Steve Oliver English UK South West Conference Saturday October 24 th 2015

= Helping our students to be more effective when taking part in meetings run in English

 Varying aims / purposes  Varying business partners  Language level  Cross-over with other communication skills  Specialised, technical language  Specific language weaknesses  Personality issues  Technical interference (teleconferences)

 Language Quality (LQ) – grammar, vocab, pron, spoken/written accuracy  Language Skills (LS) – listening, reading, speaking (fluency), writing  Professional Effectiveness (PE) – socialising, travel, informal discussion, taking part in meetings, running meetings, telephoning, presenting, negotiating, interviewing

 Discuss the meetings the students take part in.  Discuss how a meeting should be organised and run.  Discuss differences in meeting styles and/or behaviour of participants across cultures.  Teach “the language of meetings”.  Help them to communicate more effectively in meetings.  Audio / video meeting extracts.  Role Plays / Simulations

1. Listen actively 2. Take turns 3. Engage other participants 4. Speak succinctly 5. Speak clearly 6. Speak persuasively 7. Speak appropriately 8. Be prepared for people who don’t do any of the above!

 In at the deep end – role play or simulation to assess the need and identify the issues  Presentation & discussion of the 8 strategies - what does each strategy involve?  Reflection – what are your strengths and weaknesses? What about the people you work with?

 Focussing on selected individual strategy / strategies ………….

Active Listening Avoid interrupting speaker Don’t overtalkBe empathetic Make eye contact Encourage with facial expressions, nods and verbals Ask questions Avoid distracting actions or gestures Paraphrase

 Listen to and discuss examples of ineffective communication strategies.  Listen to and discuss examples of strategies used well.  Language – useful language for each strategy.  Activities to practise each strategy separately.

 Role plays and simulations of meetings  Feedback – effectiveness as well as language  Continuous assessment and improvement

 In at the deep end – role play or simulation to assess the need and highlight the issues  Presentation of the 8 strategies  Discussion – what does each strategy involve?  Reflect ion – what are your strengths and weaknesses? What about the people you work with?  Listen to and discuss examples of ineffective communication strategies.  Listen to and discuss examples of strategies used well.  Language – useful language for each strategy.  Activities to practise each strategy separately.  Role plays and simulations of meetings  Feedback – effectiveness as well as language  Continuous assessment and improvement

Steve Oliver English UK South West Conference Saturday October 24 th 2015

The following slides include activity worksheets I used, or planned to use, in the session. Double click on the pdf to access.

 Add your own ideas where there are question marks!!

 These simulations are very easy to prepare and are based on the jobs and companies of the students involved.

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me at international.co.uk