Culture and different points of view - Conversation Class 23/7/2013

Notes from discussion 24/7/2013

Some new vocab from yesterday's lesson (it's all about the 's'!):

strict (severo)
snobby (ovvio!)
stuck up (person who thinks they are better than / above others)
standoffish (aloof / reserved)
stereotypes

We also watched Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different?
on TED talks. Remember you can download the transcript to understand it in more detail.

More listening:
A few years ago HSBC put together a global campaign on cultural differences: it makes the point of cultural perceptions in a clear & funny way, giving examples from all over the world. Their slogan is “The world’s local bank”!  

Check out some of the adverts they made:

http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_weird_or_just_different.html

Useful Expressions for Telephoning - Conversation Class 17/7/2013

Conversation Club
martedi' sera
Via dei serragli, 79/r

Hi guys,

Good class yesterday!

Here below you can find useful expressions for dealing with phone calls:

Introducing yourself. Phrases to use when you place the call.

When calling a general number:

- May I speak with Marina Smith?

- Hello, this is John Block calling for Marina Smith.

- Is Marina Smith in? (informal)

When the person answers the call directly:

- Hi Marina, it’s John calling.

- Good afternoon, Marina. This is John Block from ABC company calling.

Answering the phone.There are many different ways to answer your phone.

For calls to your direct line:

- Good morning, this is Marina.

- Good afternoon, XYZ firm. How may I help you?

- Marina speaking.

- XYZ firm, Marina speaking.

For calls to your direct line, when the person asks for you by name:

- Speaking (caller says: “Is Marina there?” and Marina replies: “speaking”).

- This is she / this is he (caller says: “Is Marina in?” and Marina replies “This is she”).

For calls to a general number:

- Thank you for calling XYZ. How may I direct your call?

Connecting someone. When you answer the phone and it is for somebody else.

- One minute, I’ll transfer you now.

- Please hold and I’ll put you through.

- Let me see if Jim is available.

- One moment, please.

- Hang on a minute. (informal)

When you need to put somebody on hold

- Jim is on another line at the moment. Would you like to hold?

- I’m sorry, I have a call on my other line. Can you please hold?

When you don’t understand the caller

- Could you please repeat/rephrase that?

- I’m sorry, I didn’t catch what you just said.

- Can you please speak a little more slowly?

- Can you please speak a little louder?

Clarifying what your caller says

- Can you please spell that for me?

- How do you spell your last name?

- And that company name again was, JAQ Industries?

- Let me repeat your information to make sure I got it right.

Ending a conversation

- It’s been great talking with you. I’ve got a meeting now so I better run.

- Thanks for calling. I’ll speak with you again soon.

- I’ve got another call coming in. Good talking to you.

- I better let you go.

- It’s 5 o’clock already. I better let you go.

- Let’s touch base on this again in a few days.

- Nice to speak to you, let’s speak again soon

Conversation Class 9/7/2013 - Rachel's Interview

Here's the clip we watched yesterday!

This is a slightly longer version with the subtitles:

If you want to watch it without subtitles, click here.

Remember:

To give advice we often use: should and shouldn't:

Should = it's a good idea

Shouldn't = it's not a good idea.

Watch out! Don't have to means that it isn't necessary

You don't have to come to the party tonight (if you don't want to).

What is the difference in meaning?!:

1. You mustn't wear jeans
2. You shouldn't wear jeans
3. You don't have to wear jeans

Conversation Class Lesson Notes 2/7/2013

Great job organising the surprise parties! We were really hungover this morning ... which means the party was a success ;)

Here is some language that we looked at:

I'm dying to do something = I'd love to do something
I'm dying to see the new James Bond film

Picky = choosy
I like all kinds of food; I'm not picky!

Grab = get something quickly
I only have half an hour for lunch, so I'll just grab a sandwich.

Split the bill = go Dutch
Let's split the bill!

No big deal = I don't mind; it's not so important
I can't go out tonight.
No big deal. I'll see you next week

To treat someone to something i.e dinner or food = to buy it for them as a gift
You've worked so hard on that project, so I'll treat you to dinner


Question Tags
You're Italian, aren't you?
You live in Florence, don't you?


Remember:

I'm going to a dinner party.
I'm going out to dinner or I'm going out for dinner.
I'm having a dinner party tonight.
I went to dinner last night.
I went out for dinner last night.

Not: I had a dinner