Possibilities & predictions
Many people think that in the future, everyone will use 6G internet. How will American Tower change its towers to make the internet faster? Do you think it is going to be very expensive?
American Tower will probably add new, smaller antennas to the towers to support 6G. It is going to be expensive because the technology is new, but it will help more people connect to the internet at the same time.
You are meeting a new partner from the Finance department. How do you start the conversation? When the meeting is over, what is the most professional way to say goodbye and mention a future plan?
Focus: Greetings and "Signalling" the end of a call.
Target Phrases: "Nice to meet you," "Shall we get started?" "I look forward to..."
Starting and Ending a Conversation
To Start: "Hi, I’m [Name]. I work in (company name). I specialize in (Area) / I handle the (specific responsibility)
To End: "It was great speaking with you. I should let you get back to (activity)
I have to head out, but let`s connect on LinkedIn
Today, computers do most of the math in the finance department. I think workers don't need to be good at math anymore. They should only focus on being fast with the software."
Target: Present Simple and Should.
Topic: Human skills vs. Software.
I totally disagree with this opinion. In fact, workers still need to understand math to check if the computer is correct. However, being fast with software is definitely more important today than it was ten years ago.
Choose the word that does NOT belong in the group based on its professional meaning.
A) Reject
B) Refuse
C) Approve
A) Budget
B) Benefit
C) Bonus
A) Engaging
B) Weakening
C) Captivating
A) Travel to work
B) Journey
C) Send over
A) Connect
B) Check-in
C) Figure out
C (Approve) - This is the opposite of decline.
A (Budget) - A perk is a benefit; a budget is a financial plan.
B (Weakening) - Fascinating means interesting; weakening means losing strength.
C (Send over) - Commute is about travel; send over is about delivering documents.
C (Figure out) - Touch base is a quick chat; figure out is solving a problem.
Choose the correct form: Present Simple (for routines) or Present Continuous (for the time of speaking).
Our CEO usually (gives / is giving) a presentation at the annual gala, but right now she (meets / is meeting) with the board of directors.
We (don't work / aren't working) on the American Tower project today because the servers are down.
How often (do you touch base / are you touching base) with the Spanish team to coordinate schedules?
Look! The technician (sets up / is setting up) the new video conferencing equipment in Room
Our CEO usually gives a presentation at the annual gala, but right now she is meeting with the board of directors.
We aren’t working on the American Tower project today because the servers are down.
How often do you touch base with the Spanish team to coordinate schedules?
Look! The technician is setting up the new video conferencing equipment in Room 4.
If American Tower uses only digital contracts, how will this help their finance department?
Using digital contracts will make work much faster. The finance department might save a lot of money because they won't need to pay for paper, postage, or physical storage. They will also find information more quickly.
Imagine you are at a big telecommunications conference. How do you introduce yourself using responsible for, in charge of, and work in?
Focus: Defining professional scope.
I work in the Legal department. I am responsible for reviewing master lease agreements, and I am in charge of all contract disputes in Spain."
I work in the Finance department at American Tower. I am responsible for budget reports, and I am in charge of leasing payments for the EMEA region."
"It is much better to sign lease contracts on a phone. It is always faster than meeting in person, and it never creates paper waste. Business English students should only learn how to email, not how to meet face-to-face."
Target: Adverbs of Frequency (Always/Never).
Topic: Digital vs. Physical meetings.
I definitely agree that digital contracts are better and faster. However, I think students should still learn face-to-face skills. Sometimes, you need to meet a client to build trust before they sign a lease.
Match the phrases on the left with their real-world definitions on the right.
1. perk
2. look into
3. on the same page
4. Go back to square one
5. Touch base
To examine or investigate a situation.
B. An extra benefit (like free coffee or a gym membership).
C. To start over from the very beginning because of a failure.
D. To have the same understanding or agreement.
E. To briefly connect or talk with someone to check progress.
Fill in the blanks using Past Simple (finished actions) or Present Perfect (actions with a connection to now).
We (already / send over) __________ the contract drafts to the legal department. We are waiting for their feedback.
Last March, we (manage) __________ a difficult schedule change due to the transition to daylight savings time.
(you / ever / work) __________ with a senior lawyer on a niche case like this before?
The coordinator (decline) __________ our initial proposal yesterday because it exceeded the budget.
I (be) __________ with this company for three years, and I (start) __________ as a junior instructor in 2023.
We have already sent over the contract drafts to the legal department.
Last March, we managed a difficult schedule change due to the transition to daylight savings time.
Have you ever worked with a senior lawyer on a niche case like this before?
The coordinator declined our initial proposal yesterday because it exceeded the budget.
I have been with this company for three years, and I started as a junior instructor in 2023.
In the future, American Tower will probably use drones (flying robots) to check all their towers for damage. If they use drones instead of workers, how might this change the company’s costs? What might happen to the workers? Do you think the legal department is going to have new rules for flying drones near houses?
If they use drones, the company will probably save money because they won't need to send workers to climb every tower. This might make the towers safer because drones can see problems quickly. However, the legal department is going to be very busy because they will need to get special permission from the government to fly drones over private property and near people's homes.
A client suggests a new idea for a tower location. You think it is a bad idea. How can you start your sentence to sound polite? Why is it important to use phrases like "I see your point, but..."?
Focus: Diplomatic disagreement.
Target Phrases: "That's an interesting idea," "I understand your perspective."
"I see where you are coming from. However, we might face some zoning issues with that location. Could we look at some alternatives?"
"In 2026, AI is like a second employee in the leasing department. I believe AI is going to write every contract soon. If this happens, a senior lawyer will only check the AI’s work for ten minutes a day."
Target: Be going to and Will.
Topic: Job roles and AI.
You have a valid point, but a senior lawyer will always be necessary. AI can write the text, but it doesn't understand complex laws. The lawyer must protect the company from risks that AI might miss.
Choose the correct word to complete the professional scenario.
After the stock market crash, the value of the currency began to (weaken / provide).
If you need the documents, I can (provide / decline) them for you immediately.
We thought the deal was closed, but the legal issues forced us to (go back to square one / touch base).
1. After the stock market crash, the value of the currency began to weaken.
2. If you need the documents, I can provide them for you immediately.
3. We thought the deal was closed, but the legal issues forced us to go back to square one.
Each sentence has one grammar mistake. Find it and fix it.
I am usually commuting to the office by train, but today I am driving.
Have you finished the incident report for the client two hours ago?
Right now, the finance team looks into the budget discrepancy.
We have seen a significant weaken in the currency value last month.
Correction: I usually commute to the office by train... (Routine uses Present Simple).
Correction: Did you finish the incident report... (Specific past time "two hours ago" uses Past Simple).
Correction: ...the finance team is looking into the budget... (Action at the time of speaking uses Present Continuous).
Correction: We saw a significant weaken... ("Last month" uses Past Simple).
Some experts say towers are likely to power themselves using solar energy by 2030. Will this change how much money the company spends?
Yes, it will likely reduce the company’s long-term costs because they won't have to pay for electricity from the city. However, they will spend a lot of money at the beginning to buy and install the solar panels.
A major mobile carrier (like Orange or Vodafone) wants to put their 5G equipment on 50 of American Tower's sites immediately. To go faster, the client suggests using a "Standard Short-Form Agreement." > This agreement is only 2 pages long. It is very fast to sign, but it does not include detailed sections on insurance, power costs, or future equipment upgrades.
Possible Advantages (Client’s Perspective)
Speed: They can start the 5G service next week instead of next month.
Simplicity: It is much easier for the client's legal team to read and approve.
Lower Initial Cost: Less time spent on lawyers means lower administrative costs at the start.
Possible Disadvantages (American Tower’s Perspective)
Financial Risk: If the client uses more electricity than expected, who pays? There is no clear rule in a 2-page contract.
Legal Conflict: If a storm damages the tower, the "Short-Form" might not clearly state who is responsible for the repairs.
Future Problems: If American Tower wants to sell the site later, a "weak" 2-page lease might make the property less valuable.
"Working in different time zones (like Turkey and Spain) is difficult, but it is good for the workflow. While the Spanish team sleeps, the Turkish finance team can finish the reports. This makes the company work 24 hours a day."
Target: Can and Present Simple for facts.
Topic: Global coordination (very relevant to your current schedule!).
This is a great point. It makes the workflow very efficient. If we coordinate well, the project never stops moving, and we can solve problems for American Tower much faster.
Rewrite the following sentences using the target vocabulary provided in brackets. Keep the meaning the same.
The client said no to our proposal. (Use: decline)
That documentary about space was extremely interesting. (Use: fascinating)
We need to arrange a meeting for next Tuesday. (Use: set up)
The heavy rain will make the delivery late. (Use: delay)
Sentence Transformations
The client declined our proposal.
That documentary about space was fascinating.
We need to set up a meeting for next Tuesday.
The heavy rain will delay the delivery.
Complete the paragraph with the correct tense of the verbs in brackets.
Currently, our department (undergo) __________ a major transition. We (just / receive) __________ a new mandate from the headquarters. Usually, we (handle) __________ these changes over several months, but last week the manager (decide) __________ to accelerate the process. Since then, we (work) __________ extra hours to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Currently, our department is undergoing a major transition. We have just received a new mandate from the headquarters. Usually, we handle these changes over several months, but last week the manager decided to accelerate the process. Since then, we have worked (or have been working) extra hours to ensure everyone is on the same page.
If a big phone company decided to leave the country, what would you do with the empty towers? Might you lease them to a different industry?
If that happened, I would look for new tenants immediately. We might lease the space to government agencies for emergency radios or to tech companies for data processing. We would also need to check the legal contracts to see if the old company has to pay a "break fee."
Leave a greeting
◻ Identify herself
◻ State the reason for the call
◻ Request action / information / a call back
◻ Leave her contact details
◻ Repeat her contact details
◻ Offer an alternative communication mode
◻ Provide a deadline
Good morning. I want to leave a message for Emma Newman. This is Daniella Rossi, R-O-S-S-I, returning her call. Emma asked me to contact her to discuss the terms of my new consultant contract. I’m available to talk until 2 p.m. today but then I’m in meetings all afternoon. In case she doesn’t have my mobile number, I’m on 07654 322 187. Otherwise, maybe she can leave a message with my assistant, Elliot Barber. Elliot is on extension 5283, that’s 5-2- 8-3. Sorry, can she also re-send a copy of my new contract? I can’t open the document. I hope to hear from you soon. Many thanks.
"Finance departments should prioritize 'Green Leasing.' If a tower uses too much energy, the company should charge the tenant more money. It is more important to save the planet than to have a simple leasing process."
Target: Should for advice and Conditionals.
Topic: Sustainability in leasing.
I think this is a good idea for the future. Companies should be responsible for the environment. If the leasing process is a bit more difficult, it is a small price to pay for a "greener" planet.
Complete the Email:Fill in the blanks using the following words: commute, approve, send over, figure out, keep in the loop, budget.
Subject: Project Update: New Office Software
Hi Team,
I’m trying to (1) __________ how we can improve our workflow without overspending our quarterly (2) __________. I’ve found a great tool, and I need the manager to (3) __________ the purchase by Friday.
The best part? This software allows for remote work, so you can save time on your daily (4) __________. I will (5) __________ the login details once the account is ready. Please (6) __________ me __________ regarding any technical glitches you find.
Best,
Complete the sentences using Present Perfect and the correct time marker (for or since).
We (be) __________ on the same page regarding the budget __________ our meeting last Monday.
I (not / see) __________ any new perks added to the contract __________ a long time.
They (look into) __________ the technical delay __________ 9:00 AM this morning.
Our company (provide) __________ English lessons for these high school students __________ six months.
She (already / send over) __________ the files, so we don't need to wait any longer.
1. have been / since
2. haven't seen / for
3. have looked into / since
4. has provided / for
5. has already sent over (No marker needed here, but shows recent completion).