Summary
This ESL lesson plan helps B2-level English students develop the skills to handle professional performance reviews. This business English lesson uses audio, reading, and role-play activities to teach students how to discuss achievements, receive feedback, and set career goals constructively.
This lesson equips students with the language and strategies needed to navigate performance reviews confidently. Activities include a warm-up discussion, a listening exercise on key tips, and a reading comprehension task about review preparation and follow-up.
Students will practice essential vocabulary related to professional development and use reporting verbs to describe review conversations accurately. The lesson culminates in a role-play, allowing students to apply their new skills in a realistic manager-employee scenario, ensuring they can participate in these crucial conversations effectively.
Activities
- A warm-up discussion exploring students' perceptions and experiences with performance reviews, addressing potential emotions and challenges.
- A listening comprehension exercise where students fill in the gaps in a short audio about professionally approaching reviews, reinforcing key vocabulary in context.
- A reading comprehension task based on an article about navigating performance reviews, followed by questions to check understanding of key strategies.
- Grammar practice focusing on reporting verbs (e.g., stated, advised, recommended) to help students accurately report conversations and feedback from a review.
- A practical role-play activity where students simulate a manager-employee performance review, using the phrases and vocabulary learned throughout the lesson.
Vocabulary focus
The vocabulary section introduces key terms for discussing professional development, such as "daunting," "crucial," "constructively," "actionable," and "aspirations." Students also learn to categorize useful phrases for giving feedback (e.g., "An area for development is..."), receiving feedback (e.g., "I appreciate your feedback..."), and setting goals (e.g., "My goal is to...").
Grammar focus
This lesson concentrates on the use of reporting verbs to accurately convey what was said during a professional conversation. Students practice using verbs like "stated," "suggested," "recommended," and "advised" to transform direct speech into reported speech, adding nuance and professionalism to their communication.
