Ex.3. Questions for discussion

Making an appointment

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

1. Are you busy this week?

2. What are you doing tonight?

3. Where are you having lunch tomorrow?

4. What plans do you have for the next seven days?

5. What is your next appointment?

Ex.1. Read the definitions from Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.

ap‧point‧ment

1 [countable] an arrangement for a meeting at an agreed time and place, for a particular purpose

You can say: have an appointment, make an appointment, an appointment to do something, book an appointment (BrE), schedule an appointment (AmE), cancel an appointment, miss an appointment, doctor’s/dentist’s/dental appointment.

She has an appointment with a client at 10.30.

You should phone his secretary if you want to make an appointment.

I have an appointment to see the doctor.

Please give us two days’ notice if you have to cancel an appointment.

I was already forty-five minutes late for my dental appointment.

keep an appointment (go to an appointment you have arranged): For the third time in a row, she had failed to keep her appointment.

by appointment only (only if you make an appointment in advance): All consultations are by appointment only.

Ex.2. Replace the underlined expressions with appropriate forms of the verbs from Ex.1 above.

1. An appointment with John Smith was organized for 1 February.

2. But not everyone could go to it.

3. Even John Smith could not attend it.

4. So it was decided not to have the appointment at all.

5. It was arranged for 1 March.

6. She arranged an appointment for her son to see the doctor.

7. I' ve got a dental appointment at 3 o'clock.

8. He failed to go to the appointment he had arranged.

9. Visiting the castle is only at the time that has been arranged in advance.

10. You should phone his secretary if you want toput an appointment in your diary.

1. What are typical problems of business appointments?

2. How can you explain the aim of business appointments?

3. Have you ever forgotten an appointment?

4. How do you remember your appointments?

5. Making an appointment can be complicated if two people are very busy. How do you find time that is convenient for both of you?

6. Imagine you are making a telephone call. This time you are arranging an appointment to see someone. What phrases might you use or hear?

Ex.4. Read a sample telephone conversation.

Michelle:	Mr Hibberd’s office.
Peter:	Hello, can I speak to Brian Hibberd, please?
Michelle:	I’m afraid he’s in a meeting until lunchtime. Can I take a message?
Peter:	Well, I’d like toarrange an appointment to see him, please. It’s Peter Jefferson here.
Michelle:	Could you hold on for a minute, Mr Jefferson. I’ll just look in the diary. So when’s it convenient for you?
Peter:	Some time next week if possible. I know he’s away the following week.
Michelle:	Yes, that’s right, he’s on holiday for a fortnight.
Peter:	Well, I need to see him before he goes away. So would next Wednesday be okay?
Michelle:	Wednesday. Let me see. He's out of the office all morning. But he's free in the afternoon, after about three.
Peter:	Three o'clock is going to be a little difficult. But I could make itafter four.
Michelle:	So shall we say 4.15 next Wednesday, in Mr Hibberd's office?
Peter:	Yes, that sounds fine. Thanks very much.
Michelle:	Okay, then. Bye.

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