Speaking

1. Useful language: Decision-making

Study the table below and then listen to the management of a retail group discussing the problem of their store in Paris. Tick the expressions in the Useful Language box that you hear.

Asking for the facts Can you bring us up to date? Can you give us the background? Where do we stand with …?	Identifying needs We’ve got to get more information. We need more information about where we’re going wrong.	Making a decision The solution, then, is to keep the store going. I think, on balance, we feel we should keep the store going.
Making a suggestion We should sell out as soon as possible. Why don’t we sell out?	Agreeing You’re absolutely right. I totally agree with you.	Stating future action So, the next thing to do is … What we’ve got to do now is …
Disagreeing I don’t agree with that at all. I totally disagree.	Expressing doubt I am worried about the store’s location. I’m not sure about that.

Ex. 1. Listen to a marketing consultant presenting her report to the management of a retail group. Complete these extracts.

1. I …… you review your product ranges as soon as possible.

2. What …… is more knowledge of the youth market.

3. I think …… a top executive to run that part of the business.

4. I’m …… with the furniture department.

5. I just …… it will ever make much money.

6. I also have …… about your stationery department.

7. The answer …… is to do something quickly.

8. So, this is …… now. In my opinion reduce your range of products, cut out the loss makers.

Ex. 2. Choose a section in the Useful Language box for each of the missing words and phrases 1 to 8.

Ex. 3. A. Role play this situation. You are board members of a manufacturing firm. As your company is making loss, you must cut costs. Hold a meeting to decide which one of this options to follow.

• Cut factory workers’ wages by 10 per cent.

• Pay no end-of-year bonuses.

• Make 50 employees redundant.

• Reduce everyone’s sales by 8 per cent.

2. Discuss the following issues:

1. What is the rate of GDP in Belarus/the USA/the EU?

2. Which countries in the world have the highest/lowest GDP?

3. Would selling a previously owned or older apartment building affect the GDP? Why?

4. How do changes in disposable income affect government purchases?

5. What examples of economic overconfidence do you know?

6. What measures do governments take to avoid overheating of economy?

7. What countries in the world are presently enjoying the highest rates of economic growth?

3. Summarize the information of the Unit to be ready to speak on Gross Domestic Product. Use the following prompts as a plan.

• Give the definition of GDP.

• Dwell on the components of GDP.

• Speak on other measures of income in short.

• Explain what gross national product is.

• Give the definition of economic growth.

• Comment on positive and negative impacts of economic growth.