04 Before the timer ends · 9 min

Read it, then say it

In the job, you will be handed a paragraph and asked to brief a director who did not read it. On the exam, the same muscle is read-then-speak: the words are in front of you, and the score is whether you can deliver them as a person, not as a scanner.

Objective

Read a written brief aloud cleanly, then give a 30-second version in your own words.

On the exam

This is not a listening item. The material is written, because that is the speaking practice in this course. Official TOEFL speaking also has tasks that start from a reading. You do not record. You speak, then you check what a strong delivery included.

Don't translate it like this

Don't say

The brief says many things about the situation and we hope you understand.

Say

The launch moves to April 18 because the parts arrive April 2. Mina owns the parts. Jun owns the note.

A brief names the date, the reason, and the owners. “Many things” is what you say when you did not read it.

Phrases

Read them aloud. Listen if you want a model. Nothing is recorded.

The new date is April 18.

새 날짜는 4월 18일입니다.

Bad news: the fact first, then the reason. Readers stop at the first clear sentence.

So the decision is April 18. I'll send the note.

그럼 결정은 4월 18일입니다. 제가 메모를 보내겠습니다.

Say the decision out loud. If nobody corrects you, you have agreement.

Owners: Mina on the parts, Jun on the note.

담당은 부품은 미나, 기록은 준입니다.

Names, not “the team.” A team does not own a task.

We'll meet again next Tuesday at 9.

다음 화요일 9시에 다시 보겠습니다.

Day and time. Let's meet soon is how work slips.

In the room

The brief in your hand

Read every line aloud. Then look up and say only the three facts a director needs.

Brief
Parts for the Q3 launch will arrive April 2, not March 20. A March launch is no longer possible.
Brief
The new launch date is April 18. Scope stays the same.
Brief
Mina confirms the parts. Jun sends the note today. The next meeting is Tuesday at 9.

What would you say?

All three have to be right to close the lesson.

1. What you sayA director says, “I didn't read it. What changed?” You have twenty seconds.

The launch moves to April 18 because the parts arrive April 2. Scope stays. Mina has the parts, Jun has the note, and we meet Tuesday at 9.부품이 4월 2일에 오므로 출시는 4월 18일로 이동합니다. 범위는 유지합니다. 부품은 미나, 메모는 준, 화요일 9시에 만납니다.There are many situations, and I hope you understand our situation.상황이 많고, 우리 상황을 이해해 주시길 바랍니다.Please refer to the attachment.첨부를 참고해 주세요.

2. What you leave outWhich detail can you drop in a twenty-second brief?

The new date.새 날짜.How nervous you felt while reading the mail.메일을 읽으며 얼마나 긴장했는지.Who owns the note.메모의 담당.

3. DeliveryYou stumble on April. What do you do while speaking aloud?

Stop the whole brief and apologize for your English.브리프 전체를 멈추고 영어를 사과합니다.Say the date again, once, clearly, and continue with the owner.날짜를 한 번 더, 분명하게 말하고, 담당으로 이어 갑니다.Switch the rest of the brief into Korean without marking the date.날짜를 표시하지 않은 채 나머지를 한국어로 바꿉니다.

Answer every question, then check.

Next lesson: Sound sure, not harsh