, watch the lecture and be
prepared to take notes and complete the exercises.
Once you have completed the lecture, review your worksheet and correct any mistakes.
Remember when you’re watching the video to practice speaking like the instructor. Also, try
to keep a notebook with all of your worksheets together so you can go back and review them
in the future. After doing all of these steps you’ll be ready for the next lecture. Good luck and
welcome to Focused English!
Making Small Talk
In this lecture, you will learn how to make small talk before a meeting or at a trade
show. You will learn phrases that you can memorize to help you prepare to talk to people.
As always, remember to write down any words that you don’t know and translate them
into your language at the end of the worksheet. Also take good notes, and practice speaking
like the instructor. Good luck and let’s get started!
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LANGUAGE FOCUS
Small Talk Topics
Talking about the weather
The weather is beautiful today, isn't it?
Does it usually get this cold/hot here?
How is the weather where you're from?
I really don't like hot weather very much. I prefer cool weather.
Talking about cinema and TV
Have you seen the latest Tom Cruise movie?
Are there any good movies playing now?
What is your favorite TV show?
Can you recommend a good movie or TV show?
Talking about current events
Did you see the news today?
What do you think about the new bridge they have planned?
Did you hear about the football stadium?
Have you tried to get a taxi with Uber here?
Talking about free-time activities
So, what do you like to do in your free time?
So, do you like sports?
Have you ever done anything crazy like sky-diving or bungee-jumping?
Could you recommend some fun things to do here in Dubai?
Talking about family
Do you have any children?
How long have you been married? (only AFTER someone says they are married)
What does your wife/husband do?
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LANGUAGE FOCUS
Topics You Should NOT Talk About
politics 🚫
religion 🚫
personal nancial details (e.g. how much money you make) 🚫
personal details of other people 🚫
Keeping The Conversation Going
When someone asks you a question, don't just give a 'short' answer. Give extra
information.
Example: A: How long have you been working here?
B: About 2 years. Before that I was working for the competition. What
about you? How long have you been with your company?
If someone offers 'extra information' when answering your question, ask a 'follow-up'
question.
Example: A: This is a great restaurant. Have you been here before?
B: Oh yes, I was here last week actually.
A: Oh really? Was that for business or pleasure?
If the conversation 'dies', you can start a new topic by referring to something that was
said earlier.
Example: A: So, I heard you say you've been to this hotel before. How many times
have you been to Dubai?
Business Idiom
The business idiom ‘talk shop’ means to talk about your work or job.
Example: ‘My wife doesn’t like me to talk shop when I get home from work.’
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1. Practice
Put the words in the correct order to make sentences used to make small talk.
1. think today weather of what you the do?
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2. you do movies action like?
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3. TV your what favorite is show?
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4. will do year economy this get you better think the?
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5. have do kids any you?
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2. Practice
Use words from the box to complete the sentences.
restaurant ~ usually ~ ever ~ close ~ working
wife ~weather ~ lately ~ kids ~ politics
1. Have you seen any good movies __________?
2. So, what’s the __________ like where you’re from?
3. Have you __________ been to New York before?
4. Is it __________ this hot here?
5. Are there any fun things to do that are __________ to the hotel?
6. I have two __________, one is 11 and the other is 13.
7. How long have you been __________ for your company?
8. There’s a great __________ on the roof of the hotel and the view is amazing.
9. I really try not to talk about __________.
10. What does your __________ do for a living?
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3. Check Your Knowledge!
Now that you’re at the end of the course, use the crossword puzzle below to test what
you’ve learned.
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Check your answers:
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Vocabulary
Word Meaning
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Notes
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