Subtheme 3.

Workplace argumentation across cultures and ways to handle

arguments

Remember! Dear student, always try to use phrases and sentence frames in your
speech. Good luck!
LEAD-IN
Warm up questions for checking background knowledge:

 Explain the concept of “Argumentation”.

 Do people in different cultures argue differently?

Task 1. Comment on the following quotations. Discuss with your partner

1. Argument is a set of statements in which a claim is made, support is offered

for it, and there is an attempt to influence someone.
Warnick & Inc
2. Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute.
Josh Billings
3. That’s the beauty of argument, if you argue correctly, you’re never wrong.
Christopher Buckley
4. Exhausting someone in argument is not the same as convincing him.
Tim Kreider

Task 3. Group discussion. Share your opinions by answer the following

questions

1. What do you know about workplace argumentation across cultures?

2. “10% of conflicts are due to difference in opinion. 90% are due to wrong tone
of voice” Do you agree or disagree?
3. How to react when an argument takes place at work?
Task 4. Solving an intercultural problem at the workplace.

Background.
AKA telecommunications in India

AKA is a Swedish software technology and design company. They create products
and services for the computer and telecommunications industries. Six months ago,
they started work on a major project with an Indian software developer based in
Bangalore. Several project managers from Sweden, some of them women, relocated
to India to manage this project. They are working with Indian local managers, and
software designers and engineers.
Since the Swedish managers arrived, things have not gone as well as AKA hoped.
The standard of work is very high, but the project is behind schedule, and several
important delivery dates have been missed. Also, the relationship between the
Swedish managers and their Indian teams is getting worse. There have also been
some communication problems, even though everyone speaks ‘good’ English.
The Swedes now see their Indian colleagues as disorganized, inefficient and
unwilling to take responsibility. The Indians think the Swedes are too informal and
relaxed at work, don’t say what they want, and are unable to make decisions.

Discussion
1.Make a list of the main problems. What are possible reasons for these problems?
2.How could management improve the situation?
3. If you were relocated to a different country to work on a joint venture, how would
you prepare yourself?
4. Imagine someone from a different cultural background comes to work for your
company for a year. How would you explain your work culture? Think about: dress
code, hierarchy and status, attitudes towards time and deadlines, the working day,
attitudes towards meetings and communications at work, etiquette\politeness (e.g.
using first or last names).
Task 5. Create a “real-world” environment with your partner on the given situation above using sentence
frames.

Situation. You are travelling for work to the UK from Kazakhstan. You have just had a successful
business meeting and after the meeting some of your partner's invite you out to dinner. How do you
accept or decline that invitation? Do it in a polite way.

1) Student A: Business partner John Maui, who invites Artyom S. out to dinner.
Student B: Business leader from Kazakhstan, Artyom Sokolov. Accept that invitation in a polite
way.
Student C: consecutive interpreter if necessary

2) Student A: Business partner John Maui, who invites Artyom S. out to dinner.
Student B: Business leader from Kazakhstan, Artyom Sokolov. Decline that invitation in a polite
way.
Student C: consecutive interpreter if necessary

Language that you need to use. Accept and decline invitations in English Politely and
Confidently
# Let’s start with saying YES #How to say MAYBE #How to say NO
Some phrases that native or decline
speakers use to do this:
1. Say thank you: 1.Start with a thank you for 1.Start with a thank you
 Thanks so much for the invite the invitation and then say: for the invitation.
 Thanks for the invitation That is always the best
 That’s so nice of you to think way to start
of us
 That’s sound great
2. Be clear about yes  I’m not sure I can make 2.Explain that you can’t
 Count me in\count us in it. Let me check my calendar go
 I’d love to come and I’ll get back to you  Unfortunately, I’m not sure
 I’ll be there for sure I’ll be able to make it
 I’m in  I’m so sorry but I don’t
 I’m down think I’ll be able to make
 I’ll be there with bells on work
 I wish I could join you
but..
Use apologetic tone
3. Confirm the details  Perhaps I can reschedule 3.Give a brief reason
 So I’ll see you on the 10th something. Let me see what I  We’re going to be out of
 We’ll see you Friday at 7:00 can do town
 We’ve already got plans
that evening
4.Close on a positive note
 I hope you have a great
time
 I hope it’s a great event
 We hope we can see you
another time soon
Task 6. Questions for checking background knowledge:

1. What is the official invitation letter?

2. What are the contents (structure) of invitation letter?
3. Provide various occasions for writing an invitation letter
4. What Is an Invitation Letter for Visa?
5. Who can write an invitation letter for visa?
6. What is a Schengen visa?
7. What do you understand by Business Invitation Letter for Schengen Visa?

COMMON SAMPLE AND LAYOUT (FORMAT) OF INVITATION LETTER

 Question!
1. What is the salutation of a letter?
2. Provide different examples of salutation of a letter.

Useful Tips on Writing a Formal Invitation Letter

 Do not forget to include the names of the host and the guest, the address for
response, and the details of the function being hosted.
 Choose a font (шрифт) according to the organization’s standards, and of a
size that’s readable.
 The size of your invitation letter should be that of a standard card. As it’s a
formal invitation, do not choose fancy colors in the font or the paper.
 Mention your name if you are the host or the host’s name if you are writing
on his behalf (от имени, атынан). As the letter of invitation has a formal nature,
you need to make an official address to your invitees. Mention their names along with
their designations.
 The most important part is the main content of the invitation letter. Start the
letter with a small preamble to the actual reason for the invitation.
 After the preamble, describe the actual event for which the guest is being
invited. Mention the details of the venue and the date and timings of the event. Make
a mention of the reason to invite.
 If the event has a particular dress code, mention the same in detail, in the
invitation letter.
 Express your pleasure in inviting the guests. Make them feel that their
presence is important.
 You may want to include a special response form with the invitation letter or
go with the typical R.S.V.P. format (what does it stand for?). It may be in the form
of a confirmation or may require the guests to post their arrival details in the
response.
 Do not forget to thank the guest. Thank him anticipating that he has accepted
your invitation.

Phrases and sentence frames to use in writing formal invitation letter

1. Formal\business invitation letter 2. Visa invitation letter
A visa invitation letter is a written letter from
the person you are visiting who lives in the
Schengen country you want to go to.
Salutations (greeting used in a letter): Salutations:
1.Dear Sir\Madam, To: Immigration Officer
2. Respected Mr/Mrs, United States Consulate General
3. To Whom It May Concern Dear Honorable Consul
Sentence starters 1.My name is [Host’s Name], residing
1.I am writing this letter of invitation on at [Host’s Address] and I am a United
behalf of the CEO of company States citizen
2. Cordially invites you to grace the 2. I am requesting that you issue a tourist
occasion of (Event Name) visa to [Visitor’s Name] who resides at
3. We request you to attend the ‘event [Visitor’s Address].
name’ organized on ‘day and date’ at 3. The purpose of the visit of my friend,
the ‘venue details. [Applicant’s Name] is to visit me and
4. On account of ‘reason for the event’, engage in tourism in [Country’s Name].
we have planned a dinner party on 4. [Applicant’s Name] and I have been
‘event date’. friends for [enter number of years or
5.I am pleased to inform you … length of time].
6.On behalf of the college, we would 5. [Applicant’s Name] will be visiting
like to invite you to… during the following dates: from
7.I am writing this letter to personally [Provide starting date of visit in format
invite you… DD/MM/YY] to [Provide ending date
8. I am cordially inviting… of visit in format DD/MM/YY].
9. I hope that this letter of mine finds
you in the best of health and spirit.
10. The honor of your presence is
requested
Express your pleasure in inviting the Final paragraph
guests. Final paragraph: 1.We sincerely request that you
1. Looking forward to seeing you consider [Applicant’s Name] visa
2. I would be highly honored to have application and please do not hesitate to
you as my guest contact me for any questions
3. Grace the occasion with your
presence.
4. We will be glad to have you with us.
5. Please accept our invitation and
confirm your attendance.
6. We look forward to your presence…
7. I do hope for your presence in the
event.
8. Please do confirm your presence as
early as possible.
9. I hope that you are surely going to
come on that day and make the event a
success with your presence.
10. Your presence is thus sought for.
Complimentary close Kind regards,
1. Sincerely, (Print your name) [Inviting Person’s Signature]
2. Kind regards, [Inviting Person’s Name]
3. Faithfully or With Regards [Inviting Person’s Address]
4.Thanks [Inviting Person’s Phone Number]
5. Yours Sincerely, [Inviting Person’s Email]
6.Best regards
 Visa letter sample
To: Date:
Immigration Officer
[Embassy Name]
[Embassy Address]
[Embassy Phone Number]

Re: Invitation Letter for [Applicant’s Name] with Passport No.

Respected Sir/Madam,
I, [Inviting Person’s Name] currently residing at [Inviting Person’s Address], and a
citizen/permanent citizen of [Country’s Name], am writing this letter to support the visa
application of my parent [mother/father], [Applicant’s Name].
The purpose of the visit of my parent, [Applicant’s Name] is to visit me in [Country’s Name].
We have not seen each other in [Provide length of time] and would very much appreciate it if we
could spend time together. I have wanted to show my parent, [Applicant’s Name], the life I have
built-in [Country’s Name] for a very long time and would appreciate the chance to reconnect. We
have a very close relationship and even from a distance, we continuously keep in touch.
[Applicant’s Name] will be visiting during the following dates: from [Provide starting date of
visit in format DD/MM/YY] to [Provide ending date of visit in format DD/MM/YY].
During the specified trip dates above, we will be visiting [Specify city/place names]. In
addition, [Applicant’s Name] will be staying at [Provide Inviting Person’s Address or Hotel
Address]. The trip will be funded through [Provide means of funding].
Enclosures:
 Copy of inviting person’s Passport

 Copy of inviting person’s other ID

 Proof of relationship (birth certificate and other documents)
 Proof of accommodation
 Proof
of return to home country (employment contract, property ownership, lease
agreement, etc.)
 Other applicable documents
We sincerely request that you consider [Applicant’s Name] visa application and please do not
hesitate to contact me for any questions or inquiries at [Inviting Person’s Phone Number] or
[Inviting Person’s E-mail].
Kind regards,
[Inviting Person’s Signature]
[Inviting Person’s Name]
[Inviting Person’s Address]
[Inviting Person’s Phone Number]
[Inviting Person’s Email]

Written communication
Write visa letter inviting your relatives to the Denmark
- write at least 150 words;
-follow official letter style;
-use an appropriate vocabulary and cliché words.
-letter should be coherent and logical
Task 7. Discuss the following communicative situation with your partner.

Situation. You work for a multinational company. Although all of you are
professionals in your field but the cultural differences make communication difficult
sometimes. German director- Mr. Schwarz is not fond of Mexican manager Mr.
Gomez’s work because he is too friendly with subordinates and prefers informal
conversational style with them. Due to that Mr. Gomez’s subordinates do not
always meet the deadlines. Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Gomez discuss the problem and
come up with possible solutions.
At the staff meeting the director discusses with all the managers a code of conduct
in the international company. Example of the code of conduct is given on Moodle.

Student A: German director- Mr. Schwarz

Student B: Mexican manager Mr. Gomez

Home assignment!
Written communication.

On behalf of (name of the invitee’s company) write formal invitation letter

inviting the Vice President of company (the name of the company) to attend the
business event (name of the business event).

- write at least 150 words;

-follow official letter style;
-use an appropriate vocabulary and cliché words.
-letter should be coherent and logical

Digital resources:
Useful links to write an invitation letter:
1. https://indigoenvelope.com/wording-example/phrases-to-invite-your-guests-
and-describe-your-event/
2. https://www.confederationcollege.ca/international-students/immigration-
support/invitation-letters
3. https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/invitation-letter-schengen-visa/
4. https://www.aplustopper.com/invitation-letter/
5. https://www.letters.org/invitation-letter/letter-of-invitation-business.html
6. https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/invitation-letter-schengen-visa/