Business EnglishBusiness

Dutch Bluntness, Japanese Silence

Grammar: Full consolidation

A Business English English lesson exploring business.

businessfull consolidation

What's in this lesson

A Business English ESL lesson on business, practising full consolidation. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary, a grammar reference with practice and discussion questions.

From the reading: Dutch Bluntness, Japanese Silence

Here's a strange fact: in the Netherlands, telling your boss their idea is bad is considered helpful. In Japan, the same sentence might end a career. Who's right? Neither — and both.

Vocabulary

  • beat around the bush
  • call a spade a spade
  • pull no punches
  • read the room
  • cultural norm
  • direct
  • indirect
  • plain-spoken
  • tact

Grammar: Full Consolidation

Hedging modal
It might be worth reconsidering the timeline. — softens a suggestion
Softening connector
Rather than rejecting it, let's revise the plan. — reframes instead of refusing

Discussion questions

  1. In ten years, will workplace communication be more direct or less?
  2. Will AI translation tools erase cultural differences in how people say no?
  3. Will one global communication style eventually replace local norms?

Dutch Bluntness, Japanese Silence

Grammar: Full consolidation

What's in this lesson:

Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.

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