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<Elementary> Lesson No.33

Emergency Response to Natural Gas Storage Shortage / 天然ガス貯蔵量不足の緊急対応

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

Negotiating emergency procurement conditions and transportation methods due to natural gas storage shortage from unexpected demand increase.
予想以上の需要増による天然ガス貯蔵量不足で、緊急調達条件と輸送手段を交渉する場面です。

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 need ... within ...(...以内に...が必要である)
2.Can you confirm availability and provide...(在庫状況を確認して...を提示していただけますか)
3.Let me explain our situation(状況を説明させてください)
4.This shortage happened because...(この不足は...のために起きた)
5.Can you reduce the rate to ... if we confirm...(...を確約すれば単価を...に下げていただけますか)
6.We can commit to...(...を確約できます)
7.This balances ... and ...(これは...と...のバランスを取る)

1-2 Essential words
1.confirm(確認する)
2.provide(提供する)
3.explain(説明する)
4.reduce(下げる)
5.commit(確約する)
6.arrange(手配する)
7.send(送る)
8.delivery(配送)
9.significant(大きい)
10.flexible(柔軟な)
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)

Negotiating emergency procurement conditions and transportation methods due to natural gas storage shortage from unexpected demand increase.
予想以上の需要増による天然ガス貯蔵量不足で、緊急調達条件と輸送手段を交渉する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
Thank you for reaching out on such short notice. We understand your storage is running low due to unexpected demand. How much volume do you need, and by when?
(急なご連絡ありがとうございます。予想外の需要増で貯蔵量が不足しているとのこと、承知しました。どれくらいの量が、いつまでに必要ですか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
We need 50000 cubic meters of natural gas within 10 days to meet our supply obligations. Can you confirm availability and provide your emergency pricing?
(供給義務を果たすため、10日以内に50000立方メートルの天然ガスが必要です。在庫状況と緊急時の価格を教えていただけますか?)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
We can deliver that volume. Our emergency rate is 15 USD per cubic meter, which is 50 percent higher than the standard price. This reflects the short lead time and priority handling.
(その量は供給可能です。緊急時の単価は1立方メートルあたり15 USDで、通常価格より50パーセント高くなります。これは短納期と優先対応を反映したものです。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
I understand the premium, but 50 percent is significant. Let me explain our situation. First, this shortage happened because industrial demand increased by 30 percent in 2 weeks. Second, we need reliable delivery to avoid penalties. Can you reduce the rate to 12 USD per cubic meter if we confirm a long-term contract after this emergency?
(割増は理解しますが、50パーセントはかなり大きいです。状況を説明させてください。第一に、この不足は産業需要が2週間で30パーセント増加したために起きました。第二に、ペナルティを避けるため確実な配送が必要です。この緊急対応後に長期契約を確約すれば、単価を12 USDに下げていただけますか?)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
A long-term commitment is attractive. However, 12 USD is below our cost for expedited transport. What contract period are you considering, and what volume per month?
(長期契約は魅力的です。ただし、12 USDは緊急輸送のコストを下回ります。どれくらいの契約期間と、月間どれくらいの量をお考えですか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
We can commit to a 2-year contract with a minimum of 20000 cubic meters per month at standard pricing. For this emergency delivery, we propose 13 USD per cubic meter. This balances your transport cost and our budget constraints.
(標準価格で月間最低20000立方メートルの2年契約を確約できます。今回の緊急配送については、1立方メートルあたり13 USDを提案します。これは貴社の輸送コストと当社の予算制約のバランスを取るものです。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
That works for us. We accept 13 USD per cubic meter for the emergency volume, and we will prepare a draft contract for the 2-year agreement. Can you arrange payment within 5 business days?
(それで問題ありません。緊急供給分は1立方メートルあたり13 USDで承諾します。2年契約の草案も準備いたします。5営業日以内にお支払いの手配をしていただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
Yes, we will arrange payment within 5 business days. Please send the invoice and contract draft by tomorrow. We also need confirmation of the shipping method and arrival date.
(はい、5営業日以内に支払いを手配します。請求書と契約草案を明日までに送ってください。配送方法と到着日の確認も必要です。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
Understood. We will ship by pipeline with delivery in 8 days. I will send all documents by end of today. Thank you for your flexibility and commitment to the long-term partnership.
(承知しました。パイプラインで配送し、8日後に到着します。本日中に全ての書類をお送りします。柔軟なご対応と長期パートナーシップへのご確約に感謝いたします。)
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)

Negotiating emergency procurement conditions and transportation methods due to natural gas storage shortage from unexpected demand increase.
予想以上の需要増による天然ガス貯蔵量不足で、緊急調達条件と輸送手段を交渉する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
Thank you for reaching out on such short notice. We understand your storage is running low due to unexpected demand. How much volume do you need, and by when?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
We need 50000 cubic meters of natural gas within 10 days to meet our supply obligations. Can you [確認する] availability and [提供する] your emergency pricing?

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
We can deliver that volume. Our emergency rate is 15 USD per cubic meter, which is 50 percent higher than the standard price. This reflects the short lead time and priority handling.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
I understand the premium, but 50 percent is [大きい]. Let me [説明する] our situation. First, this shortage happened because industrial demand increased by 30 percent in 2 weeks. Second, we need reliable [配送] to avoid penalties. Can you [下げる] the rate to 12 USD per cubic meter if we [確認する] a long-term contract after this emergency?

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
A long-term commitment is attractive. However, 12 USD is below our cost for expedited transport. What contract period are you considering, and what volume per month?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
We can [確約する] to a 2-year contract with a minimum of 20000 cubic meters per month at standard pricing. For this emergency [配送], we propose 13 USD per cubic meter. This balances your transport cost and our budget constraints.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
That works for us. We accept 13 USD per cubic meter for the emergency volume, and we will prepare a draft contract for the 2-year agreement. Can you arrange payment within 5 business days?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
Yes, we will [手配する] payment within 5 business days. Please [送る] the invoice and contract draft by tomorrow. We also need confirmation of the shipping method and arrival date.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
Understood. We will ship by pipeline with delivery in 8 days. I will send all documents by end of today. Thank you for your flexibility and commitment to the long-term partnership.
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)

Negotiating emergency procurement conditions and transportation methods due to natural gas storage shortage from unexpected demand increase.
予想以上の需要増による天然ガス貯蔵量不足で、緊急調達条件と輸送手段を交渉する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
Thank you for reaching out on such short notice. We understand your storage is running low due to unexpected demand. How much volume do you need, and by when?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
We need 50000 cubic meters of natural gas within 10 days to meet our supply obligations. [在庫状況を確認して緊急時の価格を教えていただけますか?]

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
We can deliver that volume. Our emergency rate is 15 USD per cubic meter, which is 50 percent higher than the standard price. This reflects the short lead time and priority handling.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
I understand the premium, but 50 percent is significant. [状況を説明させてください。] First, this shortage happened because industrial demand increased by 30 percent in 2 weeks. Second, we need reliable delivery to avoid penalties. [この緊急対応後に長期契約を確約すれば、単価を12 USDに下げていただけますか?]

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
A long-term commitment is attractive. However, 12 USD is below our cost for expedited transport. What contract period are you considering, and what volume per month?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
[標準価格で月間最低20000立方メートルの2年契約を確約できます。] For this emergency delivery, we propose 13 USD per cubic meter. This balances your transport cost and our budget constraints.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
That works for us. We accept 13 USD per cubic meter for the emergency volume, and we will prepare a draft contract for the 2-year agreement. Can you arrange payment within 5 business days?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
Yes, we will arrange payment within 5 business days. Please send the invoice and contract draft by tomorrow. We also need confirmation of the shipping method and arrival date.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
Understood. We will ship by pipeline with delivery in 8 days. I will send all documents by end of today. Thank you for your flexibility and commitment to the long-term partnership.
\ 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 natural gas storage is running low due to unexpected demand increase.
You need to negotiate emergency supply terms with an overseas gas supplier.
予想外の需要増により天然ガス貯蔵量が不足している状況です。
海外ガス供給業者と緊急供給条件を交渉する必要があります。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Gas Supplier】:
We can provide the emergency volume you need, but our premium rate applies. Can you explain your requirements and what you can offer in return?
(必要な緊急供給量は提供できますが、割増料金が適用されます。貴社の要件と、その見返りに何を提示できるか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 volume and timeline needed(必要な量と期限を説明する)
2.Propose a rate reduction with conditions(条件付きで単価引き下げを提案する)
3.Offer a long-term commitment(長期契約を提示する)
4.Arrange payment and request documents(支払いを手配し書類を依頼する)
​※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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