VOA Radio Logo   
Get QuickTime

Functioning In Business
Radio English Course

Week Nineteen

The Functioning in Business radio course will help you learn American business English through listening to business meetings and discussions and to interviews with American business people.

With your radio host, Elizabeth Moore, you will follow the story of an important business trip. You will listen to conversations which introduce vocabulary and expressions used to conduct business in English. You will also listen to Business Dialogs which present many kinds of business situations.

Our business and culture expert, Gary Engleton, will offer Culture Tips about American business culture. Gary will also focus on important language functions used in business and social situations.

Back to Week Eighteen

Conversation: A New Customer (continued)

This week on Functioning in Business, Mr. Dave Gomez of Federal Motors meets with Mr. Charles Blake of International Robotics.

Mr. Blake had an appointment to meet with Mr. Stewart Chapman, Executive Vice President of Federal Motors, but Mr. Chapman was not in the office. Mr. Gomez apologizes for Mr. Chapman's absence.

Mr. Gomez: Did you have a good trip to New York?
Mr. Blake: Yes, and I'm looking forward to staying here for a few days and doing some business.
Mr. Gomez: Great.
Uh, Mr. Chapman asked me to apologize to you.
He was called out of town on a personal matter very suddenly.
And he does assure me he is looking forward to meeting with you as soon as he gets back.
Mr. Blake: Uh-huh.
Mr. Gomez: In the meantime, I'm quite familiar with International Robotics and your products...
...and so I'd like to work with you, if that would be all right.
Mr. Blake: Okay, sure.
And I understand about Mr. Chapman's absence.
It's no problem.

Culture Tip: Beginning a Business Relationship

"How can we begin a good business relationship with American visitors?"

First, you need to make your visitors feel comfortable. Don't talk about serious business at first. Welcome them and introduce everyone in the group. You should then offer them some light refreshments like coffee or a soft drink.

Everyone should sit down together to get to know each other. At the beginning, "small talk" is very important. You might ask them how their trip was. Or you could say, "Is this the first time you've been in our city?"

This is sometimes called "breaking the ice." When you first meet someone, the relationship can feel cold or "icy." You try to create a warm relationship by making your visitors feel comfortable.

If you have questions about American business and culture, write to gary@dyned.com.

Business Dialog: Apologizing

Nathan Garcia of Smith Medical Supplies, comes to work late. He meets his boss, Helen McClure, as he comes in.

Nathan: Helen, I'm really sorry that I'm so late.
My train broke down in Oakland.
Helen: That's OK. It's not a problem.
Nathan: We were stuck in a tunnel for forty-five minutes!
Helen: Oh, that's terrible!
Nathan: Umm... I apologize for not calling.
But my cell phone didn't work in the tunnel.
Helen: Nathan, it's perfectly all right.
You're hardly ever late.
Harry is with Ms. Daniels explaining your proposal.
You can take over as soon as you are ready.
Nathan: It'll just take me a couple of minutes.
Helen: Well, don't hurry.
Everything is under control.

Language Function: Apologizing and Accepting an Apology

Functioning in Business will teach you about how to use English in business and social situations.

This week's lessons focus on Apologizing. Here are some examples:

Question of the Week

Listen to Functioning in Business on the Voice of America radio network, then answer this week's question.

Where is the office of Federal Motors located?

Send your answer to max@dyned.com.

Last week's Question of the Week: What does Federal Motors manufacture?

Answer: Federal Motors makes passenger cars and trucks.

Join the FIB Listener Club!

Each week you will receive e-mail Study Tips, news, and activities. Join today!

VOA Listerner Club: *
Name:
E-mail: *
* - Required

About this Course

The Functioning in Business radio course is based on DynEd's Functioning in Business courseware and the Functioning in Business textbook, by P. Lance Knowles and Francis Bailey, published by Longman.

For more information about DynEd courseware, contact sales@dyned.com.

If you have any questions or comments,write to elizabeth@dyned.com.

Week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26

DynEd-VOA Radio English Courses

Copyright © 2005 DynEd International, Inc.