Business English Lesson Framework

A flexible 50-minute lesson structure

Opening (10 minutes)

 

Business Small Talk Practice (5 minutes) 

1.  Chat about  the last time you had to complain about a utility  service  (water, Electricity, Gas, Internet or Cell Phone)

Core Learning (30 minutes)

Business Communication Focus (20 minutes)

A manager’s words can make or break a team. When communication flows clearly from the top, everyone knows their role, understands expectations, and feels confident in their work. But poor communication breeds confusion, wastes time, and kills morale faster than a Friday afternoon meeting. The best managers know it’s not just about sending emails or running meetings — it’s about listening, picking up on subtle cues, and knowing when to have tough conversations face-to-face rather than hiding behind a screen. They adapt their style for different team members, remembering that the message that motivates Sarah might fall flat with Mike. Clear communication isn’t just a nice-to-have skill for managers — it’s the foundation that everything else builds upon.

Questions for Analysis:

1. How does the paragraph use concrete examples to illustrate the impact of communication?
2. What contrast does the writer establish between good and poor communication?
3. What specific details make this paragraph relate to readers with management experience?
4. How does the paragraph’s structure progress from a general statement to specific examples?
5. What role do the specific names (Sarah and Mike) play in making the message more personal and practical?

Practical Application (5 minutes)

• Role-play:  Student gives examples of past experience of a manager that communicated badly.

Skills Integration (5 minutes) Sentence writing. Remember no Googling.

1.Direct
Meaning: A straightforward, unambiguous approach to communication that focuses on clarity and efficiency.
Example: “Sarah’s direct communication style helped the team understand their priorities without any confusion.”

Now the student writes his or her own complex sentence using the word in the correct context. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are critical.

2. Collaborative
Meaning: A communication approach that actively seeks input and encourages dialogue from all team members.
Example: “Mike’s collaborative style made everyone feel their opinions were valued during the project planning session.”

3. Empathetic
Meaning: A communication style that demonstrates understanding and sensitivity to others’ feelings and perspectives.
Example: “The team appreciated Lisa’s empathetic approach when discussing the challenges of remote work.”

4. Assertive
Meaning: A confident and firm communication style that respects both the speaker’s and listeners’ rights and boundaries.
Example: “David remained assertive during budget negotiations, clearly stating his team’s needs while respecting other departments’ constraints.”

5. Adaptive
Meaning: The ability to modify communication style based on the situation and audience.
Example: “Jennifer’s adaptive communication helped her connect effectively with both senior executives and entry-level employees.”

6. Transparent
Meaning: An open communication style that shares information freely and honestly within appropriate boundaries.
Example: “The CEO’s transparent updates about company changes helped maintain staff trust during the reorganization.“

7. Facilitative
Meaning: A communication style that guides discussions and helps groups reach decisions or solutions.
Example: “Tom’s facilitative approach turned what could have been a chaotic meeting into a productive brainstorming session.”

8. Consultative
Meaning: A communication style that seeks advice and input before making decisions.
Example: “Maria’s consultative style ensured all stakeholders felt heard before finalizing the new policy.”

9. Resonant
Meaning: A communication style that creates positive emotional connections and motivates others.
Example: “The team’s morale improved significantly under Alex’s resonant leadership communication.”

10. Directive
Meaning: A clear, instruction-focused communication style used when immediate action or compliance is needed.
Example: “During the crisis, Rachel’s directive communication style helped the team respond quickly and effectively.”

Closing (2 minutes)

1. Key Takeaways

   • What did you learn today?

2. Homework Assignment

   • Write a paragraph (100 words) comparing good and bad communication at work.  You must use at least 5 of the ten new words in your text.  Remember “NO GOOGLE”