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https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bizpod/BEP045c-Maintaining-Conversation.mp3 Welcome back to Business English Pod for today’s lesson on how to keep a conversation going while socializing at work. Some people are natural talkers. They seem to be able to start conversations, and maintain conversations, so easily. You might think this is an ability people are born with. Either you have it or you don’t. Either you have a social personality, or you don’t. But conversation is actually a skill. And if conversation is a skill, then you can develop it through practice. In our last lesson, we practiced starting a conversation with someone. Once you’ve got the conversation started, it sure is uncomfortable if you don’t know how to keep it going. So we need a different set of skills and language to maintain the flow of conversation. One thing you might do in this situation is direct the conversation or change the topic. And to keep the other person engaged, you’ll want to show interest and comment on what they’re saying. That makes them feel good and want to keep the conversation going. Showing interest often means asking follow-up questions and showing empathy or personal care or attention. In this lesson, we’re going to go back to the first dialog we heard in the previous lesson, which featured Penny and George. Penny and George work for an international company called Multi-Fresh, which is hosting a conference for its employees. We’ll hear how Penny develops her conversation with George. Listening Questions 1. What is the word or topic that Penny uses to change the topic of conversation? 2. What experience of George’s does Penny show interest in? 3. How does Penny react when George tells her about how difficult his experience was? Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | PhraseCast | Lesson Module Download: Podcast MP3>>> The post BEP 45c – Socializing: Keeping a Conversation Going first appeared on Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bizpod/BEP044c-Starting-Conversation.mp3 Welcome back to Business English Pod for today’s lesson on how to start a conversation while socializing at work. For many people, starting a conversation with someone can be a huge challenge. And it doesn’t get any easier when you’re doing this in another language! But it is one of the most important skills for building professional connections. A simple chat at a conference or event can lead to new opportunities, ideas, or contacts helpful for your career. Learning to network confidently will help you feel more comfortable and prepared in professional and social situations. So what are some of the things you should think about? Well, you might start by introducing yourself, especially to someone you recognize but haven’t met in person before. You might also use questions to break the ice and start a conversation on a simple and safe topic. Informal conversations can be tricky. For one thing, you need to know how to handle a situation where you forget someone’s name. You also need to be able to find ways to keep a conversation going and, when the situation calls for it, end it politely. In this lesson, we’ll hear two dialogs that take place at an HR conference for an international company called Multi-Fresh. In the first dialog, we’ll hear Penny strike up a conversation with George. In the second dialog, Pat tries to strike up a conversation with George. Listening Questions 1. What information does Penny give when she introduces herself to George? 2. What topic does Penny mention to get the conversation started? 3. What excuse does George give for finishing his conversation with Pat? Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | PhraseCast | Lesson Module Download: Podcast MP3>>> The post BEP 44c – Socializing: Starting a Conversation in English first appeared on Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bizpod/BEP043c-Meetings-Managing.mp3 Welcome back to Business English Pod for today’s lesson on how to manage the discussion during a meeting in English. Bad meetings can waste time and leave everyone confused. But a well-run meeting can help create new ideas, solve problems, and move a project forward. Running a great meeting is about more than just following an agenda. It means guiding the conversation effectively. If you’re running formal meetings as a manager or team leader, this skill is essential. But even if just you’re a team member who wants to make sure your team has good discussions, it’s good to understand what’s behind running a meeting. And you never know when it might be your job to facilitate. Good meeting management often means keeping the discussion focused and inviting different viewpoints or opinions. It also means widening the discussion, moving to a new agenda item, and checking for agreement. In this lesson, we’ll rejoin a meeting about budget cuts at an international shipping company. Martin, the General Manager, is facilitating the meeting. We’ll also hear Sandra, Sam, and David, three employees in the meeting. Listening Questions 1. How does Martin respond to Sam’s comment about pizza? 2. What does Martin say once they have finished talking about the outsourcing issue? 3. At the end of the conversation, what question does Martin ask everyone if they agree on? Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | PhraseCast | Lesson Module Download: Podcast MP3>>> The post BEP 43c – Meeting English: Managing the Discussion first appeared on Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online.