2. Words & Phrases used in meetings
Meetings
1. meeting 2. discussion 3. topics 4. agenda 5. propose 6. productive 7. minutes 8. brainstorm
9. pointless 10. get-together 11. proceedings 12. Participant 13. conference 14. issues 15. attendee
16. Chairperson 17. matters 18. objective
Ex. 1. The chairman is Mr. Reynolds. 2. The discussion is coming to an end.
3. There are fiveparticipants in the meeting.
Opening Meetings
1. Let’s get down to business. 2. As you can see on the agenda . . .3. It’s a pleasure to welcome . . .
4. I’d like to introduce . . .5. There are three items on the agenda. 6. This should take about two hours.
7. Right, let’s begin. 8. I’d like to start by welcoming . . .9. I would like to finish by four o’clock.
10. I suggest we talk about . . first/next/last. 11. The meeting is due to finish at . . . 12. Can I
introduce . . .?
Starting Setting the Agenda Introducing Setting the Timing
Put the phrases into the following table showing their purposes.
3. Planning a Meeting
Listen to the following dialogue. Circle any words you hear from the previous section
Martin: John, Mr. Davies has asked me to plan the agenda for our meeting with Stanton Industries.
Have you got any ideas that could help me?
John: Sure, the first thing an agenda has to cover is when and where the meeting is
going to be held.
Martin: OK, it’s on Thursday at 3 p.m.
John: Great. Next, you need to know who will be the chairperson, and who the other
participants will be.
Martin: That makes sense. What do I need to say
about the topic of the meeting?
John: In the agenda, you need to list all
of the topics for discussion. You
need to include some information
about each topic as well.
Martin: Is that all?
John: No, you also need to write down
who will be taking the minutes of the meeting. Do you have any special guests?
Martin: Yes, Jeff Stanton is coming to the meeting.
John: Then you should also make sure you leave time to welcome him. Mr. Davies can do that as
part of his opening remarks. Make sure you mention that he’ll be giving the opening remarks
on the agenda.
4. An Agenda
1. Which person does not work for
Mr. Davies?
a. Jeff Stanton b. Sarah Harding
c. John Gill
2. Who will introduce the people who
are speaking?
a. Mr. Davies b. Martin Shandwick
c. Not mentioned
3. How long will the meeting last?
a. Thursday b. No way of knowing
c. Two hours
4. Who will talk about the future?
a. Sarah Harding b. John Gill
c. Matt Burns
5. Who will write down what is
discussed in the meeting?
a. Martin Shandwick b. Kate
Ramsay c. Mr. Davies
Study the agenda below and answer the questions
5. Listen to the introduction of meeting
Computers board one Debbie questions two agenda
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, members of the (1) __________. If everyone is here, I’d like to
get things started. My name is Dave Reynolds. I am the VP of company policy for Stanton Industries.
First of all, I’d like to welcome our guests from Blade (2) __________, Mr. Davies and Mr. Shandwick.
Thank you for joining us.
We’re here today to discuss Blade Computers’s request for investment in their company. Unfortunately,
Mr. Stanton cannot join us today, but we have the minutes from our last meeting, and I have a list of his
comments. This meeting should last for (3) __________ hour. Rob Smith will take the minutes.
Have you all got a copy of the (4) __________?
Good. There are three areas of discussion today. First, (5) __________ Long is going to talk about the history
of Blade Computers. She will also talk about their achievements, and the problems they have now.
Next, Mike Reed will discuss how Stanton can help
Blade Computers. He will show that with a small
investment, we can help Blade Computers make money in (6) __________ years.
Finally, Martin Shandwick will address any (7) __________
you have about the current situation at Blade Computers.
If that is all clear, I’ll hand over to Debbie.
Thank you.
