Planning an event

Read a dialogue where three people negotiate who does what to achieve a task.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation

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Reading text

Event planning team

online

All right, so I've divided up the tasks among the three of us planning this event like this:

@Jen: make guest list, schedule social media announcements, arrange room set-up, organise musicians
@Ed: book catering, send out invitations, design posters, book speakers
@Mike: reserve rooms, design invitations, write and publish blog post, get emcee

But please don't feel like we need to stick to this. If you prefer to do something else, feel free to say so.

Mike, 14:41

Yeah, I was thinking, as you are project leader @Mike, maybe it's best you make the guest list? I've got experience in graphic design so I'm happy to design the invitations.

Jen, 14:50

@Jen, do you mind designing the posters too? I'm not very good at designing.

Ed, 14:55

Sure, it'll be fun. If I take the poster design off you @Ed, do you think you can organise the musicians?

Jen, 14:56

Absolutely, I know some really good musicians that do events like this one. And I also know a really good emcee. Do you want me to take over getting the emcee too?

Ed, 14:58

@Ed I actually already have an emcee in mind, so I think I'll handle that. I'd appreciate it if you could write and publish the blog post about the event though.

Mike, 15:01

That's not a problem. I quite enjoy online marketing tasks.

Ed, 15:01

If that's the case @Ed, do you want to schedule the social media announcements too?

Jen, 15:03

I can do that ... if someone books the speakers.

Ed, 15:04

I'll book the speakers. And since I'm making the guest list, I should send out the invitations too. @Jen, are you still OK with arranging the room set-up?

Mike, 15:08

Yes, let me do the room reservations as well.

Jen, 15:09

Good idea. That would work nicely.

Mike, 15:10

Task 1

Reading B1: Planning an event – 1

Task 2

Reading B1: Planning an event – 2

Discussion

How are tasks usually divided in your project teams?

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Language level

B1 - Intermediate

I profoundly believe that it's important not only the existence of leader but also other people. Of course we should choose the leader more carefully. Because the leader must consider all member of opinion and discuss on even ground. Actually when I was a juniorhigh school student, I was the president of the student council. But it was so hard. And at the same time I felt strongly the importance of friends. That's why, we should discuss a lot and take cherge of each tasks.

I think the leader should not divide the tasks and each project team members should decide them because every member has his or her own strength and weakness of the area. If the leader decides the tasks in advance, those who are not familiar with the field don't know what to do and how to do it. And therefore they have to look for those who know the field well like a chat above. This takes a lot of time. When we make a plan, it is essential to do it smoothly and efficiently. I learned that doing things that I have never done is a good experience but it is sometimes necessary to leave it to others.

I won't be a leader. Because there is a better person to be a leader . And which part I take is always something small, but I hope it's very important. I do my best in every project. Because a little missing leads to a big problem, I think. So, when someone do powerlessly, I try to tell how important your part is.

no we choose who wants to do each task, and we end up choosing it according to the one that is best in this job

I think it’s very important that the group leader is someone like Ed. Only having a leader doesn’t work well for a group. Although he is a leader, he listens to the opinions of the members and when he thinks it’s good he obediently incorporates it in group’s activities. We feel like we’re naturally following a leader like him who also takes in the opinions of other members, which results in a better group activity. It’s a win-win relationship with each other. I want the leader of the group I will enter into to be a leader like him. And if I ever become a leader, I want to be like him.

I've never been to a wedding or anything like that before and even less so in organizing a wedding, but this winter I'm going to one and I'm feeling very nervous! because it's mine!

I usually divide our class to four or more groups. Each group has the same job, but they work on different projects. For example, I choose some titles and then make teams. They usually select the title by their console of members. Each team should hand me back two weeks before the final test. Also they usually make this decision that who and how should present their seminar in front of the class. Therefore, I don't have exact projects like conference which is mentioned above. I do an activity which is a little different. Regards, Tayyebi

I usually have three diferents teams, then I divide the tasks among the three teams, and we have a review every week about the tasks of each team member.

Usually, the leader of the event divides tasks to some division, and each division has their own leader. Each head of divisions are choosen by their experience and skill. Then, they held open recruitment for the members. After the group division was made, they will divide the tasks to their members. The member also can change their job with other member, like happen in the text above.

In our project team the teacher usually takes the lead and assigns tasks for each student, but there are opportunities for volunteer effort sharing our hopinions and views.