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Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Summarize meeting points clearly and professionally in spoken conversation.
2. Highlight key takeaways and next steps using natural business expressions.
Exercise 1
Discussion
Talk with your teacher for 3 minutes. Try to keep the conversation going!
1. How do you keep team members aligned after giving or receiving feedback?
2. What phrases help clarify responsibilities after collaboration?
Exercise 2
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your teacher
actionable
Adjective
/ˈæk.ʃən.ə.bəl/
Meaning:
Useful information you can take action on.
- The client wants actionable steps, not vague ideas.
concise
adjective
/kənˈsaɪs/
Meaning:
Short, clear, and straight to the point.
- Keep your update concise so the team can move quickly.
cut to the chase
idiom
/ˈkʌt tu ðə tʃeɪs/
Meaning:
Get to the main point immediately.
- We’re short on time, so let’s cut to the chase.
circle back
phrasal verb
/ˈsɜr.kəl bæk/
Meaning:
Return to a topic later.
- I’ll circle back once finance reviews the numbers.
Exercise 3
Office Conversation
Direction: Read the conversation aloud with your teacher.
Situation: Two colleagues summarize a meeting and agree on follow-up tasks.
Hey Jordan, thanks for joining the meeting. Can you help me summarize the main points?
Maya
Sure. Let’s cut to the chase; what are the key takeaways?
Jordan
First, the report needs more concise charts. Second, we must send actionable recommendations.
Maya
Got it. I’ll circle back with Mark about the data.
Jordan
Great. I’ll handle the visuals and timeline.
Maya
Perfect. Should we send a recap to the team?
Jordan
Yes, I’ll write a summary and send it before lunch.
Maya
Sounds good. Let me know if you need help.
Jordan
Exercise 1
Direction: Check comprehension of the conversation.
Options: concise, actionable, circle back, key takeaways, cut to the chase
1. Before we continue, let’s ______ and focus on the main issues.
2. The manager wants ______ steps, not just ideas.
3. I’ll ______ once I confirm the final numbers.
4. Here are the ______ from today’s meeting.
Exercise 4
Study Guide
Direction: Read the study manual aloud.
How to Summarize Meetings Effectively
Summarizing meetings clearly is essential in professional workplaces, especially when teams need to act quickly. A good summary highlights the main decisions, deadlines, and responsibilities without repeating the entire conversation. Start by stating the purpose of the meeting and the key takeaways.
Use clear, concise language such as “We agreed on…” or “Next steps include…”. Avoid unnecessary background details that don't help others take action. If tasks need follow-up, assign names and dates to make responsibilities clear.
After the meeting, sending a short written recap can prevent misunderstandings and keep everyone aligned. Strong summaries show leadership, organization, and respect for colleagues’ time.
Exercise 2
Direction: Choose the correct answer
Options: summary, deadlines, responsibilities, takeaways
1. A clear ______ helps teams remember what was decided.
2. Assigning ______ ensures everyone knows who is doing what.
3. The key ______ should focus on decisions, not small talk.
4. Always confirm ______ to keep projects on track.
Exercise 5
Discussion
Discuss these questions to practice speaking and share experiences.
1. How do you usually summarize meetings for your team?
2. Why is concise communication important after long meetings?
3. What problems happen when there is no recap?
4. How do you assign tasks clearly without sounding bossy?
5. What phrases help you highlight key takeaways?
6. How do you handle unclear action items from a meeting?
7. Who is usually responsible for sending summaries in your workplace?
8. How can cultural differences affect meeting communication?
