Real Talking at Wotk- ABE Volume 1 . Program 2

In this first programs we're going to be concentrated on some basic language functions.
Last time in Program 1 we did Greetings and Introductions. Now today we're going to focus on:

HOST: Now it’s your turn. You do the interviewing. The only problem is, is that Tom is recorded on tape and he can’t hear you and he can’t wait for you to speak, so you’ll have to be ready to speak when your turn comes. Are you ready? Remember - you have to greet Tom first.

HOST: Excuse me. Hi, Tom. So, what would you say is the most challenging part of being Marketing Director?
TOM: The most challenging part, probably, is to determine what’s going on in the market and…trying to, more importantly, figure out what’s going to happen in the near future and far-reaching months.
HOST: How do you go about doing that?
TOM: Oh, there’s so many ways…. You have to be really attuned to the economy – locally as well as nationally. You have to know what your competition is doing, and you have to look at trends in each segment that makes up our customer base.
HOST: How would you describe the guest who stay in this hotel?
TOM: There are about four basic segments, and those are people who come in just on their own as individuals, there are people who travel for companies or corporate business, and there are groups. And then there is weekend business.
HOST: What are some of the difficulties in trying to schedule efficiently.
TOM: Well, we only have so much space and so many rooms, and there are about ten different people trying to put space or different groups into these limited number of rooms, so they’re all… they’re all more or less competing for the same space.

Listen as the host interview Tom. Follow the conversation.

YOU: Excuse me. Hi, Tom. So, what would you say is the most challenging part of being Marketing Director?
TOM: *
YOU: How do you go about doing that?
TOM: *
YOU: How would you describe the guest who stay in this hotel?
TOM: *
YOU: What are some of the difficulties in trying to schedule efficiently.
TOM: *

The Catering Manager talks to the Director of Marketing.

BRITTA: Tom, I’ve been looking for you.
TOM: Yeah?
BRITTA: I have a wedding inquiry for November 12^thfor 250 people for a reception dinner-dance.
TOM: OK…. November 12^th. What day of the week is that?
BRITTA: It’s a Saturday.
TOM: How much revenue are we talking about?
BRITTA: At least twelve thousand in food and beverage.

Now pretend you are Tom. Speak to Britta. Use the following dialogue. Don't hesitate. You'll have to speak up right away.

BRITTA: *
YOU: Yeah?
BRITTA: *
YOU: OK…. November 12^th. What day of the week is that?
BRITTA: *
YOU: How much revenue are we talking about?
BRITTA: *

Use the following dialogue:

HOST: How did you do? I hope you didn’t have too much trouble speaking at the right time. Now… let’s go on with the lesson: listening and questioning, making requests, responding to requests.

Tom and Kit discuss bookings

Now pretend you are Tom. Speak to Kit. Use the following dialogue. Don't hesitate. You'll have to speak up right away.

TOM: They need a U-shaped set-up for twenty-five to thirty people, and the only one that’s available, really, at this point on the 16^th, 17^this the Parliament.
KIT: OK….
TOM: The same set-up on Wednesday.
KIT: Um-hmm….
TOM: …and exactly the same set-up on Thursday.
KIT: Great.
TOM: He’s not sure if they’re going to go all day on Thursday, but for now he wants us to book it and he’ll let us know as the day gets closer.
KIT: All right. Fine.

Are you ready? Remember: You start the conversation.

IRENE: I would suggest that they not be shy. They have to just approach people, make a big effort, and practice speaking English as much as possible.

In these first three programs, we’re visiting a beautiful hotel in Seattle, Washington - the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel. Now…. Let’s get started with today’s lesson.

To begin, we’re going to spend a few minutes talking to the Director of Marketing. We’ll take turns talking to him, just like we did in the last program. I’ll talk to him first, then you can interview him yourself.

Are you ready? Remember: Britta will start the conversation.

A guest asks for help with secretarial services.

IRENE: OK. Do you need to have copies of this made out or typed?
MICHAEL Oh, yes. We need to have copies. Yes.
IRENE: OK. Very good.
MICHAEL And then could we have that faxed and sent to my business address that I gave you?
IRENE: Fine. Now I notice the fax machine number is not on here. Do you have that?

Now pretend you are Irene. Speak to Michael. Use the following dialogue.

Are you ready? Remember: Michael will start the conversation.

MICHAEL *
YOU: Fine. Now I notice the fax machine number is not on here. Do you have that?

The Sales Manager arranges to show rooms.

WISTAR: Well, I’ve got a client coming in about an hour, and I need to show them some guest rooms. I’d like to see, ideally, a corner suite and a Four Seasons room.

Now pretend you are Wistar. Respond to Julia. Use the following dialogue.

Are you ready? Remember: Julia will start the conversation.

JULIA: *
YOU: Well, I’ve got a client coming in about an hour, and I need to show them some guest rooms. I’d like to see, ideally, a corner suite and a Four Seasons room.

A guest needs some photocopies.

Now pretend you are Irene. Speak to Michael. Use the following dialogue.

Are you ready? Remember: Michael will start the conversation.

MICHAEL: *
YOU: Hello.
MICHAEL: *
YOU: Welcome
MICHAEL: *
YOU: How many would you like?
MICHAEL: *
YOU: Now when would you like them delivered?
MICHAEL: *
YOU: They’ll be here at four for you at the desk.
MICHAEL: *

HOST: One of the most interesting things about this course, is that all the people are not professional actors. For example, Irene, Wistar, Julia and Tom - all the people in these lessons - are employees who actually work at the Olympic Hotel in Seattle. If you should happen to visit the hotel someday, perhaps you’ll meet them in person. Well, that’s all the time we have for today. But next time, Program 3 will be our last visit to the Olympic Hotel. I hope you enjoyed this lesson, and I hope you’ll be with us for our next lesson. Until then, bye-bye for now

YOU: They need a U-shaped set-up for twenty-five to thirty people, and the only one that’s available, really, at this point on the 16^th, 17^this the Parliament.
KIT: *.
YOU: The same set-up on Wednesday.
KIT: *
YOU: …and exactly the same set-up on Thursday.
KIT: *
YOU: He’s not sure if they’re going to go all day on Thursday, but for now he wants us to book it and he’ll let us know as the day gets closer.
KIT: *

What advice do you have for student of English?

Listening and Questioning (1)

Listening and Questioning (2)

Listening and Questioning (3)

Making requests (1)

Making requests (2)

Responding to requests

- Listening and Questioning
- Making requests
- Responding to requests