Introduction and Connections: 1st Year English Lesson 1
Introduction and Connections: 1st Year English Lesson 1
Introduction and Connections: 1st Year English Lesson 1
SEMESTER:1
Kate Berardo
*Essential for building relationships when dealing with businesses across cultures.
*Each organization will have its own culture, personality, and way of doing things.
*Your mind is processing a lot of information in new environments, so observation skills may be
clouded or unfocused.
*Notice how people act, dress, and treat each other. Look for non-verbal messages. Being able to read
a situation will greatly improve your ability to have a successful meeting.
*Appreciate the need for more time. Communication may be slower and logistics may be different.
You may be working in a culture with a different concept of time .
*Also give yourself more time to process all the information before making decisions.
*Individuals may vary greatly from the stereotype of their native culture. Values and behaviours are
also influenced by background, experience, and personality.
*Keep an open mind: be careful not to form an opinion too early or to attribute too much of what you
see to a cultural difference.
5-Tolerate uncertainty:
*This can be extremely difficult for people from some cultures where directness and precision are
valued.
*Business is about managing unknowns. When working with a culture with a high tolerance for
uncertainty. You may not get concrete answers. This, of course can work both ways.
*When working with people from different cultures, you need a solid understanding of the norms of
that culture.
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*Greater cultural awareness will help you weigh up the pros and cons of your way of doing things and
will give you a better insight into working across cultures.
Activity 1: Complete these phrases to form verb + noun collocations from the text
1-………………………………………relationships.
3-……………………………………….information.
4-………………………………………a situation .
5-………………………………………your time .
7-………………………………………an opinion .
8-………………………………………unknowns .
9-………………………………………both ways .
10-…………………………………….your skills .
12-…………………………………….you an insight .
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1st year English lesson 2
Small talk
Before reading the text, discuss these questions:
1- What do you talk about with someone you don’t know well?
2- What do you do when a conversation is going poorly ?
TEXT
1- Small talk is informal communication and a first building block for
interpersonal relationships. It serves the important purpose of allowing for low-
stakes interactions as people build initial connections and identify common
interests, similar needs, and other mutual interests. Small talk is generally a
friendly, brief conversation with no real agenda other than to share a pleasant
interaction with another person. Small talk is a good way to start a conversation
with someone you don't know or don't know well. If the talk progresses, it can
even start a friendship. Small talk is also a good way to pass the time in certain
situations, such as when waiting in line at the store
The following list includes topics that should be avoided during a small talk:
politics
religion
financial status
jokes/humor
ill/ health
a-When people use short sentences to speak to each other b-A short, friendly
conversation about a common topic
c-When people use small, simple words to have a conversation.
d-When people speak quietly so that they don't disturb others
3-Why should you avoid asking someone about his or her family unless
you know them well?
a-Because the person may be experiencing a difficult family situation and you
may upset him or her by asking.
b-Because you may mispronounce the names of his or her family members
c-Because the person may report you to a manager for asking such a personal
question
d-Because most companies have a policy that prohibits conversations about
family at work
1. It is common for people who are waiting together to engage in a small talk.
a-True b-False
3. Children are taught not to speak to strangers who engage them in small talk.
a-True b-False
4. It is rude to make small talk with someone who's delivering your mail.
a-True b-False
Terms
1. small talk
2. weather
3. topic
4. religion
5. marital status
Definitions
and (1) I work about the development of new supermarkets abroad. (2) In fact, I
running the development department and (3) I am manage for a team looking at
the possibilities in different countries. It’s very interesting. (4) One of my main
is to make sure that new supermarkets open on time. (5) I’m also charged with
I’m responsible of planning projects from start to finish. (8) I work closely near
Activity Two: Complete each gap in the text with one of the prepositions from
She leaves home for work at 7.30 am. She drives…….. (1) work. The traffic is
often bad and she worries about getting………. (2) work late, but she usually
arrives ………….(3) work at around 9. She finishes work quite late, at about 8.
‘Luckily, I’m never ill,’ she says. ‘I could never take the time (4)………work.’
She loves what she does and is glad to be (5) work. Some of her friends are not
(1–6)? Use an expression from C opposite, including the words in brackets. The
Time Job
(work)→
Lawyer wanted for law firm – long hours, 4 weeks holiday per year
(job)→
Unit 1 / lesson 4
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affected the job market. As automation, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies
continue to evolve, jobs and skillsets are undergoing transformation. In this lesson, we will
explore how the digital age is reshaping jobs and the skills that are becoming increasingly valuable
in this rapidly changing landscape:
- Automation and Job Transformation: Automation has led to the transformation of jobs
across various industries. Routine, repetitive tasks that can be easily automated are being taken
over by machines, freeing up human workers to focus on more complex and creative aspects
of their roles. This shift requires workers to adapt and acquire new skills to complement and
collaborate with automated systems.
- Emphasis on Digital Literacy: In the digital age, being digitally literate is no longer an
optional skill but a necessity. Digital literacy encompasses a range of skills, including the ability
to navigate and use digital tools, effectively communicate online, and critically evaluate and
analyze digital information. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into work
processes, workers must possess a solid foundation in digital literacy to succeed in their roles.
- Data Analytics and Interpretation: The abundance of data generated in the digital age has
created a demand for professionals skilled in data analytics and interpretation. Organizations are
harnessing the power of data to gain insights, make informed decisions, and drive business
strategies. Jobs related to data analysis, data science, and business intelligence are on the rise,
requiring individuals to possess skills in data collection, analysis, and visualization.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: As automation takes over routine tasks, there is a
growing need for workers who can engage in critical thinking and problem-solving. These
skills involve the ability to analyze complex situations, identify problems, and develop
innovative solutions. Critical thinking skills enable workers to navigate ambiguity, adapt to
changing circumstances, and make informed decisions that machines are not yet capable of.
- Adaptability and Lifelong Learning: In the digital age, the ability to adapt to new
technologies and learn continuously has become vital. Rapid advancements in technology
mean that skills that are in high demand today may become obsolete tomorrow. Workers must
embrace a mindset of lifelong learning, actively seeking opportunities to upskill and reskill
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themselves. The willingness to adapt and learn new technologies and tools will ensure
continued employability and career growth.
- Creativity and Innovation: While automation may handle routine tasks, creativity and
innovation remain uniquely human traits. Jobs that involve creativity, such as design,
marketing, content creation, and product development. These roles require individuals to
think outside the box, come up with original ideas, and find innovative solutions to problems.
- Collaboration and Communication: In a digital and interconnected world, the ability to
collaborate and communicate effectively across diverse teams and cultures has become
essential. Jobs often involve working with colleagues and clients from different locations,
necessitating strong communication skills, both online and offline. Collaboration tools and
platforms facilitate remote teamwork, requiring workers to adapt their communication styles
to fit virtual environments.
- Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: As technology permeates various aspects of work,
the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy cannot be overstated. Jobs that involve
interactions with customers, clients, or colleagues require individuals to possess strong
interpersonal skills. Empathy, active listening, and the ability to understand and connect with
others on an emotional level are skills that machines cannot replicate.
Activities
Activity 1: Match the meanings of the terms in the table below with their meanings.
term meaning
1. social media A. a vast network of remote servers around the globe which are
hooked together
2. artificial intelligence B. Began around the 1970s and is still going on today. It is also
known as the Computer Age, Digital Age, or New Media Age
3. Information Era C. websites and applications that enable users to create and share
content
4. The Digital Revolution D. technological innovations that are created and implemented to
improve the efficiency of the insurance industry
5. InsureTech E. the ability of a digital computer or computer- controlled robot to
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perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings
6. cloud F. the advancement of technology from analog electronic and
mechanical devices to the digital technology
Activity 2 : Give the opposite of the following word from the text .
word Opposite
unnoticeable
weak
simple
focus
inside
laboriously
Activity 3 : Give the synonym of the following word from the text.
word synonym
partnership
minimization
adjust
Extend
Essential
unique