Summary
This ESL lesson for B2 English students explores Business English idioms. Using a real video as the basis for discussion, students develop reading and listening comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar skills across a 90-minute class.
The grammar focus is Using 'from a ... standpoint/perspective'. Key vocabulary includes circle back (phrasal verb), touch base (phrasal verb), pick your brain (idiom) and more, all drawn directly from the source material. The practical English section gives students useful phrases for real-life situations: In meetings, it's important to be clear. Sometimes corporate jargon can be confusing. A useful skill is to be able to rephrase these idioms into simpler, more direct language, either for your own understanding or to help others..
Activities
- A warm-up discussion to activate prior knowledge and get students thinking about the topic before watching or reading.
- Comprehension exercises based on the video to check understanding of the main ideas and key details.
- A grammar focus on Using 'from a ... standpoint/perspective'. In corporate or formal English, speakers often use the phrase 'from a [noun] standpoint' or 'from a [noun] perspective'. This is a type of nominalisation, where an idea (like finance, marketing, or strategy) is turned into a noun to frame the sentence.
- Vocabulary expansion with advanced expressions related to Business English idioms not found in the source material.
- Practical English phrases for In meetings, it's important to be clear. Sometimes corporate jargon can be confusing. A useful skill is to be able to rephrase these idioms into simpler, more direct language, either for your own understanding or to help others., with exercises to practise using them naturally.
- A speaking task where students role-play a real-world scenario, applying vocabulary and phrases from the lesson.
Vocabulary focus
The vocabulary section introduces B2-level words and phrases related to Business English idioms. Key terms include circle back (phrasal verb), touch base (phrasal verb), pick your brain (idiom), get granular (idiom), put a pin in it (idiom). Students practise using these terms in context through exercises drawn from the source material.
Grammar focus
This lesson focuses on Using 'from a ... standpoint/perspective'. In corporate or formal English, speakers often use the phrase 'from a [noun] standpoint' or 'from a [noun] perspective'. This is a type of nominalisation, where an idea (like finance, marketing, or strategy) is turned into a noun to frame the sentence.
