Up to Speed

Negotiation Part 2: I can(‘t) get no satisfaction!

The worksheet is based on a negotiation role-play where the participant(s) set the scenario based on a current or realistic work situation. This worksheet is Part 2 of two web worksheets which may be used independently of one another, used consecutively in an intensive course/workshop or spread over two 90-minute sessions. The newly acquired language in Part 1 (where participants watch, analyze and discuss a scene in a negotiation from the Canadian version of the BBC TV series ‘The Dragons’ Den’) can be recycled in the role-play in this worksheet.

Working 9-5? Really?

This worksheet explores the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Students engage in discussion while practising the second conditional.

Confluence – or a new way of looking at fluency

In this short paper, Up to Speed co-author Carole Eilertson examines how we can encourage learners to be more people-oriented in their business conversations.

Negotiation Part 1: Anyone for tea? – a video case study

The worksheet is based on a negotiation scene in the Canadian version of the BBC TV series ‘The Dragons’ Den’. Students watch, analyze and discuss the scene and the language used in the negotiation. The newly acquired language can be recycled in the role-play in part 2 of this worksheet ‘I can(‘t) get (no) satisfaction – a role-play’. Both web worksheets may be used independently of one another, used consecutively in an intensive course/workshop or spread over two 90-minute sessions. A webquest is included as an optional follow-up activity.

A SWOT analysis

Students organize rough notes from a brainstorming session held in a contract manufacturing firm into a easily-read SWOT table. They also speculate on the attitudes of the meeting participants and the prospects of the project.

Presentations

This worksheet is based on the analysis of language and communication skills used in a presentation. The source of the presentation is the Hollywood movie ‘What Women Want’ (2000). The film sequence in question is 3 minutes 50 seconds long.

#3 ‘Practising the future perfect’

#2 `Ideas flowing on paper´

#1 `In the POD´

#2 `Ideas flowing on paper´

Using creative writing techniques to get your student focussed and ready to speak or write on a complex topic

Project work

Almost all professionals these days are involved in project work in some way. In this worksheet students match up and discuss the various stages or processes within a project, look at a Gantt chart and review some grammatical tenses useful for talking about projects.

#1 In the POD

Using podcasts to improve your learners’ listening and comprehension skills.

Future of Business?

Students read an article about how more and more business is being conducted between EU and Chinese companies, and some problems associated with this trend. This is followed by comprehension questions, other text work and a discussion.

The long and winding road

The worksheet is based on a short film clip (TED talk). Students look at notions of professional success, give an impromptu talk, watch and analyse a short presentation and do a webquest as an optional follow-up activity.

Topical pivot

In this short paper, ‘Up to Speed’ co-author Carole Eilertson examines the nature of topical pivot constructions and how they can help the aspiring C1 learner to take charge of discussions and deal with complex information.