II. Find the proper answers to the following sentences.

Медведевой А.В. и Недельченко О.И.

Данное учебно-методическое пособие предназначено для занятий со студентами 2 курса ИНЭК в 3 – 4 семестре. Оно может быть использовано как для аудиторной работы, так и для самостоятельной работы студентов.

Цель учебно-методического пособия – обучение чтению, пониманию, обсуждению текстов по экономическим специальностям. Материалом для создания пособия послужили аутентичные тексты, взятые с Интернет сайтов, а также учебники таких изданий как Cambridge, Oxford и Longman.

Пособие состоит из десяти разделов, посвященных различным тематикам, необходимых при обучении иностранному языку студентов экономических специальностей. Помимо традиционных упражнений к текстам в каждом разделе даются творческие задания. Пособие включает также задания для развития навыков общения на иностранном языке по различным аспектам деловой и межкультурной коммуникации.

Пособие рекомендуется к внутривузовскому изданию.

            Рецензент                                    Курочкина Т.А.                         

                                                                      Старший преподаватель

                                                                           кафедры иностранных языков

                                                                           УГНТУ

                                                                      Варламова В.Н.

UNIT 1. MAKING CONTACTS

READING

I. Before reading the text learn the following the words.

TELEPHONING ACROSS CULTURES

Many people are not very confident about using the telephone in English. However, good preparation can make telephoning much easier and more effective. Then, once the call begins, speak slowly and clearly and use simple language.

Check that you understand what has been said. Repeat the most important information, look for confirmation. Ask for repetition if you think it is necessary.

Remember too that different cultures have different ways of using language. Some speak in a very literal way so it is always quite clear what they mean. Others are more indirect, using hints, suggestions and understatement (for example 'not very good results' = 'absolutely disastrous') to put over their message. North America, Scandinavia, Germany and France are 'explicit' countries, while the British have a reputation for not making clear exactly what they mean. One reason for this seems to be that the British use language in a more abstract way than most Americans and continental Europeans. In Britain there are also conventions of politeness and a tendency to avoid showing one's true feelings. For example if a Dutchman says an idea is 'interesting^’ he means that it is interesting. If an Englishman says that an idea is 'interesting' you have to deduce from the way he says it whether he means it is a good idea or a bad idea.

Meanwhile, for similar reasons Japanese, Russians and Arabs - 'subtle' countries -sometimes seem vague and devious to the British. If they say an idea is interesting it may be out of politeness.

The opposite of this is that plain speakers can seem rude and dominating to subtle speakers, as Americans can sound to the British - or the British to the Japanese. The British have a tendency to engage in small talk at the beginning and end of a telephone conversation. Questions about the weather, health, business in general and what one has been doing recently are all part of telephoning, laying a foundation for the true purpose of the call. At the end of the call there may well be various pleasantries: Nice talking to you, Say hello to the family (if you have met them) and Looking forward to seeing you again soon. A sharp, brief style of talking on the phone may appear unfriendly to a British partner. Not all nationalities are as keen on small talk as the British!

Being aware of these differences can help in understanding people with different cultural traditions. The difficulty on the telephone is that you cannot see the body language to help you.

II. Answer the following questions.

1) What important things should you know before telephoning?

2) Give advice on how to use your voice and to check your understanding.

3) What does the term ‘explicit cultures’ mean? What about ‘subtle cultures’?

4) What is a small talk?

5) Which countries are considered to be ‘explicit cultures’ and ‘subtle cultures’?

6) Is it always important to be face - to - face? Can there be any difficulties on the telephone because of this?

III.Sort out the most important information from the text and retell it.

DISCUSSION

1. How often do you meet your friends? In what way do you usually greet them?

2. Have you ever made a business call? What words did you use to begin the talk?

3. Have you ever dialed from abroad? Do you know the rules of making telephone calls?

I. Meeting people

I. Here are the words and phrases which are commonly used when we meet

 people. Read and memorize them.

Greetings

1. You say "How do you do" to a person when formally introduced or when you meet him for the first time. This formula may be used almost anytime of day. You say this without expecting any answer but "How do you do," and do not offer to shake hands. “Pleased to meet you” or “Glad to meet you” is also a possible variant when you meet a person for the first time. 

2. You say "Good morning" to people you know little or when your greeting is more formal. This formula is used before lunch. To those you know well you may say simply "Morning".

3. You say "Good afternoon" to people you do not know well between lunch time and tea-time.

4. You say "Good evening" to people you do not know very well after 6 p.m. To those you know well you may just say "Evening".

5. The proper universal informal greeting is "Hello". This formula is usually used with the first name. You can say “Hi!” to your close friends.

After an informal or a friendly greeting often comes the question: "How are you?" The answer is: “I’m all right, thank you” or “I’m fine, thanks”.

Farewells

The usual phrase to use when you leave is "Good bye," but there are a number of other less formal ways of parting, such as:

Bye-bye!

Cheerio! (Br.)

See you later!

See you tomorrow!

(I'll) be seeing you (soon).

So long.

Farewell. (When parting for long.)

Say "Good night" only when you leave and it is after eight o'clock at night.

Thanks and possible answers

First words

Often the first words are the most difficult. Bellow are some suggestions for “breaking the ice” (either could be said by a visitor or by the person receiving the visitor)

Ending the small talk

If this small talk continues too long, you may want to change the subject to business matters. Here are some ways of doing it.

With someone you know well:

Let’s get down to business.

Let’s get started.

With someone you don’t know well:

Perhaps we could talk about the subject of our meeting.

Shall we talk about the reason I’m here.

II. Find the proper answers to the following sentences.

How do you do?

Glad to meet you.

Good afternoon!

Good morning!

Goodbye!

Hi!

How are you getting on?

Would you like a cup of coffee?

Thank you very much.