SR003 - Meetings in Business Environments

 



A2 Level

This list includes 40 speaking questions organized into 6 categories. Each question is expanded with examples and tasks/exercises to help A2 level students engage in discussions about business meetings.

Category 1: Basic Meeting Language

  1. What is a business meeting?
    • Explanation: A business meeting is when people gather to discuss business-related topics.
    • Example: "In a business meeting, we talk about sales and future plans."
    • Task: Create a sentence using "business meeting."
    • Exercise: Pair up with a classmate and discuss why business meetings are important.
  2. What do people talk about in a business meeting?
    • Explanation: People discuss topics like project updates, sales, and goals.
    • Example: "We discussed the sales numbers for this month."
    • Task: Write down two things you would talk about in a meeting.
    • Exercise: With a partner, discuss these topics and ask questions about each other’s ideas.
  3. Have you ever been in a business meeting?
    • Explanation: A chance to talk about past experiences.
    • Example: "Yes, I had a meeting with my manager about our project."
    • Task: Tell a story about your meeting experience.
    • Exercise: Work in pairs and share your meeting experience with your classmate.
  4. What time do most business meetings start?
    • Explanation: Discussing typical times when meetings are held.
    • Example: "Most of our meetings start at 10 in the morning."
    • Task: List three good times to have a meeting.
    • Exercise: Role-play scheduling a meeting with your partner.
  5. Why are business meetings important?
    • Explanation: Business meetings help people make decisions and share information.
    • Example: "Meetings are important because we plan projects and solve problems."
    • Task: Write three reasons why business meetings are important.
    • Exercise: Discuss with your partner why meetings matter to a company.

Category 2: People in the Meeting

  1. Who usually attends business meetings?
    • Explanation: People like managers, team leaders, and employees attend meetings.
    • Example: "Our manager and team members always attend the meeting."
    • Task: Name five people who attend business meetings.
    • Exercise: Act out a role-play where you introduce the meeting attendees.
  2. Who is the meeting leader?
    • Explanation: The meeting leader, or chairperson, controls the meeting.
    • Example: "Our boss is usually the leader of the meeting."
    • Task: Identify two responsibilities of a meeting leader.
    • Exercise: Role-play a meeting where one person leads, and others participate.
  3. What does the secretary do in a meeting?
    • Explanation: The secretary writes down the notes and minutes of the meeting.
    • Example: "The secretary wrote the meeting notes and sent them to everyone."
    • Task: Imagine you are a secretary—write three things you would note during a meeting.
    • Exercise: Act out the role of a secretary and take notes during a practice meeting.
  4. What role does the manager play in meetings?
    • Explanation: The manager often leads or shares important information.
    • Example: "The manager explains the company’s future plans."
    • Task: Write two responsibilities of a manager in a meeting.
    • Exercise: Role-play a manager’s role in a meeting.
  5. Who should speak in a business meeting?
    • Explanation: Everyone in the meeting should have a chance to speak.
    • Example: "All team members share their ideas during the meeting."
    • Task: List three people who might speak during a meeting.
    • Exercise: In groups, assign different roles and have a conversation about a project.

Category 3: Types of Meetings

  1. What is a team meeting?
    • Explanation: A team meeting is when people from the same team gather to discuss work.
    • Example: "We have a team meeting every Monday morning."
    • Task: Write a sentence about what happens in a team meeting.
    • Exercise: Describe your ideal team meeting to a partner.
  2. What is a client meeting?
    • Explanation: A client meeting is when employees meet with customers or clients.
    • Example: "I had a meeting with our client to discuss their project needs."
    • Task: Write down two questions you would ask a client during a meeting.
    • Exercise: Role-play a client meeting with a classmate.
  3. What is a project meeting?
    • Explanation: A project meeting is when team members discuss a specific project.
    • Example: "We held a project meeting to plan the next steps."
    • Task: Write two goals for a project meeting.
    • Exercise: Imagine you are in a project meeting—discuss what the next steps will be.
  4. What is a brainstorming meeting?
    • Explanation: A brainstorming meeting is where people come up with new ideas.
    • Example: "We had a brainstorming meeting to generate ideas for a new product."
    • Task: List three rules for a successful brainstorming meeting.
    • Exercise: Role-play a brainstorming session with your classmates.
  5. What is a virtual meeting?
    • Explanation: A virtual meeting takes place online using tools like Zoom or Skype.
    • Example: "We had a virtual meeting with the team from another country."
    • Task: Name three advantages of virtual meetings.
    • Exercise: Imagine a virtual meeting—discuss the challenges and benefits.

Category 4: Meeting Agenda and Preparation

  1. What is a meeting agenda?
    • Explanation: The meeting agenda is a list of topics to discuss.
    • Example: "We followed the agenda and discussed all the points."
    • Task: Write a simple agenda for a meeting about a marketing project.
    • Exercise: In pairs, create an agenda for a team meeting.
  2. Why is it important to prepare for a meeting?
    • Explanation: Preparing for a meeting helps you know what to talk about and be ready to participate.
    • Example: "I always prepare my notes before the meeting."
    • Task: Write two things you would prepare before attending a meeting.
    • Exercise: In pairs, discuss how you prepare for a meeting.
  3. What are meeting minutes?
    • Explanation: Meeting minutes are notes that summarize what was discussed.
    • Example: "The secretary wrote the minutes and sent them to the team."
    • Task: Write a short meeting summary based on a given conversation.
    • Exercise: Role-play a meeting where you must write the minutes afterward.
  4. What should you bring to a meeting?
    • Explanation: You should bring items like a notebook, pen, and relevant documents.
    • Example: "I always bring my laptop and notebook to meetings."
    • Task: Make a list of things you should bring to a business meeting.
    • Exercise: Compare your list with your partner's—discuss the most important items.
  5. How do you prepare for a virtual meeting?
    • Explanation: Make sure your technology works, and have the necessary documents ready.
    • Example: "I checked my internet connection and prepared my presentation."
    • Task: Write down three things you would do to prepare for a virtual meeting.
    • Exercise: In pairs, role-play the preparation for a virtual meeting.

Category 5: Participating in a Meeting

  1. How do you introduce yourself in a meeting?
    • Explanation: Start with your name and position in the company.
    • Example: "Hello, I’m Jay, the project manager for this team."
    • Task: Practice introducing yourself to the group.
    • Exercise: Pair up and introduce yourselves in a role-play meeting.
  2. How do you ask a question in a meeting?
    • Explanation: Use polite language when asking questions.
    • Example: "Excuse me, could you explain the next step in the project?"
    • Task: Write three questions you might ask in a meeting.
    • Exercise: In pairs, practice asking and answering questions during a meeting.
  3. How do you make suggestions in a meeting?
    • Explanation: Use phrases like "I think" or "I suggest" to share ideas.
    • Example: "I think we should focus on the marketing strategy."
    • Task: Write a suggestion about a topic in a meeting.
    • Exercise: In a group, role-play making suggestions during a meeting.
  4. How do you agree or disagree in a meeting?
    • Explanation: Use polite language to agree or disagree with ideas.
    • Example: "I agree with your idea about the project, but I think we need more time."
    • Task: Write one sentence agreeing with an idea and one sentence disagreeing.
    • Exercise: Practice agreeing and disagreeing in pairs using polite phrases.
  5. How do you ask for clarification in a meeting?
    • Explanation: Ask questions to clarify if you don’t understand something.
    • Example: "Can you please clarify the next step in the project?"
    • Task: Write two sentences asking for clarification about a project.
    • Exercise: Practice asking for and giving clarification during a meeting.

Category 6: Common Challenges in Meetings

  1. What happens if you arrive late to a meeting?
    • Explanation: Arriving late can be unprofessional, but you should apologize and join quietly.
    • Example: "I’m sorry I’m late, there was traffic."
    • Task: Write two polite ways to apologize for being late to a meeting.
    • Exercise: Role-play being late to a meeting and apologizing to the group.
  2. What should you do if you don’t understand something in a meeting?
    • Explanation: It’s okay to ask for clarification.
    • Example: "Can you repeat that, please? I didn’t understand."
    • Task: Practice asking for clarification in a polite way.
    • Exercise: Role-play a scenario where you ask for clarification in a meeting.
  3. What do you do if people are talking too fast in a meeting?
    • Explanation: Politely ask the speaker to slow down.
    • Example: "Sorry, could you speak more slowly, please?"
    • Task: Write two polite phrases asking someone to speak slower.
    • Exercise: Practice asking someone to slow down in a meeting.
  4. How can you contribute to a meeting if you are shy?
    • Explanation: Speak up at the right moment, and start with small comments.
    • Example: "I agree with what Maria said about the budget."
    • Task: Write a short contribution you could make to a meeting.
    • Exercise: Role-play being shy and practicing speaking in a meeting.
  5. What should you do if people are not listening to you in a meeting?
    • Explanation: Politely ask for attention or repeat your point.
    • Example: "Excuse me, I would like to finish my point."
    • Task: Practice asking for attention in a meeting.
    • Exercise: Role-play politely asking to be heard in a meeting.

Exercises and Tasks

  • Exercise 1: Role-Playing a Business Meeting
    In pairs or small groups, assign roles such as manager, secretary, and team member. Conduct a short business meeting where each person has to contribute an idea, ask a question, and respond to another person's comment.
  • Exercise 2: Create a Meeting Agenda
    Choose a topic (e.g., launching a new product). In groups, create a meeting agenda with at least five items. Discuss the order of the agenda and why each item is important.
  • Exercise 3: Meeting Minutes Practice
    Listen to a short meeting conversation (either provided by the teacher or from a recording) and take notes. Then, write a summary of the meeting in the form of meeting minutes and share it with a classmate.
  • Exercise 4: Virtual Meeting Simulation
    In pairs or small groups, simulate a virtual business meeting. Use common meeting phrases (such as asking for clarification, making suggestions, etc.), and practice proper virtual meeting etiquette like muting and unmuting.

 


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