English course

Lesson 211 of 240

New here? This is lesson 211 of a free 240-lesson English course.

Run the meeting in English

Ana chairs a short meeting at the studio downtown. The library plans sit on the table, and Marcus waits for three sentences, not a speech.

You will open the meeting, name the agenda, ask for a quick update, and check if anyone wants to add a point.

Then you recap what you decided and say you will send the notes.

Let's get started is how you begin. We've got three items on the agenda tells people what you will cover.

By the end of this lesson

Open a short meeting, name the agenda, and close with a recap and notes.

  • Let's get started.It is time to begin the meeting.
  • We've got three items on the agenda.We will talk about three things today.
  • Let's go around for a quick update.Each person should speak briefly.
  • Does anyone want to add anything?Is there something else to talk about?
  • Let me recap what we decided.I will briefly repeat our decisions.
  • I'll send the notes after this.I will send a short written summary after the meeting.

Scene — the drawings are out

The studio is quiet except for the street below. Ana sits at the long desk with the library drawings rolled out.

Marcus has a notebook and a short look that means keep it brief. A blank whiteboard waits behind them.

Ana and Marcus are at the long desk with the library drawings as the meeting is about to begin.

Learn — chair a short meeting

Six lines help you open a meeting, name the agenda, and close it with a recap.

You also promise to send the notes after.

  1. Marcus gives Ana a brief, attentive look as she opens the meeting.

    Let's get started.

    It is time to begin the meeting.

    When to use it: Say this when it is time to begin a meeting.

    Let's is a contraction you use as one piece to open.

  2. Marcus gestures beside his notebook as the meeting agenda is introduced.

    We've got three items on the agenda.

    We will talk about three things today.

    When to use it: Use this to name how many things you will talk about.

    Agenda means the list of things for the meeting.

    Say it: The stress is on the second part.

  3. Marcus turns toward the studio windows while giving a brief update about checking them again.

    Let's go around for a quick update.

    Each person should speak briefly.

    When to use it: Use this when each person should speak for a short time.

    Go around means each person speaks, one after another.

  4. Ana turns from the drawings with an open gesture, inviting Marcus to add anything else.

    Does anyone want to add anything?

    Is there something else to talk about?

    When to use it: Ask this before you close the list of topics.

    This checks if the list is complete.

  5. Ana traces along the library drawings while briefly recapping the decisions, and Marcus nods.

    Let me recap what we decided.

    I will briefly repeat our decisions.

    When to use it: Say this near the end, before you close.

    Recap means say the decisions again in a short way.

    Say it: Stress the first part: RE-cap.

  6. Marcus gathers his notebook as Ana prepares to send a short written summary after the meeting.

    I'll send the notes after this.

    I will send a short written summary after the meeting.

    When to use it: Promise a written summary when the meeting is ending.

    Notes here means a short written summary.

Story — three sentences

Watch Ana open a short studio meeting. Marcus wants three sentences, then a recap.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. The drawings sit on the long desk. Ana looks at Marcus.
  2. AnaLet's get started.It is time to begin the meeting.
  3. MarcusThree sentences, Ana. Not a speech.He wants a short meeting, not a long talk.
  4. AnaWe've got three items on the agenda.We will talk about three things today.
  5. MarcusWindows, the south wall, and the schedule. Right?He names the three things and checks.
  6. AnaLet's go around for a quick update.Each person should speak briefly.
  7. MarcusWell, windows still need a second look. I can do that this week.He will check the windows again this week.
  8. AnaDoes anyone want to add anything?Is there something else to talk about?
  9. MarcusCan I ask a question?I want to ask something now.
  10. AnaYes. Go ahead.She lets him speak.
  11. MarcusDo we keep the old brick on the south wall?He asks if the old brick stays.
  12. AnaYes, let's do that.You agree to follow their plan.
  13. MarcusGood. And keep the schedule as it is.He agrees about the brick, and he wants the dates unchanged.
  14. AnaLet me recap what we decided.I will briefly repeat our decisions.
  15. Marcus nods once. He waits for three sentences.
  16. AnaThe south wall stays. The windows need a second look. The schedule stays the same. I'll send the notes after this.She repeats the three decisions, then promises notes later.
  17. MarcusThat's what I wanted. Three sentences.He is happy the recap was short.
  18. AnaDid I get that right?Please confirm that I heard you correctly.
  19. MarcusYou did. We're good.He confirms. The meeting can end.

Practice — run through it

Eleven short tasks wait here. You will listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

Keep moving. Each one is one idea.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

    What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    Let's get started.Drop the Simple English here
    We've got three items on the agenda.Drop the Simple English here
    Let's go around for a quick update.Drop the Simple English here
    Does anyone want to add anything?Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

  3. What do you say?

    What do you say?

    People are sitting. You need to tell them you will talk about three things today.

  4. What does it mean?

    What does it mean?

    Let's go around for a quick update.

  5. Pick the reply

    Marcus says:

    Pick the reply

    That's my update on the windows.

    He finished his short update.

    And you reply with:

  6. Build the line

    Build the line

    I will briefly repeat our decisions.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Fill the gap

    Fill the gap

    I will send a short written summary after the meeting.

    I'll send the notes ____ this.

  8. Find the mistake

    Find the mistake

  9. What do you say?

    What do you say?

    The meeting is moving. You want a turn to speak.

  10. Pick the reply

    Marcus says:

    Pick the reply

    So we keep the old brick on the south wall.

    He wants to lock that plan.

    And you reply with:

  11. True or false?

    True or false?

    This line checks if your recap is correct.

Say it — say it at the table

Now you're Ana at the studio table. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. MarcusWe're all here.Everyone has arrived.
  2. Ana (you)Begin the meeting.

    Begin the meeting.

    Let's get started.

    It is time to begin the meeting.

0 of 7 said

Recap — what you can say now

Every line from this lesson
EnglishSimple EnglishPlay
Let's get started.It is time to begin the meeting.
We've got three items on the agenda.We will talk about three things today.
Let's go around for a quick update.Each person should speak briefly.
Does anyone want to add anything?Is there something else to talk about?
Let me recap what we decided.I will briefly repeat our decisions.
I'll send the notes after this.I will send a short written summary after the meeting.
Next: lesson 212Say no kindly

Save your progress — it’s free

Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.

Want the next lesson in your inbox?

Get the next lesson by email, one a day.

Where should we start?
Join the newsletter

Daily lesson emails are coming soon. Newsletter subscribers get them first.

Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Want to keep these meeting lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your meeting lines ready for the table.

Open Yak Cards