Summary
This 90-minute ESL lesson for B2 learners explores Performance reviews: discussing feedback and goals through a real audio recording. Across 11 interactive exercises, you'll develop listening 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: Reporting verbs with examples and practice
- Real-world phrases for giving and receiving 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 audio recording, with definitions and usage notes.
- Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
- Grammar — Study Reporting verbs — 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 and receiving 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 audio recording:
- To take something on board — to understand and accept a suggestion or piece of criticism and be prepared to act on it.
- Room for improvement — a polite way of referring to weaknesses or areas where performance is not satisfactory.
- Actionable feedback — specific, clear, and practical advice that helps a person understand exactly what they need to do to improve.
- To exceed expectations — to do much better than was expected or required.
- To touch base — to make brief contact with someone to get an update or discuss something for a short time.
Grammar
This lesson focuses on Reporting verbs.
When we report what someone said, we can use verbs that are more descriptive than 'say' or 'tell'. These reporting verbs, like 'suggest', 'advise', or 'claim', add more meaning and precision. In a professional context like a performance review, using the right reporting verb can accurately convey the tone and intention of the original speaker.
Examples from the lesson:
- My manager suggested that I take a course on project management. — Here, 'suggested' is followed by a 'that-clause'. Notice the verb 'take' is in its base form (subjunctive), which is common after 'suggest'.
- She advised me to focus more on client communication. — The verb 'advised' uses a different pattern: verb + object ('me') + to-infinitive ('to focus').
- I claimed that my team had exceeded its quarterly targets. — 'Claimed' is used to report something as a fact, which may or may not be believed by the listener. It is also followed by a 'that-clause'.
Key rules:
- Choose a verb that adds specific meaning to what was said (e.g., suggest, promise, deny, explain).
- Pay attention to the grammatical structure that follows each verb (e.g., verb + to-infinitive, verb + that-clause, verb + gerund).
- Remember to change pronouns and shift tenses (backshift) when reporting past conversations.
Practical English
Giving and receiving feedback
A performance review is a two-way conversation. Use these phrases to respond to feedback constructively and discuss your career goals professionally.
Phrases you'll learn:
- "It's great to hear that my work on [project name] has been well-received." — Acknowledges positive feedback and shows you value it.
- "I understand. What would be the best way to approach that differently next time?" — Accepts criticism and proactively asks for guidance.
- "Could you elaborate on that a little? A specific example would be really helpful." — Asks for more detail in a polite way.
- "Looking forward, I'm keen to take on more responsibility in the area of [specific area]." — Proposes a future goal or area for growth.
- "I see your point, but from my perspective, the situation was..." — A polite way to introduce a different viewpoint or disagree.
