LESSON
LISTENING AND SPEAKING
Deal with workplace gossip
4
GET READY TO WATCH
Rochelle is talking about Ben’s supervisor. Do you
know people who often say negative things about
others? How do you respond to them?
WATCH
Watch the video. Answer the questions.
1.
Why does Rochelle think Karen is in trouble?
2.
What happened between Karen and Dean Winters?
3.
Why doesn’t Ben pay attention to Karen’s schedule?
4.
What was Professor Clifford doing?
5.
Why doesn’t Ben want to hear about Karen’s problems?
6.
What does Rochelle say about Arnold?
CONVERSATION
A
Watch part of the video. Complete the conversation.
Rochelle:
You know, Karen isn’t at the administrators’ meeting.
I think she may be in trouble.
Ben:
Because she’s not at the meeting? That seems like a stretch.
She might have other things to do.
Rochelle:
Well, she got into an
with Dean Winters yesterday.
Ben:
I don’t know anything about that. So what?
Rochelle:
When he walked by the office this morning, he looked
.
He must still be upset with her.
Ben:
Come on, Rochelle. He could be upset about something else altogether.
Rochelle:
Like what?
Ben:
Maybe he was thinking about last night’s game or about politics. Or he
might not be upset at all. Maybe he has
.
B
PAIRS
Practice the conversation. Use your own names.
C
PAIRS
Practice the conversation again. Make similar conversations.
Suggest possible reasons why one of your classmates is not in class today.
PAIRS
Why doesn’t Ben want to get involved in this conversation with Rochelle?
What effect does gossip have on a workplace?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
94
UNIT 7
