Speaking Formally at the Workplace

Workplace CommunicationsWeek 1

Speaking at the Workplace

Brainstorming

• In what situations

do you have to

talk at your work?

• What is

challenging for

you to talk about

at your work?

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Speaking at the workplace

• Small talks

• Voice mail messages

• Meetings

• Networking

• Presentations

Register useGreeting

Introduction Asking for

information

Agenda

Expressinggratitude

Register use

Register

Speaking politely and formally

Courtesy ofhttp://www.myenglishonline.ca/eal.assess/assessment/act6.html

What is register?

• Register

unwritten communication rules followed in

workplace communications, with friends,

strangers, etc.

Activity 1a

A: Hi Charlie, can you give me a hand?

B: Sure, Peter. What's up?

A: I can't get this to work.

B: Why don't you try to use a screwdriver?

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

Activity 1a

A: Hi Charlie, can you give me a hand?

B: Sure, Peter. What's up?

A: I can't get this to work.

B: Why don't you try to use a screwdriver?

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

Activity 1b

A: Good Morning,

Mr. Jones, may I

ask you a

question?

B: Certainly, how

can I help you?

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

Activity 1b

A: Good Morning,

Mr. Jones, may I

ask you a

question?

B: Certainly, how

can I help you?

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

Activity 1cA: Excuse me,

Brandon, we seem to be having a problem with the EO account. We'd better get together to discuss the situation.

B: That's a good idea Ms. Everson, would 4 o'clock suit you?

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

Activity 1cA: Excuse me,

Brandon, we seem to be having a problem with the EO account. We'd better get together to discuss the situation.

B: That's a good idea Ms. Everson, would 4 o'clock suit you?

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

Activity 1d

A: Hi honey, how

was your day?

B: Great, we got a

lot done. And

yours?

A: Fine, but stressful.

Pass me that

magazine, please.

B: Here you go.

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

Activity 1d

A: Hi honey, how

was your day?

B: Great, we got a

lot done. And

yours?

A: Fine, but stressful.

Pass me that

magazine, please.

B: Here you go.

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

Activity 1e

A: Pardon me. Do

you think you

could give me

the time?

B: Certainly, it's

twelve thirty.

C: Thank you.

D: Not at all.

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

Activity 1eorrect register use

A: Pardon me. Do

you think you

could give me

the time?

B: Certainly, it's

twelve thirty.

C: Thank you.

D: Not at all.

Who is having this conversation?

1.Wife to Husband2.Friend to Friend3.Subordinate to Superior 4.Superior to Subordinate 5.Man Speaking to Stranger

GreetingIntroduction

Greeting/Intro

Role-play

Scenario:

In a workplace setting you are

introduced to a new colleague.

How do you respond?

A: I’d like to introduce you to Charlie.

You:

Role-play

Scenario:

In a workplace setting you are

introduced to a new colleague.

How do you respond?

A: I’d like to introduce you to Charlie.

You: It’s a pleasure to meet

you./Pleased to meet you.

Asking for information

Asking for information

Scenario:

• You arrive at the school office. You ask for Jessica,

the teacher in charge of the lunch program.

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Listen to the conversation….

• Hello! Can I help you?

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Yes. Hi, I'm here to start volunteering in the cafeteria. I was told that I should find a teacher named Jessica- I was wondering if you could tell me how to find her. It's my first day and I don’t know the school very well.

Hello, Can I help

you?

Grammar Review

I was wondering if

you could tell me

how to find her.

Direct question:How can I find her?

Indirect question:I was wondering if you could tell me how to find her.

Listening

1. Listen to Part 1 of a short interview.

2. You will hear two indirect questions. Type them in the chatbox.

Interview with Ianthe – Part 1

Stephanie: Thank you so much for agreeing to talk with me today!

Ianthe: Oh, that is no problem! Thanks for being interested in my job!

Stephanie: I am wondering if you can tell us about your job.

Ianthe: I am an e-Facilitator for EO. I really like this job. I teach online classes…..

Stephanie: Do you happen to know if you need a specific education to work as an e-Facilitator?

Ianthe: Yes, you do need a certificate. It is called….

Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question

Can you tell us about your job? I am wondering if you can tell us about your job.

Do you need a specific education to work as an e-Facilitator?

Do you happen to know if you need a specific education to work as an e-Facilitator?

Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question

Can you tell me the way to the office? I am wondering…

Do you need a Criminal Record Check for this position?

Do you happen to know…

Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question

Can you tell me the way to the office? I am wondering if you could tell me the way to the office.

Do you need a Criminal Record Check for this position?

Do you happen to know

Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question

Can you tell me the way to the office? I am wondering if you could tell me the way to the office.

Do you need a Criminal Record Check for this position?

Do you happen to know if you need a Criminal Record Check for this position?

Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question

Is there some coffee left?

Is Briar still in the office?

Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question

Is there some coffee left? I wonder if there is some coffee left.

Is Briar still in the office?

Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question

Is there some coffee left? I wonder if there is some coffee left.

Is Briar still in the office? Do you happen to know if Briar is still in the office?

Listening

1. Listen to Part 2 of the interview.

2. You will hear three indirect questions. Type them in the chatbox.

Interview with Ianthe – Part 2

Stephanie: I'd like to know how you got into this field.

Ianthe:

Stephanie: Could you tell me what personal characteristics are required to be successful in your job?

Ianthe:

Stephanie: Could you please explain what a WizIQ class is?

Ianthe:

Direct questions Indirect questions

How did you get into this field? I'd like to know how you got into this field?

Could you tell me what personal characteristics are required to be successful in your job?

Could you please explain what a WizIQ class is?

Direct questions Indirect questions

How did you get into this field? I'd like to know how you got into this field?

What personal characteristics are required to be successful in your job?

Could you tell me what personal characteristics are required to be successful in your job?

Could you please explain what a WizIQ class is?

Direct questions Indirect questions

How did you get into this field? I'd like to know how you got into this field?

What personal characteristics are required to be successful in your job?

Could you tell me what personal characteristics are required to be successful in your job?

What is a WizIQ class? Could you please explain what a WizIQ class is?

Word order is tricky!

How did you get into this field?

I'd like to know how you got into this field.

Rule: Subject comes after formula

Word order is tricky!

What is a WiZiQ class?

Could you please explain what

Rule: Subject comes after formula

a WiZiQ class is?

Formulas for polite questions

Could you please explain …

I'd like to know …

Could you tell me …

Direct questions Indirect questions

How long have you been in Canada? I'd like to know how…..

What do you like about your job? Could you tell me what..

What is the biggest challenge? Could you please…

Direct questions Indirect questions

How long have you been in Canada? I'd like to know how long…

you have been in Canada.

What do you like about your job? Could you tell me what...

What is the biggest challenge? Could you please…

Direct questions Indirect questions

How long have you been in Canada? I'd like to know how…

how long you have been in Canada.

What do you like about your job? Could you tell me what...

you like about your job?

What is the biggest challenge? Could you please tell me …

Direct questions Indirect questions

How long have you been in Canada? I'd like to know how…

how long you have been in Canada.

What do you like about your job? Could you tell me what...

you like about your job?

What is the biggest challenge? Could you please tell me whatthe biggest challenge is?

Listening

1. Listen to Part 3 of the interview.

2. You will hear two indirect questions. Type them in the chatbox.

Interview with Ianthe – Part 3

Stephanie: I'm interested in knowing three things you really like about your job.

Ianthe:

Stephanie:

Ianthe:

Interview with Ianthe – Part 3

Stephanie: I'm interested in knowing three things you really like about your job.

Ianthe:

Stephanie: Would you mind telling me three things that you do not like about your job?

Ianthe:

Gerund (verb+ing)

Direct questions Indirect questions

What are three things you really like about your job?

I'm interested in knowing three things you really like about your job?

Would you mind telling me three things that you do not like about your job?

Direct questions Indirect questions

What are three things you really like about your job?

I'm interested in knowing three things you really like about your job?

What are the three things that you do not like about your job?

Would you mind telling me three things that you do not like about your job?

Gerund (verb+ing)

Direct question: Indirect questionusing a gerund

How much time do you spend in front of a computer screen?

I'm interested in knowing….

What was your first job? Would you mind telling meabout

Revision

I am wondering if ..

I'd like to know how…

Would you mind telling me about…

Yes/no – questions: if

Wh- questions: when, how, what

Wh – question: verb + ing

Revision

Asking polite questions:

Let's practise more!

One of the volunteers is a manager of a hotel and says that the hotel is hiring.Listen to the manager…

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You ask about the position and the name of the hotel.

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You ask about the position and the name of the hotel.Could you please tell me what the position is?

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You explain that you are interested in getting more information.

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You explain that you are interested in getting more information.Would you mind telling me a little bit more about this position?

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You ask to make an appointment for a job interview on the spot.

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You ask to make an appointment for a job interview on the spot. Fantastic! I wonder if I could make an appointment for a job interview right away.

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Expressing gratitude

Expressinggratitude

You really want to thank for this great information!

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You really want to thank for this great information! Thank you so much for this exciting information! Your support is highly appreciated!

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Expressing gratitude

Thank you very much.It was very kind of you.I appreciate your help.You have been very helpful.

You are welcome.It's my pleasure.Any time.

Register useGreeting

Introduction Asking for

informationExpressinggratitude

What have you learned today?

Questions

Links and resources

• Language Explorer

• http://www.myenglishonline.ca/eal.assess/assessment/act6.html

• Formal and informal greetings

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bixg6QUNHDg

• Register use

• http://esl.about.com/od/businessspeakingskills/a/Workplace-Communication-Skills-For-Esl-Learners.htm

• Quiz about indirect questions

• http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_indirect.htm

• Expressing gratitude:

• http://www.eslhelpdesk.com/Library/thankyouverymuch.htm