Intermediate Business Conversation: Performance Evaluation

READING ALOUD
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Mr. Evans and you will be Mr. Newton. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
 

Mr. Evans calls Mr. Newton for his Performance Evaluation.


Hi, Mr. Newton. Please have a seat. Are you ready for your performance evaluation? How are you?
 
Yes, I am ready and excited but also a little nervous right now.
 

 
I understand, Mr. Newton. I also feel the same way in situations like this. Anyway, you have been contributing your knowledge to the company for 4 months now. You always give fresh ideas in meetings and on projects. I appreciate your hard work in doing your tasks. However, there are parts of your job that you need to improve on.
 
 
Thank you. What part of my job should I improve on? I believe I always do my best when given tasks. I sometimes work overtime just to finish them within the day.
 

 
That’s right. Though you finish your tasks on time, I’m a little bit concerned about the quality of your work. You usually skip work thrice or twice a week and the quality of your finished tasks doesn’t reach our company’s standards so the team still had to revise before submitting them. We appreciate your efforts but I believe you can perform better at work. If you need advice, we are always here to help you.
 
 
I see. I apologize for my performance for the past 4 months and I appreciate your honest feedback about that. I assure you that I will do whatever I can to improve more. Thank you, Mr. Evans.
 
VOCABULARY CHECK
Let’s read the meaning and examples of each word aloud. Please repeat after me.
ANSWER
1. Word:
Meaning:
Example:
 evaluation (noun)
the act of considering something carefully and deciding how good or bad it is
The employees will have their annual evaluation next week.
2. Word:
Meaning:
Example:
 feedback (noun)
information or opinions about something

The audience gave a good feedback about the actors’ skills.
3. Word:
Meaning:
Example:
 standard (noun)
a level of quality, especially a level that is acceptable

The team was able to achieve the high standard given by the company.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. Have you ever been evaluated at work/school?
Answer: ________________
2. How do you react when you’re given good feedback for your performance?
Answer: ________________
3. How do you react to criticisms?
Answer: ________________
4. In what part of your job do you think you should improve/change?
Answer: ________________
5. Why is it important to have performance evaluations in companies?
Answer: ________________
6. Have you ever given feedback to one of your coworkers/team mates?
Answer: ________________
7. What can you say about your performance at work?
Answer: ________________
8. Why do you think other people find it hard to perform well at work?
Answer: ________________
9. Why are criticisms necessary in performance evaluations?
Answer: ________________
10. How do you evaluate people’s performance without offending them?
Answer: ________________