関心を示し、積極的に相手の話しを聞くことが重要です。このレッスンでは、仕事を円滑に進めるための適切な質問の仕方を学びます。
Iceland implemented a four-day workweek for its workforce a few years ago. It has been largely successful. You are the Minister of Labour of your country and you want to know if the strategy will work in your country. You have the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Labour of Iceland for an hour. What questions would you ask him?
Read the following case with your teacher.
THE SITUATION
Evergreen National Zoo is one of the oldest national zoos in Canada, hosting over 2,000 animals on a 150-acre park. The zoo is a well-established and beloved institution, attracting visitors both locally and internationally. However, like many zoos, it is looking for ways to increase revenues and profits to ensure long-term sustainability, improve the visitor experience, and fund conservation efforts. The zoo’s leadership is considering purchasing two giant pandas from China to place in a new exhibit. Giant pandas are highly popular and considered a “star attraction” for zoos worldwide. Evergreen attracts a mix of local families, school groups, tourists, and animal enthusiasts.
The zoo’s current revenue streams include admission fees, memberships, donations, educational programs, concessions, and gift shops. It is profitable, but margins are thin. There is some pressure to increase revenues to fund conservation initiatives and improve its overall infrastructure. The zoo is opening a new exhibit space that could potentially house the giant panda, but the space could also house other animals or be left vacant if the panda acquisition is not pursued.
THE PROBLEM
There is a lot of competition from other zoos and wildlife parks in the region. The zoo needs to create high profile attractions in order to stay competitive. There are also significant costs associated with acquiring and maintaining the pandas, including high fees paid to the Chinese government, the construction of appropriate habitat facilities, ongoing operational costs, and associated research efforts. Evergreen National Zoo is asking for your help in determining whether acquiring a pair of pandas is a strategically sound decision. What aspects do you need to consider in order to make your recommendation?
Asking questions is an important skill to have. There are four types of questions in the English language.
- Using verb phrases with verbs am, is, are, was, or were as a complement.
- Examples: Are there other zoos that could support Evergreen in purchasing a panda? Is a joint venture with another zoo a possibility?
- Using one or more auxiliary verbs like can, have, or has.
- Example: Can the zoo receive other exotic animals?
- Using a "dummy" auxiliary like do, does, or did to make a question.
- Examples: Does the zoo have the personnel and resources to take care of a giant panda?
- Using question words as the subject of the question to get more information.
- Examples: What is the population of the city? How many people visit the zoo per day?
Take the case that you just read with your teacher. Come up with 5W1H (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How) questions.
If you have time, answer the case question.