＜Upper-Intermediate＞ Lesson No.34
Technical Review for Equipment Modification Request from Overseas Client / 海外顧客からの設備改造要求への技術検討
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
A sales representative explains technical feasibility, construction scope, and equipment shutdown periods for major modification requests from an overseas customer seeking production capacity expansion.
生産能力増強のため海外顧客から既存設備の大幅改造要求があり、技術的実現可能性や工事範囲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 assessed your request and confirmed...（ご要求を評価し確認した）
２．We estimate the shutdown period will be...（停止期間は...と見積もる）
３．We can carry out preparatory work...（準備作業を実施できる）
４．We will coordinate with your maintenance team to...（貴社のメンテナンスチームと連携して...する）
５．Let me elaborate on the investment effect...（投資効果について詳しく説明させてください）
６．We will monitor progress daily and hold...（進捗を毎日監視し...を開催する）
７．We will assign a dedicated project manager to...（専任のプロジェクトマネージャーを配置して...する）
1-2 Essential words
１．assess（評価する）
２．accommodate（対応する）
３．accelerate（加速する）
４．assign（配置する）
５．elaborate（詳しく説明する）
６．enhance（向上させる）
７．mitigate（軽減する）
８．eliminate（排除する）
９．doublecheck（再確認する）
１０．monitor（監視する）
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）
A sales representative explains technical feasibility, construction scope, and equipment shutdown periods for major modification requests from an overseas customer seeking production capacity expansion.
生産能力増強のため海外顧客から既存設備の大幅改造要求があり、技術的実現可能性や工事範囲を詳細説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. We submitted a detailed modification request last month to increase our production capacity by 30 percent. Could you explain the technical feasibility and the scope of work for this major retrofit?
（本日はお越しいただきありがとうございます。先月、生産能力を30パーセント増強するための詳細な改造要求を提出しました。この大規模な改造の技術的実現可能性と工事範囲について説明していただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
Certainly. We assessed your request and confirmed that the retrofit is technically feasible. The scope includes upgrading the main drive system, reinforcing the foundation, and installing additional cooling equipment. These modifications will accommodate the increased load.
（承知しました。ご要求を評価し、改造が技術的に実現可能であることを確認しました。工事範囲には、主駆動システムの改良、基礎の補強、追加冷却設備の設置が含まれます。これらの改造により増加した負荷に対応できます。）
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
I appreciate the detailed assessment. However, we are concerned about the equipment shutdown period. How long will the plant need to be stopped, and can you reduce that duration?
（詳細な評価に感謝します。しかし、設備停止期間について懸念しています。プラントをどのくらい停止する必要があり、その期間を短縮できますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
We estimate the shutdown period will be 8 weeks. To reduce this, we can carry out preparatory work while the plant is still operating. First, we will fabricate components off-site. Second, we will coordinate with your maintenance team to accelerate the installation. Third, we will assign additional engineers to work in parallel shifts. This approach could reduce the period to 6 weeks.
（停止期間は8週間と見積もっています。これを短縮するため、プラント稼働中に準備作業を実施できます。第一に、部品を現場外で製作します。第二に、貴社のメンテナンスチームと連携して設置を加速します。第三に、追加のエンジニアを配置して並行シフトで作業します。このアプローチにより期間を6週間に短縮できます。）
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
Six weeks is still considerable. We need to calculate the production loss during that period. Can you demonstrate the investment effect clearly? We must justify this project to our headquarters.
（6週間でもかなりの期間です。その間の生産損失を計算する必要があります。投資効果を明確に示していただけますか？本社にこのプロジェクトを正当化しなければなりません。）
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
Understood. Let me elaborate on the investment effect. After the retrofit, your annual production will increase by 30 percent, which equals 15000 additional units per year. At your current unit price of 200 USD, this generates 3000000 USD in additional annual revenue. The total investment is 8000000 USD, so the payback period is approximately 2.7 years. Moreover, the enhanced efficiency will reduce energy costs by 12 percent annually.
（承知しました。投資効果について詳しく説明させてください。改造後、年間生産量が30パーセント増加し、年間15000個の追加生産となります。現在の単価200 USDで計算すると、年間3000000 USDの追加収益が生まれます。総投資額は8000000 USDですので、投資回収期間は約2.7年です。さらに、効率向上によりエネルギーコストが年間12パーセント削減されます。）
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
The numbers appear reasonable. One final concern: what are the critical risks during the modification work, and how will you mitigate them?
（数字は妥当に見えます。最後の懸念が1つあります。改造工事中の重大なリスクは何で、どのように軽減しますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
The main risks are schedule delays and quality defects in the new components. To mitigate schedule delays, we will monitor progress daily and hold weekly coordination meetings with your team. To eliminate quality defects, we will doublecheck all components before shipment and conduct on-site inspections during installation. We will also assign a dedicated project manager to oversee the entire process and communicate any issues immediately.
（主なリスクはスケジュール遅延と新部品の品質欠陥です。スケジュール遅延を軽減するため、進捗を毎日監視し、貴社チームと週次調整会議を開催します。品質欠陥を排除するため、出荷前に全部品を再確認し、設置中に現場検査を実施します。また、専任のプロジェクトマネージャーを配置してプロセス全体を監督し、問題があれば即座に連絡します。）
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
Thank you for the comprehensive explanation. Your mitigation plan is reassuring. We will proceed with internal discussions and aim to provide our final decision within 3 weeks. Please prepare the detailed engineering drawings and the final contract proposal in the meantime.
（包括的な説明をありがとうございます。貴社の軽減計画は安心できます。社内協議を進め、3週間以内に最終決定をお伝えすることを目指します。その間に詳細な設計図面と最終契約提案書を準備してください。）
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）
A sales representative explains technical feasibility, construction scope, and equipment shutdown periods for major modification requests from an overseas customer seeking production capacity expansion.
生産能力増強のため海外顧客から既存設備の大幅改造要求があり、技術的実現可能性や工事範囲を詳細説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. We submitted a detailed modification request last month to increase our production capacity by 30 percent. Could you explain the technical feasibility and the scope of work for this major retrofit?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
Certainly. We ［評価する］d your request and confirmed that the retrofit is technically feasible. The scope includes upgrading the main drive system, reinforcing the foundation, and installing additional cooling equipment. These modifications will ［対応する］ the increased load.
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
I appreciate the detailed assessment. However, we are concerned about the equipment shutdown period. How long will the plant need to be stopped, and can you reduce that duration?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
We estimate the shutdown period will be 8 weeks. To reduce this, we can carry out preparatory work while the plant is still operating. First, we will fabricate components off-site. Second, we will coordinate with your maintenance team to ［加速する］ the installation. Third, we will ［配置する］ additional engineers to work in parallel shifts. This approach could reduce the period to 6 weeks.
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
Six weeks is still considerable. We need to calculate the production loss during that period. Can you demonstrate the investment effect clearly? We must justify this project to our headquarters.
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
Understood. Let me ［詳しく説明する］ on the investment effect. After the retrofit, your annual production will increase by 30 percent, which equals 15000 additional units per year. At your current unit price of 200 USD, this generates 3000000 USD in additional annual revenue. The total investment is 8000000 USD, so the payback period is approximately 2.7 years. Moreover, the ［向上させる］d efficiency will reduce energy costs by 12 percent annually.
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
The numbers appear reasonable. One final concern: what are the critical risks during the modification work, and how will you mitigate them?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
The main risks are schedule delays and quality defects in the new components. To ［軽減する］ schedule delays, we will ［監視する］ progress daily and hold weekly coordination meetings with your team. To ［排除する］ quality defects, we will ［再確認する］ all components before shipment and conduct on-site inspections during installation. We will also assign a dedicated project manager to oversee the entire process and communicate any issues immediately.
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
Thank you for the comprehensive explanation. Your mitigation plan is reassuring. We will proceed with internal discussions and aim to provide our final decision within 3 weeks. Please prepare the detailed engineering drawings and the final contract proposal in the meantime.
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）
A sales representative explains technical feasibility, construction scope, and equipment shutdown periods for major modification requests from an overseas customer seeking production capacity expansion.
生産能力増強のため海外顧客から既存設備の大幅改造要求があり、技術的実現可能性や工事範囲を詳細説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. We submitted a detailed modification request last month to increase our production capacity by 30 percent. Could you explain the technical feasibility and the scope of work for this major retrofit?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
Certainly. ［ご要求を評価し、改造が技術的に実現可能であることを確認しました。］ The scope includes upgrading the main drive system, reinforcing the foundation, and installing additional cooling equipment. These modifications will accommodate the increased load.
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
I appreciate the detailed assessment. However, we are concerned about the equipment shutdown period. How long will the plant need to be stopped, and can you reduce that duration?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
［停止期間は8週間と見積もっています。］ To reduce this, ［プラント稼働中に準備作業を実施できます。］ First, we will fabricate components off-site. Second, ［貴社のメンテナンスチームと連携して設置を加速します。］ Third, we will assign additional engineers to work in parallel shifts. This approach could reduce the period to 6 weeks.
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
Six weeks is still considerable. We need to calculate the production loss during that period. Can you demonstrate the investment effect clearly? We must justify this project to our headquarters.
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
Understood. ［投資効果について詳しく説明させてください。］ After the retrofit, your annual production will increase by 30 percent, which equals 15000 additional units per year. At your current unit price of 200 USD, this generates 3000000 USD in additional annual revenue. The total investment is 8000000 USD, so the payback period is approximately 2.7 years. Moreover, the enhanced efficiency will reduce energy costs by 12 percent annually.
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
The numbers appear reasonable. One final concern: what are the critical risks during the modification work, and how will you mitigate them?
🧑🎓【Student / Sales Engineer】:
The main risks are schedule delays and quality defects in the new components. To mitigate schedule delays, we will monitor progress daily and hold weekly coordination meetings with your team. To eliminate quality defects, we will doublecheck all components before shipment and conduct on-site inspections during installation. We will also assign a dedicated project manager to oversee the entire process and communicate any issues immediately.
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
Thank you for the comprehensive explanation. Your mitigation plan is reassuring. We will proceed with internal discussions and aim to provide our final decision within 3 weeks. Please prepare the detailed engineering drawings and the final contract proposal in the meantime.
\ 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 client submitted a major equipment modification request to increase production capacity by 30 percent.
The sales engineer must explain the technical feasibility, work scope, shutdown period, and investment effect.
顧客が生産能力を30パーセント増強するための大規模な設備改造要求を提出しました。
営業技術者は技術的実現可能性、工事範囲、停止期間、投資効果を説明しなければなりません。
👨💼【Teacher / Client Plant Manager】:
We need a clear explanation of the retrofit plan, including the shutdown period and the investment return. Could you walk us through the details?
（改造計画について、停止期間と投資回収を含めた明確な説明が必要です。詳細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 technical feasibility and work scope
２． Describe the shutdown period reduction plan
３． Demonstrate the investment effect with numbers
４． Present the risk mitigation measures
※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)