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Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Contribute ideas and ask questions confidently during simple team meetings.
Exercise 1
Situation
Direction: Read the situation for today's lesson
Alex joins a weekly team meeting. Mr. Miller asks for updates on ongoing tasks. Sarah shares her progress, and Omar listens carefully. Alex notices a small issue with a client report and politely mentions it, suggesting a simple solution. The team appreciates his input. Mr. Miller nods, taking note of the solution but moves on quickly. Alex realizes that speaking up doesn’t require long explanations—short, clear points work best. He continues to participate, asking one clarifying question about a new project timeline. By the end of the meeting, Alex feels more confident contributing to discussions.
Exercise 2
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your tutor
Input
noun
/ˈɪnˌpʊt/
Meaning:
Your ideas, comments, or suggestions during a discussion.
- Alex gave his input about the new client report.
Touch base
idiom
/tʌʧ beɪs/
Meaning:
To briefly check in with someone about progress or plans.
- Sarah wanted to touch base with Alex before submitting her report.
Speak up
phrasal verb
/spiːk ʌp/
Meaning:
To share your opinion or ideas in a meeting.
- Alex spoke up when he noticed an issue with the client report.
On the same page
phrase
/ɑn ðə seɪm peɪʤ/
Meaning:
To understand a situation the same way as your team.
- The team had a short discussion to get on the same page about deadlines.
Exercise 3
Office Conversation
Direction: Read the conversation aloud with your teacher.
Situation:
Anna introduces herself to a new colleague at work.
Let’s go over the client reports. Any updates?
Mr. Miller
I’ve completed the initial review.
Sarah
I noticed a minor discrepancy in the numbers. We might need to double-check.
Alex
Thanks, Alex. Good catch.
Mr. Miller
Should we adjust the timeline for corrections?
Omar
Possibly. Let’s touch base after the meeting to clarify.
Alex
That works. I want to make sure we’re all on the same page.
Sarah
Agreed. I’ll follow up after lunch.
Alex
Check Understanding
Direction: Answer the questions about the conversation.
1. What phrase did Alex use to suggest checking in later?
2. How did Alex contribute his idea professionally?
3. What does 'on the same page' mean in this context?
Exercise 4
Study Guide
Direction: Read the study manual aloud.
Participating in meetings is an important skill for teamwork. Start by preparing your ideas or questions before the meeting. Listen carefully to others and wait for an appropriate moment to speak up. Use phrases like “I noticed…” or “I suggest…” to contribute clearly. Keep your points short and focused.
If you need clarification, you can ask to touch base with a colleague after the meeting. Try to ensure the team is on the same page by summarizing your understanding of tasks or deadlines. Giving input, even small, shows engagement and professionalism.
Observe how others react to gauge your contribution style. Avoid dominating the conversation; instead, balance listening and speaking. Over time, consistent participation will increase your confidence and help build trust with your manager and peers.
Exercise 5
Choose the Correct Answer
Direction: Direction: Select the correct answer from the options A, B, or C.
- 1. Alex gave his ___ about the client report.
A. input
B. conflict
C. excuse
2. Sarah wanted to ___ with Alex about her report.
A. touch base
B. ignore
C. argue
3. To contribute in a meeting, you should ___.
A. speak up
B. stay silent
C. gossip
4. “On the same page” means you ___ your team.
A. understand
B. criticize
C. avoid
5. Alex noticed a ___ in the report numbers.
A. discrepancy
B. celebration
C. agreement
6. Short, clear points help you ___ during meetings.
A. participate
B. dominate
C. confuse
7. After the meeting, Alex decided to ___ with Sarah.
A. follow up
B. ignore
C. complain
8. Giving small input shows ___ and professionalism.
A. engagement
B. laziness
C. distraction
Exercise 6
Discussion
Direction: Discuss these questions to practice speaking and share experiences.
1. How do you prepare your ideas before a meeting?
2. When should you speak up in a team discussion?
3. What is the best way to ask for clarification?
4. How do you ensure the team is on the same page?
5. Where is it appropriate to touch base with a colleague?
6. How can you give input without dominating the conversation?
7. What should you do if you notice a small error in a report?
8. How does participating in meetings build trust with your manager?
