＜Beginner＞ Lesson No.17
Existing Equipment Modification Proposal from Overseas Client and Feasibility Study / 海外顧客からの既存設備改造提案と実現可能性検討
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
Providing detailed explanations of modification scope, technical constraints, and cost-effectiveness when overseas customers consider functional expansion and modification of existing industrial robot systems.
海外顧客が既存産業用ロボットシステムの機能拡張と改造を検討し、改造範囲と技術的制約・費用対効果を詳細説明する場面です。
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．We can upgrade the control system...（制御システムを改良できる）
２．We need to check the age of...（...の年式を確認する必要がある）
３．We can also provide a detailed cost breakdown...（詳細な費用内訳も提供できる）
４．We offer a 12-month performance guarantee...（12か月間の性能保証を提供する）
５．If the efficiency gain is less than...（効率向上が...未満の場合）
６．We will review the system and make additional adjustments...（システムを見直し、追加調整を行う）
７．We can start in 2 months if you approve...（承認いただければ2か月後に開始できる）
1-2 Essential words
１．upgrade（改良する）
２．explain（説明する）
３．check（確認する）
４．provide（提供する）
５．expected（期待される）
６．offer（提供する）
７．review（見直す）
８．approve（承認する）
９．reduce（減らす）
１０．discuss（話し合う）
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）
Providing detailed explanations of modification scope, technical constraints, and cost-effectiveness when overseas customers consider functional expansion and modification of existing industrial robot systems.
海外顧客が既存産業用ロボットシステムの機能拡張と改造を検討し、改造範囲と技術的制約・費用対効果を詳細説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
Thank you for meeting with me today. We are considering upgrading our existing robotic system to improve production efficiency. Could you explain what kind of modifications are technically possible and what the main constraints would be?
（本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。生産効率を向上させるため、既存のロボットシステムの改造を検討しています。技術的にどのような改造が可能で、主な制約は何か説明していただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Thank you for your interest. We can upgrade the control system, add new sensors, and expand the working range of your current robots. However, we need to check the age of your equipment first because older models may have limited compatibility with new components.
（ご関心をお寄せいただきありがとうございます。制御システムの改良、新しいセンサーの追加、現在のロボットの作業範囲の拡張が可能です。ただし、古い機種は新しい部品との互換性が限られる場合があるため、まず設備の年式を確認する必要があります。）
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
Our robots are about 8 years old. What would be the cost range for these modifications, and how long would the work take? We need to decide whether this investment makes sense compared to buying new equipment.
（当社のロボットは約8年前のものです。これらの改造の費用はどの程度で、作業にはどのくらいの期間がかかりますか？新しい設備を購入するのと比較して、この投資が妥当かどうかを判断する必要があります。）
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
For 8-year-old models, the modification cost would be around 60000 USD per unit, and the work would take approximately 6 weeks including testing. This is about 40 percent of the cost of new robots. We can also provide a detailed cost breakdown showing material costs, engineering hours, and expected efficiency gains to help you make the decision.
（8年前の機種の場合、改造費用は1台あたり約60000米ドルで、試験を含めて約6週間かかります。これは新しいロボットの費用の約40パーセントです。また、材料費、エンジニアリング工数、期待される効率向上を示す詳細な費用内訳を提供し、ご判断の参考にしていただけます。）
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
That sounds reasonable. However, what happens if the modifications do not deliver the expected performance improvement? Do you offer any guarantee or support after the work is completed?
（それは妥当に思えます。しかし、改造が期待される性能向上をもたらさなかった場合はどうなりますか？作業完了後に何らかの保証やサポートを提供していますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We offer a 12-month performance guarantee after the modification is completed. If the efficiency gain is less than 15 percent, we will review the system and make additional adjustments at no extra charge. We also provide remote support and on-site visits if needed during the first year.
（改造完了後、12か月間の性能保証を提供しています。効率向上が15パーセント未満の場合は、システムを見直し、追加費用なしで調整を行います。また、初年度は必要に応じてリモートサポートと現地訪問も提供します。）
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
That gives me confidence. One last question: can you start the work in 2 months, and will you need to stop our production line during the modification?
（それなら安心です。最後に1つ質問ですが、2か月後に作業を開始できますか？また、改造中に生産ラインを停止する必要がありますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Yes, we can start in 2 months if you approve the proposal by the end of this month. We will work during your scheduled maintenance periods to reduce production impact. If that is not enough time, we can work in shifts including weekends to finish faster.
（はい、今月末までに提案を承認いただければ、2か月後に開始できます。生産への影響を減らすため、予定されているメンテナンス期間中に作業を行います。それでは時間が足りない場合は、週末を含む交代制で作業し、より早く完了させることも可能です。）
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
Excellent. Please send me the detailed proposal and cost breakdown by next week. I will discuss this with my team and get back to you soon.
（素晴らしい。来週までに詳細な提案書と費用内訳を送ってください。チームと話し合い、すぐにご連絡します。）
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）
Providing detailed explanations of modification scope, technical constraints, and cost-effectiveness when overseas customers consider functional expansion and modification of existing industrial robot systems.
海外顧客が既存産業用ロボットシステムの機能拡張と改造を検討し、改造範囲と技術的制約・費用対効果を詳細説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
Thank you for meeting with me today. We are considering upgrading our existing robotic system to improve production efficiency. Could you explain what kind of modifications are technically possible and what the main constraints would be?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Thank you for your interest. We can ［改良する］ the control system, add new sensors, and expand the working range of your current robots. However, we need to ［確認する］ the age of your equipment first because older models may have limited compatibility with new components.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
Our robots are about 8 years old. What would be the cost range for these modifications, and how long would the work take? We need to decide whether this investment makes sense compared to buying new equipment.
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
For 8-year-old models, the modification cost would be around 60000 USD per unit, and the work would take approximately 6 weeks including testing. This is about 40 percent of the cost of new robots. We can also ［提供する］ a detailed cost breakdown showing material costs, engineering hours, and ［期待される］ efficiency gains to help you make the decision.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
That sounds reasonable. However, what happens if the modifications do not deliver the expected performance improvement? Do you offer any guarantee or support after the work is completed?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We ［提供する］ a 12-month performance guarantee after the modification is completed. If the efficiency gain is less than 15 percent, we will ［見直す］ the system and make additional adjustments at no extra charge. We also provide remote support and on-site visits if needed during the first year.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
That gives me confidence. One last question: can you start the work in 2 months, and will you need to stop our production line during the modification?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Yes, we can start in 2 months if you ［承認する］ the proposal by the end of this month. We will work during your scheduled maintenance periods to ［減らす］ production impact. If that is not enough time, we can work in shifts including weekends to finish faster.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
Excellent. Please send me the detailed proposal and cost breakdown by next week. I will discuss this with my team and get back to you soon.
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）
Providing detailed explanations of modification scope, technical constraints, and cost-effectiveness when overseas customers consider functional expansion and modification of existing industrial robot systems.
海外顧客が既存産業用ロボットシステムの機能拡張と改造を検討し、改造範囲と技術的制約・費用対効果を詳細説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
Thank you for meeting with me today. We are considering upgrading our existing robotic system to improve production efficiency. Could you explain what kind of modifications are technically possible and what the main constraints would be?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Thank you for your interest. ［制御システムの改良、新しいセンサーの追加、現在のロボットの作業範囲の拡張が可能です。］ However, ［まず設備の年式を確認する必要があります。］ because older models may have limited compatibility with new components.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
Our robots are about 8 years old. What would be the cost range for these modifications, and how long would the work take? We need to decide whether this investment makes sense compared to buying new equipment.
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
For 8-year-old models, the modification cost would be around 60000 USD per unit, and the work would take approximately 6 weeks including testing. This is about 40 percent of the cost of new robots. ［また、材料費、エンジニアリング工数、期待される効率向上を示す詳細な費用内訳を提供し、ご判断の参考にしていただけます。］
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
That sounds reasonable. However, what happens if the modifications do not deliver the expected performance improvement? Do you offer any guarantee or support after the work is completed?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
［改造完了後、12か月間の性能保証を提供しています。］ If the efficiency gain is less than 15 percent, we will review the system and make additional adjustments at no extra charge. We also provide remote support and on-site visits if needed during the first year.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
That gives me confidence. One last question: can you start the work in 2 months, and will you need to stop our production line during the modification?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Yes, we can start in 2 months if you approve the proposal by the end of this month. We will work during your scheduled maintenance periods to reduce production impact. If that is not enough time, we can work in shifts including weekends to finish faster.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
Excellent. Please send me the detailed proposal and cost breakdown by next week. I will discuss this with my team and get back to you soon.
\ 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
An overseas customer is considering upgrading their existing industrial robot system and wants to confirm technical feasibility.
The sales representative needs to explain the scope of modifications, technical constraints, and cost-effectiveness in detail.
海外顧客が既存の産業用ロボットシステムの改造を検討しており、技術的実現可能性を確認したい。
営業担当は改造範囲、技術的制約、費用対効果を詳細に説明する必要がある。
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Customer】:
We want to upgrade our robot system to improve efficiency. Can you explain what modifications are possible and what the main costs would be?
（ロボットシステムを改造して効率を向上させたいのですが、どのような改造が可能で、主な費用はどのくらいか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 possible modifications（可能な改造を説明する）
２．Describe cost and time requirements（費用と期間の要件を述べる）
３．Offer performance guarantee（性能保証を提供する）
４．Reduce production impact（生産への影響を減らす）
※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)