If you will allow me to continue, I’ll get to that point later on

Unit 211 – Interrupting and Resisting Interruption

Learner 1: If you will allow me to continue, I’ll get to that point later on

Interrupter 2: Can I say something here?

Learner:

Example answer 1

Learner 1: In my opinion, reducing costs is necessary to our business success.

Interrupter 1: Sorry, I wonder if I could just interrupt you there. Don’t you think innovating new products is also very important?

Learner 1: If you will allow me to continue, I’ll get to that point later on.

Example Answer 2

Learner 2: Maintaining a proper work-life balance is so important to career success. If you don’t get enough rest…

Interrupter 2: Can just I say something here?

Learner 2: Sorry, I haven’t finished what I was saying yet. Let me come back to that point later.

How did you do? Practice again and try substituting different language.

That’s it for today’s show on interrupting and resisting interruption. We’ve practiced language for interrupting, finishing what you were saying and resisting interruption. Along the way, we’ve looked at a lot of idioms and vocabulary.

Sometimes it’s necessary to interrupt, but as a non-native speaker of English, it can be very challenging to get a word in. We’re confident that the tools we’ve learned today will be a big help.

Peter: Uh, sorry to butt in Clayton.

Clayton: Err, just a sec Peter, I haven’t quite finished what I was about to say.

Peter: Actually, that’s my point.

Clayton: Oh, okay. Then just before we sign off, let me remind you to check out the great online exercises and study notes in the new learning center. That’s all available at www.businessenglishpod.com.

Thanks for listening and we’ll see you next time.

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Language Review

A. Useful Phrases and Functions

Fill in the gaps with the language from the box. Then write the function of the phrase next to each expression (i.e. conceding a point, resisting interruption,

etc.). The first one has been done for you.

saying good accomplish could continue

moment saying interrupting perspective manage

1. Excuse me for interrupting, but can I just add a few words on that topic.

_________Interrupting_________

2. The main problem that we’re facing is how to ___________ our growth.

___________________________

3. I’ll come to that in a ___________.

___________________________

4. Sorry Jenny, could you please let me ____________ for a minute?

___________________________

5. That’s all well and _________, but think of this: How are we going to maintain profits?

___________________________

6. There may be something to that. However, we also have to consider the problem from the workers’ ____________.

___________________________

7. Stella, I wonder if I could continue with what I was ____________?

___________________________

8. The main thing I’d like to ___________ today is defining the key problem areas that we see with our current plan.

____________________________

9. I wonder if I ____________ just interrupt you there, Tom…

____________________________

10.I haven’t finished what I was _____________.

_____________________________

Andy and Betty are having a conversation in which they need to interrupt each other and to resist interruption. However, they keep getting their words mixed up. Help them by putting their words in order to form sentences.

Dialog 1

Andy: In my opinion, reducing costs is necessary to our business success.

Betty: 1) I if just could you wonder interrupt I there

Sorry, _______________________________________________ Don’t you think innovating new products is also very important?

Andy: 2) will allow me to continue I’ll get to that point later on

If you…_______________________________________________________

Dialog 2

Betty: Maintaining a proper work-life balance is so important to career success.

If you don’t get enough rest…

Andy: 3) just say I something can here ____________________________

Betty: 4) haven’t I finished what saying yet I was

_Sorry,_____________________________________ 5) back come your to point me later. _Let_______________________________________________

Study Strategy

Choosing a topic and just speaking freely off of the top of your mind – as you did in the practice for this episode – is a great way to practice your English. Better yet, record yourself and play it back to raise awareness and give yourself feedback Try to speak for one minute – you’ll find one minute is a long time!

Here are some possible topics for your speech: 1) What is more important – money or fun? 2) Everything you learned in school is a waste of time – agree or disagree? 3) You can tell almost everything about a person by how he/she dresses and presents him/herself. 4) Your own?

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Answers

Language Review

A. Useful Phrases and Functions

1. Excuse me for interrupting, but can I just add a few words on that topic.

Interrupting

2. The main problem that we’re facing is how to manage our growth.

Declare purpose of meeting

3. I’ll come to that in a moment. Finishing what you were saying

4. Sorry Jenny, could you please let me continue for a minute? Countering an interruption

5. That’s all well and good, but think of this: How are we going to maintain profits? Conceding a point

6. There may be something to that. However, we also have to consider the problem from the workers’ perspective. Conceding a point

7. Stella, I wonder if I could continue with what I was saying? Countering an interruption

8. The main thing I’d like to accomplish today is defining the key problem areas that we see with our current plan. Declare purpose of meeting

9. I wonder if I could just interrupt you there, Tom… Interrupting

10.I haven’t finished what I was saying. Finishing what you were saying B. Interrupting and Resisting Interruption

Dialog 1

Andy: In my opinion, reducing costs is necessary to our business success.

Betty: 1) Sorry, I wonder if I could just interrupt you there. Don’t you think innovating new products is also very important?

Andy: 2) If you will allow me to continue, I’ll get to that point later on.

Dialog 2

Betty: Maintaining a proper work-life balance is so important to career success.

If you don’t get enough rest…

Andy: 3) Can just I say something here?

Betty: 4) Sorry, I haven’t finished what I was saying yet. 5) Let me come back to your point later.

Links (click a link to open the exercise) Unit 211 – Interrupting & Resisting - Quiz Unit 211 – Interrupting & Resisting - Gap-fill

Unit 211 – Interrupting & Resisting - Dialog & Vocabulary Unit 211 – Interrupting & Resisting - Language Review 1 Unit 211 – Interrupting & Resisting - Language Review 2 Unit 211 – Interrupting & Resisting - Language Review 3 Unit 211 – Interrupting & Resisting - Language Review 4 Unit 211 – Interrupting & Resisting - Vocabulary Flashcards

In document Meeting_Essentials.pdf (Page 92-96)