Unit 7. Session 1. Diary Planning.

Caso práctico

Las chicas trabajando junto a sus compañeros.

Mr. Johnson is really pleased with Eva and Monica’s performance but the company is going through a hard time having too many expenses. On top of that, the income has decreased lately because the clients have bought fewer goods. Consequently, he is concerned about achieving the objectives established by the company. Trying to solve that situation,  a short-term agenda is going to be planned. They will have 2 months in order to try to achieve the goals and improve the situation of the company. For this reason, he has decided to inform the girls to get their help in such a task.

Mr. Johnson: "All right, girls may I talk to you for a second?"

Eva and Monica: "Sure!"

Eva: "We will do everything in our power to help you."

Mr. Johnson: "Thanks, I am going to reorganize my agenda and we are going to establish clear and well-planned objectives to accomplish. We are going to carry out a marketing strategy and you will have to learn how to make appointments with several of my clients. I’ll be holding a lot of meetings in the coming months"

Monica: "Oh! That sounds really interesting, Mr. Johnson!"

Eva: "Yes, of course! Whatever it takes"

Monica: "We are determined to get your company back on track. We’re happy to learn even difficult stuff. Where do we start?"

Mr. Johnson: "From the beginning, with the Diary or Agenda Planning!"

Think about it

Write in the forum.

Imagine you are Eva or Monica and you have just talked to Mr. Mr. Johnson. Write down an email to your parents telling them about the new task you have to do. Remember to put all you have learned into practice about sending an email in the previous units. Good luck!

Logo_Minis

Materiales formativos de FP Online propiedad del Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional.

Aviso Legal

1.- How to make a business arrangements.

There are some structures that are normally used when we try to make an appointment with a client, supplier or any other person with whom we maintain professional ties. Some of these expressions are:

Arrangement expressions.
Are you free next Monday afternoon? Está/estás libre el viernes por la tarde?
What time would you like to meet? A qué hora le gustaría reunirse?
When would be convenient for you? ¿Cuándo le vendría bien?
Could you please let me know? ¿Podría informarme, por favor?
I would like to make an appointment with ... Me gustaría concertar una cita con ...
To make an appointment. Concertar una cita.
I wonder whether it would be possible to arrange a meeting. Me pregunto si es posible concertar una cita.
Does it suit you? ¿Le viene bien?
I´m phoning on behalf of ... Le llamo en nombre de ...
Do not hesitate to contact us if there is any change. No dude en contactar con nosotros ante cualquier cambio.
It suits me. Me viene bien.
To be engaged, to be busy. Estar ocupado.

ocupado (no con persona- baño,..)

ocupado con una persona

Think about it

And you? When was the last time you were asked to do something really difficult at work? Did you use any computer tools to carry out the tasks? How did you feel about it? How did it all end up? Enter the forum and tell your classmates about it.

terminar

1.1. Schedule an appointment.

What is a schedule used for?

A schedule or a timetable, as a basic time-management tool, consists of a list of times at which possible tasks, events, or actions are intended to take place, or of a sequence of events in the chronological order in which such things are intended to take place.

Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.

para asignar recursos de planta y maquinaria, planificar recursos humanos, planificar procesos de producción y comprar materiales.

SCHEDULE.pngYou need to know how to write an Appointment Letter or email. Follow the following steps to successfully do it:

  • Mention or restate the purpose for the meeting or other event. Describe what you would like to accomplish so that the other party/parties involved know your expectations.
  • If you are seeking an appointment as part of a job search, keep the tone of your letter particularly cordial. Briefly mention your purpose.
  • If applicable, mention how the reader will benefit from the appointment.
  • Include the date you would like to meet, or reiterate the date you had planned to meet.
  • If other people besides the reader will be present, you may wish to mention briefly the other individuals who will attend.
  • If appropriate, include information such as where the meeting will take place; how long it is intended to last; any items, documents, etc. that the person(s) should bring to the appointment, etc.
  • Indicate by when you need a response to affirm that the reader can attend the meeting. If you intend to contact the person to follow up, indicate this in your letter.
  • Include your contact information, such as e-mail address or phone number where you can most easily be reached.

buscando

brevemente

debería traer a la cita

Translation

1.2. Rescheduling appointments.

Reschedule is defined as to change the date or time of something previously defined in the schedule.

There are sometimes last minute inconveniences which may change all your plans, so we will be forced to modify any appointment that has been arranged because our agenda is altered.

ING06_Rechedule.png

Here you have some useful phrases to change your arrangements:

Changing arrangements.
CHANGING ARRANGEMENTS TRANSLATION
I´m sorry but something has come up. Lo siento pero nos ha surgido un imprevisto.
I would like to move my appointment. Me gustaría cambiar mi cita.
Unfortunately, there is a clash with my schedule. Lamentablemente, me coincide con algo en mi agenda.
Someone´s schedule has changed. Lo siento pero nos ha surgido un imprevisto.
We are forced to postpone it. La agenda de ... ha cambiado.
Sorry, but something has come up and Wednesday is not possible! Lo siento me ha surgido algo y no puedo el miércoles.
I´m running ahead of / / behind schedule. Voy bien de tiempo/ voy con retraso en mi agenda
Can we postpone our appointment? ¿Podríamos posponer nuestra cita?
What about ...? ¿Qué le parece...?
We´ll postpone it for ... Lo pospondremos para ...
How about Friday morning? ¿Qué le parece el viernes por la mañana?
Is it possible for you to meet in the afternoon? ¿Podría quedar por la tarde?
I've got to go over to London to see a client. Tengo que viajar a Londres a ver a un cliente.
I'd completely forgotten that I have another meeting that day. Se me había olvidado completamente que tengo otra cita ese día.
We said Thursday morning, can you make the afternoon instead? Dijimos el jueves por la mañana, puede por la tarde?
I need to change our arrangement for the 15th, can we put it off till the 24nd? Necesito cambiar nuestra cita del día 15, ¿podríamos posponerla al 24?
Sorry, but I can't make it on Tuesday! ¡Lo siento pero no puedo el martes!
I'll get back to you when I'm not so busy. Te llamo en cuanto tenga un hueco.
I'm afraid I'm completely snowed under at the moment, can we leave it open for the time being? Me temo que estoy hasta arriba en este momento, ¿podríamos dejar la fecha sin concretar por ahora?

muy ocupado

Quotation

"It doesn't matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions." Jim Rohn.

1.3. Cancelling appointments.

Here you have some ways to close the conversation without sounding abrupt or rude:

Cancelling appointments.
CANCELLING APPOINTMENTS TRANSLATION
I am sorry to have to cancel our appointment / I am sorry to say that / I´m sorry about the change in plans / Sorry for the inconvenience. Siento tener que cancelar nuestra cita/siento decirle que/ Perdón por el cambio de planes/ Disculpe las molestias
I am obliged to cancel. Me veo obligado a cancelar.
This is to confirm my telephone call advising your secretary that unexpected work responsabilities require me to travel abroad for one month. Esto es  para confirmar mi llamada telefónica avisando a su secretaria de que por motivos profesionales, me veo obligado a viajar al extranjero durante un mes.
I regret that I will be unable to keep our 12:00 a.m. appointment next Monday. Lamento no poder mantener nuestra reunión para   el próximo lunes a las 12:00 de la mañana.
I regret being unable to assit you / regret that I will be unable to / regret having to cancel Lamento no poder atenderle. / Lamento los inconvenientes.
I look forward to our future collaboration and will be in touch with you as soon as I am up to speed again. Espero poder mantener futuras colaboraciones con usted y me pondré en contacto con usted tan pronto como me ponga al día.
an unexpected complication has arisen Me ha surgido una complicación imprevista.
as we had planned Como habíamos planeado
because of unforeseen difficulties Debido a unas complicaciones inesperadas
didn't realize that no me di cuenta de eso
necessitates a delay / need to postpone / suggest that we postpone our appointment. Es necesario retrasar / hay que posponer /sugerimos posponer nuestra cita.
unavailable at that time / Mr. Johnson will be unable.. no disponible en ese momento / Mr. Johnson no podrá..
unfortunately slipped my mind Lamentablemente se me olvidó/no me acordé.
was unaware that no sabía que/ no estaba al tanto de eso
will have to reschedule / could reschedule for tendrá que cambiar la fecha / podría cambiar para
will be out of town estará fuera de la ciudad
won't be able to keep / unable to meet with you until no podrá mantener la cita / reunirse con usted hasta
would hate to waste your time No me gustaría hacerle perder el tiempo
would it be possible to postpone ¿sería posible posponer?
arrange another meeting after organizar otra reunión después
call next week and reschedule llame la próxima semana y cambie la fecha
please get in touch with me Por favor, póngase en contacto conmigo
when I have further information cuando tenga más información
please mark your calendars / please note that Por favor apunte en su calendario / apunte que
let's plan for later that same week planeemos para más tarde esa misma semana
would still like to meet with you quedemos más tarde esa misma semana
would it be convenient for you to meet me on ¿Le iría bien quedar en…?

RESPOND TO A CANCELLATION NOTICE

 TRANSLATION
I wish to advice you I will not be attending the next conference on date ... Me gustaría informarle de que no podré asistir a la próxima conferencia con fecha de…
Yes, I'll look forward to seeing you on Friday. Sí, estoy deseando verle el viernes.
Sorry, I've got to go now/ to a meeting. Lo siento, ahora me tengo que ir/ tengo una reunión
Nice talking to you!/ Good to talk to you! Ha sido un placer hablar contigo
Talk to you soon! ¡Hablamos pronto!
We'll keep in touch. Estaremos en contacto
Thanks for calling. Gracias por llamar

 

recuperarse

1.4. Closing appointments.

Here you have some ways to close the conversation without sounding abrupt or rude:

Closing appointments.
CLOSING THE CONVERSATION TRANSLATION
See you on Monday then! ¡Entonces nos vemos el lunes!
Nice talking to you!/ Good to talk to you! Ha sido un placer hablar contigo.
Sorry, I've got to go now/ to a meeting. Lo siento, ahora me tengo que ir/ tengo una reunión
Yes, I'll look forward to seeing you on Tuesday. Sí, estoy deseando verte el martes.
Thanks for calling. Gracias por llamar.
Talk to you soon! ¡Hablamos pronto!
We'll keep in touch. Estaremos en contacto.

1.5. Example sentences about how to cancel and postpone an appointment.

TIPS

When cancelling or postponing an appointment, be polite and concise. There is usually no need for a lengthy explanation.

Tell the reader why you must cancel or postpone the appointment. Be sure to identify the particular appointment by date, time, and place.

Example Sentences.
I regret having to cancel our appointment for next Monday but my boss is scheduled for surgery that day.
I am afraid I must postpone our May 18 meeting at the Hotel Sheraton. I have been asked to clear my schedule that day for an urgent meeting.
Unfortunately, I cannot keep our August 21 appointment. I have been reassigned and my new project will take me out of the country for that week.
We must reschedule the April 12 board meeting. We were unaware of the regional conference on that day.
I appreciate your dinner invitation for January 25, but I will have to take a rain check on it. I had forgotten that I will be out of town on business.
I regret that will not be ready to meet with you on July 12, as we planned.
We look forward to meeting you and learning more about your proposed project.
I am very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you, and I look forward to hearing from you.
I apologize for the short notice, and hope we can get together soon.
Again, we apologize for this change of plans, and look forward to hearing from you.

reprogramar

Cierre con una nota positiva

larga

Translation

1.6. Letter templates about how to cancel or reschedule appointments.

STEP BY STEP

In addition to learning useful phrases that help us express ourselves, we are going to follow some guidelines to cancel or modify appointments.

  1. Tell the reader why you must cancel or postpone the appointment. Be sure to identify the particular appointment by date, time, and place.
  2. If you wish to reschedule, propose a new time and/or place, or invite the reader to get in touch with you.
  3. Close on a positive note.

LETTER TEMPLATE 1

This will confirm my telephone call advising your secretary that unexpected work responsibilities necessitate my traveling abroad for two weeks. I must therefore ask you to postpone my tax audit that was scheduled for May 8. I will contact your office when I return and will then reschedule our appointment.

My bookkeeper has reviewed all my documentation to be sure it is complete, and I anticipate no further delays. If you need to get in touch with me, please leave a message on my home answering machine and I will return your call as soon as possible.

reprogramar

LETTER TEMPLATE 2

I wish to advise you that I will not be attending the November convention in New York, and will consequently be unable to participate as a member of the panel on insurance for businesses. I have been ill and will require daily treatments for the next two months.

I regret my inability to assist you, but do look forward to working with you on other projects. In the meantime, Catherin Smith or Patrick Cokk of Cokk Corporation should be able to assist you in your planning. I am sure they can also offer suggestions for someone to take my place on the panel.

I look forward to future collaboration and will be in touch with you as soon as I am up to speed again.

LETTER TEMPLATE 3

I am sorry that I must cancel my appointment to see the Governor at noon on October 14. My mother has been hospitalized for heart surgery and it is important that I be with her at this time. I anticipate that I will be in Boston for the next two weeks.

Before I return home, I will contact your office to reschedule my appointment. Please send the information I requested to my home address. My mail will be forwarded to me in Boston.

1.7. Rescheduling a Virtual Appointment.

Something to be aware of, though, is that every business has a setting for how close to the appointment start time clients are allowed to cancel or reschedule their appointment. If you follow the steps below and find that the cancel or reschedule buttons are disabled, you have likely surpassed the allowed number of hours when you can cancel or reschedule.

Rescheduling from link in Appointment Confirmation or Reminder Email

In the emails you receive before your appointment (whether that is the confirmation for your booking, a notice that the appointment was rescheduled, or a reminder 24 hours before the appointment start time), there is a link that you can click on to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

An example of this link is shown in the screenshot below. Please note that the email text you received from the business you booked with may look different than the text shown below, but the link should stay relatively similar:

rescheduled.png

Clicking on this link will take you to your appointment details page where you have access to a button to reschedule your appointment:

rescheduled_2.png

Clicking on the "Reschedule" button will take you to the screen where you can select a new date and time for your appointment. Select a date from the calendar and then a time from the list on the right and click next:

ING06_rescheduled_3

Pressing next will direct you back to the appointment details screen where you'll see the updated date and time:

rescheduled_4.pngYou'll also receive an email confirming that you rescheduled the appointment with a new link to cancel or reschedule if you need to in the future.

1.7.1. TimeTap.

How can I organize the schedule with professional computer applications?

There are many computer tools to manage work planning, among them we are going to see the timetap application.

TimeTap is an online appointment scheduling software that consolidates an organization's entire scheduling workflow in one comprehensive system. TimeTap allows total appointment management with customizable calendars. Users can choose from different viewing options and easily categorize meetings to make the app work from them more personally.  

flujo de trabajo

Rescheduling by logging into the scheduler

The majority of the businesses that use TimeTap or another applications allow their clients to login so that clients can book appointments without having to re-enter all their info as well as view and making changes to their existing appointments. If you've lost the appointment confirmation or reminder email and need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, logging into the scheduler is a good way to go.

recheduled5-png

Once you've logged in, click the button to "View Appointments" to view the existing appointments you have set with the business:

ING06_recheduled_6

This will open up your upcoming appointments where you can click the magnifying glass next to the appointment to enter into its appointment details page (hint: if you make appointments for your family members under the same email address, use the name dropdown in the top right to switch between family members):

ING06_recheduled_7

On the appointment details page, hit the "Reschedule Appointment" button:

ING06_recheduled_8

As mentioned in the intro to this documentation, if this button is disabled, then the time where you are allowed to reschedule your appointment as set by the business you're booking with has passed.

Clicking on the next button will take you to the screen where you can select a new date and time for your appointment. Select a date from the calendar and then a time from the list on the right and click next:

ING06_recheduled_9

Pressing next will direct you back to the appointment details screen where you'll see the updated date and time:

ING06_rescheduled_10.png

You'll also receive an email confirming that you rescheduled the appointment with a new link to cancel or reschedule if you need to in the future.

Deshabilitada

según lo establecido por

A Piece of Advice

Go to Timetap website where you can start your 30 day free trial.

Timetap.

ING06_Timetipe.jpg

1.8. Test yourself.

Write an email about business arrangement.

Complete this email about an arrangement.

week / get / I´m coming / on / in / at / the evening
Dear Eva,
to the "Coronavirus news 2022" conference next . I´m glad you are going, too. I'm glad you are going, too. I'm arriving Tuesday afternoon May. I'll text you when I to the hotel. Perhaps we can meet in ? Are you free to go out for a meal about 9:00?
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Johnson




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    Cancel arrangement.

    Complete this email about an arrangement.

    appointment/ regret / announced / assured / business

    Dear Mrs. Cloths,

    I that I will be unable to keep our 11:00 a.m. next Tuesday, April 12. Our front office has just a new policy canceling all employee travel for the next five months.

    Until this restriction is lifted, I will have to conduct all our by telephone, fax, or e-mail. While I will miss our personal work sessions, please be that I will continue to service your account as effectively as I have in the past.

    Yours sincerely,

    Peter Sottler.

    levantado

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    Put the email in the right order.

    Matching exercise.
    ARRANGEMENTS MATCH
    1. I can call you then if it is convenient. 4
    2. Are you free to talk about it on the phone tomorrow at about 10:15? 3
    3. Could you please let me know? 5
    4. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 6
    5. With best wishes, 7
    6. Thank you for your last email. 2
    7. Dear Mr. Crown. 1
    8. CEO RR Ltd. London 9
    9. Mr. Johnes. 8

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    2.- How to make business travel arrangements.

    Avión

    Making travel arrangements is a responsible and stressful job. It is actually an art where your boss is made happy with the travel arrangements you make.

    The key factor in arranging business trip for your boss is to pick the right agents whether it’s through airways, online travel packages or through best travel sites.

    Many companies have employees to control the cost of trips, and following those guidelines to the letter is the best way to ensure your travel plans are approved and that you are reimbursed for any expenses you have while on the road.

    1. It is required to know bosses preferences before getting started for a travel plan. Include personal vehicle, rental car and air travel. Ask your boss about your company's travel procedures. 
    2. Get the name of the travel agent. If the company uses a centralized resource for booking travel, give that individual the complete details of your trip.
    3. When booking the trip yourself, be sure to get a confirmation number for the flight, the hotel room and the rental car if applicable.
    4. Contact the airline, hotel and rental car agency on your own at least a week before your trip to make sure the reservations are in place. Contact your employer if you encounter any problems.
    5. Contact the person you will be meeting with to ask for the name of a nearby hotel. Hotel maps and booking services can be a big help, but it is often best to get the recommendation of someone in the area.
    6. Keep all of your receipts during your trip and be sure to fill out your expense report as soon as you return. Attach any required receipts to the expense report to expedite the process.

    escoger

    escoger

    reembolsado

    gastos

    procedimientos

    hotel cercano

    encuentras

    para completar sus gastos

    Adjunte todos los recibos requeridos al informe de gastos para acelerar el proceso.

    Think about it

    Picture yourself in this situation: you work for a company where carrying out your work means having some expenses, what procedure would you choose to justify the expenses? Enter the forum and share your knowledge with your classmates.

    Translation

    2.1. Test yourself.

    Autoevaluación

    Listen to the following conversation between a travel agent and a client, then take the quiz available on the same web page.

    Travel Arrangements.

    Tarjetas de crédito sobre la mesa.

    Listen to the conversation again and try to fill in the gaps:

    • Travel Agent: Freedom Travel. How may I help you?
    • Client: Yes, I'd like to make a flight for the twenty-third of this month.
    • Travel Agent: Okay. What is your ?
    • Client: Well. I'm flying to Helsinki, Finland.
    • Travel Agent: Okay. Let me check what flights are ? Okay, and when will you be returning?
    • Client: Uh, I'd like to a return flight on the twenty-ninth. Oh, and I'd like the cheapest flight available.
    • Travel Agent: Okay. Let me see. Um, hmm . . .
    • Client: Yeah?
    • Travel Agent: Well, the price for the flight is almost the price you would pay if you leave the day before.
    • Client: Whoo. Let's go with the cheaper flight. By the way, how much is it?
    • Travel Agent: It's only $980.
    • Client: Alright. Let's go with that.
    • Travel Agent: Okay. That's flight 1070 from Salt Lake City to New York, Kennedy Airport, transferring to flight 90 from Kennedy to Helsinki.
    • Client: And what are the and arrival times for each of those flights?
    • Travel Agent: It leaves Salt Lake City at 10:00 AM, arriving in New York at 4:35 PM, then transferring to flight 90 at 5:55 PM, and in Helsinki at 8:30 AM the next day.
    • Client: Alright. And, uh, I'd like to a vegetarian .
    • Travel Agent: Sure no . And could I have your name please?

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    Check Vocabulary.

    Autoevaluación

    Question

    If you need to travel because of your job ...

    Answers

    don't tell your boss if it is just an occasional trip to a client's office.

    no matter how far your destination is, always make the necessary arrangements for it.

    no importa lo lejos

    don't expect the company to pay for all your expenses.

    Feedback


    Question

    To save money, it is important ...

    Answers

    to know about the company's travel procedure.

    that you don't need to know about the company's travel procedure, just choose the cheapest things.

    to contact your client or someone in the area to help you find a nearby hotel.

    Feedback


    Question

    If the company uses a centralized resource for booking travel,

    Answers

    you won't need to give them the individual details of your trip, they will make all the arrangements for you.

    you will need to give them all the individual details of your trip.

    don't ask them for an individual travel itinerary.

    Feedback


    Question

    During the trip...

    Answers

    don't keep all the receipts if you booked your travel through a centralised resource.

    keep all your receipts and give them to the centralised resource to justify all your expenses.

    keep all your receipts and attach them to your expense report.

    Feedback

    3.- How to make arrangements on the phone.

    Making appointments is quick and simple over the phone. You can get a definite answer immediately. Or, sometimes, a day that you had planned for an appointment has to be changed. Imagine you get through to the person you want to speak to, do you know what to say to fix a meeting? The following sentences will help you:

    Making arrangements.
    MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TRANSLATION
    Can we fix an appointment? ¿Podemos fijar una reunión / cita?
    Shall we arrange a meeting? ¿Podemos concertar una cita/ reunión?
    How / What about Tuesday? ¿Qué le parece el martes?
    Would Wednesday suit you? ¿Le vendría bien el miércoles?
    Would Friday be suitable? ¿Le iría bien el viernes?
    Shall we say Monday? ¿Qué le parece el lunes?
    Would it be possible to meet up soon? ¿Podríamos reunirnos pronto?
    That's fine! / That would be fine! ¡Me parece bien! ¡Perfecto!
    That sounds good / great! Suena bien / genial.
    Sorry, I can't / won't be able to make Monday. Lo siento, el lunes me es imposible.
    Sorry, but I've got to (+INF) travel on that day. Lo siento pero tengo que viajar ese día.
    Sorry, but I've got a (+noun) meeting that day. Lo siento pero tengo una reunión ese día.
    I'll check my diary (B.E) / planner (Am. E). Consultaré mi agenda.
    A FORMAL INVITATION
    INVITATION ARRANGEMENTS TRANSLATION
    Mr./Mrs.. requests the presence of ... El Sr./Sra.... solicita la presencia de ...
    We are planning a dinner plan/ conference / convention. Estamos planeando una cena/conferencia/convención.
    On the occasion of the opening/conference/convention/trade fair/anniversary/promotion of ... con ocasión de la inauguración/conferencia/convención/feria de muestras/aniversario/promoción de ...
    We will be very pleased if you could attend/join us. Estaríamos encantados si pudiese asistir/quedarse con nosotros.
    We hope that you will be able to join us. Esperamos que pueda unirse a nosotros.
    We look forward to seeing you. Estamos deseando verle.
    Please, reply. Por favor,  confirme
    R.S.V.P: Secretary to Ben Smith, 112 School Road, New York Normalmente se colocan estas iniciales al final de la invitación. Corresponden a "Confirme, por favor". Normalmente va seguida de los datos de la persona.
    Mr./Mrs.. will be pleased to attend it. El Sr./Sra.... estará encantado/a de asistir.
    Mr./Mrs.. is unable to attend due to a prior engagement. El Sr./Sra....no podrá asistir debido a un compromiso previo.
    ACCEPTING OR DECLINING A FORMAL INVITATION TRANSLATION
    Thank you very much for the invitation to the ... you are holding on (date) at (place) Gracias por la invitación a.. que tendrá lugar (fecha) en (lugar).
    We are writing to confirm ... Le escribimos para confirmar ...
    It will be a pleasure to attend .. Será un placer asistir ...
    I´m looking forward to becoming personally acquainted with you after our long correspondence. Será un placer encontrarme personalmente con usted después de mantener una correspondencia tan amplia.
    I would be delighted to accept, but as I have already made arrangements to attend another important meeting ... Sería un placer aceptar su invitación, pero ya había planeado asistir a otra reunión importante ...
    I regret I will not be able to attend ... Lamento comunicarle que no podré asistir a ...

    3.1. Dialogues on the telephone.

    Read carefully  the following dialogues on the telephone:

    DIALOGUE ON THE TELEPHONE 1

    Client: Good morning, This is Margarat Patterson, may I talk to Miss Charlotte Smith, please?

    Customer Service: Good afternoon madam, hold on the line, please, I´ll put you through!

    Client: Thank you very much.

    Customer Service: Madam? I'm sorry, but I'm afraid the line is busy at the moment, can I take a message?

    Client:Yes please. Could you tell her I'll call back later?

    Customer Service: OK, thank you, bye.

    DIALOGUE ON THE TELEPHONE 2

    Client: Good afternoon, Rose Crown speaking, could I speak to Mr. Johnson, please?

    Customer Service: Wait a minute please ... sorry madam, but I'm afraid Mr. Johnson is in a meeting. Can I take a message?

    Customer Service: Yes please, could you tell him Mrs. Crown phoned? Thank you very much.

    Client: Sure! Have a nice day, bye.

    3.2. Test yourself.

    Now it's your turn

    Put the words in the right order to build the sentences.

    1. 8 a.m So fix Tuesday at for it we'll.
    2. busy I'm really week this.
    3. make can you following the Sunday it?
    4. perfect, Friday OK see at you 4 p.m. there!
    5. 10 a.m. we shall say So Monday?
    6. week Sorry, we postpone can it to next?
    7. Monday how next afternoon about?

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    Now it's your turn

    Now answer the following questions.

    What do we say when we want to …

    1. How do you introduce on the phone? . .
    2. How do you apologize for something we are going to say? .
    3. How do you ask to take notes of who is calling? ?
    4. How do you ask someone to wait? . .
    5. How do you connect one person with another? .
    6. How do you say the other person is not available? . .
    7. How do you leave a message? ? ?

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    4.- Grammar: The first and second conditional.

    Think about it

    Read the following examples carefully and pay attention to verbal tenses. Do you know the difference between first and second conditional?

    • First conditional: If my secretary travels to Spain, she will visit Granada. 
    • Second conditional: If I were the CEO, I would tell my colleagues immediately.

    Look at the previous sentences again and choose the correct option.

    1. Do we use the first conditional to talk about situations that are possible or impossible to happen?
    2. Do we use the second conditional to talk about situations which are imaginary or unlikely or very probable to happen?

    Translation

    Click here to read the Spanish version.

    First and Second Conditional.
    • The structure of the first conditional is:
      • If + present simple, will + infinitive/present simple/imperative
        • If you cook dinner, I will wash the dishes (will+infinitive)
        • If Katie calls you, go to her desk as soon as possible. (Imperative)
        • If you click on the icon, the computer freezes. (present simple)
    • The structure of the second conditional is:
      • If+ past simple, would+ Infinitive
        • If I knew the answer, I would write it down.
        • If I were rich, I would run my own business.
        • If Robert were younger, he would get a promotion. (If the verb is TO BE in the if-clause: IF + I/HE/SH/ IT/.. + WERE is recommended)

    se congela

    dirigiría

    Think about it

    Some common mistakes when using the conditional:

    • If my chief was German, I would talk to him in English.
    • If I was rich, I would buy a Rolex.
    • If I drop an egg, it break.

    Can you correct them?

    jefe

    4.1.- Now put it into practice.

    Test yourself.

    Fill in the gap using the first conditional.

    1. If they the meeting I won't attend it.
    2. If a client is unhappy, you to calm him down.
    3. If you have a cold, you to go out.
    4. She will run her startup if she will be fired.
    5. If Patrick comes late he the new assistant.
    6. If someone this button, the machine won't work.
    7. If Katie speaks to the boss right now, he her tomorrow.

    ser despedida

    dirigirá

    yo no asistiré

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    Now it's your turn

    Fill in the gap using the second conditional.

    1. If the coronovirus pandemic continued, the party (take) place indoors in the form of virtual party.
    2. If he didn't apologise, Robert (not accept) him again in his team.
    3. If she refused the promotion she (waste) a great opportunity.
    4. If the shop assistant (treat) a client rudely he would make a big mistake.
    5. I would help you if I (have) the opportunity to do it.

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    Think about it

    Choose one of these topics and write down as much as you can about it. Then, enter the forum and share your opinion with your teacher and classmates.

    • What happens if you get up early to work every day?
    • What would you do if you ran your own startup?

    Remember to use the conditional tense. Good luck!

    tanto como

    5.- Unless.

    Think about it

    Be careful! "Unless" introduces a dependent clause with a condition and it means (if... not).

    cláusula dependiente

    a menos que

    me felicite

    Translation

    Click here to read the Spanish version.

    A Step Ahead

    In the next link you can improve your knowledge about if and unless:

    If and unless.

    5.1.- Now put it into practice.

    Now it's your turn

    Fill in the gaps using "If" or "unless."

    1. Mathilde doesn't mind, you'll sit here.
    2. you love him, marry him.
    3. she does well in the meeting, the budget won't be accepted.
    4. you don't understand the exercise, I'll try to help you.
    5. I'll go to the beach with you s it rains this weekend.
    6. we learn from our mistakes, we may go them again.
    7. Rocky will be sent to prison he is caught in the act.
    8. He must study he doesn't want to flunk the course.

    repetir, suspender, perder el curso

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    Appendix.- Licences of resources.

    Licences of resources used.
    Resource (1) Resource information (1) Resource (2) Resource information (2)
    Flores en una oficina.

    Autoría: Images-of-money.

    Licencia: CC by 2.0.

    Procedencia: http://www.flickr.com/photos/59937401@N07/5834355621

    		 Dos hombres estrechándose las manos como saludo.

    Autoría: agirregabiria.

    Licencia: CC by-nc-sa 2.0.

    Procedencia: http://www.flickr.com/photos/agirregabiria/33453013/sizes
    Tarjetas de crédito sobre la mesa.

    Autoría: edenpictures (Eden, Janine and Jim)

    Licencia: CC by 2.0.

    Procedencia: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edenpictures/5348537044/in/photostream/

    		 Agenda y mano anotando una cita.

    Autoría: My Tudut.

    Licencia: CC by nc-sa-2.0.

    Procedencia: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mytudut/5188623575
    Foto de un bolígrafo.

    Autoría: _StaR_DusT.

    Licencia: CC by-nc 2.0.

    Procedencia: http://www.flickr.com/photos/star-dust/775368469/

    		 Frutas y verduras de distintos tipos, formando una imagen muy colorida.

    Autoría: Ombrelle (Martin)

    Licencia: CC by-nc-sa 2.0.

    Procedencia: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flyweb/3780683263/
    Chica estudiando.

    Autoría: Treehugger.

    Licencia: CC by-nc-sa 2.0.

    Procedencia: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alenad/4638014/

    		 Portátil con pegatinas.

    Autoría: Trozbo.

    Licencia: CC by nc-sa 2.0.

    Procedencia: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozbos/2421365752