Running A Teleconference （下）

Saying itaccurately

Match the two halves of thesequestions used to ask for clarification and repetition.

1.   Sorry, but I don't...

2.   Sorry, but I didn't quite catch that. Could you…

3.   Sorry, I’m afraid…

4.   Excuse me, but I’m not sure

A.   ...I missed that.Could you say it again, please?

B.   ...quite followyou. Could you repeat what you just said?

C.   ...what you meantby that. Would you mind repeating it?

D.   ...run that by meone more time?

Saying itclearly

Listen to the sentences below and repeatthem.

Note how thespeaker's intonation goes down when introducing a teleconference, interruptingpolitely and dealing with interruptions, but up when asking for clarificationand repetition.

Before we start, let's just check some ground rulesfor telephone conferences. Fabrice, I don't think Chris has finished yet.

Sorry, can I come in here?

Excuse me, but I'm not sure what you meant by that.Would you mind repeating it?

Saying itappropriately

Listen to these four requests,deciding whether the speaker sounds polite or impolite.

1.   Please always say your name first. (impolite/polite)

2.   Begin by saying your name, please. (impolite/polite)

3.   Please don't cut in on people. (impolite/polite)

4.   Please don't interrupt other speakers(impolite/polite)

Get speaking

You are the facilitator at ameeting in Berlin with the following participants:

Kazumi from Japan      Eminfrom Turkey

Pierre from France       Jakefrom the USA

Introduce yourself, welcome theparticipants, and lay out the ground rules for the teleconference.

The meeting is underway. When youhear the beep, pause and respond. Use the prompts below to interruptappropriately.

1.   Interrupt politely and deal with Emin interrupting Pierre.

2.   Interrupt politely and ask Jake to clarify what he means and not to useidioms.

3.   Interrupt politely and ask Pierre to repeat what he said.

4.   Interrupt politely and ask Emin if he agrees with the suggestion.

5.   Interrupt politely and remind speakers not to talk at the same time.