Summary
This 90-minute ESL lesson for B2 learners explores Workplace conflict: giving constructive feedback through a real article. Across 11 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.
What you'll practise:
- 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
- Grammar focus: Gerunds and infinitives with examples and practice
- Real-world phrases for giving a colleague constructive feedback
- Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
- Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
- Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness
- A reading passage to practise newly learned language
Lesson activities (11 exercises)
Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.
- Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
- Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
- Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
- Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
- Grammar — Study Gerunds and infinitives — explanation, examples, and key rules.
- Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
- Practical English — Learn phrases for giving a colleague constructive feedback — ready to use in real conversations.
- Cloze passage — Fill in blanks within a connected text to practise vocabulary in context.
- Reading — Read a short passage on the topic and answer comprehension questions.
- Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.
Vocabulary
This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the article:
- To clear the air — to resolve misunderstandings or unspoken disagreements between people.
- To address an issue head-on — to confront a problem directly and openly instead of avoiding it.
- To walk on eggshells around someone — to be extremely cautious with your words and actions because someone is very sensitive or easily angered.
- To voice concerns — to express your worries or complaints about something in a formal or serious way.
- To find common ground — to discover a shared opinion or area of agreement that can help resolve a conflict.
Grammar
This lesson focuses on Gerunds and infinitives.
In professional communication, the verb you choose determines whether the next verb is a gerund (-ing) or an infinitive (to + verb). Mastering this helps you express intentions, suggestions, and feelings more accurately when giving feedback or discussing workplace issues.
Examples from the lesson:
- I suggest discussing this issue privately to avoid escalating the conflict. — The verb 'suggest' is always followed by a gerund (-ing form).
- She decided to address her colleague's unprofessional behavior directly. — The verb 'decide' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb), often to show a future plan or intention.
- He stopped talking when the manager entered. vs. He stopped to talk to the manager. — With 'stop', the gerund means the action finished. The infinitive means he stopped one action in order to do another.
Key rules:
- Some verbs (like enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest) are followed by a gerund.
- Other verbs (like decide, hope, plan, agree, promise) are followed by an infinitive.
- Always use a gerund after a preposition (e.g., 'He apologized for being late').
Practical English
Giving a colleague constructive feedback
When you need to address a difficult topic with a colleague, the right phrases can make the conversation productive instead of confrontational. Use these expressions to share feedback in a calm, clear, and professional way.
Phrases you'll learn:
- "I was hoping we could have a quick chat about [the project]." — A polite and gentle way to open a conversation.
- "I've noticed that..." — Introduces an observation in a neutral, non-accusatory way.
- "When [the specific action] happens, it affects [the team/the project] by..." — Explains the impact of an action without blaming the person.
- "Moving forward, would you be open to trying...?" — Proposes a solution in a collaborative and non-demanding way.
- "How does that sound from your perspective?" — Invites the other person to share their point of view.
