B2

Persuasion and influence

Arguing, convincing and negotiating

Goal: Persuade and negotiate using advanced discourse structures.

Context

Listen to the dialogue. Tap the speaker to hear each line.

Director

¿Por qué debería aprobar tu proyecto?

Why should I approve your project?

Gerente

Porque reducirá los costos en un treinta por ciento y mejorará la eficiencia.

Because it will reduce costs by thirty percent and improve efficiency.

Director

Suena bien, pero necesito ver resultados concretos.

It sounds good, but I need to see concrete results.

Gerente

Le propongo una prueba piloto de tres meses con métricas claras.

I propose a three-month pilot test with clear metrics.

Director

¿Y si la prueba no funciona?

And what if the test does not work?

Gerente

Entonces ajustamos el plan. El riesgo es mínimo comparado con el beneficio.

Then we adjust the plan. The risk is minimal compared to the benefit.

Director

De acuerdo, pero quiero informes semanales.

Agreed, but I want weekly reports.

Practice the dialogue

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Vocabulary

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aprobar

El director aprobó el plan.

o→ue: apruebo.

to approve

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el proyecto

El proyecto durará seis meses.

'El plan' = the plan.

the project

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reducir

Reduciremos los gastos.

Also 'disminuir'.

to reduce

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la eficiencia

La eficiencia mejoró un veinte por ciento.

'Eficaz' = effective.

the efficiency

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proponer

Propongo una reunión la próxima semana.

Past participle: propuesto.

to propose

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la prueba

Hicimos una prueba piloto.

'La prueba piloto' = pilot test.

the test / trial

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la métrica

Las métricas muestran mejoras.

'Medir' = to measure.

the metric

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ajustar

Ajustamos el presupuesto.

'Ajustar el plan' = to tweak the plan.

to adjust

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el beneficio

Los beneficios superan los riesgos.

Also 'the profit' in business.

the benefit

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el informe

Entrego un informe semanal.

'Informar' = to report.

the report

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Grammar in 1 minute

Argument connectors: porque, pero, comparado con

Persuade with contrast and comparison: 'porque' (reason), 'pero' (contrast), 'comparado con' (compared to), 'a pesar de' (despite), 'sin embargo' (however).

El riesgo es mínimo comparado con el beneficio. Sin embargo, necesito métricas.

Sin embargo = however (formal connector).

¿Y si...? for hypothetical concerns

'¿Y si la prueba no funciona?' = what if...? Answer with 'entonces + future/imperative': 'entonces ajustamos el plan'. Structure: ¿y si + present/subjunctive + ?

¿Y si el proyecto falla? Entonces revisamos la estrategia.

¿Y si + verb? = what if...?

Interactive practice

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What does the manager propose?

Listen and choose the correct option.

listening

What does the manager propose?

¿Y si la prueba no …?

Write the missing word or words.

writing
¿Y si la prueba no ?

Accents optional: write "como estas" and it works.

matching

Connect each Spanish word with its English meaning.

reading

Convince your boss to approve a project: two benefits and a…

Write your answer in Spanish.

writing

Convince your boss to approve a project: two benefits and a proposal.

Suggested answer: El proyecto reducirá los costos y mejorará la eficiencia. Propongo una prueba de dos meses.

El riesgo es mínimo comparado con el beneficio.

Listen and repeat the sentence out loud.

speaking

El riesgo es mínimo comparado con el beneficio.

The risk is minimal compared to the benefit.

Listen, pause and repeat out loud. Repeat 3 times until it sounds natural.

Great. Repeat tomorrow to lock it in.

Pronunciation trainer

Final quiz

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