Unit One

Introduction

In business world, you will often meet people you do not know. Especially when attending an international meeting, you will have to introduce yourself to the other participants.

In this unit you will learn how to introduce yourself in a business environment. You will get familiar with some engineering jobs and learn some phrases used when meeting people for the first time.

After this unit you should be able to:

• introduce yourself (at a meeting)
• make a first contact with an unknown person in business
• talk about your job and responsibilities

Tasks and Dates

This unit consists of three tasks. In the first task you will learn how to introduce yourself at an international meeting. You will listen to several introductions and get familiar with some words and phrases used in this situation. Then you will write your own introduction in the INTRODUCTION forum.

Secondly, you will get familiar with some jobs in engineering. You will learn some phrases used when talking about jobs and responsibilities.

Thirdly, you will learn some phrases used when meeting people for the first time in business. You will practice socializing.

To complete this unit you should go thought all activities. Contribute to all forums at least once. Go thought the quizzes.

Let me introduce myself

Peter Green works as a project manager at a company producing special metal alloys that are used for making aircraft. He has been asked to attend an international project meeting in Athens. At the meeting the participants will discuss a new design and materials for a new Air Bus plane.

- First, go to the International meeting - True or False Quiz. Listen to the recording and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

Go to the International meeting - Gaps Quiz. Listen again and complete the missing words.

- Look at the grammar spot. To practice the tenses go to the websites listed below.

http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.person.i.htm

http://www.english-grammar-lessons.com/presentsimple/menu.php
http://www.english-grammar-lessons.com/presentsimpleorcontinuous/menu.php http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.percon.i.htm

http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.presper.i.htm

http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.presper.i.htm

http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.perf.i.htm

http://www.english-grammar-lessons.com/presentperfect/menu.php

http://www.english-grammar-lessons.com/presentperfectcontinuous/menu.php

http://www.english-grammar-lessons.com/presentperfectsimpleorcontinuous/menu.php

http://www.english-grammar-lessons.com/presentperfectorpastsimple/menu.php

- Go to the INTRODUCTION forum and follow these instructions:

• School and Department
• How long you have been studying there
• Your field of study
• Things you are in charge of or responsible for
• Some things you do or are interested in
• Any projects you work on

Jobs

What kind of job would you like to get? Why? Can you list some engineering jobs? These are the questions would will be asked to discuss.

- First, go to the ENGINEERING JOBS forum and answer the questions listed above.

- Then, go to the JOB quiz and complete the listening comprehension exercises.

You will hear some people speaking about the following jobs:

• Production Engineer
  
• Fitter
• Design Engineer
• Research Engineer
• Installation Engineer
• Tool maker
• Maintenance technician
• Control Engineer
• Welder

- Finally, go to the MY RESPONSIBILITY forum and explain your job responsibilities.

Socializing

What do you think business people say when they meet for the first time?

- Go to the SOCIALIZING forum and write down your ideas. Comment on at least one contribution.

- Study the phrases below:

1)

A: Where are you based?

B: Our company is based in Hamburg in Germany.

2)

A: Hello, I’m Peter Brown. Pleased to meet you.

B: Nice to meet you, Peter.

3)

A: Is this your first trip to China?

B: No, I was here two years ago.

4)

A: Where are you staying?

B: I am staying in Hotel Angelo, close to the train station.

5)

A: What area of (engineering) do you work in?

B: I work in aeronautical engineering.

6)

A: What does your company do?

B: We develop new materials in aircraft construction.

7)

A: Do you have a card?

B: Yes, here it is.

- Go the SOCIALIZING listening comprehension quiz .

- Finally complete the Socializing quiz.