Do you get nervous when you need to speak English over Zoom?
Don't worry, because in this episode, you'll discover how to engage in a business meeting over Zoom.
In the second part of this episode, you'll learn grammar in context with a point of view story.
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Before we start, get the transcript on my website, speakenglishpodcast.com.
Okay, let's start.
I'm not sure if you're good with technology but, as you know, over the past few years many companies have adopted Zoom for work purposes.
Therefore, you're probably already familiar with this app.
And you may have noticed that whenever we connect to Zoom, technical problems tend to arise.
Sometimes it's you and other times a team member.
However, today let's focus on some useful phrases that can make your work-related Zoom conversations more effective.
To help you feel more confident and prepared, I have put together an example conversation on Zoom.
There are four participants in the conversation.
John, Mary, Sarah, and Mark.
Good morning, everyone.
Can you hear and see me okay?
Yes, John.
We can hear and see you clearly.
Great.
Then let's get started.
So the first point on our agenda is the new marketing campaign.
Sarah, would you like to start?
Sure, John.
I want to add something before we begin, though.
We should also discuss our target audience and their preferences.
That's a good point, Sarah.
Let's add that to our discussion.
Sorry, Sarah.
I didn't catch that.
Could you repeat what you just said?
Of course, Mary.
I mentioned that we should also discuss our target audience and their preferences.
Thanks, Sarah.
All right.
Let's move on to the next point.
Mark, please update us on the sales figures.
Sure, John.
Our sales figures have been improving steadily, but we need to focus on our marketing strategies to reach our targets.
That's clear, Mark.
Thanks for the update.
Let's discuss the next point on our agenda.
Mary, please summarize the progress on the new project.
Sure, John.
To sum up, we have completed the initial design phase and are now moving on to the development stage.
Great work, Mary.
Does anyone have any questions or comments before we wrap up?
Okay.
I'll see you the next week then.
Bye-bye.
Thank you, John.
See you next week.
See you soon.
Bye-bye.
Great!
I hope you found this example helpful.
If you are reading the transcript, you will notice that I have highlighted some expressions I believe can be useful.
Also, if you want to communicate effectively in Zoom meetings, it is essential to speak clearly and slowly.
Listen actively and ask for clarification if necessary.
Okay, now let's continue with the point of view story.
I will tell you the same story twice.
The second time, I will change the verb tense.
So make sure to focus on the changes.
You can find these techniques fully implemented in my premium courses.
Check out speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses.
Okay, let's start.
Hans had a dream of building an app to help people, so he started his own software development company in Germany.
He worked hard to build his company's reputation by attending conferences and networking events.
Although he had some clients, he knew he needed something big to take his company to the next level.
One day, a corporation from America contacted him, wanting to partner with his company.
This was the opportunity Hans had been waiting for.
He arranged a Zoom call with the sales team but needed help understanding their thick southern accents.
The team also needed help understanding Hans when he explained the advantages of his app.
To solve the problem, Hans used the language translation software he had been working on for months.
He typed his messages in German and the software translated everything into a thick American southern accent.
The Americans loved the software and agreed to partner with Hans.
This experience inspired Hans to improve his language translation software so that it could help people who had trouble understanding different accents.
He wanted to become a software developer for companies that needed this service.
Great!
Let's listen to the same story in the present tense in the first person.
Hi, I'm Hans, and some years ago, I had a dream of building an app that could help people.
That's why I started my own software development company in Germany.
I worked hard to build my company's reputation by attending conferences and networking events.
Although I had some clients, I knew I needed something big to take my company to the next level.
One day, a corporation from America contacted me wanting to partner with my company.
This was the opportunity I had been waiting for.
I arranged a Zoom call with their sales team but had difficulty understanding their thick southern accent.
The team also struggled to understand me when I explained the advantages of my app.
To solve the problem, I used a language translation software I had been working on for months.
I typed my messages in German and the software translated everything into a thick American Southern accent.
The Americans loved the software and agreed to partner with me.
This experience inspired me to improve my language translation software so that it could help people who have trouble understanding different accents.
I want to become a software developer for companies that need this service.
Okay, that's the end of this short exercise.
Notice that the changes between grammar points are subtle but important.
With this method, you don't need to memorize any boring rules.
It's better to see the changes in the proper context.
And with a story, it is much easier to remember all this.
Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses. to get my premium courses.
They are designed for learning by listening.
It's the perfect time to start a new course.
Okay.
We have reached the end of this episode.
See you soon.
Bye-bye.