1.12.4 Managing Interruptions During Meetings

MANAGING INTERRUPTIONS DURING MEETINGS

1.Warm up

  • When somebody is speaking, in your country is it rude to interrupt?

  • Think about business meetings. Is interrupting considered positively or negatively?

2.Discussion

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

To participate effectively in a meeting, you need to:

  1. listen to others.
  2. ask questions to be sure you have understood.
  3. prepare your contribution in advance.
  4. never interrupt someone even if you agree or disagree with them.
  5. Be respectful even if you disagree with someone.

3A. Video

[2.3.1] Watch the video as Beata prepares for an induction meeting with the CEO of Evromed. In the questions that follow, choose the correct option.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvLqqHBn4X8&list=PLxopYZcwJGxEc4noUKCu6UfJj-kywZ22m&index=7

3B. Jessica invites the audience to ask questions ‘as we go along’. Work in pairs and discuss the questions.

  1. What does she mean?
  2. What might happen as a result of this invitation?

4A. In small groups, discuss which is the best approach (Option A or B) for Beata to take as she participates in Jessica’s induction presentation. As a class, decide which video to watch first.

Option A – Beata should ask lots of questions to show she is motivated and enthusiastic.

Option B – Beata should listen carefully and only ask questions when it is really necessary.

4B. Watch the videos in the sequence the class has decided and answer the questions for both videos.

Option A [2.3.2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou7u4ZjwTdw&list=PLxopYZcwJGxEc4noUKCu6UfJj-kywZ22m&index=8

  1. How did Beata show enthusiasm and motivation during the presentation?
  2. How did the other trainees react to Beata?
  3. How did Jessica react to Beata?
  4. How does Beata feel at the end of the meeting?

Option B [2.3.3]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxbZJ0iknis&list=PLxopYZcwJGxEc4noUKCu6UfJj-kywZ22m&index=9

  1. How did Beata show enthusiasm and motivation during the presentation?
  2. How did the other trainees react to Beata?
  3. How did Jessica react to Beata?
  4. How does Beata feel at the end of the meeting?

4C. In pairs, discuss which approach seems more effective. Why?

4D. [2.3.4] Watch the Conclusions section of the video. Compare what is said with your answers in Exercise 4C.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hPjkpx8V_k&list=PLxopYZcwJGxEc4noUKCu6UfJj-kywZ22m&index=10

5.Discussion

Think about how you participate in meetings. Then work in pairs and discuss the questions.

  1. How comfortable are you interrupting during a meeting or class discussion in your own language?
  2. What strategies would you use to interrupt during a meeting or class discussion?

Interrupting and dealing with interruptions

6A. Look at this extract from the video. Which phrases in bold are:

  1. a) accepting an interruption,
  2. b) asking permission to interrupt,
  3. c) going back to an earlier point?
Beata: Sorry to interrupt.
Jessica: That’s OK. Please go ahead.
Beata: When you say ‘blood sugar’, do you mean ‘glucose’?
Jessica: Glucose. Exactly, yes.
Graduate2: Ah, good, thanks. I was wondering about that, too.
Jessica: So, as I was saying , … no more pricking of fingers.

6B. How does Jessica prevent Beata’s final interruption in Option A?

6C. Match the expressions (1-10) to the correct category.

7.Work in small groups. Choose a situation and roleplay the conversation using phrases from Exercise 6. Students offering advice: interrupt the conversation several times.

 Student A asks for directions to the nearest restaurant. Students B and C have different directions.

Student B wants to know how to make an omelette. Students A and C have different instructions.

Student C wants advice on the best way to study English. Students A and B have different pieces of advice.

TASK

8A. Work in groups. Choose one of the scenarios or think of one of your own.

Your company or place of study wants to:

  1. introduce a compulsory system of car sharing for anyone using the car park.
  2. close the onsite company restaurant.
  3. relocate your department to cheaper premises several kilometres away.

8B. Think of arguments for and against the scenario. Decide which arguments you agree with.

8C. Hold a meeting to discuss your scenario. Choose one person to lead the meeting. Take turns to say what you think, and allow other people to speak. Use appropriate expressions to interrupt and respond to interruptions.

8D. At the end, discuss how well the group participated in the meeting. How could you improve your approach to turn-taking in future?

9A.Pronunciation: Stress in phrases for turn taking

Some turn-taking phrases have characteristic stress patterns. For example: Sorry to interrupt

Work in pairs. 

9B. [P2.02] Listen to the sentences and repeat.

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