THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS (B2)

ICEBREAKER
Read the definition of icebreaker, then do the icebreaker task as a class.

An “icebreaker” is a game or activity that is used to introduce people to each other so that
they feel more relaxed together

Bucket List
1. Each student shares one thing from their personal bucket list.
2. Each student shares one thing from their professional bucket list.
3. Students share one thing they wish to achieve through taking English classes.

Introduction questions:
1. Have you taken part in an icebreaker before? Describe your experience.

2. What is your job title and responsibilities?

3. What inspired you to pursue the career you are currently in, and what do you find
most fulfilling about it?

4. Can you tell me about your educational background and how it has influenced your
career path?

5. Have you always known what you wanted to do professionally, or did your career
path change over time?

6. Do you commute to an office or do you work from home?

7. Do you have to dress professionally or casually when you work?

8. Can you tell me about a particularly meaningful project or accomplishment in your

career that you are proud of?

9. What motivates you to continue learning and growing professionally?

10. Describe your professional relationships at work.

11. Can you tell me about a role model who has had a significant impact on your career?

12. Do you have separate personal and professional goals or are they linked?

ESL Pals 1 Business English

 MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
Discuss the following questions as a class.
1. Do you have a manager? Describe your relationship.
2. Would you like to be your own boss? Describe the pros and cons.
3. To be successful, does a business need strong management and leaders?

Study the adjectives in the box which can be used to describe leaders.

empowering ruthless authentic trustworthy motivating approachable

understanding analytic decisive optimistic proactive persuasive

a) From the box, choose the three adjectives you think are most important for a leader
to have. Explain your reasoning, and give real-life examples if possible.

b) Does your current manager possess any of the qualities listed in the box?

c) Could any of the adjectives be disadvantages? Explain.

d) Do you possess any of the qualities in the box? In which areas could you improve?

e) Which qualities come naturally, and which can be learned?

Read the following text, then answer the questions.

Flat hierarchical structures have gained popularity as an alternative to traditional

leadership models. This approach emphasises teamwork and shared decision-making,
rather than relying on a few individuals to make all of the important decisions.

One of the main advantages is that they can foster a more open and communicative
workplace culture. Employees at all levels have a voice in the decision-making process,
which can lead to more innovative ideas and a greater sense of ownership over the work.
Additionally, flat structures can be more agile and adaptable than traditional hierarchies.
This can be particularly important in industries that are rapidly evolving.

However, flat structures are not suitable for every organisation. In some cases, a strong
leader may be necessary to provide direction and guidance, especially in times of crisis.
Additionally, without clear leadership, it can be difficult to hold individuals accountable
for their work, which can lead to a lack of productivity or a lack of focus.

Task - Discuss the pros and cons of a flat hierarchical structure.

ESL Pals 2 Business English

 Next, discuss if this structure would work at your company if it were to be introduced.

OFFICE AMENITIES
Read the office amenities and benefits in the box. Rank them from 1 to 8 in terms of
usefulness, with 1 being the most useful and 8 being the least useful. Have fun!

gym child daycare ergonomic chairs pet daycare

free coffee free breakfast meditation room nap rooms

1. _____________________________________.

2. _____________________________________.

3. _____________________________________.

4. _____________________________________.

5. _____________________________________.

6. _____________________________________.

7. _____________________________________.

8. _____________________________________.

Let's discuss:

1. Which of the above office amenities and benefits does your company offer?

2. What office benefits would you like that have not been included on the list.

3. How can employers justify the cost of providing office benefits and amenities, and
what are the potential returns on investment?

4. Do you think that office benefits and amenities contribute to employee satisfaction,
engagement, and retention?

5. Instead of office benefits, would you prefer that the business invested that money in
other areas; such as employee pay, vacations, and pensions.

ESL Pals 3 Business English

 MARKETING
Study the advertisements below. Use the words in the box, or your own words, to
describe and discuss the purpose and effectiveness of the advertisements.

creative memorable eye-catching informative shareable persuasive targeted

1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. _______________________

Let's discuss:

1. Which advertisement do you like most? Explain.

2. Describe the marketing techniques implemented by your company.

3. Is online or offline marketing more effective for your company?

4. How could your company improve its marketing output?

5. Do you think influencers are the best way to promote a new product?

6. How can you measure the success of a marketing campaign?

ESL Pals 4 Business English

 GRAMMAR
Match the phrasal verbs from the box to their definitions.

cut back bring in take on get ahead follow up

1. take on: to accept responsibility for something.

2. cut back: to reduce expenses or decrease the amount of something.

3. bring in: to introduce or implement something new.

4. get ahead: to make progress or succeed in a competitive environment.

5. follow up: to check on the progress of something or someone.

Complete the sentences using the phrasal verbs from the box above.

a) We need to bring in a new marketing strategy if we want to attract more customers.

b) I'm willing to take on the new project and ensure it's completed on time.

c) If we want to get ahead in the industry, we need to be innovative and stay ahead of
our competitors

d) I'll follow up with the client to ensure they're satisfied with our services.

e) In order to save money, we need to cut back on our advertising budget.

Use the above phrasal verbs to answer and discuss the following questions as a class

a) Could your company cut back on expenses without lowering the quality of your
product or service?

b) What would the pros and cons of bringing in new talent to improve your team be?

c) Would you be willing to take on more responsibility at work but be paid the same?

d) What steps is your company taking to get ahead of its competitors in the market?

e) How do you follow up with clients to see if they have any further questions or
concerns without annoying them?

ESL Pals 5 Business English

 LANGUAGE LEARNING
Read the text in the box, then complete the exercises.

Business English

Business English refers to the specialised language and communication skills used in the
world of commerce and industry. It is a type of English language that focuses on the
specific vocabulary, phrases, and expressions commonly used in business contexts.
Unlike general English, which covers a broad range of topics and themes, business
English is more focused on the language used in professional settings such as meetings,
negotiations, presentations, and emails.

Learning business English can help you progress in your career by improving your ability
to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and partners. It can also enhance
your job prospects by making you a more attractive candidate for job opportunities that
require strong English language skills. Additionally, business English can help you build
confidence and credibility in the workplace, leading to increased success and
opportunities for career advancement.

Let’s discuss:

a) How is business English different from general English?

b) What are the most common challenges that non-native English speakers face when
communicating in a business environment?

c) What areas of business English would you like to improve?

d) What are your short, medium and long term English learning goals?

e) Do you study English in your free time? What is your preferred method?

f) How could being fluent in English change or improve a person’s life?

Discuss the ways in which a person could learn / improve their business English level.

webinar podcasts textbooks formal class language exchange apps

ESL Pals 6 Business English

HOMEWORK
WRITING TASK
A well-known online magazine has announced a writing contest where participants can
submit articles on the topic of digital privacy. The contest asks writers to express their
opinions on the importance of privacy in the digital age and how individuals can protect
their personal information. The best article will be featured on the magazine's website.

HOW MARKETING AFFECTS CONSUMERS

Answer and discuss the following points in your article:

● The impact of marketing on consumer behaviour and decision-making.

● The psychological tactics used by marketers to influence consumers.

● The role of advertising in shaping societal norms and values.

● The effects of targeted advertising and personalization on consumer privacy.

● The ethics of marketing and its responsibility towards consumers.

● The impact of misleading and false advertising on consumers.

● The role of regulations in protecting consumers from deceptive marketing.

● The effects of celebrities and influencer marketing on consumer behaviour.

● The role of social media in shaping consumer perceptions and behaviour.

● The future of marketing and its potential impact on consumers.

The winning article will be featured on the magazine's website!

ESL Pals 7 Business English

 VIDEO ANALYSIS
Watch the video, then decide if the following statements are true or false.

1. What is guerilla marketing?

2. What is the main focus of guerilla marketing strategy?

3. What is an example of a successful guerilla marketing strategy used for the

promotion of the movie Hereditary?

4. How did Spotify use personalised playlists to benefit their marketing efforts?

5. What was the Dove Real Beauty campaign, and why was it successful?

6. What is Bird Box, and how did it use memes to promote its brand?

7. How did the marketing strategy used for the Hereditary movie create a buzz for the
film?

8. Why was the Dove Real Beauty campaign effective in positioning the brand in a
positive light compared to its competitors?

On a separate piece of paper, write detailed answers to the following questions.

a) What is the target audience for your company's product or service, and how can you
best reach them with your marketing efforts?

b) What are the key marketing channels that your company currently uses, and which
ones have been most effective in generating leads or sales?

c) How does your company differentiate itself from competitors in the marketplace,
and what marketing strategies can you use to highlight these differences?

d) What are the most important metrics that your company tracks to measure the
success of its marketing campaigns?

e) How does your company approach branding and messaging, and how can you
ensure that your marketing efforts align with these values?

f) How does your company handle customer feedback and reviews, and how can you
use this information to improve your marketing efforts?

ESL Pals 8 Business English