Today is the second class in our current four-class set. We will begin with our directions exercise. Our grammar unit is unit 122.

The phrase of the week is, "mission critical." This is a technical way of saying that something is serious and plays an important role in the success of a business operation. For example, "Client service is mission critical this year."

Today's reading is about financial service trends and our listening material are two business dialogues. I think we need to take a break from the accents. The vocabulary words will come from the reading. Please be able to explain them in class. 

Vocabulary

• emphasis - (noun) special importance, value, or prominence given to something. OR stress laid on a word or words to indicate special meaning or particular importance.
• immersive - (adj) (of a computer display or system) generating a three-dimensional image that appears to surround the user.
• gamify -(verb) to turn (an activity or task) into a game or something resembling a game: Many exercise programs have been gamified, with badges and scores.  
• culmination - (noun) the highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time.

Click HERE for the reading material

Expressing Opinions

Dialogue 1

Sheila: So, let’s move on to the topic of release date. Gentlemen, when do you think we will be able to launch this product? Walt?

Walt: Well, I tend to feel that… we should probably be able to start testing the product in April. That means that if all goes well, we can have the first release in May or June.

Sheila: I see. Thank you, Walt. What’s your reaction to that Bruce?

Bruce: May or June… well, from my point of view… that sounds about right.

George: Excuse me, may I come in here? I wonder if I could say something.

Sheila: Go ahead, George. What would you like to add?

George: Well, it seems to me that May is much, much too early. Actually, we are still having some pretty major problems with bugs in the update engine, and I just don’t see how we will be able to fix those bugs.

Dialogue 2

Bruce: Hey guys, did you see the Chelsea/Liverpool game last night? What did you think, Walt? Quite a game, huh? Chelsea looked pretty good!

Walt: You always have to rub it in, don’t you Bruce. You know I’m a Liverpool fan.

Bruce: How about you, George?

George: Actually, that was one of the greatest games I’ve ever seen. But the way you guys keep telling the boss we can finish the product by May, none of us are going to have time to watch any more football games. We’re all going to be working overtime every night, burning the midnight oil!