Online Class Notes (Mark)

Today’s class began with a review of his previous class vocabulary.

Vocab:
spackle
dehumidifier

Pronunciation:
tiny [TIY NEE]
sensors [SEN SIRS]
anonymous [AH NON AH MISS]
spinal [SPY NUL]
average [AV RIJ]
algorithm [AL GA RI THUM]
researcher [REE SER CHER]

Vocabulary

layover – the time between transferring from one plane to another in an airport

1 – Where are you flying from?
(This may be out of curiosity or to find out whether you are flying in from a high risk country.)

I from Shanghai China.
I am flying from Singapore, with a layover in Korea.

2 – Are you traveling alone?
(Families traveling together are usually attended to by the same officer.)
I am traveling with my work colleagues.

3 – What is the purpose of your trip?
(This is sometimes the first question travelers are asked. The customs officer wants to ascertain the reason for your visit and whether you have the corresponding visa.)

Business. I am here to analyze operations and management in that plant.

4 – Where will you be staying?
(It is recommended to have detailed information about where you will stay to avoid being held up at customs. For example, the name and address of your hostel or hotel and if you are staying with family, friends or using Airbnb, you should be ready to provide the address to the customs officer.)

5 – What is the duration of your stay?
(Be prepared to mention the duration of your visit. It should be in accordance to the country’s immigration polices. This can be tricky depending on whether or not you require a visa or you intend to apply for visa on arrival. For travelers who do not need a visa or can apply for a visa on arrival, the max stay may be 30, 90 or 120 days. Please check your visa requirements.)

6 – What do you do?
(This is not a question you need to think about before answering. Be prompt and direct in your answer and be ready to show proof. This could be an ID or Business Card.)

I am an operations director for an international company called Inalfa Sunroof System. We have a plant here in Cherokee.

Pronunciation

colleagues – [KA LEEGS]

Vocabulary

steep – very sharp / very intense
curbing – lessening / reducing

Chip shortage could cost automakers up to $110 billion
By Paul A. Eisenstein

The auto industry will suffer a $110 billion hit to revenues this year due to the ongoing shortage of semiconductor chips, according to a new analysis from AlixPartners consulting firm. That is a steep increase from January estimates of $60 billion.

With no clear resolution in sight, the industry will likely produce about 3.9 million fewer vehicles than originally planned for all of 2021, the firm said. The chip shortages are not only curbing production of current models but may also force delays in the rollout of some 2022 products.

Consumers, meanwhile, already are finding it harder to find the vehicle of choice — or any vehicles, in some cases. At the same time, prices are surging.

“The next few weeks should be the worst,” said Dan Hearsch, managing director with AlixPartners, adding that the timeline could extend “into next year before things have any chance of clearing up. And that’s if nothing else goes wrong.”