English Teacher Daria Shtorm

Essential Phrases for Business Meetings Participating in meetings requires specific language. To open a meeting, say “Let’s get started.” To introduce an idea: “I’d like to suggest…” or “What do you think about…?” To agree: “That’s a good point.” To disagree politely: “I see your point, but…” or “I’m not sure I agree.” To interrupt: “Sorry to interrupt, but…” Keep the discussion on track: “Let’s come back to the main point.” To close: “So, to summarise…” Using these phrases helps you contribute confidently and sound professional, even in tricky discussions. Exercise: Match the function (1–3) with the phrase (a–c). Introducing an idea Agreeing Closing a meeting a. “That’s a good point.” b. “Let’s summarise what we’ve decided.” c. “I’d like to propose a new approach.” Answer key: 1–c, 2–a, 3–b

A little peek into lesson with your English teacher – grammar doesn't have to be scary 📖

A gentle nudge from your English teacher – progress takes time, and you're on the right track 🌱

Writing Clear and Professional Emails Emails are a primary tool in the workplace. Start with a clear subject line: “Meeting rescheduled to Tuesday.” Use a formal or semi‑formal greeting: “Dear Mr. Smith” or “Hi Sarah.” State your purpose in the first sentence. Keep paragraphs short and to the point. Use bullet points for lists. End with a polite closing: “Thank you for your time,” or “I look forward to hearing from you.” Always proofread for spelling and grammar errors. Avoid using all caps, as it can seem aggressive. A clear, well‑structured email saves time and projects professionalism. Exercise: Identify the problem in this subject line: “URGENT!!! MEETING CANCELLED!!!!” a) too long b) uses all caps and excessive exclamation marks c) no greeting Answer key: b

Polite Requests and Offers at Work Politeness is crucial in workplace communication. Instead of saying “Send me the file,” use “Could you send me the file, please?” or “Would you mind sending me the file?” Soften requests with phrases like “I was wondering if you could…” or “When you have a moment, could you…?” To offer help, say “Would you like me to…?” or “I can handle that if you like.” Avoid direct imperatives. Respond politely: “Of course, I’ll do that now.” Using these phrases creates a more collaborative and respectful atmosphere. Practice rephrasing short commands into polite requests. Exercise: Rewrite the command “Finish this report by noon” as a polite request. Answer key: Accept any polite version, e.g. “Could you finish this report by noon, please?” or “Would you mind finishing this report by noon?”

IELTS Writing Task 1: Describing a Bar Chart Task 1 of the Academic IELTS requires you to describe visual data, such as a bar chart. Begin with an overview that identifies the main trends. Don’t list every detail. For example, “Overall, sales increased, while costs fluctuated.” Then group data: compare highs and lows, and use expressions like “rose steadily,” “fell sharply,” or “remained stable.” Use linking words: “In contrast,” “Similarly,” and “With regard to.” Avoid personal opinions; report only what you see. Organise your answer clearly: introduction, overview, details. Accuracy with numbers and verb tenses is essential. Practise by reading charts from news websites and writing 150‑word summaries. Exercise: Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence. Sales _______ from 20% to 35% between 2010 and 2015. a) remained stable b) increased significantly c) fluctuated wildly Answer key: b

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Structuring Your Talk In Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test, you are given a topic card and one minute to prepare. You must speak for one to two minutes. The key is to use the prompts on the card to structure your answer. Start by introducing the topic: “I’m going to talk about…” Then address each bullet point. To keep talking, add personal examples, feelings and descriptions. Use phrases like “What I remember most is…” or “The reason I chose this is…” Don’t worry if you run out of ideas – simply summarize or mention a related experience. Practice timing yourself. A clear structure and natural fluency will boost your score. Exercise: Put these parts of a talk in the correct order (1–3). a. Explain why the experience was important. b. Introduce the topic (e.g. a book you enjoyed). c. Describe what happened and who you were with. Answer key: b, c, a

Asking for and Giving Directions in English When you’re lost or exploring a new place, knowing how to ask for directions is essential. Start with a polite phrase: “Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the train station?” or “I’m looking for the nearest pharmacy. Do you know where it is?” People often use landmarks: “It’s next to the post office” or “You’ll see a big red building.” Clear directions include verbs like “turn left,” “go straight on,” and “cross the street.” If you don’t understand, ask “Could you repeat that, please?” or “Is it far from here?” Practise by looking at a map and describing routes. A few key phrases will help you feel more confident navigating English‑speaking places. Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the words: turn, straight, on, next. 1. Go ________ on until you reach the traffic lights. 2. Then ________ left onto King Street. 3. The bank is ________ to the supermarket. 4. It’s ________ the corner. Answer key: 1. straight, 2. turn, 3. next, 4. on

How to Make Small Talk in English Small talk is casual conversation about light topics like weather, hobbies or weekend plans. It’s common in social and work settings. To start, ask simple open-ended questions: “How was your weekend?” or “Have you seen any good films lately?” Listen carefully and show interest with phrases like “That sounds interesting.” Avoid sensitive topics such as politics or religion. Use follow‑up questions to keep the conversation going. For example, if someone says they enjoy hiking, ask “What’s your favourite trail?” Remember to smile and make eye contact. Small talk helps build relationships and makes people feel comfortable. With practice, you can become more confident. Exercise: Match the small talk questions (1–3) with appropriate replies (a–c). 1. How was your weekend? 2. Do you have any plans for the summer? 3. I love Italian food. Have you tried the new restaurant on Park Street? a. Not yet, but I’ve heard it’s excellent. b. It was relaxing. I went to the beach. c. Yes, I’m hoping to travel to Spain. Answer key: 1–b, 2–c, 3–a

Exercise 6: Grammar – Conditionals in a Business Context Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Use the first conditional for realistic situations and the second conditional for hypothetical or imaginary situations. 1. If the supplier (not deliver) the goods by Friday, we (have to) find another option. 2. If I (be) in charge, I (introduce) more flexible working hours. 3. We (not meet) the deadline unless everyone (finish) their part on time. 4. If the company (offer) me a promotion, I (accept) it immediately. 5. If you (need) any help with the presentation, just (let) me know. 6. If I (know) the client’s email address, I (send) the invoice right now. Answer Key 1. does not deliver / will have to (or doesn’t deliver / ’ll have to) 2. were / would introduce (or was / would introduce) 3. will not meet / finishes (or won’t meet / finishes) 4. offered / would accept 5. need / let 6. knew / would send

Exercise 5: Speaking – Work and Business Practise answering the questions below aloud as you would in an IELTS Speaking test. Then read the sample answers to compare and get ideas. Part 1 1. What is your job? 2. How do you usually travel to work? 3. Do you prefer working in a team or on your own? Why? Part 2 Describe a business trip you have taken or would like to take. You should say: • where you went or would go • why you went or would go there • what you did or would do and explain why the trip was or would be important for your work. Sample Answers (B1 level) Part 1 1. I work as an administrative assistant in a law firm. My duties include answering phone calls, organising documents and scheduling meetings. 2. I take the bus to work. It takes about 40 minutes, but it is cheaper than driving and I can read a book on the way. 3. I prefer working in a team. I like the social atmosphere and it is helpful to share ideas. If I face a problem, I can always ask a colleague for advice. Part 2 I’d like to talk about a business trip I took last year to Manchester. My company sent me there to attend a two‑day training course on customer relationship management. The course was held in a hotel conference centre. During the day I joined workshops and group activities, and in the evening I had a little time to explore the city centre on my own. The trip was very important because I learned practical skills, such as handling difficult phone calls and keeping customer records more efficiently. When I returned, I shared what I learned with my colleagues, and our team’s customer satisfaction score went up a little in the following months.

Exercise 4: Reading – Email Exchange Read the email exchange between Laura and Mark and answer the questions that follow. From: Laura Chen To: Mark Dawson Subject: Meeting on Friday Dear Mark, I’m writing about our product demo meeting scheduled for this Friday at 10 a.m. Unfortunately, our technical specialist Alex is off sick this week, so we won’t be able to show the full demo as planned. I suggest we move the meeting to next Tuesday at 3 p.m., when Alex should be back. Please let me know if that works for you. Alternatively, we could still meet on Friday but focus on the pricing and contract details instead. I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Laura From: Mark Dawson To: Laura Chen Subject: Re: Meeting on Friday Hello Laura, Thank you for letting me know. Tuesday at 3 p.m. is fine for me. I’d prefer to see the full demo, so let’s go with that option. I’ll invite my colleague from the sales team as well. Could you confirm the meeting link? Best, Mark Questions 1. Who is off sick this week? 2. What was the original purpose of Friday’s meeting? 3. What does Laura suggest they discuss if they keep the Friday meeting? 4. When will the rescheduled meeting take place? 5. What does Mark ask Laura to confirm in his reply? Answer Key 1. Alex (the technical specialist) 2. A product demo 3. Pricing and contract details 4. Next Tuesday at 3 p.m. 5. The meeting link

Exercise 3: Reading – Workplace Memo Read the memo and decide if the statements below are True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG). To: All Staff From: HR Department Subject: New Travel Booking Procedure Starting from 1st September, all business travel must be booked through the company’s online travel portal. You may not use other websites. To request a trip, please complete the digital form at least one week before your planned departure. The form asks for your destination, travel dates, the purpose of the trip and an estimated total budget. Your line manager will review your request and should respond within two working days. For international trips, you will also need approval from your department director. Once approved, you can book flights and hotels directly through the portal using the company’s corporate account. Personal credit cards should not be used unless it is an emergency, and in such cases all receipts must be kept. Please note that any travel costs that were not pre-approved will not be reimbursed. A live training webinar about the portal will take place on 20th August at 2 p.m. The link is available on the intranet. Statements 1. Employees are free to use any travel website they like. 2. The travel request form requires the purpose of the trip. 3. Line managers have three working days to approve a request. 4. The company has a corporate account for travel bookings. 5. The webinar on 20th August costs £10 to attend. Answer Key 1. F (all travel must be booked through the company portal, not any website) 2. T 3. F (response is within two working days, not three) 4. T 5. NG (the memo does not mention any cost for the webinar)

Exercise 2: Vocabulary – Work Phrasal Verbs Match each phrasal verb (1–8) with its meaning (a–h). Write your answers as number and letter (for example, 1 – b). 1. carry out 2. call off 3. look into 4. take over 5. set up 6. cut back on 7. fill in for 8. come up with a. to cancel something planned b. to perform or do a task c. to think of an idea or solution d. to replace someone temporarily e. to investigate f. to gain control of a company or a role g. to create or establish something h. to reduce spending or use of something Answer Key 1 – b (carry out = perform a task) 2 – a (call off = cancel) 3 – e (look into = investigate) 4 – f (take over = gain control) 5 – g (set up = create or establish) 6 – h (cut back on = reduce spending/use) 7 – d (fill in for = replace temporarily) 8 – c (come up with = think of an idea/solution)

Exercise 1: Vocabulary – Business Collocations Match each verb (1–8) with the correct phrase (a–h) to make a common business expression. Write your answers as number and letter (for example, 1 – e). 1. arrange 2. chair 3. conduct 4. meet 5. set 6. submit 7. achieve 8. allocate a. a meeting b. a survey c. an appointment d. a deadline e. resources f. a target g. a report h. a goal Answer Key 1 – c (arrange an appointment) 2 – a (chair a meeting) 3 – b (conduct a survey) 4 – d (meet a deadline) 5 – f (set a target) 6 – g (submit a report) 7 – h (achieve a goal) 8 – e (allocate resources)

Exercise 6: Vocabulary – Word Formation (Business) Complete the table with the missing word forms. The first one is done for you. 1. Verb: apply Noun (person): applicant Noun (thing/idea): application Adjective: applicable / applied 2. Verb: compete Noun (person): competitor Noun (thing/idea): competition Adjective: __ 3. Verb: innovate Noun (person): innovator Noun (thing/idea): innovation Adjective: __ 4. Verb: achieve Noun (person): achiever Noun (thing/idea): achievement Adjective: __ 5. Verb: analyse Noun (person): analyst Noun (thing/idea): analysis Adjective: __ 6. Verb: supervise Noun (person): supervisor Noun (thing/idea): supervision Adjective: __ Answer Key 2. Adjective: competitive 3. Adjective: innovative 4. Adjective: achievable (also accept “achieved” if used as adjective, e.g. an achieved goal, but “achievable” is the typical adjective meaning something that can be achieved) 5. Adjective: analytical (also accept analytic) 6. Adjective: supervisory

Exercise 5: Writing – Business Email You have to go on a business trip next Wednesday and Thursday. You need to cancel your team’s weekly progress meeting, which is usually held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Write an email to your team in 60–80 words. In your email you should: • inform them about the business trip • say that the Wednesday meeting is cancelled • suggest a new day and time for the meeting (for example, Friday at 2 p.m.) • ask them to confirm if they can attend at the new time. Sample Answer (Model) Subject: Weekly meeting moved to Friday Hi everyone, I’ll be on a business trip next Wednesday and Thursday, so I have to cancel our usual Wednesday 10 a.m. meeting. Can we meet this Friday at 2 p.m. instead? We’ll use the same video link. Please let me know by Tuesday if that works for you. Apologies for any inconvenience. All the best, Chris

Exercise 4: Grammar – First and Second Conditionals in Business Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Use the first conditional where you see a realistic situation and the second conditional where the situation is hypothetical or less likely. 1. If the client (agree) to our proposal tomorrow, we (start) the project next week. 2. If I (be) the manager, I (invest) more in staff training. 3. We (miss) the deadline if we (not / receive) the data by Friday. 4. If the company (offer) me a permanent contract, I (accept) it immediately. 5. If I (have) more experience, I (apply) for that senior position. 6. He (not / call) you unless there (be) a problem. Answer Key 1. agrees / will start (first conditional – realistic future) 2. were (or was) / would invest (second conditional – hypothetical) 3. will miss / do not receive (or don’t receive) (first conditional – realistic) 4. offered / would accept (second conditional – hypothetical, imagining a situation) 5. had / would apply (second conditional – hypothetical) 6. will not call (or won’t call) / is (first conditional, “unless” means “if not”)

Exercise 3: Speaking – Work and Career Practise answering these IELTS-style questions aloud. Then read the sample answers to compare your ideas. Part 1 1. Do you work or are you a student? 2. What do you like most about your job? 3. How do you organise your day at work? Part 2 Describe a successful project you were involved in at work or in your studies. You should say: • what the project was • who you worked with • what you did and explain why it was successful. Sample Answers (B1 level) Part 1 1. I work full time. I’m a sales assistant in a clothing shop in my town centre. 2. What I like most is the contact with customers. I enjoy helping people find what they need and making sure they leave the shop happy. 3. I usually check my tasks for the day first thing in the morning. Then I handle any urgent emails before I start serving customers on the shop floor. I keep a list to make sure I don’t forget anything important. Part 2 Last year I was part of a project to reorganise the stockroom at my shop. I worked with two other sales assistants, Tom and Lina, and our store manager, Mrs Reed. The stockroom had become very messy and we were losing time looking for products. We spent a whole weekend taking everything out, creating new labels for the shelves and putting items back in a logical order. I was mainly responsible for sorting the clothing by size and season. The project was successful because after the change we could find stock in seconds instead of minutes. Mrs Reed was very pleased because we served customers faster and sales improved a little. It felt great to see a clear result from our teamwork.

Exercise 2: Reading – Workplace Memo Read the memo and decide if the statements below are True (T), False (F) or Not Given (NG). To: All Department Heads From: Operations Manager Subject: New Procurement Procedure From 1st June, all purchase orders over £500 must be approved in advance by the finance team. To request approval, please complete the digital form available on the intranet. The form asks for the item description, estimated cost, name of the preferred supplier and a short justification. Finance will respond within two working days. For orders under £500, you may still use the existing process. Please note that emergency purchases are an exception, but you must inform the finance team within 24 hours of making the purchase. This change is being introduced to help control departmental spending and does not apply to travel expenses, which follow a separate policy. A training session on the new procedure will be held on 25th May in Conference Room C. Attendance is optional but recommended. Statements 1. The new rule applies to all purchases over £500. 2. Department heads need to give a reason for each purchase they request. 3. The finance team will reply to requests within one week. 4. Travel expenses will be affected by the new procedure. 5. The training session on 25th May is compulsory. Answer Key 1. F (it applies to purchases over £500, but emergency purchases are an exception and travel expenses are not included) 2. T (the form asks for a short justification) 3. F (finance will respond within two working days, not one week) 4. F (travel expenses follow a separate policy) 5. F (attendance is optional but recommended)