Good morning teacher! It’s a pleasure to meet you.

My full name is Ly Ngoc Anh, you

can call me Lyna L-Y-N-A. I was born and raised in An Giang Province - It is located in
the west of Vietnam. I am currently attending International Business in University of
Finance and Marketing. In addition, I also have a hobby that seems a bit different from
other people, that is, I like working with numbers, I like calculating. Therefore, my dream
job after graduating is to work as an employee in the calculation department of an import-
export company and after a few years I will strive to become CFO Chief Financial
Officer. The most important thing for me right now is trying to study to graduate on time.
I am excited about this speaking test because it gives me the opportunity to showcase my
language skills. Thank you for giving me the chance to introduce myself. I look forward
to the conversation and learning from you.

UNIT 1
1. Which communication style (relationship-focused or work-focused) do you
prefer when meeting people for the first time? Why?
 In an initial meeting, I'd favor a relationship-focused communication style. While
exchanging work-related information can come later, priority goes to building
rapport. By asking open-ended questions, actively listening, and showing genuine
interest, I can establish a sense of connection. This friendly approach makes the
other person feel comfortable, fostering a more open and productive interaction in
the long run, whether it's for future collaboration or simply a pleasant
acquaintance.
2. What is one advantage and one possible disadvantage of your own personal
style?
 One advantage of my communication style is its efficiency. As a large language
model, I can access and process vast amounts of information in real-time. This
allows me to tailor my responses to the specific person I'm interacting with,
drawing on relevant details to find common ground and build rapport quickly.
However, a potential disadvantage is the lack of nuance that comes with natural
human interaction. I can analyze data points and conversational cues to formulate
responses, but I may miss subtle social cues or emotional undercurrents that a
human might pick up on intuitively. This could lead to misunderstandings or a
feeling of detachment in the conversation.
3. When you meet someone for the first time, what do you usually do and say to
be polite?
 In different cultures and between individuals, there is often a significant variation
in what people say and do during fi rst meetings. For example, in some cultures, it
may be polite to ask lots of questions and to show curiosity. In other cultures,
 it may be more respectful to be silent or say very little. For example, in VietNam
when meet someone in the first time, we shake hands and say “Hello. Good to see
you and wish they have a nice day”
4. How many different ways to be polite can you think of?
 Many differences exist with both verbal and non-verbal behaviour, and practices
such as gift-giving, types of clothing worn, where the relationship is built (at home
or in a restaurant)
5. .
 This is an important question as there are significant differences here across
cultures and personalities in terms of which comes fi rst; in many cultures, for
example, it is impossible to do business until a relationship and a level of trust has
been established. In addition, there are diff erent expectations about how long to
spend on relationship-building and how deep and trustful the relationship must be
before you can do business together
UNIT 2
1. Think about different teams and groups you are or have been part of. What
challenges do groups or teams have which can make them less effective?
 Team problems inside and outside the workplace are usually due to lack of clear
goals, poor leadership, personality clashes, a lack of resources, intercultural
differences, etc
2. How useful and/or problematic is it to have people in a group or team who are
very different to each other? Why?
 Diversity is potentially an advantage as diff erent people bring different points of
view and help innovation. However, diff erent views and working styles can lead
to conflict.
3. How effective is the team or group? Why?
 A team's effectiveness hinges on several factors. A strong team will have clear,
shared goals and a vision for how to achieve them. Team members should possess
complementary skills and communicate openly to leverage each other's strengths.
Additionally, a healthy dose of trust and respect allows for constructive criticism
and efficient problem-solving. When these elements fall into place, the team can
function as a well-oiled machine, exceeding the sum of its individual parts.
4. What advice and/or support would help the team to be even more effective?
 To enhance the team's effectiveness, consider fostering open communication with
clear goals and expectations. Regular feedback sessions, both positive and
constructive, can help keep everyone aligned and motivated. Additionally,
exploring team-building activities or workshops can strengthen bonds and improve
collaboration, leading to a more unified and productive unit.
5. What advice (one idea) would you give yourself about how to support the
team better?
 One way I could better support the team is by actively seeking out their areas of
expertise. While I can access and process information quickly, the team has the
benefit of real-world experience and nuanced understanding. By regularly asking
for their insights and perspectives, I can ensure I'm leveraging the full potential of
the team and providing more comprehensive and valuable assistance.
UNIT 3
1. Which one do you agree with more?
“In business, it's better to act neutrally and not show your feelings.”

I wouldn't necessarily agree that acting neutrally and never showing feelings is the
best approach in business. There's a lot to be said for professionalism and composure,
of course. Especially in high-pressure situations, keeping a level head can be crucial
for clear communication and sound decision-making. However, emotions are a natural
part of human interaction, and even in business settings they can be a powerful tool.
Expressing genuine enthusiasm for a project, empathy for a struggling colleague, or
even controlled frustration at a missed deadline can all foster stronger relationships,
build trust, and motivate those around you. The key is to be mindful of the situation
and express your emotions in a constructive way.
- Advantage: People who don’t mix work and private life may find it easier to
connect with you. They may also perceive this approach as professional.
- Disadvantage: If you are too neutral, you risk coming across as cold or not
valuing relationships in business. People may find it difficult to connect with
you.
“It's better not to hide your feelings when talking about work-related topics!”
I agree that it's generally better to be open about your feelings on work-related
topics. Here's why: Suppressing emotions can lead to frustration and resentment,
which can hurt your work performance and relationships with colleagues. Open
communication, on the other hand, fosters trust and allows for a collaborative
approach to problem-solving. Of course, there's a time and place for everything. It's
important to express yourself professionally and focus on the issue at hand.
- Advantage: If you show your feelings, it can enable you to build better
relationships with others, as they can see more of who you really are as a
person and not just as a colleague or business partner. People may perceive you
as authentic.
- Disadvantage: Being too emotional in business may be seen as unprofessional
or inappropriate.