III. Conversation practice

3.1. Act out the following situation:

- Make an appointment with a manager of some company to see the site for the exhibition of you new goods.

3.2. Watch Unit 8. Time Out of Video Conference.

Unit 8. Time Out.

Ron Jacobs, Bob Davis.

• Ron: What do you do in your free time, Bob?

• Bob: Well, I play a little squash, and I go jogging a couple of times a week. What about you?

• Ron: I usually play golf at the weekend.

• Bob: Good shot. … Golf’s very popular in Japan, isn’t it?

• Ron: Yes, but it’s very expensive to join a club. I usually go to the driving range.

• Bob: Do you play any other sports?

• Ron: I did. I played football in college. But that was a long time ago.

• Bob: These clubs are terrible.

***

• Bob: Do you like living in Japan?

• Ron: Yes, I do. It’s a beautiful country. And it has a high standard of living.

• Bob: How long have you lived there?

• Ron: About six years. Have you ever been to Japan?

• Bob: Yes, once, to Tokyo. On a business trip - before I joined Transglobal. But I didn’t see very much - I only stayed two days. Tokyo seemed very crowded, though.

• Ron: It is. But it’s a great place to live. Do you like living in Birmingham?

• Bob: Yes and no. It’s a nice city. But I don’t like commuting into the centre every day.

• Ron: How do you get to work?

• Bob: I drive. But the traffic in the rush hour is terrible.

***

• Ron: Have you had a holiday this year?

• Bob: Yes, we went to Tenerife in March. It was great.

• Ron: Did you have good weather?

• Bob: Yes, it was lovely. What about you? Have you been on holiday yet?

• Ron: No, not yet. But we are planning to go skiing in Sapporo in January.

***

• Ron: How are your wife and children?

• Bob: They are very well, thank you. Ben has his first birthday in January, so Jenny is going back to work. She is looking forward to some adult conversation again!

• Ron: What does she do exactly?

• Bob: She works for a market research company. … Does your wife work, Ron?

• Ron: Yes, she does. She is a lawyer. She is working part-time at the moment.

• Bob: How old is your daughter now?

• Ron: Tomoko is four. She starts school next April. It’s hard to believe! … You didn’t bring that phone with you, did you, Bob?

• Bob: I never leave home without it. Excuse me. … Hello, Bob Davis. …

***

Daniel Conway, Isabelle Pelletier.

• Isabelle: Oh, look. What a nice shop. Shall we go in?

• Daniel: Sure. I’d like to buy a sweater for myself.

• Isabelle: Excuse me. I’m thinking of buying a man’s scarf. Could you show me what you have, please?

• Assistant: Certainly. … Would you prefer lambswool or cashmere?

• Isabelle: I’m not sure. … Ah, made in Scotland. How much is this one?

• Assistant: $59.99. … We have a range of colours.

• Isabelle: This is nice, too.

• Daniel: Isabelle, what do you think?

• Isabelle: Well, it certainly fits you well, Daniel. But … er… are you sure about the colour?

• Daniel: It’s sort of gray, isn’t it? … I’m kinda colour blind, actually.

• Isabelle: Well, I’ll just buy this scarf, then I’ll come and help you.

• Daniel: Who are you buying that for?

• Isabelle: My brother. I’ll have this one, please.

• Assistant: Certainly, madam. That’s $ 59.99, please.

• Isabelle: Do you accept credit cards?

• Assistant: Yes, we do. … Thank you. … If you could just sign here, please. … Thank you. …There we are. Would you like it gift-wrapped?

• Isabelle: Yes, please.

• Daniel: How about this one?

• Isabelle: Yes, the colour’s much better … but it’s a bit too big. Is there a smaller size?

• Daniel: I’ll ask.

• Daniel: Well?

• Isabelle: Yes, that’s perfect.

• Daniel: OK. I’ll take it, then.

• Daniel: I’m exhausted! Can we have lunch now, please?

• Isabelle: Yes, of course!