Topic 1.9.3 Expressing Dissatisfaction

EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION

Warm up

  1. Have you ever been dissatisfied with a product or service you received? What happened?
  2. Do you usually express dissatisfaction politely?
  3. Can you think of a time when someone expressed dissatisfaction with you? How did you handle it?
  4. Have you ever dealt with a dissatisfied customer or client? How did you resolve the situation?
  5. How would you express dissatisfaction with a project or decision to your manager?
  6. In your opinion, is it better to express dissatisfaction immediately or wait for the right moment in business situations?

Listening

1.[Audio 7.5] Listen to three conversations.

2.[Audio 7.5]

3.

4.Sometimes it’s important to soften what you say to make it sound less direct.

5.Work with a partner. Decide how you would soften sentences 1-5.

  1. Your performance this year has been substandard.
  2. I hate the project I’m working on at the moment.
  3. You need to completely rewrite your presentation.
  4. This meeting is a waste of time.
  5. Why are we here if there’s nothing for us to do.

6.Read situations 1-4 and think of phrases from ex.2 that could be used in each one. Then work with a partner and practise the conversations.

  1. You meet your colleague at the coffee machine. Discuss how bad the coffee at work is and how poor the canteen food is.
  2. You are both attending a long presentation given by a regional manager about last quarter’s turnover, but it’s very boring. Find out if your partner is feeling the same.
  3. You have both just seen an announcement about the annual staff bonus. It is surprisingly low. Discuss this with your partner.
  4. You are both very busy, but you have been asked by your boss to attend an informal presentation given by another department about their work. It is nor relevant to you or your current tasks. Discuss this with your partner.

Vocabulary: SAY

Idioms with say

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Speaking

  • Do you think everyone in a team should have their say, or should decisions be made by a leader?
  • Can you recall a time when you strongly agreed with someone and thought, “You can say that again”?
  • If someone said, “Say the word, and I’ll help you,” how would you respond?
  • What is something in your work or life that is easier said than done?
  • Have you ever worked with someone who completes tasks no sooner said than done? How did it feel?
  • Do you find it easy or difficult to say your piece in group discussions? Why?
Anterior Tema
Volver a la Lección
Siguiente Tema