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<Elementary> Lesson No.5

Manufacturing Process Improvement Guidance at Overseas Facilities / 海外工場での製造プロセス改善指導

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

Analyzing manufacturing processes at overseas production sites and proposing improvement plans to address efficiency decline and quality issues.
海外製造拠点の生産効率低下と品質問題に対し、工程改善案を提案する場面です。

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 analysis results(分析結果を説明させてください)
2.I found 3 bottlenecks in...(...に3つのボトルネックを発見しました)
3.I suggest we implement the improvements in...(...で改善を実施することを提案します)
4.We can reduce inspection time by...(...だけ検査時間を削減できます)
5.The total cost is estimated at...(総コストは...と見積もられます)
6.We expect to recover this investment in...(...でこの投資を回収できる見込みです)
7.I will prepare the complete report by...(...までに完全なレポートを準備します)

1-2 Essential words
1.concern(懸念)
2.explain(説明する)
3.sufficient(十分な)
4.suggest(提案する)
5.reduce(削減する)
6.resolve(解消する)
7.include(含む)
8.recover(回収する)
9.provide(提供する)
10.thorough(綿密な)
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)

Analyzing manufacturing processes at overseas production sites and proposing improvement plans to address efficiency decline and quality issues.
海外製造拠点の生産効率低下と品質問題に対し、工程改善案を提案する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
Thank you for coming to our factory. We have serious issues with production efficiency and quality. Our output dropped by 15 percent in the last 2 months.
(工場にお越しいただきありがとうございます。生産効率と品質に深刻な問題があります。過去2か月で生産量が15パーセント低下しました。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
I understand your concern. Let me explain the analysis results. First, I found 3 bottlenecks in the assembly line. Second, the inspection process takes too much time. Third, operator training is not sufficient for the new equipment.
(ご懸念は理解しております。分析結果を説明させてください。第一に、組立ラインに3つのボトルネックを発見しました。第二に、検査工程に時間がかかりすぎています。第三に、新設備に対するオペレーター訓練が不十分です。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
I see. What improvement plan do you suggest? We need to increase output quickly, but we cannot stop production completely.
(なるほど。どのような改善計画を提案されますか?生産量を早急に増やす必要がありますが、生産を完全に止めることはできません。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
I suggest we implement the improvements in 3 phases. Phase 1 focuses on the inspection process. We can reduce inspection time by 30 percent without stopping the line. Phase 2 will resolve the bottlenecks during the next scheduled maintenance. Phase 3 includes operator training over 4 weeks.
(改善を3段階で実施することを提案します。第1段階は検査工程に焦点を当てます。ラインを止めずに検査時間を30パーセント削減できます。第2段階では次回の定期メンテナンス中にボトルネックを解消します。第3段階では4週間かけてオペレーター訓練を行います。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
That sounds reasonable. However, I am worried about the cost. How much budget do we need for this plan?
(それは妥当に思えます。しかし、コストが心配です。この計画にどれくらいの予算が必要ですか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
The total cost is estimated at 45000 USD. This includes new inspection tools for 15000 USD, equipment modification for 20000 USD, and training materials for 10000 USD. We expect to recover this investment in 6 months through increased output and reduced defects.
(総コストは45000米ドルと見積もられます。これには新しい検査ツールに15000米ドル、設備改修に20000米ドル、訓練資料に10000米ドルが含まれます。生産量増加と不良品削減により、6か月でこの投資を回収できる見込みです。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
I need to discuss this with our headquarters. Can you provide a detailed report with the timeline and expected results?
(本社と協議する必要があります。タイムラインと期待される結果を含む詳細なレポートを提供していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
Of course. I will prepare the complete report by the end of this week. It will include the root cause analysis, step-by-step implementation plan, and monthly progress targets. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
(もちろんです。今週末までに完全なレポートを準備します。根本原因分析、段階的実施計画、月次進捗目標が含まれます。ご質問があればお気軽にご連絡ください。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
Thank you. I appreciate your thorough analysis. I will review the report with my team and get back to you early next week with our decision.
(ありがとうございます。綿密な分析に感謝します。チームとレポートを検討し、来週初めに決定をお伝えします。)
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)

Analyzing manufacturing processes at overseas production sites and proposing improvement plans to address efficiency decline and quality issues.
海外製造拠点の生産効率低下と品質問題に対し、工程改善案を提案する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
Thank you for coming to our factory. We have serious issues with production efficiency and quality. Our output dropped by 15 percent in the last 2 months.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
I understand your [懸念]. Let me [説明する] the analysis results. First, I found 3 bottlenecks in the assembly line. Second, the inspection process takes too much time. Third, operator training is not [十分な] for the new equipment.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
I see. What improvement plan do you suggest? We need to increase output quickly, but we cannot stop production completely.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
I [提案する] we implement the improvements in 3 phases. Phase 1 focuses on the inspection process. We can [削減する] inspection time by 30 percent without stopping the line. Phase 2 will [解消する] the bottlenecks during the next scheduled maintenance. Phase 3 [含む] operator training over 4 weeks.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
That sounds reasonable. However, I am worried about the cost. How much budget do we need for this plan?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
The total cost is estimated at 45000 USD. This [含む] new inspection tools for 15000 USD, equipment modification for 20000 USD, and training materials for 10000 USD. We expect to [回収する] this investment in 6 months through increased output and reduced defects.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
I need to discuss this with our headquarters. Can you provide a detailed report with the timeline and expected results?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
Of course. I will prepare the complete report by the end of this week. It will [含む] the root cause analysis, step-by-step implementation plan, and monthly progress targets. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
Thank you. I appreciate your thorough analysis. I will review the report with my team and get back to you early next week with our decision.
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)

Analyzing manufacturing processes at overseas production sites and proposing improvement plans to address efficiency decline and quality issues.
海外製造拠点の生産効率低下と品質問題に対し、工程改善案を提案する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
Thank you for coming to our factory. We have serious issues with production efficiency and quality. Our output dropped by 15 percent in the last 2 months.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
I understand your concern. [分析結果を説明させてください。] [第一に、組立ラインに3つのボトルネックを発見しました。] Second, the inspection process takes too much time. Third, operator training is not sufficient for the new equipment.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
I see. What improvement plan do you suggest? We need to increase output quickly, but we cannot stop production completely.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
[改善を3段階で実施することを提案します。] Phase 1 focuses on the inspection process. [ラインを止めずに検査時間を30パーセント削減できます。] Phase 2 will resolve the bottlenecks during the next scheduled maintenance. Phase 3 includes operator training over 4 weeks.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
That sounds reasonable. However, I am worried about the cost. How much budget do we need for this plan?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
The total cost is estimated at 45000 USD. This includes new inspection tools for 15000 USD, equipment modification for 20000 USD, and training materials for 10000 USD. We expect to recover this investment in 6 months through increased output and reduced defects.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
I need to discuss this with our headquarters. Can you provide a detailed report with the timeline and expected results?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Process Engineer】:
Of course. I will prepare the complete report by the end of this week. It will include the root cause analysis, step-by-step implementation plan, and monthly progress targets. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
Thank you. I appreciate your thorough analysis. I will review the report with my team and get back to you early next week with our decision.
\ 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
A manufacturing factory is experiencing production efficiency decline and quality problems.
The process engineer analyzes the manufacturing process and proposes improvement measures and quality control methods.
海外製造拠点で生産効率の低下と品質問題が発生しています。
プロセスエンジニアが製造工程を分析し、改善策と品質管理手法を提案します。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Manufacturing Manager】:
We need your help to improve our production line. Can you explain your improvement plan and how we can implement it without stopping production?
(生産ラインの改善にご協力が必要です。生産を止めずに実施できる改善計画を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 the analysis results(分析結果を説明する)
2.Suggest phased improvements(段階的改善を提案する)
3.Provide cost estimates(コスト見積もりを提供する)
4.Describe expected outcomes(期待される成果を述べる)
​※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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