Presentations: opening Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Presentations: opening
Presentations: opening
Introduction
In this module, we’ll be looking at some useful words and phrases for giving presentations. We have units on the main stages of presentations and a unit with tips on delivering effective presentations. Let’s start with opening presentations. Imagine that you are starting a presentation. What phrases might you use?
After you've thought of five, click here for some more ideas.
Now let’s hear two ways of opening presentations. As you listen, see if you can hear some of the phrases above.
Check your understanding by reading the scripts below:
Clip 1
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming along here today. I hope my presentation isn’t going to take too long and that you will find it interesting. The purpose of today’s presentation is to discuss how we can improve internal communications within our company.
Now let me begin by explaining that I’d like to talk about the business case for better communication; secondly, I want to cover different styles and methods; and finally I would like to finish off by talking about some of the basics we need to have in place to deliver good quality, consistent communications across the company. I’d be very happy to invite you to ask questions at the end of the session and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time for us to discuss some of the points that have been raised.”
Clip 2
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for finding the time to come and join me for this presentation this afternoon. My name is Tim Mason, I‘m a retail consultant, and many of you will have seen me shadowing you in your jobs and looking through the accounts and so on in the company over the last week. I’ve invited you here today to have a look at my findings. First, I’d like to have a look at the performance of the company, the sales of the company over the last three years; then I’d like to have a look at our market share in the womenswear market and look at our competitors; and thirdly, I’d like to suggest some improvements in our range of womenswear. At the end I’d be happy to answer any of your questions.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming along here today. I hope my presentation isn’t going to take too long and that you will find it interesting. The purpose of today’s presentation is to discuss how we can improve internal communications within our company.
Now let me begin by explaining that I’d like to talk about the business case for better communication; secondly, I want to cover different styles and methods; and finally I would like to finish off by talking about some of the basics we need to have in place to deliver good quality, consistent communications across the company. I’d be very happy to invite you to ask questions at the end of the session and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time for us to discuss some of the points that have been raised.”
Clip 2
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for finding the time to come and join me for this presentation this afternoon. My name is Tim Mason, I‘m a retail consultant, and many of you will have seen me shadowing you in your jobs and looking through the accounts and so on in the company over the last week. I’ve invited you here today to have a look at my findings. First, I’d like to have a look at the performance of the company, the sales of the company over the last three years; then I’d like to have a look at our market share in the womenswear market and look at our competitors; and thirdly, I’d like to suggest some improvements in our range of womenswear. At the end I’d be happy to answer any of your questions.”
Download audio 
Download scripts and phrases Now test yourself with our quiz!
Flash Version - requires Adobe Flash Plug-in to be installedNon-Flash Version - printable, text-only format Telephone: connecting
Telephone: connecting
Introduction
This section features phrases you might hear when you telephone a company hoping to talk to someone. Imagine you are calling a company and want to speak to someone who works there. Can you think of any phrases you might use, or that you might hear?
After you've thought of five, click here for some more ideas.
Now listen to two conversations. In the first conversation Richard Davies is calling the marketing department of a company and wants to be put through to Rosalind Wilson. In the second conversation Mike Andrews wants to talk to Jason Roberts in the marketing department. As you listen, see if you can hear some of the phrases above.
Check your understanding by reading the scripts below:
| Michelle: | Hello, you've reached the marketing department. How can I help? |
| Male: | Yes can I speak to Rosalind Wilson, please? |
| Michelle: | Who’s calling please? |
| Male: | It’s Richard Davies here |
| Michelle: | Certainly. Please hold and I’ll put you through. |
| Male: | Thank you. |
| Michelle: | Hello, marketing. How can I help? |
| Male: | Could I speak to Jason Roberts please? |
| Michelle: | Certainly. Who shall I say is calling? |
| Male: | My name’s Mike Andrews. |
| Michelle: | Just a second - I’ll see if he’s in. Hello, Jason, I’ve got Mike Andrews on the phone for you ... OK - I’ll put him through. Hang on a moment, I’m just putting you through. |
Download audio Download scripts and phrases Now test yourself with our quiz!
Flash Version - requires Adobe Flash Plug-in to be installedNon-Flash Version - printable, text-only format English Makeover
English Makeover
About the series
If you want to change your appearance, you might go for a ‘makeover’ – fresh haircut, different clothes, a new you! If it’s your English you want to transform, perhaps it’s time for a language ‘makeover’! Improve your pronunciation, make advances in grammar and expand your vocabulary.
In this series, learners of English from around the world tell us their language problems. And there's advice for them and you, from experienced teacher of English, Karen Adams.
In this series, learners of English from around the world tell us their language problems. And there's advice for them and you, from experienced teacher of English, Karen Adams.
Part 8
Patricia Pereira (We apologise for some minor variations in the sound of this archive material.)
Part 7
Mohammed Ibrahim (We apologise for some minor variations in the sound of this archive material.)
Part 6
Metaraja Anburasan
Part 5
Adela Taleb (We apologise for some minor variations in the sound of this archive material.)
Part 4
Joao Lourenco
Part 3
Hawo Shafat
Part 2
Amanda But
Part 1
Sora Hong
Thursday, October 8, 2009
General English Skills
Here we have yet another brilliant student podcast on helping with your English study. This podcast includes discussion from one of our students on general English skills. More fun while learnign English. Great tips and tricks!
General English skills: Hide Player | Play in Popup | DownloadIELTS Band Scale
IELTS is scored on a nine band scale. Each Band corresponds to different English competence. The Band Scores are in either whole or half Bands. The nine bands are described as such:
9 Expert User
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
8 Very Good User
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
7 Good User
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations.
6 Competent User
Have generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
5 Modest User
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
4 Limited User
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
3 Extremely Limited User
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2 Intermittent User
No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1 Non User
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
0 Did not attempt the test
No assessable information provided. Candidate may fail to sit for test
How to pass IELTS
Here is one of our best podcasts which will help with your IELTS preparation. Here we have a 5 Steps 2 IELTS student telling us how to pass IELTS. Paul Brown is there to discuss as usual. Helpful audio resources for English language learning.
How to pass IELTS: Hide Player | Play in Popup | DownloadWriting Essays
Here is another great podcast which will help with your IELTS preparation. Here we have a 5 Steps 2 IELTS student telling us how to write effective essays. Helpful audio resources for English language learning.
Writing Essays: Hide Player | Play in Popup | DownloadAcademic Reading for IELTS
Here we have another very good student podcast discussing IELTS and also how to be confient at academic reading. Very useful English language learning resources.
Academic IELTS reading: Hide Player | Play in Popup | DownloadGeneral English Skills
Here we have yet another brilliant student podcast on helping with your English study. This podcast includes discussion from one of our students on general English skills. More fun while learnign English. Great tips and tricks!
General English skills: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download
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