0:00:01.319,0:00:06.500 Hello, I'm Gina and welcome[br]to Oxford Online English! 0:00:06.591,0:00:10.443 Tomorrow, [br]you have a meeting to attend. 0:00:10.443,0:00:14.683 If the meeting is in English, [br]will you be ready? 0:00:14.794,0:00:20.399 This lesson will help you learn[br]useful phrases to introduce yourself, 0:00:20.399,0:00:28.501 respond to suggestions and ideas,[br]and ask questions in a business meeting. 0:00:29.924,0:00:32.913 I want you to imagine [br]you're in the meeting, 0:00:32.913,0:00:38.399 and the chair has asked[br]everyone to introduce themselves. 0:00:38.593,0:00:42.036 What are some phrases[br]you can use? 0:00:45.717,0:00:50.773 Sometimes, you'll be in a meeting[br]with people you don't know. 0:00:50.773,0:00:57.356 Other times, the chair will ask for quick[br]introductions to break the ice. 0:00:57.586,0:01:01.022 There are three things[br]you should do here: 0:01:01.083,0:01:05.138 - Say your name[br]- Say your job title 0:01:05.138,0:01:09.016 - Describe your responsibilities 0:01:09.998,0:01:16.978 To say your name, you can use a formal,[br]'My name is _____.' 0:01:16.978,0:01:25.100 or, if the meeting is more informal, [br]you can say, 'Hi, I'm _____'. 0:01:25.780,0:01:31.046 For your position title, use 'to be',[br]just like for your name. 0:01:31.064,0:01:37.055 Then, decide if your position[br]is the only one in the company, 0:01:37.055,0:01:42.719 or if there are others [br]who have the same job title. 0:01:42.967,0:01:49.426 For example, if you are [br]the only secretary, use 'the': 0:01:49.426,0:01:52.264 I'm the secretary. 0:01:52.980,0:01:59.571 If other people also have this position[br]in the company, use 'a': 0:01:59.781,0:02:03.116 I'm a project manager. 0:02:04.580,0:02:09.044 If necessary, you can say which[br]department you work in. 0:02:09.044,0:02:13.702 You can use the preposition[br]'in' plus the noun: 0:02:13.702,0:02:19.878 'engineering', 'marketing', 'finance', etc. 0:02:20.056,0:02:21.716 For example: 0:02:21.716,0:02:24.989 I'm in the engineering department. 0:02:25.021,0:02:30.047 Or: I work in the marketing department. 0:02:30.894,0:02:37.095 Finally, you can briefly describe[br]your responsibilities, like this: 0:02:37.095,0:02:42.805 I manage each project [br]from start to finish. 0:02:43.605,0:02:48.446 I'm responsible for[br]web analytics and testing. 0:02:48.526,0:02:54.835 Or: I handle purchasing[br]and our negotiations with suppliers. 0:02:57.092,0:03:04.028 You can see that using verbs and phrases[br]like "manage", "be responsible for" 0:03:04.028,0:03:08.145 or "handle" [br]can be useful here. 0:03:09.045,0:03:13.892 Here is an example of a full [br]introduction in a formal meeting 0:03:13.892,0:03:19.750 with people you don't know, [br]or don't know well: 0:03:20.606,0:03:25.074 My name is Gina Mares[br]and I'm the marketing manager here. 0:03:25.074,0:03:32.080 I handle online advertising[br]and web analytics. 0:03:33.210,0:03:37.875 Here's an example of a more[br]informal introduction: 0:03:38.504,0:03:40.065 Hi, I'm Gina. 0:03:40.094,0:03:42.869 I'm in the sales department. 0:03:42.869,0:03:45.787 I manage our sales team. 0:03:46.796,0:03:50.838 How would you introduce[br]yourself in a meeting? 0:03:51.003,0:03:53.907 You can give it a try now. 0:03:54.848,0:03:59.986 Now that you've introduced yourself,[br]the meeting will begin. 0:04:00.944,0:04:06.879 During the meeting, you might need to give[br]your opinion on the different agenda items 0:04:06.879,0:04:09.088 which you are discussing. 0:04:09.088,0:04:15.279 You might also need to react [br]to other people's suggestions. 0:04:15.805,0:04:18.875 How can you do this? 0:04:21.775,0:04:27.205 When making suggestions,[br]modal verbs can be very useful. 0:04:27.205,0:04:32.519 'Should' ,'ought to' or 'might want to'[br]can express something 0:04:32.519,0:04:38.058 you think is a good idea,[br]but not an obligation: 0:04:38.315,0:04:43.115 We ought to give new clients [br]a gift from the company. 0:04:43.405,0:04:49.779 We might want to consider looking[br]for another engineer to help with this. 0:04:49.917,0:04:56.090 Or: I think we should make[br]this a priority for this month. 0:04:58.022,0:05:05.029 'Have to' and 'need to' can express[br]something that is an obligation: 0:05:05.196,0:05:10.878 We have to improve the way[br]we collect and record sales data. 0:05:11.011,0:05:18.074 Or: We need to find a cheaper[br]solution - our budget is very tight. 0:05:19.014,0:05:25.590 Remember, you can also use these[br]to make negative suggestions: 0:05:25.754,0:05:31.616 We shouldn't rush this - [br]we need to think it through carefully. 0:05:31.616,0:05:37.039 Or: We don't need to hire [br]new staff at the moment. 0:05:38.906,0:05:41.853 Now, it's your turn. 0:05:41.882,0:05:49.006 Choose a phrase and make a suggestion[br]for something in your own company. 0:05:50.375,0:05:57.006 Next, what can you do if you want[br]to respond to another suggestion? 0:05:57.319,0:06:03.955 Well, if you think it's a good suggestion,[br]you can show you agree with phrases like: 0:06:04.068,0:06:06.920 I agree with _______. 0:06:07.088,0:06:09.816 That sounds good. 0:06:10.002,0:06:13.801 Or: Let's go with this idea. 0:06:13.999,0:06:23.006 Here, "go with" means you agree with this[br]idea and think you should put it into action. 0:06:23.069,0:06:28.459 However, what if there is[br]a suggestion you don't agree with? 0:06:28.459,0:06:33.766 Here are some good, [br]professional ways to disagree: 0:06:34.215,0:06:38.175 To be honest, [br]I'm not sure about this idea. 0:06:38.448,0:06:42.458 Good suggestion, [br]but I see a few problems... 0:06:42.486,0:06:47.728 Or: I see your point, however... 0:06:48.900,0:06:53.743 After a phrase like this, [br]explain your point of view. 0:06:53.828,0:06:55.019 For example: 0:06:55.052,0:07:01.814 I see your point, however, I don't think[br]advertising in a magazine is a good idea. 0:07:01.814,0:07:05.763 People don't read them [br]as often these days. 0:07:06.021,0:07:11.202 Or: To be honest, [br]I'm not sure about this idea. 0:07:11.202,0:07:17.389 I think improving our website[br]UI is a higher priority right now. 0:07:18.908,0:07:20.012 OK? 0:07:20.066,0:07:24.688 Now, take the suggestion[br]which you made earlier. 0:07:24.759,0:07:29.388 Pause the video [br]and write down two sentences: 0:07:29.388,0:07:33.983 one to agree, [br]and one to disagree. 0:07:34.078,0:07:37.156 Use the language [br]you just learned. 0:07:38.332,0:07:46.032 Now, let's move on to different [br]ways to ask a question in a meeting. 0:07:48.124,0:07:55.809 As an attendee, it's important to make sure[br]you understand the content in the meeting. 0:07:55.939,0:08:02.260 Sometimes, the chair will ask everyone[br]to save questions until the end. 0:08:02.369,0:08:06.549 If you're in a meeting where [br]you can ask questions at any time, 0:08:06.549,0:08:11.013 there are a few good[br]phrases you can use. 0:08:11.106,0:08:18.884 For more formal meetings, you can begin[br]with a phrase like 'sorry', or 'excuse me' 0:08:18.884,0:08:22.603 to politely bring [br]the attention to you. 0:08:22.654,0:08:26.272 Then, you can use phrases like: 0:08:26.640,0:08:28.830 I have a question. 0:08:28.932,0:08:31.064 Why is...? 0:08:31.882,0:08:33.587 How...? 0:08:34.044,0:08:38.140 Or: Does this mean...? 0:08:38.791,0:08:40.513 For example: 0:08:40.703,0:08:46.923 Excuse me, how will the new [br]requirements affect the project deadline? 0:08:47.008,0:08:52.032 Or: Sorry to interrupt, [br]but I have a question. 0:08:52.049,0:08:58.475 Does this mean the new[br]IT systems won't be in place this year? 0:08:59.824,0:09:04.679 If there is something in the meeting[br]that you don't understand, 0:09:04.679,0:09:08.787 you can use phrases [br]to ask for clarification: 0:09:08.914,0:09:12.119 I didn't understand... 0:09:12.780,0:09:15.988 Can you elaborate on...? 0:09:16.048,0:09:20.750 Or: Can you clarify...? 0:09:21.898,0:09:28.472 When using these phrases, it's important[br]to explain exactly what you don't know 0:09:28.472,0:09:33.855 or ask for clarity on something [br]specific that they said. 0:09:34.004,0:09:42.095 Again, you can use 'excuse me' and 'sorry'[br]in more formal meetings to begin. 0:09:42.095,0:09:44.236 For example: 0:09:44.486,0:09:49.865 Sorry, can you clarify the third[br]step in your proposal? 0:09:49.865,0:09:52.704 I didn't get the main idea. 0:09:52.704,0:09:57.183 Or: Excuse me, [br]but could you elaborate 0:09:57.183,0:10:03.106 on how this will fit in with our [br]existing marketing campaigns? 0:10:04.198,0:10:06.297 Now, it's your turn. 0:10:06.381,0:10:13.006 Practice asking a question or [br]asking for clarification about something. 0:10:13.069,0:10:19.968 It can be from a recent meeting[br]or something from your job in general. 0:10:20.071,0:10:27.764 Again, you can pause the video and [br]write down your ideas, for extra practice. 0:10:28.777,0:10:37.062 OK, now you can make suggestions[br]and respond to what other say in the meeting. 0:10:37.062,0:10:42.291 You can also ask questions if there is[br]something you don't understand. 0:10:42.291,0:10:47.067 Next, imagine that you've[br]discussed the agenda items 0:10:47.067,0:10:53.089 and come to an agreement on the[br]important decisions you needed to make. 0:10:53.089,0:10:57.777 You might need to show what [br]you're going to do about these decisions 0:10:57.777,0:11:01.631 after the meeting[br]has finished. 0:11:04.904,0:11:10.813 Here, you can offer to do something[br]using a few different phrases. 0:11:10.813,0:11:14.627 For something that you decide[br]to do at that moment 0:11:14.627,0:11:18.087 for the future, [br]you can use 'will'. 0:11:18.087,0:11:19.923 For example: 0:11:20.001,0:11:23.039 I'll call the client tomorrow. 0:11:23.064,0:11:27.242 Or: I'll discuss this [br]with the rest of my team 0:11:27.242,0:11:31.444 and get back to you[br]by the end of the week. 0:11:32.005,0:11:36.081 If you had a plan even before[br]the meeting began, 0:11:36.081,0:11:41.809 you can use[br]'going to' or 'planning to': 0:11:42.052,0:11:46.117 I'm going to get a team[br]together for this project. 0:11:46.117,0:11:53.930 Or: I'm planning to do one more round[br]of testing, and then we can go live. 0:11:54.091,0:12:01.942 If you want to make an offer,[br]you can use 'can', 'could' or 'shall': 0:12:02.079,0:12:06.972 I can contact the supplier next week[br]if we need to. 0:12:07.072,0:12:11.430 I could put together a report[br]if you think it would help. 0:12:11.430,0:12:18.609 Or: Shall I talk to our engineering[br]team and get a cost estimate? 0:12:19.436,0:12:25.947 On the other hand, what if you are asked[br]to do something that you cannot do? 0:12:26.018,0:12:31.834 Well, there are some useful,[br]polite phrases you can use: 0:12:32.378,0:12:35.810 I'm afraid I can't… 0:12:36.018,0:12:40.394 I'm sorry,[br]but I don't think I can... 0:12:41.066,0:12:46.087 Unfortunately,[br]I won't be able to... 0:12:47.279,0:12:49.339 Think about this. 0:12:49.339,0:12:54.426 What if someone asked you [br]to move your project deadline forward, 0:12:54.426,0:12:57.006 but it wasn't possible? 0:12:57.006,0:12:59.007 You could say: 0:12:59.007,0:13:03.964 Unfortunately, we won't be able to[br]complete the project any sooner 0:13:03.964,0:13:07.860 because we don't have [br]the supplies yet. 0:13:08.002,0:13:14.179 Or: I'm sorry, but I don't think [br]we can finish by the end of this month. 0:13:14.179,0:13:18.965 We need at least [br]another six weeks. 0:13:20.105,0:13:23.417 At this point the meeting[br]is wrapping up 0:13:23.417,0:13:27.374 and hopefully you have been [br]able to make good suggestions 0:13:27.374,0:13:33.155 and offers and take part[br]in discussions effectively. 0:13:34.153,0:13:38.293 Will you be attending [br]a meeting in English soon? 0:13:38.654,0:13:42.817 Hopefully some of these phrases [br]will be useful for you! 0:13:42.869,0:13:45.014 That's all for this lesson. 0:13:45.055,0:13:48.956 Hope you enjoyed [br]and thank you for watching! 0:13:49.037,0:13:56.088 Please visit Oxford Online English.com[br]for more free lessons like this. 0:13:56.368,0:13:58.438 See you next time!