The document provides guidance on speaking at the workplace, including situations that require workplace communication such as small talks, meetings, and presentations. It discusses the importance of using appropriate register depending on the communication context and relationship. The document includes activities to practice asking polite questions indirectly and expressing gratitude appropriately in workplace conversations through role plays and examples.

1. Workplace Communications
Week 1
Speaking at the Workplace

2. Brainstorming
• In what situations
do you have to
talk at your work?
• What is
challenging for
you to talk about
at your work?
Original image by Geralt. CC-By-SA.

3. Speaking at the workplace
• Small talks
• Voice mail messages
• Meetings
• Networking
• Presentations

4. Register use
Greeting
Introduction
Asking for
information
Agenda
Expressing
gratitude

5. Register use
Register

6. Speaking politely and formally
Screenshot of ACT 6 http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

7. What is register?
• Register
unwritten communication rules followed in
workplace communications, with friends,
strangers, etc.

8. Activity 1a
A: Hi Charlie, can
you give me a
hand?
B: Sure, Peter. What's
up?
A: I can't get this to
work.
B: Why don't you try
to use a
screwdriver?
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

9. Activity 1a
A: Hi Charlie, can
you give me a
hand?
B: Sure, Peter. What's
up?
A: I can't get this to
work.
B: Why don't you try
to use a
screwdriver?
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

10. Activity 1b
A: Good Morning,
Mr. Jones, may I
ask you a
question?
B: Certainly, how
can I help you?
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

11. Activity 1b
A: Good Morning,
Mr. Jones, may I
ask you a
question?
B: Certainly, how
can I help you?
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

12. Activity 1c
A: Excuse me,
Brandon, we seem
to be having a
problem with the
EO account. We'd
better get
together to discuss
the situation.
B: That's a good
idea Ms. Everson,
would 4 o'clock
suit you?
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

13. Activity 1c
A: Excuse me,
Brandon, we seem
to be having a
problem with the
EO account. We'd
better get
together to discuss
the situation.
B: That's a good
idea Ms. Everson,
would 4 o'clock
suit you?
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

14. Activity 1d
A: Hi honey, how
was your day?
B: Great, we got a
lot done. And
yours?
A: Fine, but stressful.
Pass me that
magazine, please.
B: Here you go.
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

15. Activity 1d
A: Hi honey, how
was your day?
B: Great, we got a
lot done. And
yours?
A: Fine, but stressful.
Pass me that
magazine, please.
B: Here you go.
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

16. Activity 1e
A: Pardon me. Do
you think you
could give me
the time?
B: Certainly, it's
twelve thirty.
C: Thank you.
D: Not at all.
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

17. Activity 1eorrect register use
A: Pardon me. Do
you think you
could give me
the time?
B: Certainly, it's
twelve thirty.
C: Thank you.
D: Not at all.
Who is having this
conversation?
1.Wife to Husband
2.Friend to Friend
3.Subordinate to Superior
4.Superior to Subordinate
5.Man Speaking to Stranger

18. Greeting
Introduction
Greeting/Intro

19. Role-play
Scenario:
In a workplace setting you are
introduced to a new colleague.
How do you respond?
A: I’d like to introduce you to Charlie.
You:

20. Role-play
Scenario:
In a workplace setting you are
introduced to a new colleague.
How do you respond?
A: I’d like to introduce you to Charlie.
You: It’s a pleasure to meet
you./Pleased to meet you.

21. Asking for information
Asking for
information

22. Scenario:
• You arrive at the school office. You ask for Jessica,
the teacher in charge of the lunch program.
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

23. Listen to the conversation….
• Hello! Can I help you?
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

24. Yes. Hi, I'm here to start
volunteering in the
cafeteria. I was told
that I should find a
teacher named
Jessica- I was
wondering if you
could tell me how to
find her. It's my first
day and I don’t
know the school very
well.
Hello,
Can I help
you?

25. Grammar Review
I was wondering if
you could tell me
how to find her.

26. Direct question:
How can I find her?
Indirect question:
I was wondering if you could tell
me how to find her.

27. Listening
1. Listen to Part 1 of a short interview.
2. You will hear two indirect questions.
Type them in the chatbox.

28. Interview with Ianthe – Part 1
Stephanie: Thank you so much for agreeing to talk with me today!
Ianthe: Oh, that is no problem! Thanks for being interested in my
job!
Stephanie: I am wondering if you can tell us about your job.
Ianthe: I am an e-Facilitator for EO. I really like this job. I teach
online classes…..
Stephanie: Do you happen to know if you need a specific education to
work as an e-Facilitator?
Ianthe: Yes, you do need a certificate. It is called….

29. Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question
Can you tell us about your job? I am wondering if you can tell us about
your job.
Do you need a specific education to
work as an
e-Facilitator?
Do you happen to know if you need a
specific education to work as an e-
Facilitator?

30. Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question
Can you tell me the way to the office? I am wondering…
Do you need a Criminal Record Check
for this position?
Do you happen to know…

31. Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question
Can you tell me the way to the office? I am wondering if you could tell me the
way to the office.
Do you need a Criminal Record Check
for this position?
Do you happen to know

32. Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question
Can you tell me the way to the office? I am wondering if you could tell me the
way to the office.
Do you need a Criminal Record Check
for this position?
Do you happen to know if you need a
Criminal Record Check for this position?

33. Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question
Is there some coffee left?
Is Briar still in the office?

34. Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question
Is there some coffee left? I wonder if there is some coffee left.
Is Briar still in the office?

35. Direct yes/no question Indirect yes/no question
Is there some coffee left? I wonder if there is some coffee left.
Is Briar still in the office? Do you happen to know if Briar is still in the
office?

36. Listening
1. Listen to Part 2 of the interview.
2. You will hear three indirect questions.
Type them in the chatbox.

37. Interview with Ianthe – Part 2
Stephanie: I'd like to know how you got into this field.
Ianthe:
Stephanie: Could you tell me what personal characteristics are
required to be successful in your job?
Ianthe:
Stephanie: Could you please explain what a WizIQ class is?
Ianthe:

38. Direct questions Indirect questions
How did you get into this field? I'd like to know how you got into
this field?
Could you tell me what personal
characteristics are required to be
successful in your job?
Could you please explain what a
WizIQ class is?

39. Direct questions Indirect questions
How did you get into this field? I'd like to know how you got into
this field?
What personal characteristics are
required to be successful in your
job?
Could you tell me what personal
characteristics are required to be
successful in your job?
Could you please explain what a
WizIQ class is?

40. Direct questions Indirect questions
How did you get into this field? I'd like to know how you got into
this field?
What personal characteristics are
required to be successful in your
job?
Could you tell me what personal
characteristics are required to be
successful in your job?
What is a WizIQ class? Could you please explain what a
WizIQ class is?

41. Word order is tricky!
How did you get into this field?
I'd like to know how you got into this field.
Rule: Subject comes after formula

42. Word order is tricky!
What is a WiZiQ class?
Could you please explain what
Rule: Subject comes after formula
a WiZiQ class is?

43. Formulas for polite questions
Could you please explain …
I'd like to know …
Could you tell me …

44. Direct questions Indirect questions
How long have you been in Canada? I'd like to know how…..
What do you like about your job? Could you tell me what..
What is the biggest challenge? Could you please…

45. Direct questions Indirect questions
How long have you been in Canada? I'd like to know how long…
you have been in Canada.
What do you like about your job? Could you tell me what...
What is the biggest challenge? Could you please…

46. Direct questions Indirect questions
How long have you been in Canada? I'd like to know how…
how long you have been in Canada.
What do you like about your job? Could you tell me what...
you like about your job?
What is the biggest challenge? Could you please tell me …

47. Direct questions Indirect questions
How long have you been in Canada? I'd like to know how…
how long you have been in Canada.
What do you like about your job? Could you tell me what...
you like about your job?
What is the biggest challenge? Could you please tell me what
the biggest challenge is?

48. Listening
1. Listen to Part 3 of the interview.
2. You will hear two indirect questions.
Type them in the chatbox.

49. Interview with Ianthe – Part 3
Stephanie: I'm interested in knowing three things you really like about
your job.
Ianthe:
Stephanie:
Ianthe:

50. Interview with Ianthe – Part 3
Stephanie: I'm interested in knowing three things you really like about
your job.
Ianthe:
Stephanie: Would you mind telling me three things that you do not like
about your job?
Ianthe:

51. Gerund (verb+ing)
Direct questions Indirect questions
What are three things you really like
about your job?
I'm interested in knowing three things
you really like about your job?
Would you mind telling me three things
that you do not like about your job?

52. Direct questions Indirect questions
What are three things you really like
about your job?
I'm interested in knowing three things
you really like about your job?
What are the three things that you do
not like about your job?
Would you mind telling me three things
that you do not like about your job?
Gerund (verb+ing)

53. Direct question: Indirect question
using a gerund
How much time do you spend
in front of a computer screen?
I'm interested in knowing….
What was your first job? Would you mind telling me
about

54. Revision
I am wondering if ..
I'd like to know how…
Would you mind telling me about…

55. Yes/no – questions: if
Wh- questions: when, how, what
Wh – question: verb + ing
Revision

56. Asking polite questions:
Let's practise more!

57. One of the volunteers is a manager of a hotel and says that
the hotel is hiring.Listen to the manager…
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

58. You ask about the position and the name of the hotel.
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

59. You ask about the position and the name of the hotel.
Could you please tell me what the position is?
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

60. You explain that you are interested in getting more
information.
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

61. You explain that you are interested in getting more information.
Would you mind telling me a little bit more about this position?
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

62. You ask to make an appointment for a job interview
on the spot.
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

63. You ask to make an appointment for a job interview on the spot.
Fantastic! I wonder if I could make an appointment for a job
interview right away.
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

64. Expressing gratitude
Expressing
gratitude

65. You really want to thank for this great
information!
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

66. You really want to thank for this great information!
Thank you so much for this exciting information! Your support is
highly appreciated!
Screenshot of ACT 6
http://youliveandlearn.ca/lessons/language-training/act-6/

67. Expressing gratitude
Thank you very much.
It was very kind of you.
I appreciate your help.
You have been very helpful.
You are welcome.
It's my pleasure.
Any time.

68. Register use
Greeting
Introduction
Asking for
information
Expressing
gratitude
What have you learned today?

69. Questions

70. Links and resources
• Language Explorer
• http://www.myenglishonline.ca/eal.assess/assessment/act6.ht
ml
• Formal and informal greetings
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bixg6QUNHDg
• Register use
• http://esl.about.com/od/businessspeakingskills/a/Workplace-
Communication-Skills-For-Esl-Learners.htm
• Quiz about indirect questions
• http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_indirect.htm
• Expressing gratitude:
• http://www.eslhelpdesk.com/Library/thankyouverymuch.htm