BusinessEnglish4U: September 2006

Humor in voicemail messages

I dialed a number and got the following recording:

"I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of those changes."

Group Writing - A Telephone Conversation

Here is a telephone conversation done in class with the trainees that attended the course on the 15th September:

A- Good morning. SZM Industry Assistance. Manuel Bernardo speaking. How can I help you?

B - Good morning. Could I speak to Mr. Silva, please?

A - OK, I will put you through.

B - Thank you. I will wait.

C - Good morning. Faria da Silva speaking. How can I help you?

B - Good morning. I'm Linda Martins from Licalelu Fashion. I'm calling to ask about the new project for our store.

C - I'm sorry, but the person responsible for this project isn't in at the moment.

B - I apologize my mistake, but I didn't know you weren't the responsible for that.

C - OK, no problem. The person reponsible is Celina.

B - Could you tell her to call me back?

C - Certainly. Miss Celina is going to call back as soon as possible.

B - OK, thank you.

C - Bye-bye.

Formandos : Bernardo, José, Celina and Carla.

A company visit! - Group Work presentations

A company visit to SZM - Industry Assistance

A company visit to Licalelu Fashion

A company visit!

GROUP WORK

Showing a visitor around!

Join in your groups and prepare your dialogues based on the following situation:

A visitor is on a business trip to your country. He is going to visit your company.
A receptionist/Personal Assistant welcomes the visitor.
A host shows the visitor around.

Think about your roles and use your imagination. Here are some guidelines to help you.

A. Visitor

- first time visiting the company/country?
- choose topics to make small talk
- ask some details about the company you are visiting
- ask some recommendations about what to see and do in the city
- comment on the Office/company space/equipment/employees

B. Receptionist/Personal Assistant

- welcome visitor
- offer something
- choose topics to make small talk
- give some recommendations about what to see and do in the city
- take visitor to the host’s office

C. Host

- welcome visitor
- choose topics to make small talk
- answer to some details about your company
- ask about your host’s company
- show the visitor around the company

HAVE AN EXCELLENT WORK!