I. Invent name, job, and place of work. Practice introductory conversations.

When you meet someone for the first time and start up a conversation, it is important to find points of common interest so that the conversation can run smoothly. Successful conversation depends on finding a topic both people can easily talk about. One way of reaching this point is to follow a number of steps until a topic of common interest is found. A typical sequence might be:

Speaker	Step
A	Opening question
B	Immediate answer
A	Follow-up question
B	Immediate answer
B	Additional comment
A	Next question
A/B	Topic of common interest

II. Now look more closely at the typical sequence of conversation.

1) opening question	Is this your first trip to …? How was your trip?
2) immediate answer	Yes, it is. Fine, thanks.
3) follow-up question	Are you staying long? Business or pleasure?
4) immediate answer	No. Business. Note: these answers are not helpful in finding a common interest. You need to make additional comment.
5) additional comment	But hopefully not my last. Unfortunately only a couple of weeks. Business, I’m afraid. My company is setting up an office here in Tokyo.
6) next question	Have you found time to see much? Really, where is your company based?
7) establishing topic of common interest	Are you interested in gardens? Oh, I visited Detroit a couple of years ago. That’s (What) a coincidence. My wife is in fashion too.

Lexical exercises

I. Complete the introductions according to the phrases from Active Vocabulary:

1. Peter King introduces himself to Jack Simpson:

PK Hello,… My name’s Peter King.

JS …, I’m Jack Simpson.

 

2. Philip introduces Sarah to James:

S Philip, I … here. You’ll have to ….

P Of …, I’ll … to James. He’s an old friend of mine. James, … Sarah, she’s just joined the company.

J …, Sarah. Where do you come from?

 

3. Rod Burton introduces Pete Taylor to an important customer:

P Rod, I … Mr. Rogers, the Purchasing Manager from Kentons.

R I’m …. Come and meet him. Mr. Rogers, Pete Taylor, our Export Sales Manager.

Mr.R …. What countries do you cover?

 

4. Klaus Fischer introduces himself to an American visitor:

KF How …? My …..

AV ….. …. George Cole.

II. This dialogue is in the wrong order. Rearrange it to make a natural flow of conversation.

· Really? What did you expect? ()

· No, I’ve been to the States before, but this is the first time in Atlanta. ()

· So, what do you think of Atlanta? ()

· Fine, I’ll see what I can arrange. ()

· Well, it’s not what I expected. ()

· There is a part like that. You must let me show you around. ()

· Well, I suppose I thought it would be more traditional. ()

· That would be interesting. ()

· Is this your first trip over here? ()

Pair work

Engage your partner in conversation. Try to establish a common interest – e.g. a place, a hobby, a job, family, etc.

Listening

I. Listen to the conversation between two people meeting at a conference, and complete the table below.

	Speaker 1	Speaker 2
Name
Country
Department
Now?

II. Look at the extracts from the conversation. Complete them with the useful phrases for meeting people for the first time.

1. Nice_____________________________. I’m Sofia Platini from Milan.

2. Pleased___________________________, Sofia.

3. Is this your_________________________ to London?

4. It’s the second time_____________________________, actually.

5. What________________________________ Fernando?

6. _________________________________ your flight, Sofia?

7. Fine, no problems. ______________________________?

Speaking

Invent the missing information in the table below and role-play a similar conversation with your partner.

	Speaker 1	Speaker 2
Name	Sam Isaakson	Chris Richter
Country	Sweden	Germany
Job	accountant	PA to the director
Now?

Reading

“Without gestures the world would be totally colourless”

I. What do you understand by this quotation? How far do you agree with the idea?

II. Read the text and check your understanding.

A World of Gestures.

As the global village continues to get smaller and cultures mix more and more, it is necessary to become more culturally sensitive and aware of body language and gestures that surround us on a daily basis. As many of us cross over cultural borders, we are obliged to respect, learn and understand more about the power of this silent language.

In the world of gestures, the best advice would be to remember to ask and be aware. If you see a gesture that is confusing, ask a local person what it means. Then, be aware of the many body signs and customs around you in order not to offend others.

Nor is it acceptable to shout in anger or show excessive behaviour of any kind. Furthermore, blowing one’s nose in public is also unacceptable and will certainly be seen as an act of rudeness.

Another interesting example of silent body language is that used in lifts. If there are one or two people in a lift for example, they tend to lean against the walls of the lift and four people together will probably choose a corner each. A slightly larger number will more than likely face the door while a crowded lift will show silent people touching only at the shoulders and generally looking upwards to avoid eye contact.

However, we also live in a world of more lively gestures, such as those of drivers of all ages and types. Arms will certainly be flying showing each other who did what, fingers will be pointing to indicate guilt and heads will be shaking in negative disbelief at the dreadful quality of the other’s driving!

Without gestures the world would be totally colourless. Apparently, 60% of all communication is nonverbal.

Body language and gestures communicate messages just as well as words, perhaps even better. It is quite natural to use our bodies to get a message across. From calling a waiter over to our table to the teaching gestures of parents to children; we all use this system of communication.

Gestures are a basic part of our social lives too, with the ‘vocabulary’ sometimes being informative or entertaining, as in the case of street mime. Take, for example, the gestures and body movements of two young children playing in the park or a policeman directing traffic.

Of course, there is one particular gesture that carries certain welcoming characteristics and is unlike any other gesture that we know of. It is a healthy gesture and can get you out of many a sticky situation. This giant of all gestures is, of course, the smile. Use it freely and often and win the hearts and respect of others wherever you travel.

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

III. In pairs, take turns in making different gestures to show that you agree, disagree, don’t care, are angry / pleased / nervous / impatient/unsure / disappointed /surprised / shocked / suspicious, while your partner tries to guess the message.

Reading comprehension

I. Answer the questions.

1. What do you understand by the expression “the power of the silent language”?

2. What should you do not to be confused in the world of gestures?

3. Where can you use “lively gestures”?

4. Do you agree that gestures are a basic part of our lives? Why?

5. Can you show the gesture of all gestures?

II. Say whether the statements True or False.

1. It is necessary to become less culturally sensitive and aware of body language and gestures that surround us on a daily basis.
2. If you see a gesture that is confusing, don’t mention it.
3. Another interesting example of silent body language is that used in universities.
4. However, we also live in a world of more lively gestures, such as those of drivers of all ages and types.
5. Without rainbow the world would be totally colourless.
6. Body language and gestures communicate messages just as well as words, perhaps even better.

Project work

Study all the material of the lesson. Make up a presentation concerning your personality. Remember about your body language.

Lesson 2. Further contacts

Warm up

I. Representatives of many Pacific countries are meeting in Japan for their biennial conference. This is the welcoming cocktail event. What do you talk about when you meet colleagues who you haven't seen for a year?

II. Do you wait for people to ask you questions or do you take the initiative yourself?

III. How comfortable are you at large social events that you have to attend for work?

Listening

I. Listen to the conversation between Masako, Heather, and Sue. What do they talk about? Write yes or no in the column for conversation.

	Conversation
Their journey to Kyoto
Their children/families
Their work
Their academic studies
Their houses and homes
Their hobbies

Speaking

I. Imagine you meet an international colleague who you haven't seen for a year. Try to mention all the topics in the table in Listening. Ask them what they've been doing and answer their questions.

II. After not seeing them for six months, what three things would you say to a close friend, and what three things to an acquaintance?

Writing

I. An old school or university friend asks you in an email what you have been doing. Answer their email and ask them some questions too.

II. Your manager has asked you to send him an email outlining how you have been spending your time at work during the last month.

Lesson 3. Telling a story

Warm up

I. Which is the best airline you have ever flown with? Which is the worst one?

II. Brainstorm all the different things that could go wrong when you fly.

Listening