English for Geographers

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Personal space

People’s sense of “personal space” – the distance that separates them from another person – also varies between people of different nationalities. What feels right for one nationality may feel uncomfortable for another. In countries such as Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, people stand close enough to touch each other easily, it’s the so-called “elbow zone”. In East European countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Romania, people stand a little more distant, “wrist zone”, because they are close enough to touch wrists. In

Britain, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries, people prefer to stand further away from each other, and they do not generally touch,

(“fingertips zone”).

Eye-contact

Another cultural difference between nationalities is the amount of eyecontact between people. In countries where people stand close to each other, in elbow zone, eye-contact is more frequent and lasts longer. Mediterranean countries are “high-look” cultures whereas north European countries are

“low-look” cultures. Children who grow up in a low-look culture learn that it is rude to look too long at another person. In a high-look culture, eye-contact, like physical contact and gestures, is a natural way of expressing your feelings and relating to other people. This explains why, for example, north Europeans visiting south European countries may feel uncomfortable at the way people look at them.

3.Do you agree with these observations?

4.Work in groups. Compare your answers to the following questions about body language in your country:

1.What gestures do you use to

-call a waiter in a restaurant?

-Attract attention of a friend in a crowd?

-Indicate “Yes” or “No”?

-Show surprise?

-Indicate that you don’t understand?

-Show anger?

2.How much eye-contact is there between

-people talking to each other?

-Strangers passing each other in the street?

3.Do people

-stand close enough to touch when they are speaking?

-walk arm-in-arm in public?

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-show affection in public (e.g. holding hands, kissing)?

5.Are these statements true about social customs in your country? Tick Yes, No or It depends:

а) People shake hands when they meet for the first time and when they meet after a long time. Colleagues don’t shake hands every day.

b)In a professional situation people usually exchange business cards at a first meeting.

c)It’ s very important to arrive punctually for a professional meeting.

d)Colleagues generally use first names at work.

e)People prefer to keep their work and private life separate. They don’t usually socialise with colleagues outside working hours.

f)When you are invited to a person’s home for a social occasion, it’s usual to arrive ten to fifteen minutes late.

g)When people give flowers as a present, they give an odd, not an even, number, and without wrapping paper.

6.Describe any differences you have noticed in the body language of other nationalities.

Do you think any of the differences could cause a cultural misunderstanding?

Unit 10

Giving talks and presentations

1. Introducing the topic

This morning I’m going to … (talk about … ) Today I’d like to … (describe) …

The aim of my presentation this morning is to … (explain … ) I’ve divided my presentation into (three parts)

My talk will be in …

First, I’d like to ... (give you n overview of …) Second, I’ll move on to … (focus on …) After that, we’ll deal with …

Finally, we’ll consider …

2. Referring to questions

Feel free to interrupt me if there’s anything you don’t understand. If you don’t mind, we’ll leave questions till the end.

3. Introducing each section

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So, let’s start with … (objectives … ) Now let’s move on to … (the next part … )

Let’s turn our attention to … (the question of … ) This leads me to … (my third point … )

Finally … (let’s consider … )

4. Summarising a section

That completes my … (description of … )

So, to summarise … (There are five key points … )

5. Referring backwards and forwards

I mentioned earlier … (the importance of … ) I’ll say more about this later.

We’ll come back to this point later.

6.Checking understanding

Is that clear?

Are there any questions?

7.Referring to visual information

This transparency/diagram shows …

If you look at this graph you can see …

What is interesting in this slide is …

I’d like to draw your attention to …(this chart …)

8.Referring to common knowledge

As you know …

As I’m sure you’re aware …

9.Concluding

That concludes my talk.

That brings me to the end of my presentation.

If you have any questions I’d be pleased to answer them

I’ll do my best

Thank you for your attention.

10. Dealing with the questions

That’s a good point.

I’m glad you asked that question.

Can I get back to you on that later? I’m afraid I don’t have … (the information at present)

I’m afraid I’m not the right person to answer that.

Practice

1. Presenting a company:

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The text below is part of a presentation of a glass-making company. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate language:

Firstly, then, thirdly, secondly, if you look at, so to recapitulate, and to complete the picture, now I would like to describe, as you can see from the transparency, I’d like first of all to give you an overview

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen ……… of our company. It is organised in three world-wide business lines ……… , the Building products business, ……… the Automotive products business and ……… the Technical

Glass products business.

………the Building products business accounts for about half the Group’s sales and has manufacturing operations in 19 countries. Its largest operation is in Europe and we also have major operations in North and South America and Australia.

The Automotive products business represents around 45 % of sales. Its organisation is sub-divided into two major units supplying original equipment and replacement glass. There are operations in 18 countries with the major presence in Europe and North America, and important operations in South America and Australia.

………the technical Glass products business accounts for the remaining sales and is centred in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy. It manufactures glass for the electronic and optical industry, precision mirrors and solar energy panels.

………the country’s structure ……… the organisation chart, the various businesses report through their management boards to the chief executive ……… , working from the corporate centre are Group functions – responsible for directing the businesses in their respective disciplines such as corporate affairs, environment and safety, finance, purchasing, legal and secretarial, human resources and internal audit. Technology is the only function that is organised centrally.

That’s all I want to say at this point on company structure.

………, we have three major business lines, Building products,

Automotive products and technical Glass products. And there are various Group functions that report to the chief executive through the management boards. Are there any questions at this stage?

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2. Describing a graph:

It is not necessary to describe every single movement on a graph; an outline of the main trends is enough:

This graph shows world gross domestic product growth from 1973 until the end of the 20th century. With the oil crisis in 1973, GDP growth fell sharply by 5 %, from 7 % in 1973 to 2 % at the end of 1975. It recovered in the following year before declining ever further in the next six years to reach a low point of 1 % in 1982. Over the next two years GDP growth rose steadily to reach 5 % but fluctuated in the following years before plummeting again in 1997. It reached a low point of 1.5 % before edging up slightly in 1998-99.

Unit 11

Advice and suggestions

Asking for advice and suggestions

What would you advice us to do? suggest?

What do you recommend?

I’d like to hear your ideas on this.

Do you have any suggestions?

Do you think we should … (hire a consultant)?

Giving advice and suggestions

I’d recommend (that) … (we consult an expert) suggest

I recommend … (getting expert advice) suggest

My advice would be to … (ask a lawyer)

If I were you I’d … (advertise on TV) I think you should … (increase prices).

Have you thought of … (selling abroad)? Why don’t we … (delay production)? How about … (asking local people)? You could … (employ more staff).

It might be a good idea to … (do more research).

Accepting

Yes, I’m definitely in favour of doing that.

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Yes, I think we should do that.

Yes, that’s an interesting idea.

Yes, that sounds like a good idea.

Yes, let’s do that.

Rejecting

I’m sorry, but that’s out of the questions.

I’m afraid I’m not very keen on that idea.

I’m not sure about that.

That’s very interesting but … (it’s too complicated)

No, … (I don’t think that will work).

Practice

1. Giving advice

Complete the second sentence so that it means more or less the same as the first.

1. You’d better hurry or you’ll miss the plane.

If you ………………………….…………………………………

2.In my opinion, it would be better to sell your shares now.

My advice ……………………………………………….............

3.It’s not a good idea to drive through the city centre during rush hour. Don’t …………………………………………………….............

4.Why don’t you see a doctor if you’re feeling ill?

You’d ………………………………………………...………….

5.I don’t think it’s advisable to tell her the bad news yet.

You’d …………………………………………………................

6.In my opinion, you ought to declare your overseas investments to the tax authorities.

If I ………………………………………………………….........

2.Read the statements made by several speakers and agree with them, using so or neither:

Example:

“I’m tired”. So am I.

1.I didn’t like Jurassic Park……………………..............………

2.I can’t stand people who are rude…………………..............…

3.I should really exercise more…………………..……………...

4. I’ve never been to Fiji…………………………………………

5.I enjoy going to the theatre……………………....…………….

6.I generally take a holiday in the summer……………….……...

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3. Shades of opinion:

How do you feel about the following? Write your ideas with a suitable expression of agreement or disagreement, as in the example.

			I agree	I agree			to	I don’t really	I completely
			entirely	some extent				agree.	disagree.
1.	All	men
and	women
should		do
military
service.
2.		There
should		be a
single		world
currency.
3.National				Yes,	I’d		go
industries				along		with
should		be		that	up	to	a
protected.				point but you
				can’t	ignore
				market forces
				entirely.
4.	Smoking
at		work
should		be
banned.
5.	Men and
women
should		retire
at 55.

Unit 12

Business correspondence

Opening

Dear Sir

Madam

Mr Murphy

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Mrs Brown

Miss Young Ms White George

Dr Green

When you don’t know the receiver’s name, use Sir or Madam. For a man, use the receiver’s family name with Mr.

For a married woman, use the receiver’s family name with Mrs or Ms. For an unmarried woman, use the receiver’s family name with Miss or Ms. For a close business contact or friend, use the receiver’s first name.

For a doctor, use Dr and the family name.

Ms can replace Mrs and Miss. It doesn’t indicate whether a woman is married.

Making reference

Thank you for your telephone call today.

With reference to your letter of 8 August … Further to your letter of 30 September …

Apologising

I apologise for the delay. not replying sooner.

I am sorry that I am not able to help you.

Explaining the reason for writing

I am writing to ask you…
enquire about…
inform you that…
confirm…
Agreeing to requests	Giving bad news
I would be delighted to… /	I am afraid that …
pleased to…
	Unfortunately …

Requesting	Enclosing documents
I would be grateful if you could	I have pleasure in enclosing …
…
We would appreciate it if you	I am enclosing …
could …
Could you possibly …	I enclose

Referring to future contact	Finishing
I look forward to meeting	Please let me know if you have any
you next month	questions.
I look forward to receiving	Please contact us again if we can help
your reply	in any way
I look forward hearing	Please contact us again if you would
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from you soon.

like further information.

Closing

Yours faithfully

Yours sincerely

Best wishes.

NOTE!

When you open the letter with Dear Sir or Dear Madam, use Yours faithfully.

When you open the letter with the receiver’s family name, use Yours sincerely.

For a close business contact or friend, use Best wishes. Practice

1. Work in pairs. Read these statements about letters. Tick if they are T (true) or F (false):

Letter-writing quiz

1.If a letter begins with the receiver’s name, e.g. Dear Mr. Brown, it closes with Yours sincerely and the signature.

2.If you wrote to Peter Brown and wanted to use his first name, you would write Dear Mr. Peter.

3.If you did not know if a female correspondent was married or not, you could write Ms, instead of Miss or Mrs.

4.If you wrote a letter to Mrs Susan Lambert, you would open with

Dear Mrs Susan Lambert.

5.The abbreviation for a doctor is Dr., e.g. Dear Dr. Bell.

6.If you did not know the receiver’s name, you would close the letter with Yours faithfully and the signature.

7.In the USA, the date 5/8/96 on a letter means 8 May 1996.

8.It is correct to begin a letter with Gentlemen in the USA.

2.Work in pairs. Match the phrases to the function they express:

	Functions	Standard phrases
1.	Making reference	a) Could you possibly … ?
2.	Explaining the reason for writing	b) I am afraid that …
3.	Requesting	c) With reference to your letter of
		20 February …
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4.Enclosing documents

5.Confirming

6.Giving bad news help in any way.

7.Apologising

8.Thanking

9.Referring to future contact

10.Finishing the letter

d)Please find enclosed …

e)I am writing to enquire about …

f)Please contact us again if we can…

g)We apologise for the mistake…

i)I am pleased to inform that…

j)I look forward to seeing you next month…

h)Thank you very much for sending…

3. Complete the letter with suitable phrases.

Institute of Energy Conservation

51 St. John’s street, Manchester M1 4DF

Prof. J. Penn

19A Gloucester St

Faringdon

OXON OSN 7JA

21 March

Dear John

………to ask you if you could make a presentation of your latest research at our annual conference next month.

………a provisional programme, to give you an idea of the main topics, and details of the conference hotel.

………not writing to ask you earlier, and I very much hope that you will be able to talk to us.

……….

With best wishes

Yours sincerely

Dr Marcus Lerner

Director

Unit 13

American English

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