A lesson plan and worksheets for use in the first lesson in business English. In this lesson, students play a 'Getting to know you' game and interview each other about their needs for English. The class then cover some language problems that have come up during the lesson.

A first class, like all ESP classes, depends almost entirely on the students you have. Even so, the four-part format used in this lesson (getting to know you and diagnostic testing; needs analysis; feedback; language Work) should be flexible enough to fit in with almost every group and one-to-one ESP class.

The materials and instructions below are for a group class of approx Upper Intermediate level, but the lesson plan is easily adaptable to other class sizes and levels.

Lesson summary: Students play a 'Getting to know you' game and interview each other about their needs for English. The class then cover some language problems that have come up during the lesson.

Language / Skill Practised: Depends on materials used.

Time: 40–60 minutes, plus language work (Part Four)

Materials: Download from the 'related resources' section below:

  • Teacher notes
  • One copy of the 'Answers on the board' worksheet
  • One copy of the 'Feedback sheet' worksheet per student
  • One copy of the 'Interview Form' worksheet per student
  • Additionally, prepare worksheets for Part Four of the lesson – language work. Unless you have a very good idea of the levels, strengths and weaknesses and needs of the students before the class, it is worth taking in several possibilities. We have included a Numbers review and Tense review worksheet below, as options, although you could also start work on numbers with an authentic text (e.g. from the Financial Times or Wall Street Journal), or work on tenses with general knowledge questions on your students' business fields (found via internet search).

Preparation: You will need to change the ‘Answers on the board’ answers to match your personal details and the level of the class.

As you look at the lesson plan and worksheets, you could work through the Wish list I've written of things that would make a perfect initial impact with a Business English or ESP class. Which points do you think they achieve? Does the number of ticks really denote a good lesson? 

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