In this podcast lesson we look at the language you can use to discuss politics with your English speaking colleagues.

There’s a trick to talking about politics in business. In international business culture, it’s usually better not to express strong opinions. The focus is generally on the exchange of information rather than on debate, because the main goal is to maintain harmonious relations. To avoid conflict, we are often non-committal in stating our opinions. That means we don’t voice a strong view one way or the other. Instead, we prefer to be vague, or ambiguous. This strategy helps avoid conflict.

In addition to covering some useful phrases and vocabulary for discussing politics, we’ll be studying how to soften your questions and be non-committal when necessary.

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Study Notes	Phrases & Practice	BEP 78 INT – Discussing Politics – Quiz BEP 78 INT – Discussing Politics – Gap-fill BEP 78 INT – Discussing Politics – Dialog & Vocabulary BEP 78 INT – Discussing Politics – Language 1 BEP 78 INT – Discussing Politics – Language 2 BEP 78 INT – Discussing Politics – Language 3 BEP 78 INT – Discussing Politics – Language 4 BEP 78 INT – Discussing Politics – Flashcards

Listening Questions: BEP 78 INT – Socializing: Discussing Politics

1) Ricardo says he has heard that the Danish government is pretty far “right,” that is, conservative. But Lars seems to think that this has a good side. What is it?

About the Danish government, Lars says, “at least they’re trying to reduce taxes.”

2) Lars mentions that Brazil has won its bid to host the World Cup. Ricardo says that Brazil has a lot of work to do in which areas?

Ricardo says that Brazil has a lot of preparation work to do in infrastructure and security.

3) Lars talks about a certain kind of problem that has “cropped up,” that is, appeared or occurred during Brazilian President Lula’s presidency. What is it?

The problems that are cropping up, according to Lars and Ricardo, are “corruption scandals,” though, as Ricardo points out, Lula’s social policies are popular with the majority, that is, most of the people.