Consulting

In this lesson you will practise politely declining, giving a reason, and offering to reschedule.

This lesson will focus on casual language that's appropriate for internal communication or making plans with colleagues. 

This lesson will show you how to use formal language smoothly to set plans with high-level clients or colleagues. 

This is a review of the previous four lessons on introductions and first impressions.

Small talk can be an important aspect of building rapport with a client or colleague. However, the objective of this lesson is not to imply that you must always have small talk in business. Rather, this lesson will help you be more comfortable with small talk to give you the choice of having small talk in situations where it is appropriate and beneficial. 

If you have already met someone, then it is customary to open the conversation with a friendly question. Starting with the correct question and answer will help you smoothly begin your meeting and build relationships. 

Knowing who wants to have a conversation versus who wants to get down to business is also an important part of communication. That topic will be investigated in the next lesson, 1.4. 

In some international teams, team members take time at the beginning of a project to describe themselves. You may also get a chance to describe your colleagues using similar language. 

First impressions are vital—you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This lesson will introduce you to the course, and show you how to introduce yourself using professional language and strong delivery. 

We're going to practice for your interview. You'll need to make sure you are prepared for this lesson. Your teacher will give you advice for preparation at the end of the last lesson.

This lesson will look at interrupting very politely, moving the interview topic forward or backward, and finishing smoothly.

We will practice confirming key information using specific, professional language.

This lesson will look at confirming information. We use this language to check facts, confirm the overall meaning, or just to respond to surprising information.

This lesson will look at active listening—this can help you show understanding or show interest. It can also shift the focus of the interview back to you, so you can ask a question.

We will practice giving instructions or direction using clear, appropriate and polite English.

Asking the right question is key to getting the right answer. We will practice direct and indirect questions, and we’ll use a variety of ways of asking questions.