The employment lessons appearing here are grouped into two sections: On the Job English I and On the Job English II. Each lesson plan contains specific behavioral objectives, the lesson's duration, lesson materials, classroom activities and assessment tools. A thumbnail sketch of each lesson is provided as a quick reference.

On the Job English I

"Nice to Meet You" 

Learners interview and introduce classmates as an introduction to the employment interview. Grammar focus is on the present perfect continuous tense with "has been" and "have been" with the verbs "apply," 'work," "study," "look" and "live" in addition to the proper use of the prepositions "for" and "since."

(2 hours)

Looking for Work #1

Lesson emphasizes asking and answering questions using the present perfect continuous tense. Vocabulary includes "applicant," "benefits," "classifieds," "interview," "application," "job board," "salary," "wage," "help wanted signs," and "to hire" in addition to the correct usage of the work-related phrases "ask about benefits," "ask about hours," "call for information," "fill out an application," "talk to friends," "go on an interview," "inquire about salary," "look at job boards," "look in the classifieds," "look for help wanted signs," "talk about your experience," "get hired."

(4 hours) 

Looking for Work #2

Learners apply Looking for Work #1 vocabulary and phrases to the creation of a dialogue using the employment classifieds. Lesson begins with a reading comprehension activity entitled Maria Marcus' Story.

(2 hours)

On the Job Prepositions #1

This lesson integrates word processing and Internet skills with opportunities for verbal and written practice with prepositions of time and place. 

(2 hours)

On the Job Prepositions #2

Learners continue their study of prepositions from On the Job Prepositions #1 with prepositions of location and movement. Similar computer-related skills are stressed.

(2 hours)

On the Job Prepositions #3

Final lesson in the preposition series with comprehensive review and quiz, plus more writing practice with dialogues.

(2 hours)

Preparing for the Job Interview

Learners distinguish between gerunds and infinitives in oral and written forms and practice their use in a sample job interview. Additional focus is on the compilation of an interview "Dos and Don'ts List" using Internet and other sources.

(4 hours)

Going to the Job Interview

Lesson focus is on using "would rather" to express preference in a job interview. Learners spend additional time discussing job interview "dos and don'ts" and reviewing use of the prepositions "at," "on" and "in."

(2 hours)

Filling Out a Job Application

Learners complete a sample employment application and define relevant vocabulary.

(2 hours)

Job Interview Dialogue and Final Evaluation

This culminating lesson asks learners to apply previous grammar and life skills in the creation of a sample interview between an employer and a prospective employee. Special emphasis is placed upon on expressing preference, using gerunds, infinitives and prepositions of time, place and location. Final evaluation occurs through participation in an interactive, comprehensive quiz game. 

(4 hours)

On the Job English II

"Nice to Meet You" 

Learners interview and introduce classmates as an introduction to the employment interview. Grammar focus is on the present perfect continuous tense with "has been" and "have been" with the verbs "apply," 'work," "study," "look" and "live" in addition to the proper use of the prepositions "for" and "since."

(2 hours)

SlangQuest

Learners use Internet and computer skills to collect slang terms and apply them to a work-related role playing activity. Lesson emphasizes building speaking confidence and acquisition of terms used in casual, everyday conversations.

(4 hours) 

Workplace Dialogue

Lesson builds on skills initiated in SlangQuest. Learners continue building a bank of slang terms while developing listening comprehension, writing and speaking skills with this pre-written dialogue.   

(2 hours)

Expressing Likes and Dislikes

Learners express likes and dislikes with possessive pronouns and infinitives, stressing proper noun or pronoun/verb agreement with "like" and "doesn't like."

(2 hours)

Life and Work

Review of likes and dislikes supplements reading/listening comprehension activity and discussion focusing on starting life anew in the United States. Learners continue use Internet and keyboarding skills to add terms to their "slang bank."

(2 hours)

More Life and Work

Learner are introduced to idiomatic expressions as a complement to their collection of American slang. Lesson culminates with the creation and performance of an 8-12 line "on-the-job" dialogue using slang and idiomatic terms in addition to expressions of likes or dislikes at home or work. 

(4 hours)

Crossroads Cafe: "Who's the Boss?" Act 1

Lesson uses situation comedy to encourage learners to hypothesize about story setting, summarize plot and recognize roles of characters. "Sound off" activities reinforce listening comprehension skills and practice with minimal pairs.

(2 hours)

Crossroads Cafe: "Who's the Boss?" Act 2

Continuation of Crossroads Cafe offers practice with story sequencing and opportunities to build work-related vocabulary.

(2 hours)

Crossroads Cafe: "Who's the Boss?" Act 3

Learners continue to improve work-related vocabulary while editing and re-writing alternative endings to this final act of "Who's the Boss."

(2 hours)

Tell Us a Story

Learners work as pairs or teams of threes to write an original, one act "On the Job" play, drawing on acquisition of work-related vocabulary including idioms and slang terms highlighted in previous lessons.   

(2 hours)

"Good Job!"

Work-related conversations teach learners how to formulate compliments and criticisms, and how to differentiate between polite and informal requests.  

(2 hours)

Crossroads Cafe: Time is Money

The "Crossroads Cafe: Time is Money" video emphasizes making suggestions while provoking discussion of what makes good employees and supervisors.

(4 hours)