Author: SPICA

Subject: Re: Study on Budget Allocation

Dear Mr Smith,

Thank you for your email and for entrusting me with this study. After analyzing the potential benefits of both options, I would like to share my thoughts.

Investing in making the company more environmentally friendly could enhance our reputation and attract more customers who value sustainability. This could lead to long-term brand loyalty and a stronger market position. However, the financial impact may take time to be fully realized. Moreover, this adjustment of our strategy would involve a substantial communication budget, that we would have to take into account.

On the other hand, prioritizing industrial production to increase profit margins would yield quicker financial returns. However, this approach might not meet growing consumer and regulatory expectations regarding environmental responsibility in a near future.

The environmentally friendly option appears to be the most appropriate option for our long-term development. I would be happy to discuss this further and explore possible solutions.

Best regards,
Samantha Clarington
Marketing Manager

Une version plutôt niveau A2-B1

Dear Mr Smith,

Thank you for your email and for giving me this study. I have looked at the two options and I would like to share my opinion.

If we invest in making the company more environmentally friendly, our image could improve. More customers who care about the environment may choose our company. This can help us in the long term. However, the financial results may take time. Also, this change would need a large communication budget, and we must consider this.

If we focus on industrial production to increase profits, we can get money more quickly. However, this choice may not respect future customer and government expectations about the environment.

I think the environmentally friendly option is the best choice for our long-term development. I would be happy to discuss this with you and find solutions.

Best regards,
Samantha Clarington
Marketing Manager

Exercice e-mail professionnel:

Grammar

Professional communication

1. Traduisez en anglais : « Merci de me faire parvenir le compte-rendu de la réunion dès que possible. »
2. Rédigez un email professionnel en anglais pour demander un rendez-vous avec un client.
3. Comment répondriez-vous en anglais à un collègue qui vous propose de l’aide sur un dossier important ?

Professional situation

Vous êtes en réunion avec des collègues anglophones. Comment réagiriez-vous dans les situations suivantes ?

1. Vous n’avez pas compris une information importante. Que dites-vous ?
2. Un collègue exprime une idée avec laquelle vous êtes en désaccord. Comment le formulez-vous diplomatiquement ?
3. Vous devez conclure une présentation et remercier votre audience. Que dites-vous ?

Diving is an exciting water sport with many types. Scuba diving lets people explore the deep sea using a tank of air. Divers can see colorful fish, corals, and even shipwrecks. Free diving is diving without an air tank. Divers hold their breath and go deep for a short time. Snorkeling is a simple way to enjoy underwater life. People wear a mask and a tube (snorkel) to breathe while floating on the surface. Cliff diving is for adventure lovers. They jump from high cliffs into the water. Each type of diving is unique and fun!

Can you think of a situation in your workplace where something made you feel happy, frustrated, or productive? Explain why.

These vocabulary exercises are quite recommended when preparing the DCL exam.

Exercises for Beginners in economic vocabulary:

Exercises for more experienced learners in economic vocabulary:

Competition:

Customer’s need

Crisis

Dealing with phone calls in an international business, is- or should be- part the daily working life. Moreover, unless you speak your interlocutor’s mother tongue, most of the calls will be in English, as it is the most widely spoken language in business. However, it can also be a tricky task. Indeed when speaking a foreign language, the phone conversation is the hardest situation, because:

• you can’t see your interlocutor which means:
  • you can’t read his lips,
  • you can’t see his expressions,
  • you can’t see his gestures,
• the line can have poor quality, which would make the understanding harder.
• even if the line is good, the conversation, will never be as clear as a face to face meeting.

Consequently, in order to avoid misunderstanding, you need to be prepared.

How to answer the phone professionnaly in English?

A typical business call

In the video below, you can see how the lady answers professionnaly the phone:

‘Good morning, Chic Boutique, how can I help you?’

The professionnal way to answer customer’s phone calls in a company is this:

Good morning/ good afternoon, the name of the company, and: how can I help you?

You can also add your name between the name of the company and how can I help you.

A few basic typical sentences for business phone calls:

I would like to talk to …

I will put you through to Mr … (in French: je vais vous passer Mr …)

The line is engaged: (in French: la ligne est occupée )

Please hold the line (in French: un instant s’il vous plaît, veuillez patienter un instant)

Can I leave a message?

The right attitude on a business call

Even if the customer cannot see you, it is important to smile on the phone. This will convey an impression of happiness. Furthermore, when you listen to the customer take your time and remain focused, listen carfully and try not to interrupt him -unless he really speaks fast and you don’t get a word, in this case let him know and ask him nicely to speak more slowly-.

When you speak, speak clearly as

3 tips to avoid misunderstandings

Spelling with the NATO alphabet

In the video about, the Mr Wright uses the English alphabet to spell his name, which is absolutely correct. Nevertheless in a phone conversation, the understanding of the letter p, t or b can be challenging. That is why in an international call I would recommend to use the NATO Alphabet or even better both English and NATO Alphabet.

What is the NATO phonetic alphabet, and why is it vital in an international phone call?

According to Wikipedia, it is the most widely used set of clear-code words for communicating the letters of the Roman alphabet. It is a standard alphabet used in many countries and in military communication.

In the video below, you will be given an example of how this spelling technique can save situations. This is the example of a call center, but it works each time you want to get the proper information when it involves spelling words that can be key in a conversation and that you don’t understand: a name, an address, a specific product…

For instance, to spell SMITH, it would be : S for Sierra, M for Mike, I for India, T for tango, H for hotel

If you want someone to spell like that, you can ask : ‘Could you key-spell your name, please‘

If you don’t have much time you can start the video at minute 5′

Make your interlocutor repeat, make sure you understand properly

When you use a foreign language during a phone call, it is vital to feel free to inform your interlocutor if there is something you haven’t understood.

Could you repeat?

Do you mean that …?

Do not hang up before you make a summary of the conversation or actions you have to take.

Finally at the end of the conversation, make sure everything is clear. A short summary of the conversation will avoid mistakes. Make sure you wait for the customer feed-back on the summary before ending the conversation.

Whether you book your hotel online, on the phone or in the hotel, it is vital to know some useful English words and sentences. This vocabulary will help you every time you travel abroad and you have to find accommodation.

How to book a hotel room

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uC2ueNl6_M

Interactive vocabulay exercise:

A complaint at the hotel:

Once at the hotel, everything may not go as expected. You may have to report a technical problem to the reception.

 vidéo sur les réclamations dans un hôtel en anglais

Complaint vocabulary

According to the Cambridge dictionary, sightseeing is the act of visiting interesting places, especially by people on holidays.

I will do some sightseeing in London.

You can do some sightseeing: on your own, in groups, with a guide or with an audio guide. This will depend on your expectations, the time you have, your abilities and the place you want to explore.

Guided tours:

A guided tour will provide with the comments of an experienced professional. A Licensed or official tourist guide will be happy to give historical details, explain the architecture or answer all your questions in your own language! The official guides usually have knowledge in history, art and architecture, besides they often speak several languages.

In some countries, some street vendors will propose you tour packages. Unfortunatly, these may not be the more reliable tours and your guide may not be able to give thorough information about history and culture. Moreover, you may be asked for more fees during the tour that the vendor forgot to tell you about.

It is, indeed, advisable to choose your own experienced guide from the official country guides or from a company specialized in this business.

Some English vocabulary for guided tours : https://www.englishclub.com/english-for-work/tour-guide-interest.php

Sightseeing on your own

Sightseeing on your own is an enriching experience that offers unparalleled freedom and personal growth. It allows you to explore at your own pace, savoring moments without the pressure of a group itinerary. You can linger in places that captivate you, skip those that don’t, and indulge in spontaneous detours that might lead to hidden gems. I have always been in awe of people who explore new countries on their own.

My personal experience

As far as I concerned, my first limitation is my poor sense of direction. Even though I know I can, partly, rely on GPS or maps, not everyone is a born adventurer, and I can only push myself beyond my own boundaries for a short period of time. Actually, I have visited new places abroad on my own or even with young children. But I feel some kind of selfconsciousness stops me from using all my freedom potential, is it lack of confidence or lack of sense of directions which leads to lack of confidence? I guess both. Therefore, personnaly if I want to explore thorougly a new place to set myself some goals that go way beyond seesighting.

What about your personal experience of sightseeing on your own?

Traveling solo fosters a deeper connection with your surroundings. Without the distraction of companions, you can immerse yourself fully in the sights, sounds, and scents of a new place. This heightened awareness often leads to more meaningful interactions with locals, offering a more authentic glimpse into the culture.

Planning your solo adventure can be both exciting and empowering. It gives you the opportunity to tailor your journey to your interests, whether that’s art, history, nature, or food. With resources like travel blogs, apps, and guidebooks, crafting a perfect itinerary is easier than ever.

A great advantage of exploring solo, is that you can wander in streets or paths without any set target or destination, in order to feel the atmosphere, and not only follow some blogger experience but make your own. When you have company, it might be harder to agree on the random wandering.

Safety and practicality are important considerations. Always be mindful of your environment, keep your belongings secure, and stay connected with loved ones back home. By being prepared and staying open to new experiences, solo sightseeing can be a profoundly rewarding journey, offering memories and personal insights that last a lifetime.