Summary
This downloadable PDF lesson plan for English teachers explores the modern workplace concept of "quiet firing." This ESL class material for C1 students includes vocabulary, grammar, a video, and role-play activities to improve business communication skills. This lesson helps C1 students understand and discuss the workplace trend of "quiet firing." Activities begin with a discussion and a vocabulary gap-fill. Students then watch a video for comprehension before moving on to a vocabulary matching task. The lesson includes a grammar focus on gerunds and infinitives, provides useful phrases for professional communication, and culminates in a role-play and a follow-up email writing task, offering comprehensive practice in a business English context.
Activities
- Students watch a video explaining the concept of "quiet firing" and its signs. They answer comprehension questions and complete exercises to learn and practice key vocabulary related to workplace dynamics and management tactics.
- A dedicated grammar section clarifies the use of gerunds and infinitives after specific verbs (e.g., avoid doing, choose to do). Students then apply this knowledge in a sentence completion exercise to solidify their understanding.
- Learners engage in a practical role-play between a manager and an employee who feels sidelined. This is followed by a writing task where they compose a professional follow-up email, summarizing the conversation and next steps.
Vocabulary focus
This lesson focuses on modern workplace and business vocabulary. Key terms include "quiet firing," "constructive discharge," "severance," and "career advancement." Students also learn descriptive words like "blatant," "underhanded," "malicious," and "belittling," and action verbs such as "nudge" and "log."
Grammar focus
The grammar section targets the correct usage of gerunds (-ing form) and infinitives (to + verb). It clarifies which common verbs, such as "avoid," "consider," and "suggest," are followed by a gerund, and which verbs, like "choose," "fail," and "want," require an infinitive.
