ESL speaking and listening practice: Business lunch conversation Advanced shadow talking

Practice using 'anyway' form this conversation
https://youtu.be/_dxQ5eL_xMM

Practice using 'whereas' from this dialogue
https://youtu.be/HK8YpdqTdVs

Practice using 'not at all' in this fluency exercise
https://youtu.be/iM6XrmxbBCA

Practice using 'back in' in this fluency exercise
https://youtu.be/25W2nVKb3Cw

Practice conversational spoken English in the context of a business lunch. This conversational exercise will help you improve your English fluency. It will help you improve your pronunciation and it will help you with you confidence in speaking conversational English.
If you have trouble understanding spoken English this is the perfect exercise to help you practice understanding and speaking in a natural way.
Transcript of the conversation:
Do NOT read the transcript while practicing and listening to the video! The only way to improve your speaking and listening skills is to practice speaking and listening! Reading will only prevent you from taking full advantage of the exercise.

Person 1: It’s a very different way to do business here in Singapore, compared to Germany.

Person 2: I know what you mean. Do you find it difficult?

Person 1: Not at all, it’s interesting.

Person 2: Interesting?

Person 1: Yes. For example, in Singapore you discuss prices much earlier in the negotiation than we do in Germany.

Person 2: Really? So, you mean that you leave price negotiations till the end of the discussion?

Person 1: Oh yes, In Singapore you start talking about prices for products when in Germany we’re still trying to define exactly what’s wanted.

Person 2: How amazing! I didn’t realize. I suppose we think it’s a waste of time discussing something if the price is always going to be unrealistic.

Person 1: I see.

Person 2: Whereas in Germany you feel you can’t begin to think about the price until you know all of the details.

Person 1 : That’s right.

Person 2: So, do you like Singapore?

Person 1: Oh yes,. Very much, especially the food. But I need to do some sport. I’ve put on 2 kilos already! Back in Berlin I play forward for the company football team.

Person 2: Really?

Person 1: yes…uh…anyway..

Person 2: Do you notice any difference between business life here and in Germany?

Person 1: Well, another difference is the flexibility that a manager has here.

Person 2: Flexibility?

Person 1: Yes. In Germany it’s very difficult to be a manager because every time you want to introduce a change in the organization or in the communication processes, you have to ask the workers council for permission. This makes innovation very slow, which isn’t good for the employees at all.

Person 2: So, what you’re saying is that the workers’ council in Germany makes things more difficult for employees, not easier.

Person1: Sometimes, yes.

Person 2: That’s terrible.