Stories for English Learners

Unit 1 – Connections 01

Aprende expresiones idiomáticas y phasal verbs con la historia de Kate.

Kate is leaving for university tomorrow, leaving behind her comfort zone and family. Melanie is worried, but Kate has something else on her mind. What could it be?

Uriel Benitez
April 10, 2023
Everyday Idioms 2
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Everyday Idioms 2

Warm Up

To what extent do you believe that the country where a company is based, influences its organizational culture?
What are some effective ways for businesses to manage remote teams and maintain productivity in the era of remote work?

Exercise A

Vocabulary for the Exercise

OPEN-MINDED

"As a manager, it's important to be open-minded and receptive to new ideas from employees."
OUT-OF-THE-WAY

"The company's office is located out-of-the-way, but the low rent makes it an attractive option."
TIME-CONSUMING

"The research project was very time-consuming, but it resulted in valuable insights for the company."
UP-AND-COMING

"Our start-up is an up-and-coming player in the industry, with a lot of potential for growth."
SELF-ASSURED

"She exudes a self-assured confidence that makes her a strong leader and effective negotiator."
OUTSPOKEN

"The company's CEO is known for being outspoken about social and political issues, which has garnered both praise and criticism."
EASY-GOING

"His easy-going demeanor and sense of humor make him a popular and well-liked manager."
LOW-KEY

"The company's launch event was intentionally low-key, with a small guest list and minimal fanfare."
UNEXPECTED

"The sudden departure of the company's CFO was unexpected and caused some concern among shareholders."

Exercise A.1

Are you confident in your ability to speak English like a native? Share your skills with us here!

Presione el botón de abajo y lea el siguiente párrafo:

"So, on my first day here, it was at the afternoon meeting, and I was introduced to my colleagues. They were pleasant enough, but it was kind of annoying at the beginning, because to be honest, I found them a little dull and, well, pompous. I guess I could have been more open-minded."

Hablando...

Audio

Audio 1.1

1. Kimberly

So, on my first day here, it was at the afternoon meeting, and I was introduced to my colleagues. They were pleasant enough, but it was kind of annoying at the beginning, because to be honest, I found them a little dull and, well, pompous. I guess I could have been more open-minded. I was too quick to judge – it was just different to what I was used to, but with time I think my impression probably changed. Er, the building itself is in this out-of-the-way, purpose-built, industrial zone, as they call it here. In fact, it’s pretty upmarket and I think it has pretty much everything you could ask for. One thing I found very time- consuming was the constant greeting and wishing people farewell. I can appreciate the need for formality, but it got kind of tedious, all that kissing and shaking hands every day.

2. Igor

When you’re working here, you have to take into account the wide variety of cultural influences. It’s quite amazing to me, really. I mean, it’s so up-and-coming, investment is pouring in from everywhere. And it really is a melting-pot culture, so business tends to be more formal, which, personally, I think is not a bad thing. People dress smartly, and they are confident, you know, self-assured and outspoken. Where I come from many things are outdated and in some cases quite run-down, but over here it’s the opposite. Everything is new and state-of-the-art. I suppose a predictable outcome of this difference in cultures is that communication can sometimes break down, you know, in negotiations and business deals. So what happens is that language and concepts get simplified, which can lead to meetings that are, you know, run-of-the-mill – quite dull, really.

3. Ho Lee Park

When you arrive in New Zealand, there are so many new things to take on board. A lot of new information to process. But New Zealanders are very down to earth people, and very easy-going. I was surprised at first, but I like it. Coming from a big city, I guess it’s not surprising that New Zealand lifestyle is more low-key. Yes, this helps to make it relaxing, but there are times when it can feel quite a lonely place. One of the most unexpected things for me was how entertaining the people can be. Laughter and joking are very much part of the culture, and it’s nice at work sometimes, when people are not so serious. It helps to cheer me up.

Speaking Activity

Case Study: “Strategic Decision on the Location of a New Plant”

Case Context:

“Global Solutions,” a company in the tech industry, is planning to open a new plant.
The CEO has suggested a specific location based on benefits such as proximity to suppliers and labor availability.
However, the student, in the role of a market analyst or strategist, has gathered information suggesting this location might not be optimal due to logistical issues, environmental concerns, or local community resistance.

Student’s Role:

The student plays the role of an analyst or strategist who must present their findings and concerns to the CEO and the executive team.

Tasks for the Student:

Prepare a detailed report summarizing the information and analysis, highlighting the potential risks and problems of the proposed location.
Propose alternative locations, backed by data and analysis.

Student Analysis: Key Points

Logistical Issues:
- Transportation and distribution challenges.
- Limited access to main roads.
Environmental Concerns:
- Proximity to protected natural areas.
- Potential regulatory conflicts.
Local Community Resistance:
- Concerns about noise and environmental impact.
- Need for extensive community engagement.
Location Alternative:
- Better logistical advantages.
- Greater community acceptance.
Benefits and Drawbacks Comparison:
- Long-term costs vs. immediate benefits.
- Alignment with strategic objectives.

Useful Phrases and Vocabulary:

“After careful analysis…” (Para comenzar la presentación)
“One major concern is…” (Para introducir un problema)
“Something that comes to mind is…” (Para compartir un pensamiento o idea)
“An alternative worth considering…” (Para sugerir otra opción)
“This could potentially lead to…” (Para explicar las consecuencias)
“Taking into account…” (Para considerar factores específicos)
“From a strategic standpoint…” (Para enfocarse en la estrategia)
“It’s imperative to consider…” (Para enfatizar la importancia de algo)
“In light of these findings…” (Para concluir con base en la información presentada)

Exercise B

Comprehension

IGOR
What does the speaker mention about cultural influences in their workplace?
How does the speaker describe the investment situation in their workplace?
What does the speaker suggest can happen in communication during negotiations and business deals?

Exercise C - Writing

Write a letter to a friend or family member in Europe describing your experiences with Mexican culture. Use some of the vocabulary words from the stories to describe the people and culture you encounter

Instructions:

Begin by introducing yourself and explaining why you are writing the letter.
Describe some of the cultural differences you have encountered in Mexico, such as the food, language, and customs. Use words like “easy-going,” “self-assured,” and “low-key” to describe the people and culture.
Give specific examples of your experiences at work, such as how people greet each other and how formal or informal the work environment is.
Talk about the importance of humor and laughter in Mexican culture, and how this has affected your experience in the workplace.
Use the vocabulary words from the stories to describe the people and culture you encounter, such as “down to earth,” “run-of-the-mill,” and “unexpected.”
Conclude by sharing some of your personal reflections on Mexican culture and how it has impacted you.

Tips:

Try to make your letter engaging and personal, so that your friend or family member can feel like they are experiencing Mexico through your eyes.
Use specific examples and anecdotes to bring your experiences to life.
Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and feelings about Mexican culture, even if they are different from your friend or family member’s own experiences or beliefs.

EXAMPLE:

I hope this letter finds you well! I wanted to write to you and share my experiences with Mexican culture since I arrived here for work. It’s been quite an adventure so far, and there is so much to take in!

One thing I’ve noticed is how easy-going and friendly the people are here. They are very self-assured and outspoken, but in a good way that makes you feel welcome. The culture is more low-key than what I’m used to back home, but I’ve really come to appreciate it.

At work, people greet each other with hugs and kisses on the cheek, which was unexpected at first but now feels like a nice way to start the day. The workplace culture is more formal than what I’m used to, but still very friendly and welcoming. It’s not uncommon for people to joke around and laugh, which is something I really enjoy.

Overall, I’m really enjoying my time in Mexico and getting to experience a new culture. The food and language are amazing, and the people are incredibly welcoming. I can’t wait to share more with you about my experiences here.

Take care and talk to you soon!

Best, [Your name]