＜Upper-Intermediate＞ Lesson No.9
Emergency Design Change Approval Request / 緊急設計変更の承認依頼
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
This is a scenario where we seek urgent design change approval from overseas customers for critical design issues discovered during manufacturing, accurately conveying problem severity and technical validity of proposed changes.
製造中に発見された重大な設計問題で海外顧客に緊急設計変更承認を求め、問題の深刻度と提案変更内容の妥当性を技術的に説明する場面です。
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 clarify the situation...（状況を明確にさせてください...）
２．We identified that the current...（現在の...を確認しました）
３．We propose replacing the...（...を交換することを提案します）
４．We carried out accelerated thermal testing...（加速熱試験を実施しました...）
５．We can absorb... through process optimization（工程最適化で...を吸収できます）
６．We can expedite the process significantly...（プロセスを大幅に加速できます...）
７．We validated that the new alloy has...（新合金が...を持つことを検証済みです）
1-2 Essential words
１．detect（発見する）
２．clarify（明確にする）
３．eliminate（解消する）
４．validated（検証済みの）
５．manufacture（製造する）
６．absorb（吸収する）
７．assess（評価する）
８．expedite（迅速化する）
９．submit（提出する）
１０．comparable（同等の）
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）
This is a scenario where we seek urgent design change approval from overseas customers for critical design issues discovered during manufacturing, accurately conveying problem severity and technical validity of proposed changes.
製造中に発見された重大な設計問題で海外顧客に緊急設計変更承認を求め、問題の深刻度と提案変更内容の妥当性を技術的に説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
Thank you for taking my call on short notice. We detected a critical issue during production — the thermal resistance is insufficient under high load conditions.
（急なお電話にご対応いただきありがとうございます。製造中に重大な問題を発見しました。高負荷条件下で耐熱性が不十分です。）
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
I appreciate you bringing this to my attention immediately. Let me clarify the situation. We identified that the current coil material cannot withstand temperatures above 130 degrees Celsius, which poses a safety risk.
（すぐにお知らせいただきありがとうございます。状況を明確にさせてください。現在のコイル材料が130度以上の温度に耐えられず、安全上のリスクがあることを確認しました。）
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
That sounds serious. What design modification are you proposing to eliminate this defect?
（それは深刻ですね。この欠陥を解消するためにどのような設計変更を提案されますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We propose replacing the coil with a high-temperature alloy that can operate safely up to 180 degrees Celsius. First, this material has been validated in similar applications. Second, we can manufacture it using our existing facility without additional investment. Third, the modification requires only a minor adjustment to the mounting bracket.
（コイルを180度まで安全に動作できる高温合金に交換することを提案します。第一に、この材料は類似用途で検証済みです。第二に、追加投資なしで既存設備で製造できます。第三に、この変更には取付ブラケットへの軽微な調整のみが必要です。）
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
How confident are you that this will resolve the thermal issue completely? And what about the cost impact?
（この変更で熱の問題が完全に解決できると、どの程度確信していますか？それとコストへの影響はどうですか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We carried out accelerated thermal testing at 150 degrees Celsius for 100 hours, and the new alloy maintained stable performance with no degradation. Regarding cost, the material itself adds 8 USD per unit, but we can absorb 3 USD through process optimization, so the net increase is 5 USD per unit.
（150度で100時間の加速熱試験を実施し、新合金は劣化なく安定した性能を維持しました。コストについては、材料自体は1台あたり8米ドル増加しますが、工程最適化で3米ドル吸収できるため、正味の増加は1台あたり5米ドルです。）
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
I understand the technical rationale. However, we need to assess the timeline. How quickly can you implement this modification?
（技術的根拠は理解しました。しかし、タイムラインを評価する必要があります。この変更をどれくらい早く実施できますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We can expedite the process significantly. If you approve the design change by the end of this week, we can complete the modification and resume production within 10 business days. We will also submit updated technical documentation within 3 days of your approval.
（プロセスを大幅に加速できます。今週末までに設計変更をご承認いただければ、10営業日以内に変更を完了し生産を再開できます。また、ご承認から3日以内に更新された技術文書を提出いたします。）
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
That timeline is acceptable. One last concern — will this modification affect any other components or the overall system performance?
（そのタイムラインは許容できます。最後の懸念が一つ — この変更は他の部品や全体的なシステム性能に影響しますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
No, the modification is isolated to the coil assembly. We validated that the new alloy has comparable electrical characteristics, so there is no impact on system efficiency or other components. The mounting interface remains identical, ensuring full compatibility.
（いいえ、変更はコイルアセンブリに限定されます。新合金が同等の電気特性を持つことを検証済みですので、システム効率や他部品への影響はありません。取付インターフェースは同一のままで、完全な互換性を確保しています。）
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
Excellent. Your explanation is clear and the solution appears sound. Please proceed with preparing the formal change request documentation. I will coordinate with our procurement team to expedite the approval process on our end.
（素晴らしい。説明は明確で、解決策は適切に思えます。正式な変更要求書類の準備を進めてください。当方でも調達チームと調整し、承認プロセスを迅速化します。）
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）
This is a scenario where we seek urgent design change approval from overseas customers for critical design issues discovered during manufacturing, accurately conveying problem severity and technical validity of proposed changes.
製造中に発見された重大な設計問題で海外顧客に緊急設計変更承認を求め、問題の深刻度と提案変更内容の妥当性を技術的に説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
Thank you for taking my call on short notice. We detected a critical issue during production — the thermal resistance is insufficient under high load conditions.
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
I appreciate you bringing this to my attention immediately. Let me ［明確にする］ the situation. We identified that the current coil material cannot withstand temperatures above 130 degrees Celsius, which poses a safety risk.
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
That sounds serious. What design modification are you proposing to eliminate this defect?
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We propose replacing the coil with a high-temperature alloy that can operate safely up to 180 degrees Celsius. First, this material has been ［検証済みの］ in similar applications. Second, we can ［製造する］ it using our existing facility without additional investment. Third, the modification requires only a minor adjustment to the mounting bracket.
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
How confident are you that this will resolve the thermal issue completely? And what about the cost impact?
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We carried out accelerated thermal testing at 150 degrees Celsius for 100 hours, and the new alloy maintained stable performance with no degradation. Regarding cost, the material itself adds 8 USD per unit, but we can ［吸収する］ 3 USD through process optimization, so the net increase is 5 USD per unit.
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
I understand the technical rationale. However, we need to assess the timeline. How quickly can you implement this modification?
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We can ［迅速化する］ the process significantly. If you approve the design change by the end of this week, we can complete the modification and resume production within 10 business days. We will also ［提出する］ updated technical documentation within 3 days of your approval.
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
That timeline is acceptable. One last concern — will this modification affect any other components or the overall system performance?
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
No, the modification is isolated to the coil assembly. We ［検証済みの］ that the new alloy has ［同等の］ electrical characteristics, so there is no impact on system efficiency or other components. The mounting interface remains identical, ensuring full compatibility.
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
Excellent. Your explanation is clear and the solution appears sound. Please proceed with preparing the formal change request documentation. I will coordinate with our procurement team to expedite the approval process on our end.
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）
This is a scenario where we seek urgent design change approval from overseas customers for critical design issues discovered during manufacturing, accurately conveying problem severity and technical validity of proposed changes.
製造中に発見された重大な設計問題で海外顧客に緊急設計変更承認を求め、問題の深刻度と提案変更内容の妥当性を技術的に説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
Thank you for taking my call on short notice. We detected a critical issue during production — the thermal resistance is insufficient under high load conditions.
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
I appreciate you bringing this to my attention immediately. ［状況を明確にさせてください。］ ［現在のコイル材料が130度以上の温度に耐えられず、安全上のリスクがあることを確認しました。］
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
That sounds serious. What design modification are you proposing to eliminate this defect?
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
［コイルを180度まで安全に動作できる高温合金に交換することを提案します。］ First, this material has been validated in similar applications. Second, we can manufacture it using our existing facility without additional investment. Third, the modification requires only a minor adjustment to the mounting bracket.
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
How confident are you that this will resolve the thermal issue completely? And what about the cost impact?
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
［150度で100時間の加速熱試験を実施し、新合金は劣化なく安定した性能を維持しました。］ Regarding cost, the material itself adds 8 USD per unit, but we can absorb 3 USD through process optimization, so the net increase is 5 USD per unit.
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
I understand the technical rationale. However, we need to assess the timeline. How quickly can you implement this modification?
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We can expedite the process significantly. If you approve the design change by the end of this week, we can complete the modification and resume production within 10 business days. We will also submit updated technical documentation within 3 days of your approval.
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
That timeline is acceptable. One last concern — will this modification affect any other components or the overall system performance?
🧑🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
No, the modification is isolated to the coil assembly. ［新合金が同等の電気特性を持つことを検証済みですので、システム効率や他部品への影響はありません。］ The mounting interface remains identical, ensuring full compatibility.
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
Excellent. Your explanation is clear and the solution appears sound. Please proceed with preparing the formal change request documentation. I will coordinate with our procurement team to expedite the approval process on our end.
\ 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 critical design defect was detected during production that requires immediate customer approval for modification.
The design engineer must explain the technical issue, propose a validated solution, and persuade the customer to approve the change quickly.
製造中に重大な設計欠陥が発見され、変更に対する顧客の緊急承認が必要となった。
設計エンジニアは技術的問題を説明し、検証済みの解決策を提案し、迅速な承認を得るよう顧客を説得しなければならない。
👨💼【Teacher / Customer Quality Manager】:
We need to understand the severity of this design issue and your proposed solution. Can you walk me through the technical details and timeline?
（この設計問題の深刻度と提案する解決策を理解する必要があります。技術的詳細とタイムライン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． Clarify the technical defect and safety risk
２． Propose the validated design modification
３． Explain cost impact with mitigation plan
４． Demonstrate accelerated implementation timeline
※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)