ESL Podcast 796 - Setting Up Conference Calls and Videoconferences

videoconference - a meeting where the participants are in different locations and can see each other on a video screen and hear each other through a speaker

The company could save a lot of money if people would start meeting via videoconferences instead of traveling to other offices.

to move up in the world - to do well professionally and receive jobs with greater pay and more responsibility, and to receive more recognition and fame for one's work or contributions

Damian grew up in a poor neighborhood, but he realized that doing well in school would be the key to moving up in the world.

conference call - a meeting where the participants are in different locations but can hear each other's voices through a telephone call with more than two participants

Adam dislikes conference calls because it's hard for him to identify who is speaking.

to factor in - to consider something in one's decision

Normally it takes 20 minutes to drive to the office, but if you factor in the morning traffic, it could take up to 45 minutes.

time zone - one of 24 large geographic areas where a single time is used

The Center for Educational Development is in the Pacific Time Zone, which is three hours behind New York City.

catastrophe - a major disaster; an event with very serious, negative consequences, usually involving damage, suffering, or even death

The hurricane was a catastrophe for local farmers.

to initiate - to begin or start something; to cause something to start to happen

Who initiated the argument?

connection - a link or association between two points, especially when referring to electricity, phones, or Internet

The connection on my cell phone isn't very good when we drive through the mountains.

to disconnect - to lose the connection between two people or points, especially when referring to electricity, telephone, or Internet

Which number can I reach you at in case we get disconnected?

to facilitate - to guide a discussion or meeting, keeping everyone on topic and making sure everyone has an opportunity to participate

The hardest part of facilitating that meeting was making sure that the loudest speaker didn't dominate the discussion.

to greet - to say hello to someone; to recognize someone's presence and make him or her feel welcome by saying something

Is Justin mad at me? He didn't greet me when I came into the room.

by name - using someone's name

It took hours to announce all of the university graduates by name as each one received his or her diploma.

to lurk - to be present in a hidden way while listening or observing, but not participate

A small number of people participate on my blog, while a lot of other people lurk there, reading comments without adding to the discussion.

background - backdrop; rear; the general environment around a place, but not exactly where the action is; the part of something that nobody really pays attention to

The speaker was distracted by all the movement in the background.

to troubleshoot - to identify problems and solve them

Please try to use the software manual to troubleshoot before you call to request technical support.

to take a more active part - to become an active participant in something; to assume a more involved role in something

Doctors want their patients to take a more active part in their healthcare by exercising and eating well.

to hyperventilate - to breathe very quickly and deeply, often because one is frightened or panicked

When Sheila thought she saw a ghost, she began hyperventilating.