Effective use of

Spoken English
at Workplace
How good are you at communicating in English in your business life?

We want you to go to Why Am I not

onsite visit in the You know English getting any
United States, but your grammar and can promotion despite
You have an write, but you need working hard for so
English is not good
opportunity to to learn how to long ?
enough yet.
become a Manager speak English.
but, you need to
improve your English
before you can apply.

Technical Expert

Your ability to use English well within the workplace will make or break your career success.
Why is it difficult to speak English fluently ?
If you want to speak fluent English, then retrain simultaneously
 Your Brain
 Your Tongue
 Your Hearing

1. Sound Production
1. Vocabulary Memory 2. Breath Regulation
2. Partial Syntax Control 3. Proprioceptive Feedback
3. Feedback Coordination
4. Calibration

1. Auditory Feedback

A Human Speech Response takes about 200 milliseconds (one-fifth of a second) to execute:

1. Sensation : Neural transmission from sensory receptor ( eyes, ears, etc.,) to the brain, takes about 15 milliseconds.

2. Perception : Change of Sensation data into perceived information takes about 45 milliseconds.

3. Response : Usage of current perception and past experiences to formulate a course or action takes about 75 milliseconds.

4. Execution : Motor neurons carry signals from the brain to the tongue for a step-by-step sequence takes about 15 milliseconds.
 Three Stages of Motor Learning

Observe the Perform &

Motor Skill
Target Motor Refine the
becomes
Skill Motor Skill
Automatic

Autonomous
Cognitive Stage Associative Stage
Stage

Everyone Teaching to execute To practice these

performs slowly skills and to make
when attentively these skills takes a them automatic and
learning a new few hours. effortless takes
motor skill. thousands of hours.
 Level 1 :Mouth muscle stretching

The objective of this spoken English exercise is to habituate our tongues to

pronounce difficult and same sounding words easily.

1) She sells sea shells by the sea shore.

2)Purple, paper, people.

Purple, people, paper

3) Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
If Peter Piper Picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

4)Benny bought a bit of butter but the butter was so bitter so she bought a better butter to make the bitter
butter better.

5) Which witch wished which wicked wish?

6) If you understand say, "understand".

If you don't understand say, "don't understand".
But if you say don't understand even if you understand,
How will I understand that you understand? Understand?
 Introducing Grammar

What is grammar?

Grammar is a set of rules. Painful….but necessary as it helps us to make correct

sentences. Simply stated, placing the words in the correct order is applied gram-mar.

The Value of Studying Grammar

• Gaining a clearer understanding of how our language works.

• Gain greater control over the way you shape words into sentences and paragraphs.
• Help you become a more effective speaker.
 A simple sentence has
the most basic
elements.
A subject, a verb, and a
completed thought.

Subject = Who/What Predicate = Informs what the subject is doing

Arun waited for the train.

Verb = Action , existence or occurrence Article = “a” , “an” and “The”

 Subject-Verb Agreement
The verb to be, present (past)
The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb while a
Person Singular Plural plural subject takes a plural verb.
First I am (was) We are (were)
Example : “My friend is Japanese.” (singular)
Second You are (were) You are (were)
“My friends are Japanese.” (plural)

Third He, she, it is (was) They are (were)

The verb to have , present (past)

The
Person verb
Singularto be, present
Plural (past)
First I have (had) We have (had)

Second You have (had) You have (had)

Third He, she , it has (had) They have (had)

Regular verbs, e.g to work , present (past)

Person Singular Plural

First I work (worked) We work (worked)

Second You work ( worked) You work (worked)

Third He, she , it works They work

(worked) (worked)
 Quiz: Subject-Verb Agreement
1. _______ anyone ________ a pencil I could borrow? (Does /have ; Do/has)

2. Hurry up! Everyone ____ waiting for you to get here. (is ,are)

3. No one _____ finished reading the book yet.(has, have)

4. The city police _______ released any information about the case. (haven’t, hasn’t)

5. Some of the people waiting in line ______ getting impatient. (is, are)

6. My feet ______ cold. (is, are)

7. How do you react if someone __________ you a compliment? (give, gives)

8. Half of the students ___________from another country. (is, are)

9. Half of the class _______ from another country. (is, are)

10.Most of this software _____ outdated. (is, are)

 Level 2: Sentence Structure Exercise
Correct the errors in the following sentences :
Sl .No

1 What time it is? What time is it?

2 Anybody wants to come with me? Does anybody want to come with me?

3 He don’t like vegetables He does not like vegetables.

4 Fuel in Iran is the most cheapest fuel in all the world. Fuel in Iran is the cheapest in all the world.

5 I simply cannot wait to get there! I simply cannot wait to get there! (No Correction)

6 you know who’s dog this is? Do you know who’s dog is this ?

7 The work have to be done by Monday. The work has to be done by Monday.

8 Kiran is coming? Is Kiran coming?

9 I like very much Ice cream. I like Ice Cream very much.

10 Monday is the day before Tuesday. Monday is the day before Tuesday. (No Correction )

11 What he got for Christmas? she asked “What did he get for Christmas?”, she asked

12 We flied on an airplane this morning. We flew on an airplane this morning.

13 Are you eating chewing gum ? Are you chewing gum ?

 Level 2: Sentence Structure Exercise
Correct the errors in the following sentences :
Sl .N
o
1 This lights are bright. These lights are bright.

2 Do you like a glass of water? Would you like a glass of water ?

3 What time are we getting there because I got to go! What time are we getting there? I have to go!

4 What rating you got on your performance review? What rating did you get on your performance review?

5 My flight departs in 5:00 am

My flight departs at 5:00 am.

6 “I will like more tea”, she said to the server.

“I would like more tea”, she said to the server.

7 I has not seen them yet.

I have not seen them yet.

8 In my opinion, I think Harry is telling the Truth.

In my opinion, Harry is telling the Truth.
9 We are learning English.
We are learning English. (No correction).

10 The woman which works here is from Japan.

The woman who works here is from Japan.
11 “I said you about these issues , no ?” , she screamed
“I told you about these issues , didn't I ?” , she screamed
12 I have visited Goa last weekend.
I visited Goa last weekend.
13 You speak English good.
You speak English well.
 PREPOSITIONS

The monkey
I am ill since
hangs with its
two weeks.
tail.
.

I have been ill for

two weeks.
The monkey
hangs by its tail

A preposition is a part of speech that shows a relationship between two things.

Example : The cat sat on the table.

Here the word 'on' establishes a relationship or a link between the cat and table
 EXCERCISE : FOR VS SINCE

1. I have been in Chilefor______ 10 years.

2. My parents have lived in Santiago ________ sinc 1996.
3. He had been readingfor _____ 2 hours when e his friend came.
4. I haven't seen you for
_____ ages.
5. He hasn't been to London _____his
sinc last birthday.
6. I haven't seen herfor___ a long time.
e
7. He has worked for the company ______ sinc last summer.
8. They have been talking for _____ 2 hourse already.
9. He has been painting _____for 6 hours now.
10. He has been translating the article _____
sinc 9 a.m.
11. I haven't worked ______
sinc August. e
12. My parents have been e travelling here _____
sinc 5 o'clock this morning.
13. I need to finish this book. I have been reading e it for
____ six weeks.
14. Don't worry. I've had my drivers license ______Isinc was eighteen years old.
15. It's been raining ___ ___the weekend and now
sinc e there are floods in some
areas. e

SINCE – Starting FOR –

Point Duration
 PREPOSITIONS OF TIME

At at On
In
Precise Months, Years, Centuries Days &
Time & Long periods, Special Days Dates

I have a meeting at 9am. Early man lived in stone age I will meet you on Sunday

I get up at
_______ seven ____________
in the morning
on________
weekdays.
 EXCERCISE : PREPOSITION OF TIME
in
1) ______September on Sunday.
1) Peter will be playing tennis ____

at in
2) ______12 o'clock 2) My birthday is ______May.

in winter
3) ______ In 1666, a great fire broke out in London.
3) ____

on Easter
4) ______ No Prep
4) I spoke to her _______________ 3 weeks ago.

in 1990
5) ______ in
5) I met him ________ Jan of last year.

on 4th July, 1776

6) ______ at
6) I left work _________ 10 o'clock last night.

on Tuesday
7) ______ Since
7) I have been waiting for you __________7 o'clock.

8) ______
at noon in
8) My friend has been living _______Canada for two years.

9) ______
at the end of the week in
9) What are you doing ________the afternoon?

at sunrise in
10) _____ 10) I don't like walking alone ______ the streets at night.

ON
ON
 Test your English Skill
Correct the errors in the following sentences

Sl .No

I haven’t seen a movie for a long time.

1 I haven't seen a movie since a long time.

2 He is superior than you in strength. He is superior to you in strength.

3 He wrote me. He wrote to me.

4 I’ll explain you the problem I’ll explain the problem to you.

5 Send this letter on my new address. Send this letter to my new address.

6 Conversation stopped as we entered into the court room Conversation stopped as we entered the court room

7 She did not ask any question to him. She did not ask him any question.

8 He rides in a cycle. He rides on a cycle.

9 The loan should be repaid in a year. The loan should be repaid within a year.

10 The house was besides the river. The house was beside the river.

11 They were also asked whether they prefer to Chinese or They were also asked whether they prefer to Chinese or
Japanese writers. Japanese writers.
12 What were you doing in the weekend? What were you doing at the weekend?

13 What is the time in your watch? What is the time by your watch?
 Test your English Skill
Correct the errors in the following sentences :
Sl .N
o
“Can I make a suggestion?”
1 “Can I do a suggestion?”
He plays tennis besides basketball and football
2 He plays tennis beside basketball and football.
He is senior than me.
3 He is senior than me.
He goes to his work.
4 He goes on his work.

5 We are having the roof repaired on Easter. We are having the roof repaired at Easter.

6 He is intelligent but he lacks of experience. He is intelligent but he lacks experience.

7 He went near the station. He went to the station.

8 Let’s meet on one day. Let’s meet one day.

9 I am at home in any morning. I am at home any morning.

10 I will ask the time to that man. I will ask that man the time.

11 He sat on an airplane He sat in an airplane

12 The loan should be repaid in a year. The loan should be repaid within a year.
13 The United Nations tries to maintain peace between the
The United Nations tries to maintain peace among the
nations of the world
nations of the world
Level 3: Spoken English Exercise to Share Your Thoughts
 Remember the four rules

Rule # 1 To learn to speak English correctly, you must speak it aloud.

Rule # 2 To learn to speak English fluently, you must think in English.
Rule # 3 The more you speak English aloud, the more quickly you will learn to speak in English
Rule # 4 You must make as few mistakes as possible when you are speaking English.

Remember : Your success will depend on the amount of time you devote to spoken English study.
 Useful Phrases – Enhance your Spoken English
Making a request We would appreciate if you would ...
In addition, I would like to receive ...
It would be helpful if you could send us ...
I am interested in (obtaining / receiving) …

Opening a discussion To begin with,

The main point we need to discuss/determine/find out,
Let's start by ….
The issue here is ; it appears that …
Let's look at ; It looks like . . .

Analyzing Problem Focusing on the main problem/issue

What is the main issue (here) ?
The crux of the matter is . . . ; Our primary concern is . . .
We really need to take care of . . .
It all comes down to this

Interrupting politely Excuse me ; Pardon me ; Sorry to interrupt ; May I interrupt (for a minute)?
Can I add something here?
I don't mean to intrude, but . . .
Could I inject something here? Do you mind if I jump in here?

Getting back to the topic Anyway,

Now, where was I?
Where were we?
What were you saying?
You were saying . . .
To get back to . . .

Note : Initially use single sentences for fluency drills, repeatedly reading a single sentence until you can read it smoothly.
 Useful Phrases – Enhance your Spoken English
Expressing Lack of (I'm sorry.) I don't understand.
Understanding What do you mean?
I'm not following you ; I don't quite follow you.
I'm not sure I get what you mean ; What was that again?

Responding That sounds like a good idea.

Sounds good.
The problem/issue with that is . . .
That raises the issue of . . . ; That brings up

Conceding to Make a That may be true, however . . .

Point I may be wrong, however . . …; Correct me if I'm wrong, however . . .
You have a good point, however . . .
I don't mean to be rude, however . . .
I hate to bring this up, however . . . ; I don't mean to be negative, however . . .
This may sound strange, however ….. . .

Orders Thank you for placing the order ; Please confirm receipt of your order.
Your order will be processed as quickly as possible.
It will take about (two/three) weeks to process your order.
We can guarantee you the delivery before ...(date)

Referring to future I look forward to seeing you next week

contact Looking forward to hearing from you, ...
I look forward to meeting you on the (date).
I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.

Note : You must force your mind to think in English by using your recall memory when you are studying spoken exercises.
 Corporate Buzz words
Sl.No SENTENCES
1 touch _____with
Jim, I'm busy right now - I'll ____________ base you later in the day. Step up

2 out of the box

To think ____________________ means to think of clever and innovative solutions to a problem. That it's up to him to
take care of business
3 You're in a meeting and you raise a topic. Your manager says "let's take it offline". What does that mean?
Let’s talk after the meeting to set new standards of
(high) quality
4 Step Up
Everyone has to do their best = Everyone has to ____________
rethink our strategy
5 A "win-win" situation is one where: Everyone will be happy with a decision up to speed
6 Mark told me that "ball is in Peter's court" – It means That it’s up to him to take care of business priorities

7 on the same page

We need to come to a mutual agreement. Right now we're not _____________________. forward

8 What does it mean "to raise the bar"? Out of the box
That it’s up to him to take care of business

9 rethink our strategy

When a manager says "We have to regroup", she is saying "we have to _____________________." on the same page

up to speed on this system = You need to learn all you can about this system. proactive
10 You need to get ____________
Let's talk after the
11 priorities list.
This has to be done by eod (end of day) Thursday. I'm going to put it at the top of my ____________ meeting

12 very important
If a project is "mission critical", it is ___________________. everyone will be happy
with a decision
13 Instead of waiting around to do something, this person takes charge and does it: proactive
very important

14 forward ( = in the future), we won't be pursuing these clients.

Moving ____________ best

best Touchbase
15 Core competency = the thing that a company does ____________.
THE END