Unit 12: Running A Teleconference

Saying it accurately

Match the two halves of these questions used to ask for clarification and repetition.

1.Sorry, but I don't...
2.Sorry, but I didn't quite catch that. Could you…
3.Sorry, I’m afraid…
4.Excuse me, but I’m not sure

A....I missed that. Could you say it again, please?
B....quite follow you. Could you repeat what you just said?
C....what you meant by that. Would you mind repeating it?
D....run that by me one more time?


Saying it clearly

Listen to the sentences below and repeat them.

Note how the speaker's intonation goes down when introducing a teleconference, interrupting politely and dealing with interruptions, but up when asking for clarification and repetition.

Before we start, let's just check some ground rules for telephone conferences. Fabrice, I don't think Chris has finished yet.
Sorry, can I come in here?
Excuse me, but I'm not sure what you meant by that. Would you mind repeating it?

Saying it appropriately

Listen to these four requests, deciding whether the speaker sounds polite or impolite.

1.Please always say your name first. (impolite/polite)
2.Begin by saying your name, please.(impolite/polite)
3.Please don't cut in on people. (impolite/polite)
4.Please don't interrupt other speakers(impolite/polite)


Get speaking

You are the facilitator at a meeting in Berlin with the following participants:
Kazumi from Japan Emin from Turkey
Pierre from France Jake from the USA

Introduce yourself, welcome the participants, and lay out the ground rules for the teleconference.

The meeting is underway. When you hear the beep, pause and respond. Use the prompts below to interrupt appropriately.

1.Interrupt politely and deal with Emin interrupting Pierre.
2.Interrupt politely and ask Jake to clarify what he means and not to use idioms.
3.Interrupt politely and ask Pierre to repeat what he said.
4.Interrupt politely and ask Emin if he agrees with the suggestion.
5.Interrupt politely and remind speakers not to talk at the same time.