Business Idioms: Speak like a Native
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Objective: To learn and use common business idioms in conversations
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Materials:
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Handout with common business idioms and their meanings
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A list of situations where the idioms can be used
Duration: 45 minutes
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1. Introduction (5 minutes):
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Greet the students and introduce the topic of the lesson
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Explain what idioms are and how they are used in business settings
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Provide an overview of the lesson
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2. Activity 1 - Matching Idioms and Definitions (10 minutes):
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Distribute the handout with common business idioms and their meanings
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Ask the students to match the idioms with their definitions
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Go over the answers as a class and explain any idioms that the students may not understand
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3. Activity 2 - Using Idioms in Context (20 minutes):
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Provide a list of situations where the idioms can be used, such as in a meeting, negotiation, or presentation
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Examples:​
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Giving a presentation
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Negotiating a contract
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Discussing a project with colleagues
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Making small talk with clients or colleagues
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Writing a business email or memo
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Conducting a job interview
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Pitching a new product or service
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Dealing with a difficult customer
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Resolving a conflict with a coworker
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Networking at a business event.
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Ask the students to work in pairs or small groups to create a dialogue using at least three of the idioms
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Have each group present their dialogue to the class and provide feedback on the appropriate use of the idioms
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4. Activity 3 - Idioms Quiz (10 minutes):
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Give a quiz with sentences using the idioms from the handout
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Ask the students to choose the correct meaning of the idiom in each sentence
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5. Conclusion (5 minutes):
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Summarize the lesson and highlight the importance of using idioms in business conversations
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Encourage the students to continue practicing using idioms in their everyday conversations
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Note: It's important to remind the students that idioms should be used appropriately and sparingly in business settings. Overusing idioms can come across as unprofessional and confusing to non-native speakers.