Cambridge English for Human Resources - Worksheet - Conducting a Review Meeting

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Cambridge English for

Human Resources UNIT 7 additional activities Conducting a review meeting

a Read this extract from the beginning of Audio 7.4, in which Cindy van der Meer

of Capo Verde has her employee development review meeting with her line manager, Ian Calder, the Head of Human Resources. In pairs, say what you think Ian and Cindy might have talked about before they started to discuss the review.

Ian: Sure. It’ll give us time to reflect. Right, well, let’s get going. Starting off with the past year, what do you think went well?

Cindy: Well, I was really pleased with …

b Answer the following questions.

1 What does to break the ice mean in English?

2 Do you have a similar idiom in your own language?

3 Why is ice-breaking important in such a review meeting? Think about the advantages for: ●●

the manager

●●

the reviewee

c Now read the beginning of the conversation between Ian and Cindy which comes before Audio 7.4 and answer the following questions.

1 How does Ian make Cindy feel comfortable before the main part of the review?

2 Is there anything else that Ian could ask Cindy before they begin the review?

3 What two phrases does he use to move the interview from one stage (ice-breaking) to the next (procedures)?

4 Look at the underlined section. Which three words would you stress?

5 How does Ian demonstrate that Cindy is an equal partner?

6 What would be another way of describing how long the review will take?

Ian: Hi Cindy.

Cindy: Morning.

Ian: Thanks for coming. Can I get you a drink?

Cindy: Maybe just some water thanks.

Ian: Still enjoying the dance classes?

Cindy: Great thanks! Aerobics was rather boring but Salsa is just as much exercise and a lot more fun.

Ian: Well, you’re certainly full of energy! Now, to get down to business. You’ve been involved in the Employee Review briefing sessions, so I know you understand what it’s all about but I really want you to feel that it’s your review and that you’re an equal partner in what we agree. An hour should do us but we’re not pressed for time. Any questions?

Cindy: Just one thing; I think it’s better if we just make notes today and fill in the form later in the week. Is that OK with you?

Ian: Sure. It’ll give us time to reflect. Right, well, let’s get going. Starting off with the past year, what do you think went well?

Cindy: Well, I was really pleased with …

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Cambridge English for Human Resources www.cambridge.org/elt/englishforhr

Cambridge University Press 2011

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UNIT 7 Conducting a review meeting

d Now read this extract from the end of the review which follows the conversation you heard in Audio 7.4 and answer the questions.

1 What phrases does Ian use to thank Cindy?

2 How does he offer her the chance to say something more?

3 How does he make his instruction less aggressive?

Ian: Thanks again for being so open. It’s been really helpful.

Cindy: You’re welcome. So is that it now?

Ian: Unless there’s anything you’d like to add?

Cindy: I can’t think of anything right now but I’ll let you know if I do.

Ian: OK, well if you could process the form during the next week and send it to me, we’ll have a final check and then sign it off; OK? Cindy: Yeah, that’s fine.

Ian: Great and thanks again for all your hard work. I really appreciate it.

Cindy: Thank you.

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Cambridge English for Human Resources www.cambridge.org/elt/englishforhr

Cambridge University Press 2011

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Professional English

Cambridge English for

Human Resources UNIT 7 additional activities

Teacher’s Notes

Before you begin …

Make sure that students have completed Exercises 11–15 on pages 59–61 of the Student’s Book before doing this Additional activity.

a Students work in pairs to discuss their ideas. Students may not recall (or know)

the phrase to break the ice (discussed in Exercise b which follows), but they may be able to identify the need for language which makes the reviewee relaxed.

b Use these questions to feed back on the students’s discussions in Exercise a.

Answers 1 to break the ice means to say or do something to make someone feel more relaxed in a situation where they may feel nervous or worried.

3 If the reviewee is relaxed, he or she is more likely to have a more positive experience of the review and this can improve relations between the reviewee and his or her line manager. The advantage for the reviewee is that he or she may be able to give a more accurate presentation of his or her work and progress if it is possible to be more open and honest.

c Give students three or four minutes to read the questions and then the dialogue

extract. Ask them if they have any questions about vocabulary and make sure that they understand the questions. Then ask students to work in pairs to discuss their answers. After five minutes, open up the discussion to the whole class.

Suggested answers 1 He offers her a drink and asks her about her interest. He shows that he knows her as a person, not just as an employee.

2 He could ask about any topic they have previously discussed (e.g. How is Nicolina getting on at her new school?), depending on how well they know each other, or a very general topic (e.g. Did you have the soup today in the canteen? It was lovely.). It would be inappropriate to ask for new information (e.g. Do you have any children?).

3 Now, to get down to business; Right, well, let’s get going.

4 really, your, equal 5 He gives her the opportunity to ask questions and to influence the procedure.

6 We’ll need about an hour for this, but I have no other appointments, so we can take as long as we need. It’s important that we don’t rush this.

d Ask students to suggest how Ian could close the review meeting. Then ask them to read the questions and the end of the meeting.

Suggested answers 1 Thanks again for being so open; it’s been really helpful; thanks again for all your hard work. I really appreciate it.

2 Unless there’s something you’d like to add?

3 Well, if you could …, OK?

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Cambridge English for Human Resources www.cambridge.org/elt/englishforhr

Cambridge University Press 2011

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