Business English - How about a little improvement

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ESL Brains
How about a little 
improvement?
ESL Brains
It’s grammar time!
ESL Brains 3
Read the sentences and answer the questions about the words/phrases in bold.
1. Which words/phrases mean there is enough, but not a lot, of something? 
2. Which words/phrases mean there is not enough of something? 
3. Which words/phrases are used with countable nouns? 
4. Which words/phrases are used with uncountable nouns?
A. I already have a few meetings tomorrow, so let’s schedule this one for next week.
B. The company has few customers so they aren’t making a lot of money.
C. There is little information in the book so I suggest watching this documentary 
instead.
D. There is a little information in this book so you might find what you’re looking for.
ESL Brains 4
Let’s check the answers.
A. I already have a few meetings tomorrow, so let’s schedule this one for next week.
B. The company has few customers so they aren’t making a lot of money.
C. There is little information in the book so I suggest watching this documentary 
instead.
D. There is a little information in this book so you might find what you’re looking for.
1. Which words/phrases mean there is enough, but not a lot, of something? 
2. Which words/phrases mean there is not enough of something? 
3. Which words/phrases are used with countable nouns? 
4. Which words/phrases are used with uncountable nouns?
a few, a little
few, little
a few, few
little, a little
ESL BrainsESL Brains
Let’s practise!
ESL Brains 6
Complete the statements with ‘few’, ‘a few’, ‘little’ and ‘a little’. 
A. a: There are many documents I need you to sign when you’re ready.
b: Sure, I just have _______ work to finish. Can you give me more time? 
B. a: Do you need help with your computer? I have _______ qualifications in tech.
b: Yes, please! There are all kinds of viruses on it! 
C. a: I used to print almost all my documents but now I prefer having electronic 
versions.
b: Me too. I have _______ contracts on paper these days — I can’t even remember 
the last time I printed something!
part 1/2
ESL Brains 7
Complete the statements with ‘few’, ‘a few’, ‘little’ and ‘a little’. 
D. a: I have hardly any work to do… can I go home early?
b: If you want. It’s disappointing that you have _______ motivation to work 
harder. 
E. a: I don’t have much experience in this industry, but I learn quickly.
b: I’m sorry… we need our employees to have _______ years’ experience. 
F. a: Do you have _______ time for a call later?
b: Of course. I have some small tasks to finish first, though. 
part 2/2
ESL Brains 8
Let’s check the answers.
A. a: There are many documents I need you to sign when you’re ready.
b: Sure, I just have _______ work to finish. Can you give me more time? 
B. a: Do you need help with your computer? I have _______ qualifications in tech.
b: Yes, please! There are all kinds of viruses on it! 
C. a: I used to print almost all my documents but now I prefer having electronic 
versions.
b: Me too. I have _______ contracts on paper these days — I can’t even remember 
the last time I printed something!
part 1/2
a little
a few
few
ESL Brains 9
Let’s check the answers.
D. a: I have hardly any work to do… can I go home early?
b: If you want. It’s disappointing that you have _______ motivation to work 
harder. 
E. a: I don’t have much experience in this industry, but I learn quickly.
b: I’m sorry… we need our employees to have _______ years’ experience. 
F. a: Do you have _______ time for a call later?
b: Of course. I have some small tasks to finish first, though. 
part 2/2
little
a few
a little
ESL Brains 10
Find one more quantifier in each dialogue and put them in the correct columns. 
A. a: There are many documents I need you to sign when you’re ready.
b: Sure, I just have a little work to finish. Can you give me more time? 
B. a: Do you need help with your computer? I have a few qualifications in tech.
b: Yes, please! There are all kinds of viruses on it! 
C. a: I used to print almost all my documents but now I prefer having electronic 
versions.
b: Me too. I have few contracts on paper these days — I can’t even remember the 
last time I printed something!
part 1/2
COUNTABLE NOUNS UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS BOTH
a few, few, a little, little,
ESL Brains 11
Find one more quantifier in each dialogue and put them in the correct columns. 
D. a: I have hardly any work to do… can I go home early?
b: If you want. It’s disappointing that you have little motivation to work harder. 
E. a: I don’t have much experience in this industry, but I learn quickly.
b: I’m sorry… we need our employees to have a few years’ experience. 
F. a: Do you have a little time for a call later?
b: Of course. I have some small tasks to finish first, though. 
part 2/2
COUNTABLE NOUNS UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS BOTH
a few, few, a little, little,
ESL Brains 12
Let’s check the answers.
A. a: There are many documents I need you to sign when you’re ready.
b: Sure, I just have a little work to finish. Can you give me more time? 
B. a: Do you need help with your computer? I have a few qualifications in tech.
b: Yes, please! There are all kinds of viruses on it! 
C. a: I used to print almost all my documents but now I prefer having electronic 
versions.
b: Me too. I have few contracts on paper these days — I can’t even remember the 
last time I printed something!
part 1/2
COUNTABLE NOUNS UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS BOTH
a few, few, a little, little,many
all kinds of almost all
ESL Brains 13
Let’s check the answers.
part 2/2
COUNTABLE NOUNS UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS BOTH
a few, few, many a little, little,
all kinds of, almost all,
hardly any some
much
D. a: I have hardly any work to do… can I go home early?
b: If you want. It’s disappointing that you have little motivation to work harder. 
E. a: I don’t have much experience in this industry, but I learn quickly.
b: I’m sorry… we need our employees to have a few years’ experience. 
F. a: Do you have a little time for a call later?
b: Of course. I have some small tasks to finish first, though. 
ESL BrainsESL Brains
Let’s work on
some quantifiers
ESL Brains 15
Choose the correct quantifier in the employee satisfaction survey answers.
A. I can access much/all kinds of resources through the company (e.g. learning 
platforms, software).
B. My time with the company has given me hardly any/a little opportunities for 
career development.
C. There could be a little/many improvement made to the company environment.
D. There is some/a few support available when I have a problem at work. 
E. Much/Almost all my skills are used in my current role at the company. 
F. I feel I have a little/many power to make decisions at the company. 
G. There are much/few moments during the workday where I can relax and take a 
short break.
ESL Brains 16
Let’s check the answers.
A. I can access much/all kinds of resources through the company (e.g. learning 
platforms, software).
B. My time with the company has given me hardly any/a little opportunities for 
career development.
C. There could be a little/many improvement made to the company environment.
D. There is some/a few support available when I have a problem at work. 
E. Much/Almost all my skills are used in my current role at the company. 
F. I feel I have a little/many power to make decisions at the company. 
G. There are much/few moments during the workday where I can relax and take a 
short break.
ESL Brains 17
Read the sentences again and say whether you think the people are satisfied with 
their job or not.
● I can access all kinds of resources through the company (e.g. learning platforms, 
software).
● My time with the company has given me hardly any opportunities for career 
development.
● There could be a little improvement made to the company environment.
● There is some support available when I have a problem at work. 
● Almost all my skills are used in my current role at the company.● I feel I have a little power to make decisions at the company. 
● There are few moments during the workday where I can relax and take a short 
break.
ESL BrainsESL Brains
Let’s think!
ESL Brains 19
Complete the sentences about employee satisfaction with your own ideas.
● I am not satisfied at work if…
● The thing some employers don’t understand about employee satisfaction is…
● A good salary is important, but…
● Working from home influences employee satisfaction because…
● Measuring employees’ satisfaction can…
ESL Brains
In a moment, you’ll watch a video about:
employee satisfaction
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Watch the first part of the video (to 01:19) and tick which points are mentioned.
A. If employees are unsatisfied at work, they 
might leave. 
B. There are many different ways to measure 
employee satisfaction apart from surveys 
(e.g. interviews, performance reviews).
C. Understanding employee satisfaction can 
save the company a lot of money. 
D. There are a few reasons why it can be 
difficult to measure and improve employee 
satisfaction (e.g. time and resources). 
E. Few companies actually look at their 
employee satisfaction scores.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEpvZWfSQ9o
ESL Brains
Let’s check the answers.
A. If employees are unsatisfied at work, they 
might leave. 
B. There are many different ways to measure 
employee satisfaction apart from surveys 
(e.g. interviews, performance reviews).
C. Understanding employee satisfaction can 
save the company a lot of money. 
D. There are a few reasons why it can be difficult 
to measure and improve employee 
satisfaction (e.g. time and resources). 
E. Few companies actually look at their 
employee satisfaction scores.
22
ESL BrainsESL Brains
Let’s talk!
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Discuss the questions.
● Do you think more people leave or become unproductive and stay if they 
are unsatisfied? Which is worse for the company?
● Do you agree that a company might save a lot of money if they understand 
employee satisfaction?
● Can you think of any other reasons companies don’t measure employee 
satisfaction?
ESL Brains
In a moment, you’ll watch the second part of 
the video about:
employee satisfaction
ESL Brains
Watch the second part of the video (from 01:20 to 03:05) about the survey 
question “How likely are you to recommend your company as a place of work?” 
and answer the questions below. 
26
A. Who are the Promoters?
B. Who are the Neutrals?
C. Who are the Detractors?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEpvZWfSQ9o&t=80
ESL Brains
Let’s check the answers.
A. Who are the Promoters?
B. Who are the Neutrals?
C. Who are the Detractors?
27
People who answer with a 9 or 10. They are very satisfied 
and would promote the organization to others.
People who answer with a 7 or 8. There’s still some work 
to do to make sure they’re fully satisfied at work.
Anyone who answers with a 6 or below. People at this 
score may leave or become a toxic influence. 
ESL BrainsESL Brains
Let’s discuss!
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Discuss the questions.
● The Bamboo survey has only two questions. Is this enough? Why/Why not? 
What other questions would you ask?
● What do you think would encourage someone to give a score of 9 or 10? 
What about 7 or 8? Why might someone score a company 6 or below?
● If you were a manager, what would you do if you got many responses scoring 
6 and below? What would you do if responses were mainly 9 or 10?
● Do you think that employees really give honest responses? Why might 
someone lie in a response?
ESL BrainsESL Brains
Let’s practise!
ESL Brains 31
Complete the pairs of statements with the quantifiers in the boxes. Some of the 
gaps can be completed with more than one option. Each quantifier should be used 
at least once.
A. 1. You have ___________________________________ the benefits (e.g. insurance, gym 
membership) you can possibly think of, but your salary is low.
2. You have ___________________________________ benefits (e.g. you don’t even have 
a parking space) but your salary is high. 
B. 1. You work in a relaxed environment but there are 
___________________________________ opportunities for professional development 
so you never get a better position.
2. Your work is very stressful but there are ___________________________________ 
opportunities to develop your career in whatever direction you want.
part 1/4
a few a little
manyhardly any muchlittle
all kinds of almost all
some
few
ESL Brains 32
Complete the pairs of statements with the quantifiers in the boxes. Some of the 
gaps can be completed with more than one option. Each quantifier should be used 
at least once.
C. 1. You enjoy your job but you don’t agree with 
___________________________________ of the goals of the company, so you don’t 
feel fully engaged with your tasks.
2. ___________________________________ tasks bore you but you admire the 
company’s main goal and want to be a part of it.
part 2/4
a few a little
manyhardly any muchlittle
all kinds of almost all
some
few
ESL Brains 33
Complete the pairs of statements with the quantifiers in the boxes. Some of the 
gaps can be completed with more than one option. Each quantifier should be used 
at least once.
D. 1. You can pick your hours and work from home but there are 
___________________________________ formal agreements, so you could lose your 
job at any time.
2. You will never lose your job but you have fixed hours. There are also 
___________________________________ opportunities to work from home so you 
spend one hour driving to the office every day.
part 3/4
a few a little
manyhardly any muchlittle
all kinds of almost all
some
few
ESL Brains 34
Complete the pairs of statements with the quantifiers in the boxes. Some of the 
gaps can be completed with more than one option. Each quantifier should be used 
at least once.
E. 1. You have to go on ___________________________________ business trips, so you 
are almost never home. However, you can take your family with you.
2. You have to answer ___________________________________ calls when on holiday 
but it doesn’t happen often and you have interesting tasks.
part 4/4
a few a little
manyhardly any muchlittle
all kinds of almost all
some
few
ESL Brains 35
Let’s see some possible answers.
a few a little
manyhardly any muchlittle
A. 1. You have ___________________________ the benefits (e.g. insurance, gym 
membership) you can possibly think of, but your salary is low.
2. You have ___________________________ benefits (e.g. you don’t even have a parking 
space) but your salary is high. 
B. 1. You work in a relaxed environment but there are ___________________________ 
opportunities for professional development so you never get a better position.
2. Your work is very stressful but there are ___________________________ 
opportunities to develop your career in whatever direction you want.
all kinds of almost all
some
few
part 1/4
almost all
hardly any/few
few/hardly any
many/all kinds of
ESL Brains 36
Let’s see some possible answers.
C. 1. You enjoy your job but you don’t agree with ___________________________ of the 
goals of the company, so you don’t feel fully engaged with your tasks.
2. ___________________________ tasks bore you but you admire the company’s main 
goal and want to be a part of it.
part 2/4
a few a little
manyhardly any muchlittle
all kinds of almost all
some
few
Almost all/A few/Many/Some
a few/many/some
ESL Brains 37
Let’s see some possible answers.
D. 1. You can pick your hours and work from home but there are 
___________________________ formal agreements, so you could lose your job at any 
time.
2. You will never lose your job but you have fixed hours. There are also 
___________________________ opportunities to work from home so you spend one 
hour driving to the office every day.
part 3/4
a few a little
manyhardly any muchlittle
all kinds of almost all
some
few
few/hardlyany
few/hardly any
ESL Brains 38
Let’s see some possible answers.
E. 1. You have to go on ___________________________ business trips, so you are almost 
never home. However, you can take your family with you.
2. You have to answer ___________________________ calls when on holiday but it 
doesn’t happen often and you have interesting tasks.
part 4/4
a few a little
manyhardly any muchlittle
all kinds of almost all
some
few
many/almost all/all kinds of
some/a few
ESL BrainsESL Brains
Let’s talk!
ESL Brains 40
Choose the situation you’d prefer in each pair and explain your choices. 
part 1/2
OR
You have almost all the benefits (e.g. 
insurance, gym membership) you can 
possibly think of, but your salary is low.
You have hardly any benefits 
(e.g. you don’t even have a parking space) 
but your salary is high. 
OR
You work in a relaxed environment but there 
are few opportunities for professional 
development so you never get a better 
position.
Your work is very stressful but there are 
many opportunities to develop your career 
in whatever direction you want.
OR
You enjoy your job but you don’t agree with 
a few of the goals of the company, so you 
don’t feel fully engaged with your tasks.
Almost all tasks bore you but you admire the 
company’s main goal and want to 
be a part of it.
ESL Brains 41
Choose the situation you’d prefer in each pair and explain your choices. 
part 2/2
You can pick your hours and work from 
home but there are hardly any formal 
agreements, so you could lose your job 
at any time.
You will never lose your job but you have 
fixed hours. There are also few 
opportunities to work from home so you 
spend one hour driving to the office 
every day.
OR
You have to go on all kinds of business trips, 
so you are almost never home. However, 
you can take your family with you.
You have to answer some calls when on 
holiday but it doesn’t happen often 
and you have interesting tasks.
OR
ESL BrainsESL Brains
Let’s revise!
ESL Brains
a few hardly any
a little little
all kinds of many
almost all much
few some
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Imagine you are the manager and your company got a bad score on the employee 
satisfaction survey. Come up with five ideas on how to improve the situation 
using the quantifiers in the box. 
EXAMPLE To improve our employee satisfaction scores, 
I think we need to make some improvement 
to our work environment. We have hardly 
any opportunities to socialize outside of 
work, so maybe we could organize a few 
events so that employees can become 
friends. 
ESL BrainsESL Brains
THANKS!