1. 1 - Expressing Opinions
    1. FORMAL/CAREFUL
      1. Vocabulary
        1. Let’s move on to the topic of...
          1. Way of changing to another topic in a formal (or careful) manner. “Ok, let’s move on to the topic of management.”
        2. Release date
          1. Date on which a product appears on the market. “I’m afraid we have to move the release date to April since we’re still fixing some bugs.”
        3. Launch
          1. To release a product onto the market. “Last April we launched the new version of our software onto the market.”
        4. I tend to feel that...
          1. Way to express your opinion in a formal (or careful) manner. “I tend to feel that we haven’t tested the product enough for it to be released next week.”
        5. What’s your reaction to that?
          1. Way to encourage others to express their opinion to something in a formal (or careful) manner. “I feel that we should focus more on quality control. What’s your reaction to that Tony?”
        6. Well, from my point of view...
          1. Way to express your opinion in a formal (or careful) manner. “Well, from my point of view, the improvement of our customer care services needs to be top priority.”
        7. May I come in here?
          1. Way to interrupt someone in a formal (or careful) manner. “Excuse me, Sue, may I come in here?”
        8. It seems to me that...
          1. It seems to me that...: Way to express your opinion in a formal (or careful) manner.”It seems to me that staff morale has decreased over the last months.”
        9. Bugs
          1. Bugs: Problems with computer software. “There are a few bugs with the system, so we are going to have to do a slight redesign.”
        10. Update engine
          1. Update engine: A framework that can help developers to keep their software up-to-date. “We need to revise the update engine to make sure all the bugs are removed.”
      2. DIALOGUE
        1. Sheila: So, let’s move on to the topic of release date. Gentlemen, when do you think we will be able to launch this product? Walt?
        2. Walt: Well, I tend to feel that... we should probably be able to start testing the product in April. That means that if all goes well, we can have a first release in May or June.
        3. Sheila: I see. Thank you, Walt. What’s your reaction to that Bruce?
          1. How do you feel about that, Cecilia?
          2. Could you please share your thoughts on that, Sam?
          3. What’s your view on this, Richard?
          4. Tony, what’s your feeling on this?
        4. Bruce: May or June...Well, from my point of view...that sounds about right.
        5. George: Excuse me, may I come in here? I wonder if I could say something.
        6. Sheila: Go ahead, George. What would you like to add?
        7. George: Well, it seems to me that May is much, much too early. Actually, we are still having some pretty major problems with bugs in the update engine, and I just don’t see how we will be able to...
          1. I have the impression that...he didn’t really want to come.
          2. Don’t you think that that’s a little early?
          3. I tend to feel it’s a bit too early to start.
    2. INFORMAL/DIRECT
      1. Vocabulary
        1. What did you think?
          1. Way of asking someone about their opinion in an informal manner. “I really liked that our trip to Paris. What did you think, Joe?”
        2. Rub it in
          1. To remind someone on purpose of something that is uncomfortable or painful. “Every time I make a mistake, she just loves to rub it in.”
        3. Overtime
          1. Extra hours spent working. “Anything over 40 hours per week is considered working overtime here.”
        4. To burn the midnight oil
          1. To work late into the night. “I had to burn the midnight oil to get the product done.”
      2. DIALOGUE
        1. Bruce: Hey guys, did you see the Chelsea/Liverpool game last night? What did you think, Walt? Quite a game, huh? Chelsea looked pretty good!
        2. Walt: You always have to rub it in, don’t you Bruce. You know I’m a Liverpool fan.
        3. Bruce: How about you, George?
        4. George: Actually, that was one of the greatest games I’ve ever seen. But the way you guys keep telling the boss we can finish the product by May, none of us are going to have time to watch any more football games. We’re all going to be working overtime every night, burning the midnight oil!
          1. The point is...we’re doing very well in this market.
          2. Obviously, there’s only one choice.
          3. The way I see it, we’re heading for trouble.
          4. Basically, I think we have two options.
  2. 2 - Agreeing & DISAGREEING
    1. VOCABULARY
      1. (To be a) big seller
        1. A product that sells very well. "In a year's time, the majority of our revenue could come from sales of this new product, so it's fair to say that it's a big seller."
      2. (To carry out/conduct a) trial
        1. In the medicine industry, this refers to trying out a new medicine or drug on animals and, later, human beings. "This chemical looks promising, but we need to conduct human trials to be sure."
      3. Amazing
        1. In slang/informal use, this just means very, very good. "My trip to Brazil last week was amazing! I really could've stayed there some more days."
      4. Fantastic
        1. Fantastic: In slang/informal use, this means very, very good (like "amazing" above). "We had a fantastic time last night at our Christmas party - you should have come!"
      5. To count one's chickens before they've (they're) hatched
        1. This saying criticizes the attitude of counting on something before it has been confirmed. "I know that we have a lot of possible new contracts, but we shouldn't count our chickens before they've hatched. We need to be more conservative in our earnings estimates for the new year."
      6. (To have/to be) an/some issue(s)
        1. In many industries, this is jargon (industry language) for having a problem. "Issue" sounds less serious and more positive than "problem." "We're having some issues with the new software, but nothing that can't be solved before the product launch in two months."
      7. To be coming down the pipeline
        1. Refers to something in the future (usually a product or a new project) that is still in the planning stages. "As for next year, we have several projects coming down the pipeline that might interest you.
      8. To come first
        1. To be the priority. "Our sales team should come first next year when we upgrade computers - they really need new laptops."
      9. One-by-one
        1. One at a time. "Let's deal one by-one with the problems you raised.
    2. DIALOGUE
      1. Gene: So, what do you think about the new Zorax trial? This could be the drug we’ve all been waiting for. I think it’s going to be a big seller. Louis: So do I.
        1. Agreeing
          1. A: I hate working in the evening. B: So do I.
          2. A: I hate working in the evening. B: I do too.
          3. A: I don’t like tomatoes. B: I don’t either.
          4. A: I don’t have time this weekend. B: Neither do I.
          5. A: We don’t want to lose this deal. B: Nor do we.
        2. Other ways to agree
          1. I entirely agree with you.
          2. You’re quite right.
          3. I couldn’t agree more.
          4. That’s exactly how I see it.
          5. That’s just how I feel.
          6. That’s exactly how I feel about it.
          7. Exactly!
          8. Absolutely!
      2. Carina: I’m sorry, but I really can’t agree. After all, so far we’ve only carried out two trials. And don’t forget the strange results from the first trial.
        1. Disagreeing
          1. formal, careful
          2. Well, I am not so sure about that, to be honest.
          3. Well, I don’t know.
          4. Well, it depends.
          5. I don’t really agree, I’m afraid.
          6. I’m afraid I don’t totally agree with that.
          7. informal, direct
          8. I disagree.
          9. I couldn’t disagree more.
          10. I totally disagree.
          11. You must be joking!
          12. Come off it!
          13. Get real!
      3. Louis: Yes, I admit, the first trial was a little disappointing; but that doesn’t take anything away from these new results. Absolutely amazing!
        1. Disagreeing
          1. Yes, but...
          2. A: I just didn’t think it was a very good presentation—not fluent, you know what I mean?
          3. B: Yes, but at least he was well prepared.
          4. A: Our price is too high. We have to improve sales.
          5. B: Yes—sales are important; but we can’t lower our price
          6. Though/ Although
          7. A: I just didn’t think it was a very good presentation—not fluent, you know what I mean?
          8. B: Although I thought he was pretty well prepared, he wasn’t very fluent, you’re right about that.
          9. A: Our price is too high. We have to improve sales.
          10. B: Although I really don’t think we can lower our price, I totally agree that we have to do something to improve sales.
      4. Gene: Yes, fantastic, aren’t they?
        1. Agreeing
          1. Saying very good
          2. Terrific!
          3. Wonderful! 
          4. Marvelous!
          5. Splendid!
          6. Saying very bad
          7. Awful.
          8. Terrible.
          9. Pathetic. 
          10. Miserable.
          11. Example
          12. A: That was just a miserable day. B: Yes, awful, wasn’t it? A: Totally pathetic
      5. Louis: Especially for men over 60.
        1. Agreeing
          1. an example of the amazing results. This is agreeing by using an example.
          2. A: This food is great.
          3. B: Especially the chicken!
          4. A: Michael Ballack looked great last night.
          5. B: Especially the way he passed the ball. That was amazing!
      6. Carina: Don’t you think it’s still a little early to be so sure? Perhaps we shouldn’t count our chickens before they’re hatched. I still think there may still be some issues with Zorax.
        1. Disagreeing
          1. don't you think?
          2. A: Wow, that was a great movie.
          3. B: But don’t you think it was just a little too long?
      7. Gene: Do you really think so? Anyway, we don’t have anything else coming down the pipeline right now. We have to try to make this work.
        1. Disagreeing
          1. do you really think...?
          2. A: It’s almost time to go home. B: Really? But we just got here
        2. Idiom
          1. A: How does next year look for us?
          2. B: Don’t worry. There’s a lot of business coming down the pipeline.
      8. Carina: Yes, of course, but our patients come first. Gene: The patients always come first. We won’t forget that. Now, Carina, let’s talk about these issues one by one...
  3. 3 - MAKING SUGGESTIONS
    1. VOCABULARY
      1. Spokesperson
        1. Someone hired to represent a company. A famous spokesperson – usually an athlete or movie star – is someone who advertises a product. “Nike usually gets famous spokespersons to sponsor their products.”
      2. To go around the table
        1. To hear everybody’s opinion one at a time. “Let’s go around the table to see if we all agree.”
      3. Overweight
        1. Adjective. A polite way to say someone is not slim. “Overweight can have a range of meanings from slightly fat to very fat.”
      4. Fit
        1. Adjective. 1) To be slim and healthy. “I really want to get fit in the new year, so I went on a diet and I’m exercising every day.” 2) To be suitable for something. “He’s not fit to manage the company.”
      5. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it
        1. Idiom. Also, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” (American slang). It criticizes the approach of always trying to improve things that are okay. “Look, let’s stop looking for things to change and just release the product on time – If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”
      6. Target market
        1. The market one is trying to sell something to. “The target market for this new kind of sports car is urban professionals with an income over 80,000 euros per year.”
      7. Target customer
        1. Similar to target market, but target customer refers to a specific group of customers you are trying to sell something to. “Our target customers are women in their early 30s with children.”
      8. Agile
        1. Adjective. Able to move flexibly and quickly. “What makes her such a great sports star is her amazing agility.” “In this business environment, only agile companies with the ability to make quick decisions will succeed.”
      9. To kill two birds with one stone
        1. Idiom. To get two things done at once. “We can kill two birds with one stone by improving our training system - the number of staff who leave the company will decrease and our sales will improve.”
    2. DIALOGUE
      1. Karen: Okay. Now, let’s talk about who we want to use as a spokesperson for this product. Let’s go around the table. Shall we use a sports star? Or someone else? Sven—what do you think?
      2. Sven: Well, one possibility would be to use a famous overweight business executive or CEO—someone who is really successful.
        1. How does Sven make his suggestion? He says, “One possibility would be to...” Instead of “will,” he uses “would.” The use of “would” here means it is just a suggestion. Past modal verbs (should, could, might, would) are often used like this in suggestions.
      3. Miguel: Sorry, can I come in here?
      4. Karen: Yes, go ahead, Miguel.
      5. Miguel: That’s a good idea, but I’m not sure it would work.
      6. Karen: Why not?
      7. Miguel: Well, for one thing, our customers want to be fit, not fat.
      8. Karen: Well, then what do you suggest?
      9. Miguel: Perhaps we should just use a famous sports star like we usually do. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, you know what I mean? We could try getting Rooney, or Nadal.
      10. Karen: Good suggestion. But I can see one or two problems with that, to be honest.
        1. Good suggestion. But frankly speaking I can see one or two problems with that.
        2. That’s a good idea, but I’m not sure it would work, to be frank
        3. I’m not really sure about that...
        4. Do you think so?
      11. Miguel: Oh?
      12. Karen: First off, our target markets are the UK and the U.S. We need someone who both Americans and Britains really like. Secondly, our target customer is kind of special...
      13. Charles: I’ve got a suggestion.
        1. It’s just an idea, but how about...
        2. How/What about...
          1. + Ving
          2. It’s just an idea, but what about eating lunch together?
      14. Karen: Go ahead, Charles.
      15. Charles: It’s just an idea, but how about choosing someone from a sport where it’s normal to be heavy. American football, for example. Heavy, but agile; overweight, but strong and fast. You know what I mean?
      16. Karen: Right, I can see what you mean. What do others think?
      17. Miguel: Yes, that might be worth trying.
        1. Okay, let’s do that.
        2. That’s not a bad idea.
        3. Yes, I think that would work really well.
        4. Good idea!
        5. Great idea!
      18. Sven: Okay, but what about the UK? Who are we going to use on this side of the Atlantic?
      19. Karen: Hmmm... let me think about this. Shall we try to find someone in golf? That’s popular in the U.S. and in the UK. That way, we can kill two birds with one stone.
        1. Well, one possibility would be to...hire more staff.
        2. Perhaps we should...have more vacation?
        3. It’s just an idea, but...how about leaving a little bit early today? 
        4. Shall we try to look at this from another point of view?
        5. Well, what if we try to open a new store in Germany?
      20. Everybody (chorus): That’s not a bad idea! Good idea! Yes, I think that’s worth trying.
  4. 4 - CLARYFING
    1. What what said
      1. VOCABULARY
        1. Conference
          1. 1) Meeting. Often goes together with “video,” “audio,” or “telephone.” 2) Large gathering of people from the same industry. “I’ve got a telephone conference with the head office on next Tuesday.”
        2. To catch something
          1. In the dialog, this means to hear something. “I’m sorry, could you say that again? I didn’t quite catch what you said.”
        3. (To put someone on) hold / to hold
          1. To wait on the telephone line. “I’m sorry – she’s not in right now. Is it all right if I ask you to hold / put you on hold?”
        4. To have (got) someone on the line
          1. A phrase that we use to inform someone of a call for him or her. “Hello, Ms. Smith? I’ve got a Mr. Wagner on the line. He’s calling about the new supertanker project.”
        5. To put somebody through
          1. To transfer a call to someone. “Yes, John, that’s fine – please put him right through.”
        6. How have you been holding up?
          1. How have you been doing? “It’s been a long time since we last spoke – How have you been holding up?”
        7. To miss something
          1. In the dialog, this means not to hear something clearly. “Sorry, I missed your name. Could you say it again?”
        8. Freezing
          1. Very, very cold. “Wow -30! It’s freezing outside!”
        9. (To be) on mute
          1. When you “press the mute button,” your phone stops sending audio. This feature is useful if you want to discuss something private, but it’s main use is to cut down on noise during large conference calls. “I can’t hear anything – please take your phone off mute. There! That’s better. What were you saying?”
        10. Seagoing vessel
          1. A vessel is a ship and seagoing means it can sail on the sea (as opposed to just a river). "Our global fleet of over 5,000 seagoing cargo vessels can deliver your goods anywhere in the world for less money."
      2. DIALOGUE
        1. Receptionist: Good afternoon, De Groot and Smit, this is Anna, how can I help you?
        2. Wim: Yes, this is Wim Zeldenhuis in the Rotterdam office. I’m here with Andre DeVries.
        3. Receptionist: Uh huh.
        4. Wim: We have a conference scheduled with Benny McClenahan. Could you put us through?
        5. Receptionist: Yes, of course. Sorry, I didn’t quite catch your name. Mr. ...? Wim: Zeldenhuis
          1. Asking someone to spell his name
          2. How do you spell that?
          3. Would you mind telling me how that’s spelled?
          4. May I ask how that’s spelled?
          5. Could you spell that for me, please?
        6. Receptionist: Z-E-L...?
        7. Benny: Z-E-L-D-E-N-H-U-I-S
        8. Receptionist: Z-E-L-D-E-N
        9. Benny: ...H-U-I-S. Zeldenhuis
        10. Receptionist: Thank you. Can you hold please?
        11. Wim: Yes, of course.
        12. Benny: Benny speaking. How can I help you?
        13. Receptionist: Hi Benny. This is Anna. I’ve got a Mr. Zeldenhuis on the line from Rotterdam.
        14. Benny: Sorry, who did you say?
        15. Receptionist: Mr. Zeldenhuis. Z-E-L-D...
        16. Benny: Oh, I know.
        17. Receptionist: He’s calling together with a Mr. De Vries.
        18. Benny: Great. Put them right through.
        19. Receptionist: All right. Here they are.
        20. Benny: Wim? Andre?
        21. Wim: Yes! Hello Benny! This is Wim.
        22. Andre: Hi Benny! This is Andre.
        23. Benny: Wow, it’s great to hear you two! How have you been holding up?
          1. A: I heard it’s been a hard week. How are you holding up? B: Fine, I guess. Yeah, it’s really tough. But we’ll survive
        24. Wim: Sorry, Benny, I missed that. Could you say that again?
          1. I missed that...
          2. Formal
          3. I’m sorry, could you repeat that, please?
          4. Sorry, what did you say?
          5. I’m afraid I didn’t catch that. Could you say that again?
          6. Sorry, I’m afraid I didn’t quite hear what you just said. Would you mind saying it again?
          7. More Informal
          8. Pardon?
          9. Come again?
          10. What was that?
          11. Say again?
          12. Example
          13. A: My name is Karamasov. B: Sorry, what was that?
          14. A: My name is Karamasov. B: Sorry, I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name. Could you repeat it?
        25. Benny: No problem. I said how have you two been doing? I hear it’s cold there!
        26. Wim: It sure is. It’s freezing. There’s ice everywhere.
        27. Benny: Oh my goodness!
        28. Andre: But it’s not much better in Boston, right Benny?
        29. Benny: No, it’s not. We haven’t seen weather like this for years. So... is ice slowing down shipping on the river any? Hello? Wim? Andre? Maybe your phone is on mute?
          1. on mute
          2. Can you take your phone off mute?
          3. I think you need to hit the mute button. There. That’s better
        30. Wim: Oh, sorry about that.
        31. Benny: That’s okay.
        32. Wim: Sorry, what did you just say?
        33. Benny: Yeah, no worries. I said, is the weather affecting shipping on the river?
        34. Wim: [laughs] Well, I think Andre can tell you about that.
        35. Andre: You wouldn’t believe it! Of course, it doesn’t affect the seagoing vessels. But on the river, we’re seeing partial blockage of the...
    2. What was meant
      1. VOCABULARY
        1. To have high expectations for someone or something
          1. In this expression, expectations are similar to hopes. High expectations means high hopes. “We had really high expectations for the new year, but we’ve been disappointed so far.”
        2. To come to grips with something
          1. To understand and acknowledge how bad a situation is. “Sandy has been saying there are no problems with his job, but all of his colleagues have told me how bad he is getting on with this boss. He’s just going to have to come to grips with the situation before it’s too late.”
        3. What are you getting at?
          1. To “get at” something means to imply something or say it indirectly. “What are you getting at?” is a way of clarifying something that you don’t feel was stated directly or clearly. “You’ve been talking all afternoon, but I’m still not sure what you are getting at. Just tell me directly – yes or no?”
        4. It isn’t pretty
          1. Euphemistic expression. (Euphemistic means, for example, saying something is not very bad when you mean, in fact, it is very, very bad.) In this case, pretty means good. It isn’t pretty, then, means the situation is very bad. “Well, I just finished talking to the boss, and it isn’t pretty – some of us are going to lose our jobs.”
        5. To salvage
          1. To save something bad or old or to take the useful parts from something bad or old. Generally, to save a bad situation. “We’ve been losing money for five years. Now it’s time to just see if we can salvage anything.”
        6. To have one’s work cut out (for oneself)
          1. There is a lot of work to be done. “We haven’t started yet planning the fall 2008 product launch, and it’s already March – we really have our work cut out for us!”
        7. To scrap
          1. To sell a machine as old metal. To throw away. In business, to stop or get rid of something. “We have to scrap this project before it’s too late – we’ve lost enough money already.”
        8. To keep the company afloat
          1. Idiom. Imagine the company is a ship. To keep the company afloat means to keep it from “sinking,” i.e., failing. “We’ve got to lay people off and cut costs – whatever it takes to keep the company afloat.”
        9. Enthusiastic
          1. Adjective. To be very excited and positive about something. “I’m very enthusiastic about our new project – I think it’s going to be a big success.”
        10. (To be a) mess
          1. To be disorderly or problematic. “Union-management relations are a real mess right now. The contract negotiations have totally broken down.”
        11. (To make major) adjustments
          1. To make big changes. “We need to make some major adjustments to our hiring practice.”
        12. Redundancies
          1. Lay-offs, that is, letting people go to save the company money. “We’re going to see a lot of redundancies in 2009 if we don’t start cutting costs.”
      2. DIALOGUE
        1. Michael: The news isn’t great I’m afraid. I know all of us had very high expectations for the launch, but we’re going to have come to grips with the situation.
        2. Rachel: Sorry, but I don’t quite see what you mean. What are you getting at?
          1. What exactly are you getting at?
          2. What exactly do you mean by that?
          3. Sorry, what do you mean by that?
          4. I don’t quite see what you mean. Could you be a little more specific?
          5. Sorry, I’m not with you. Could you explain what you mean?
          6. Sorry, I don’t follow you. Could you run through that again?
          7. Sorry, that wasn’t totally clear to me. What exactly are you driving at?
        3. Michael: Well, Rachel, what I’m saying is... we’ve had a closer look at the numbers, and it isn’t pretty.
          1. What I'm saying is...
          2. I think what I’m getting at is that...
          3. What I mean to say is that...
          4. To make a long story short...
        4. Ryan: I see. So in other words, you’re saying it’s been a complete failure? Is that right?
          1. What is Ryan doing? First he acknowledges Michael by saying “I see.” Then he checks back—“So in other words....” Then he confirms—“Is that right?” Acknowledge, check back, and confirm. Let’s practice that.
          2. A: I just think it’s been really hard. And, well, you know. It’s not the best way to do things.
          3. B: Uh huh. Let me make sure I understand what you mean. You’re saying that this is just not going to work, right?
          4. A: Well, let’s see. I think it’s just time to try something different.
          5. B: Okay. Let me get this straight. What you mean is that we’ve got to invent a new strategy. Have I got that right?
          6. A: It’s important that we keep the quality high at any cost.
          7. B: I understand. So, we’re not going to put profit before quality. Am I correct?
        5. Michael: That would be one way of looking at it. I prefer to see it as a challenge. But to salvage this situation, we really have our work cut out for us.
        6. Rachel: What exactly do you mean by “salvage?” Do you think we are going to have to scrap the whole product line?
          1. What exactly do you mean by ‘salvage’?
          2. Could you just go over what you mean by “a big change”?
          3. Sorry, I don’t understand exactly what you mean when you say “come to grips”?
          4. Can we just go back for a moment to what you said about timing? I’m not quite sure what you mean by “as soon as possible”?
        7. Michael: I’m afraid so. Actually, I’m thinking about how to salvage the company. It’s going to take everything we have just to keep this company afloat.
          1. Actually
          2. A: So what you’re getting at is that we need to get a new computer system right away?
          3. B: Sorry, that’s not exactly what I’m saying. Actually, I think we can use the current system a little while longer
        8. Ryan: Is it really that bad? I mean, we do have strong investor support don’t we?
        9. Michael: Let me make sure I understand what you mean. You’re asking if our investors will stay with us through this, is that right?
        10. Ryan: Yeah, that’s right. I mean, they’ve been very enthusiastic from the beginning. There’s always going to be a few problems along the way.
        11. Michael: Well, unfortunately, it’s not that simple. They want to know who is going to take responsibility for this mess. They want to see some major adjustments, you see.
        12. Rachel: Wait a second. What do you mean by “adjustment”? We’re not talking about redundancies here, are we?
        13. Michael: Actually, it’s funny you should mention that, Rachel. You know, no one has contributed more to this project than you have. And we all really appreciate that...
          1. It’s funny you should mention that....
          2. A: I just ran into in the elevator after he met with the boss. He looked a little nervous.
          3. B: Really? It’s funny you should mention that. I mean, I saw his manager just now, and he was looking pretty angry. I wonder what’s going on?