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<Upper-Intermediate> Lesson No.1

Responding to Technical Specification Change Requests from Overseas Customers / 海外顧客からの技術仕様変更要求への対応

0.Greetings & Ice-break (2min.)|挨拶と導入

 

0-1 Greetings

Let’s practice a short small talk that you can use to greet a business partner and start building a good relationship.

講師との挨拶を兼ねて、ビジネスパートナーと信頼関係を築くための短いスモールトークを練習してみましょう。

[Tips / 会話のヒント]

・Can you hear me clearly? 

 私の声はクリアに聞こえますか?
・How's your day going so far?

 今日はどんな一日でしたか?
・Talk about one small topic (Work, Weather, News, Hometown, Sports event, etc.)

 軽い話題について話しましょう(仕事、天気、ニュース、地元、スポーツイベントなど)

0-2 Introduction​

In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about the following situation. Have you ever experienced something similar?

本日のレッスンでは以下のようなシチュエーションについて学びます。同様のシチュエーションを経験したことがありますか?​

​​

- If you have experience, please tell us what it was like, what was difficult, or what you learned.

   経験があれば、どんな内容だったか、難しかったことや学んだことなどを教えて下さい。 

- If you don’t have experience, try to imagine yourself handling that situation in English.

  What do you think would be challenging?

  経験がなければ、英語でその状況に対応しているところを想像してみましょう。どんなことが難しそうですか?

Situation / シチュエーション

Discussing technical specification changes for contracted industrial robot systems due to production line modifications at an overseas automotive manufacturer.
海外自動車メーカーの生産ライン変更に伴う契約済み産業用ロボットシステムの技術仕様変更について話し合う場面です。

1. Read (2 min)|型を学ぶ
Let's read the following key sentences aloud!
下記の文章や単語を順番に音読しましょう!

1-1 Basic phrases
1.Let me explain the feasibility of...(...の実現可能性について説明させてください)
2.We can extend the reach distance from...(...からリーチ距離を延長できます)
3.We can enhance the payload capacity by...(...によってペイロード能力を向上できます)
4.Let me elaborate on the cost breakdown(コストの内訳について詳しく説明させてください)
5.We can reduce the unit cost by...(...により単価を削減できます)
6.Let me describe our proposed schedule(提案スケジュールについて説明させてください)
7.We will carry out comprehensive performance testing...(包括的な性能テストを実施いたします...)

1-2 Essential words
1.modify(変更する)
2.feasible(実現可能な)
3.enhance(向上させる)
4.assess(評価する)
5.elaborate on(詳しく説明する)
6.accelerate(加速する)
7.monitor(監視する)
8.commit(確約する)
9.clarify(明確にする)
10.comprehensive(包括的な)
2. Try  (3 min)|ロールプレイ練習

Let’s practice the role-play.

ロールプレイの練習をしましょう!

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

Discussing technical specification changes for contracted industrial robot systems due to production line modifications at an overseas automotive manufacturer.
海外自動車メーカーの生産ライン変更に伴う契約済み産業用ロボットシステムの技術仕様変更について話し合う場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. As you know, we need to modify the technical specifications of the industrial robot system we already purchased from you. Our new vehicle model requires robots with longer reach distance and higher payload capacity. Could you explain how feasible these modifications are?
(本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。ご存知の通り、既に貴社から購入した産業用ロボットシステムの技術仕様を変更する必要があります。新しい車種では、より長いリーチ距離とより高いペイロード能力を持つロボットが必要です。これらの変更がどの程度実現可能か説明していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Thank you for sharing your requirements. Let me explain the feasibility of your modification request. First, we can extend the reach distance from 2.5 meters to 3.2 meters by replacing the arm structure. Second, we can enhance the payload capacity from 150 kilograms to 200 kilograms by upgrading the motor and control system. Both modifications are technically feasible within our current product line.
(ご要望を共有いただきありがとうございます。変更要求の実現可能性について説明させてください。第一に、アーム構造を交換することで、リーチ距離を2.5メートルから3.2メートルに延長できます。第二に、モーターと制御システムをアップグレードすることで、ペイロード能力を150キログラムから200キログラムに向上できます。両方の変更は、当社の現行製品ラインで技術的に実現可能です。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
That sounds promising. However, I'm concerned about the cost impact. We already committed a substantial budget for the original system. Could you calculate the additional cost for these modifications? We need to assess whether this fits within our remaining budget.
(それは有望に聞こえます。しかし、コストへの影響が心配です。既に元のシステムに相当な予算を投じています。これらの変更による追加コストを計算していただけますか?残りの予算内に収まるかどうか評価する必要があります。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
I understand your concern about the budget. Let me elaborate on the cost breakdown. The arm structure replacement will cost 45000 USD per unit, and the motor and control system upgrade will cost 32000 USD per unit. The total additional cost is 77000 USD per robot. However, if you proceed with modifications for all 12 units at once, we can reduce the unit cost by 8 percent through bulk processing.
(予算に関するご懸念は理解しております。コストの内訳について詳しく説明させてください。アーム構造の交換は1台あたり45000米ドル、モーターと制御システムのアップグレードは1台あたり32000米ドルです。1台あたりの追加コスト総額は77000米ドルです。ただし、12台すべての変更を一度に進めていただければ、一括処理により単価を8パーセント削減できます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
The cost is higher than I anticipated, but the bulk discount helps. My next concern is the delivery timeline. Our new production line must launch in 4 months. Can you accommodate this tight schedule? Any delay will trigger significant financial losses for our manufacturing operations.
(コストは予想より高いですが、一括割引は助かります。次の懸念は納期です。新しい生産ラインは4か月後に立ち上げなければなりません。この厳しいスケジュールに対応できますか?遅延が発生すれば、当社の製造業務に重大な財務損失が生じます。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
I appreciate your concern about the timeline. Let me describe our proposed schedule. We can complete the modification work within 3.5 months if we accelerate our engineering and manufacturing process. This includes 6 weeks for design validation, 8 weeks for component manufacturing, and 3.5 weeks for on-site installation and testing. We will assign a dedicated project team to monitor progress daily and ensure we meet your launch deadline.
(納期に関するご懸念に感謝いたします。提案スケジュールについて説明させてください。エンジニアリングと製造プロセスを加速すれば、3.5か月以内に変更作業を完了できます。これには、設計検証に6週間、部品製造に8週間、現場での設置とテストに3.5週間が含まれます。進捗を毎日監視し、立ち上げ期限を確実に守るため、専任のプロジェクトチームを配置いたします。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
Your timeline seems achievable. One final question: what happens if the modified robots don't meet our performance requirements after installation? We need some form of guarantee or contingency plan. Could you commit to performance validation before we make the final payment?
(納期は達成可能に思えます。最後の質問です。設置後、変更されたロボットが当社の性能要件を満たさなかった場合はどうなりますか?何らかの保証または緊急時対応計画が必要です。最終支払い前に性能検証を確約していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Absolutely. Let me clarify our validation and guarantee approach. We will carry out comprehensive performance testing at your facility before requesting final payment. This includes reach distance verification, payload capacity testing under actual production conditions, and cycle time measurement. If any specification fails to meet your requirements, we will modify the system at no additional cost until full compliance is achieved. We are confident in our solution and committed to your success.
(もちろんです。検証と保証のアプローチを明確にさせてください。最終支払いを要求する前に、貴社施設で包括的な性能テストを実施いたします。これには、リーチ距離の検証、実際の生産条件下でのペイロード能力テスト、サイクルタイム測定が含まれます。仕様が要件を満たさない場合は、完全に適合するまで追加費用なしでシステムを変更いたします。当社のソリューションに自信があり、貴社の成功に尽力いたします。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
Thank you for the detailed explanation and your commitment to performance validation. Your proposal addresses all my concerns regarding feasibility, cost, timeline, and risk mitigation. I will submit this proposal to our management team for approval. Assuming they agree, we can proceed with the contract modification next week.
(詳細な説明と性能検証への確約に感謝いたします。貴社の提案は、実現可能性、コスト、納期、リスク軽減に関する私の懸念すべてに対応しています。この提案を当社の経営陣に承認のため提出いたします。彼らが同意すれば、来週には契約変更を進めることができます。)
3. Use  (4 min)|ロールプレイ & 実践(空欄補完)

Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

Discussing technical specification changes for contracted industrial robot systems due to production line modifications at an overseas automotive manufacturer.
海外自動車メーカーの生産ライン変更に伴う契約済み産業用ロボットシステムの技術仕様変更について話し合う場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. As you know, we need to modify the technical specifications of the industrial robot system we already purchased from you. Our new vehicle model requires robots with longer reach distance and higher payload capacity. Could you explain how feasible these modifications are?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Thank you for sharing your requirements. Let me explain the [実現可能な] of your modification request. First, we can extend the reach distance from 2.5 meters to 3.2 meters by replacing the arm structure. Second, we can [向上させる] the payload capacity from 150 kilograms to 200 kilograms by upgrading the motor and control system. Both modifications are technically [実現可能な] within our current product line.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
That sounds promising. However, I'm concerned about the cost impact. We already committed a substantial budget for the original system. Could you calculate the additional cost for these modifications? We need to assess whether this fits within our remaining budget.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
I understand your concern about the budget. Let me [詳しく説明する] the cost breakdown. The arm structure replacement will cost 45000 USD per unit, and the motor and control system upgrade will cost 32000 USD per unit. The total additional cost is 77000 USD per robot. However, if you proceed with modifications for all 12 units at once, we can reduce the unit cost by 8 percent through bulk processing.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
The cost is higher than I anticipated, but the bulk discount helps. My next concern is the delivery timeline. Our new production line must launch in 4 months. Can you accommodate this tight schedule? Any delay will trigger significant financial losses for our manufacturing operations.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
I appreciate your concern about the timeline. Let me describe our proposed schedule. We can complete the modification work within 3.5 months if we [加速する] our engineering and manufacturing process. This includes 6 weeks for design validation, 8 weeks for component manufacturing, and 3.5 weeks for on-site installation and testing. We will assign a dedicated project team to [監視する] progress daily and ensure we meet your launch deadline.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
Your timeline seems achievable. One final question: what happens if the modified robots don't meet our performance requirements after installation? We need some form of guarantee or contingency plan. Could you commit to performance validation before we make the final payment?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Absolutely. Let me [明確にする] our validation and guarantee approach. We will carry out [包括的な] performance testing at your facility before requesting final payment. This includes reach distance verification, payload capacity testing under actual production conditions, and cycle time measurement. If any specification fails to meet your requirements, we will [変更する] the system at no additional cost until full compliance is achieved. We are confident in our solution and [確約する] to your success.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
Thank you for the detailed explanation and your commitment to performance validation. Your proposal addresses all my concerns regarding feasibility, cost, timeline, and risk mitigation. I will submit this proposal to our management team for approval. Assuming they agree, we can proceed with the contract modification next week.
4. Challenge (7 min)|応用実践

Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

*Let's practice this part repeatedly until we can speak it smoothly.

  このパートはスムーズにスピーキングできるようになるまで繰り返し練習しましょう。

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

Discussing technical specification changes for contracted industrial robot systems due to production line modifications at an overseas automotive manufacturer.
海外自動車メーカーの生産ライン変更に伴う契約済み産業用ロボットシステムの技術仕様変更について話し合う場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. As you know, we need to modify the technical specifications of the industrial robot system we already purchased from you. Our new vehicle model requires robots with longer reach distance and higher payload capacity. Could you explain how feasible these modifications are?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Thank you for sharing your requirements. [変更要求の実現可能性について説明させてください。] First, [リーチ距離を2.5メートルから3.2メートルに延長できます] by replacing the arm structure. Second, [モーターと制御システムをアップグレードすることで、ペイロード能力を150キログラムから200キログラムに向上できます。] Both modifications are technically feasible within our current product line.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
That sounds promising. However, I'm concerned about the cost impact. We already committed a substantial budget for the original system. Could you calculate the additional cost for these modifications? We need to assess whether this fits within our remaining budget.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
I understand your concern about the budget. [コストの内訳について詳しく説明させてください。] The arm structure replacement will cost 45000 USD per unit, and the motor and control system upgrade will cost 32000 USD per unit. The total additional cost is 77000 USD per robot. However, if you proceed with modifications for all 12 units at once, we can reduce the unit cost by 8 percent through bulk processing.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
The cost is higher than I anticipated, but the bulk discount helps. My next concern is the delivery timeline. Our new production line must launch in 4 months. Can you accommodate this tight schedule? Any delay will trigger significant financial losses for our manufacturing operations.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
I appreciate your concern about the timeline. Let me describe our proposed schedule. We can complete the modification work within 3.5 months if we accelerate our engineering and manufacturing process. This includes 6 weeks for design validation, 8 weeks for component manufacturing, and 3.5 weeks for on-site installation and testing. We will assign a dedicated project team to monitor progress daily and ensure we meet your launch deadline.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
Your timeline seems achievable. One final question: what happens if the modified robots don't meet our performance requirements after installation? We need some form of guarantee or contingency plan. Could you commit to performance validation before we make the final payment?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Absolutely. Let me clarify our validation and guarantee approach. [最終支払いを要求する前に、貴社施設で包括的な性能テストを実施いたします。] This includes reach distance verification, payload capacity testing under actual production conditions, and cycle time measurement. If any specification fails to meet your requirements, we will modify the system at no additional cost until full compliance is achieved. We are confident in our solution and committed to your success.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
Thank you for the detailed explanation and your commitment to performance validation. Your proposal addresses all my concerns regarding feasibility, cost, timeline, and risk mitigation. I will submit this proposal to our management team for approval. Assuming they agree, we can proceed with the contract modification next week.
\ If you have some extra capacity, give it a try(余力があればやってみましょう)/
5. Real-world application (5 min)|実務応用

Let's speak freely with the phrases and flow we learned today. If you can, imagine your real job—it makes practice more effective.
本日学習した単語やフレーズ、会話の流れを思い出しながら、自由に話してみましょう。可能であれば、自身の実務を想像しながら話すと効果的です。​

Situation / シチュエーション
Your customer requests technical specification modifications for contracted industrial robots to accommodate their new production requirements.
You need to explain feasibility, cost impact, delivery timeline, and performance guarantees to address their concerns.
顧客が契約済み産業用ロボットの技術仕様変更を要求し、新しい生産要件に対応しようとしています。
実現可能性、コスト影響、納期、性能保証について説明し、顧客の懸念に対応する必要があります。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager, Automotive Manufacturer】:
We need to modify the robot specifications for our new production line. Could you explain the feasibility, cost, and timeline for these changes?
(新しい生産ラインのためにロボット仕様を変更する必要があります。これらの変更の実現可能性、コスト、納期について説明していただけますか?)

🧑‍🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)

Hints / ヒント
1. Explain technical feasibility
2. Elaborate on cost breakdown
3. Describe the proposed timeline
4. Clarify performance validation approach
​※This is not a role-play. Please speak until you finish your thoughts.
 このパートはロールプレイ形式ではありません。最後まで通して話してみましょう。
6.  Wrap-up (2 min) |レッスンの振り返り

Let's review today's lesson with your teacher!
今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう!

 

6-1 Comments from student

・Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
・Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ

 

6-2 Feedback from teacher

・Good points / 良かった点
・Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
・What to review / 復習ポイント

 

*6-3 Questions from student (if any)

Japanese translation(日本語訳)

1. Read (2min)(型を学ぶ)|基本フレーズ

2. Try  (4min)(ロールプレイ練習)|型を使った練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう!

3. Use  (7min)|応用
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

4. Challenge (7min)|実践
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

5. Wrap-up (3min) – レッスンの振り返り

"Let’s review today’s lesson with your teacher!”

「今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう!」

5-1.  Comments from Student

  - Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ

  - Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ

5-2.  Feedback from Teacher

  - Good points / 良かった点

  - Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント

  - What to review / 復習ポイント

5-3. Question from Students (If any)

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