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Workplace Communication 1

The document discusses important aspects of effective workplace communication such as using an appropriate register, correct grammar, and business idioms. It explains that register involves choosing words, tones, and body language suited to different relationships like colleagues, bosses, and employees. Examples are provided of formal and informal language registers and idioms commonly used in business contexts.

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Alexandra De Barros
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28 views21 pages

Workplace Communication 1

The document discusses important aspects of effective workplace communication such as using an appropriate register, correct grammar, and business idioms. It explains that register involves choosing words, tones, and body language suited to different relationships like colleagues, bosses, and employees. Examples are provided of formal and informal language registers and idioms commonly used in business contexts.

Uploaded by

Alexandra De Barros
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Workplace Communication

Conversations at Work
Goal for Today’s Class

Learn to carry on an appropriate conversation in a workplace setting


Today’s Agenda

Importance of communicating clearly in the workplace


Aspects of workplace communication – Register
Identifying different registers
Breakout activity
Grammar – Indirect Questions
Breakout activity
Idioms in a Business Context
Explanation of homework
Workplace communication skills are very important. Incorrect
workplace communication can:

• cause problems at work.

• cause people to ignore you.

• send the wrong message.


Important aspects of workplace communication:

• Register

• Correct Grammar

• Appropriate vocabulary
o Idioms
o Phrasal verbs
Register is:

the way a speaker uses language differently in different circumstances.

• Choice of words
• Tone of voice
• Body language

It can be:

• Formal
• Informal
• Intimate
(Wife to Husband)

• Hi honey, how was your day?


• Great. We got a lot done. And yours?
• Fine, but stressful. Pass me that magazine, please.
• Here you go.
(Friend to Friend)

• Hi Charlie, can you give me a hand?


• Sure Peter. What's up?
• I can't get this to work.
• Are you sure the switch is on ?
(Employee to boss or manager - for workplace communications)

• Good Morning, Mr. Jones, may I ask you a question?


• Certainly, Robert, how can I help you?
(Boss or manager to employee - for workplace communications)

• Excuse me Peter, we seem to be having a problem with the Smith


account. We'd better get together to discuss the situation.
• That's a good idea Ms Amons, would 4 o'clock suit you?
See how well you understand correct register usage in these following workplace
situations. Choose the appropriate relationship for these phrases from the choices
listed below.
Colleagues / Boss to Employee / Employee to Boss / Inappropriate for workplace

• I'm afraid we're having some problems with your performance. I would like to see
you in my office this afternoon.
• What did you do last weekend?
• Hey, get over here now!
• Excuse me, do you think it would be possible for me to go home early this
afternoon? I have a doctor's appointment.
• Well, we went to this wonderful restaurant in Yelm. The food was excellent
and the prices were reasonable.
• Listen, I'm going home early, so I can't finish the project until tomorrow.
• Excuse me Bob, would you mind lending me $10 for lunch. I'm short today.
• Give me five bucks for lunch. I forgot to go to the bank.
• You are an extremely handsome young man, I'm sure you'll do well at our
company.
• Excuse me Ms Brown, could you help me with this report for a moment?
Indirect Questions

• Used in a formal, polite situation (no “tu” or “vous” in English!)

• Introductory phrase + question word + positive sentence


• Do you know … ?
• I wonder / was wondering ….
• Can you tell me … ?
• Do you happen to know ...?
• I have no idea ...
• I'm not sure ...
• I'd like to know ...
• Question word: what, when, where, how, why, which

• Positive statement: She bought a new car.

• Combining these elements gives us the indirect question:

I wonder why she bought a new car.


• Examples
• Where is Jack? > I was wondering if you know where Jack is.
• When does Alice usually arrive? > Do you know when Alice usually
arrives?
• What have you done this week? > Can you tell me what you've done
this week?
• How much does it cost? > I'd like to know how much it costs.
• Which color suits me? > I'm not sure which color suits me.
• Why did he leave his job? > I wonder why he left his job.
Take each direct question and create an indirect question with an introductory
phrase.

• What time does the train leave?


• How long will the meeting last?
• When does he get off work?
• Why have they waited so long to react?
• Are you coming to the party tomorrow?
• Which car should I choose?
• Where are the books for the class?
• Does he enjoy hiking?
• How much does the computer cost?
• Will they attend the conference next month?
Idioms That Can Be Used in a Business Situation

• to cut corners – to complete a task in the easiest, quickest, and


cheapest way
• to have one’s work cut out for him – when work is difficult to do and
there’s not a lot of time to do it in
• to touch base – to reconnect with someone briefly
• to bite your tongue – to not say what you really think
• to be in hot water – to be in trouble
• to show someone the ropes – to to show someone how to do a job or
an activity
• to step up to the plate – to be responsible for something when it
needs to be completed
• to go to bat for someone – to assist or support someone in whatever
way they need
• to be out of my league – to be too far out of reach, to be unattainable
• to rock the boat – to do or say something that upsets people
• Lindsay: “So can you finish your part by Thursday? The teacher is mad we
have been late. She says we are in ________________________. “
• Michelle: “Yes I will make sure it gets done. I know I need to finally
___________________. I’ve got___________________________. “
• Lindsay: “It’s ok. If you have trouble, I will go____________________. I know
you have had a lot of trouble with technology.”
• Michelle: “Thanks. Do you think Harvard University is
out______________________?”
• Lindsay: “No! You can do it! Get your work done, but just
don’t___________________!”
• Michelle: “Okay, I’ll ________________ with you tomorrow.”
In this roleplay, Michelle is Lindsay’s teammate on a class project.
• Lindsay: “So can you finish your part by Thursday? The teacher is mad we
have been late. She says we are in hot water. “
• Michelle: “Yes I will make sure it gets done. I know I need to finally step up
to the plate. I’ve got my work cut out for me. “
• Lindsay: “It’s ok. If you have trouble, I will go to bat for you. I know you have
had a lot of trouble with technology.”
• Michelle: “Thanks. Do you think Harvard University is out of my league?”
• Lindsay: “No! You can do it! Get your work done, but just don’t cut corners!”
• Michelle: “Okay, I’ll touch base with you tomorrow”
And with that,

Let’s call it a day!

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