Speaking: Specific Purposes B2 - Lesson 4: Contributing Effectively in Meetings & Discussions

Speaking: Specific Purposes B2

Lesson 4: Contributing Effectively in Meetings

Listen to the meeting scenario here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to contribute confidently in a professional meeting by stating your opinion clearly, agreeing, disagreeing politely, and asking for clarification.

Scenario: The Team Meeting 💬

Listen to this team meeting. Notice how the speakers use key phrases to manage the conversation, agree, disagree, and clarify points. Click 🔊 to hear each line.

Manager: Okay, team. We need a new slogan. I'm thinking 'Quality First'.

You: I see your point, but I'm not sure that's catchy enough. From my perspective, we need something shorter.

Colleague: To build on that, what about 'Future. Faster.'?

You: Could you clarify what you mean by 'Faster'? Faster delivery? Faster tech?

Colleague: Good question. I meant faster innovation.

You: I agree. That's much more memorable.

How to State Your Opinion: The PREP Method

To sound clear and professional, don't just state your opinion. Structure it. The PREP method is a simple and powerful way to make your point.

The PREP Method

P = Point: State your main idea clearly. "In my opinion, we should..."

R = Reason: Give your main reason. "This is because..."

E = Example: Give one specific example. "For instance, last month..."

P = Point: Repeat your main idea. "So, that's why I believe..."

"(P) In my opinion, we should focus on video marketing. (R) This is because our customers are spending more time on TikTok and YouTube. (E) For example, our last blog post only got 500 views, but our short video got 10,000. (P) So, that's why I think video is the right direction."

Your Meeting Toolkit 🛠️ (Click 🔊)

Use these phrases to manage the conversation politely and effectively.

🤝 Agreeing & Building

• I agree with [Name].
• That's a great point.
• To build on that idea...
• I'd like to add that...

🤔 Disagreeing Politely

• I see your point, but...
• I'm afraid I see it differently.
• I understand where you're coming from, however...
• I'm not sure I agree that...

❓ Asking for Clarification

• Could you clarify what you mean by...?
• I'm not sure I follow. Are you saying that...?
• So, if I understand you correctly...

Test Your Skills 🎯

Quiz: What's the Best Phrase?

Read the situation and choose the best phrase. Click "Check Answers" when done.

1. Situation: Your colleague says, "We should move our office to Kampot." You think this is a bad idea.

• A) "No. That's a terrible idea. It's too far."
• B) "I understand the appeal, but I'm afraid I see it differently. The commute would be a major issue for our staff."
• C) "Why would you say that?"

2. Situation: You want to suggest a new idea: "We should offer free delivery." What is the most professional way to introduce it?

• A) "My new idea is free delivery."
• B) "In my opinion, we should offer free delivery, mainly because our competitors all do it."
• C) "Listen to me, free delivery is the only way."

3. Situation: Your manager says, "We need to optimize our SEO synergy." You don't understand "SEO synergy."

• A) "What?"
• B) "I agree."
• C) "Sorry, could you clarify what you mean by 'SEO synergy'?"

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

• Agenda | របៀបវារៈ
  A list of topics to be discussed in a meeting.
• Consensus | ការព្រមព្រៀងគ្នា
  A general agreement among all members of a group.
• Action Item | รายการการดำเนินการ
  A task assigned to someone during a meeting, to be completed by a deadline.
• To table (an idea) | ទុក (គំនិត) មួយឡែក
  To postpone discussion of a topic until a later time.
• To clarify | បញ្ជាក់
  To make something clearer or easier to understand.

Your Speaking Mission ⭐

Practice the PREP Method

In your next real conversation (in English or Khmer!), listen for a chance to give your opinion. When you do, mentally practice the PREP method.

1. State your Point.
2. Give one Reason.
3. Give one Example.
4. Restate your Point.

This structure will make your arguments more logical and persuasive in any language.