Understanding A Co-Worker In Conference Calls in English
Business English Student Dilemmas
— Problem – Understanding A Co-Worker In Conference Calls In English —
Problem:
In a class with one of our Business English students, we suggested a way to deal with a co-worker who uses complex and unnecessary language compared to other colleagues when communicating in English in conference calls.
The student feels stressed and gets blocked because they need to be able to take notes, respond to key points and defend their views in conference calls with this co-worker in English.
The student doesn’t have a problem understanding other co-workers in conference calls in English, but started to question both their abilities and English.
Solution:
Exercise 1 – we suggested to the student that they analyse and compare the communication styles and English used by that co-worker with the other co-workers in the weekly conference calls they have.
In particular, we asked the student to specifically highlight the language used by that co-worker and the other co-workers for specific tasks:
- to get their ideas across clearly
- to ask for opinions
- to defend their point of view
- to comment on an idea or opinion
- to explain an idea or process
- to check other people’s understanding
- to keep the conversation on topic (focused on the meeting agenda)
- to sum up
The goal of the exercise was so the student identified the key differences (English used & communication styles) in these specific tasks between that co-worker and the other co-workers.
Exercise 2 – we also asked the student to ask their other co-workers if they had problems understanding the communication of that co-worker in conference calls?
And their answers helped show the student that their abilities and English were not the problem.
Result:
The student now feels more confident and no longer doubts their abilities or English.
The student also realised that they needed to use more active listening techniques with this co-worker (e.g. check information, clarify their understanding, listen really carefully, give feedback and paraphrase in their own words what was said).
Do you have a similar Business English dilemma you’d like us to help you with? Get in contact with us (chris@englishtco.com or info@englishtco.com or our web’s contact form).
I hope this helps you in your professional career! Christopher Wright
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Read more Business English Student Dilemmas – Making Small Talk
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The English Training Company – helping companies and professionals to become Advanced Business English Speakers.
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