Workplace dynamics: discussing subtle forms of dismissal

Workplace conflict β€” a C1 English lesson. Practise using gerunds and infinitives and expand vocabulary around career management and professional disputes.

Workplace dynamics: discussing subtle forms of dismissal

Summary

This ESL lesson for C1 English students explores Workplace conflict. 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 Verb patterns: Gerunds and Infinitives. Key vocabulary includes flip side (noun phrase), constructive discharge (noun phrase), severance (noun) and more, all drawn directly from the source material. The practical English section gives students useful phrases for real-life situations: You need to have a difficult conversation with your manager about your role, career progression, and recent changes you've noticed. The goal is to be professional and constructive, not accusatory..

Activities

Transcript

00:00[Please provide the actual transcript text for the video. This section demonstrates the requested formatting with bold timecodes.]00:12[Please provide the actual transcript text for the video. This section demonstrates the requested formatting with bold timecodes.]

Vocabulary focus

The vocabulary section introduces C1-level words and phrases related to Workplace conflict. Key terms include flip side (noun phrase), constructive discharge (noun phrase), severance (noun), blatant (adjective), nudging you out (phrasal verb). Students practise using these terms in context through exercises drawn from the source material.

Grammar focus

This lesson focuses on Verb patterns: Gerunds and Infinitives. In English, when one verb follows another, the second verb often changes its form to either a gerund (-ing form) or an infinitive (to + base verb). The choice is determined by the first verb.

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