1. Language Learning for Busy People These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute.. Intermediate: Responding To Criticism

2. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. Pre-Intermediate ----- Responding to Criticism Warm up: Opening chat--- 5 minutes Review previous lesson’s content ---5 minutes Check if your student has completed self-study of the lesson. The class activities are designed to help them practice the language from the lesson. Thus, it’s extremely important that they go over different sections of the lesson before class.

3. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. Class Activities: (30-35 minutes) Objective: It can be quite difficult to listen to and respond to criticism. Today, EnglishPod will teach you some great vocabulary and phrases to help you with this conversation in the future. Class Activities

4. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. 1) Read the dialogue with the student, line by line. Switch roles after the first run. Pay attention to student’s pronunciation, give feedback and help when needed. --- 5 minutes Dialogue

5. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. Key Vocabulary--- 5 minutes Complaints point fingers let me down blip afford set us back I have had a few _______________ about your performance at work lately. I don’t want to ______________; I just want to understand who was responsible for this. Because Sally didn’t turn in her project on time, we were all affected and it has really __________________. I’m sorry, it was a mistake and won’t happen again. It was just a little __________. Please, ________________! I am relying on you to pick me up tonight! I’m in a big hurry, I can’t _________ to waste any more time!

6. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. Dialogue Comprehension ---- 5 minutes Ask the student the following questions. The answers are in the dialogue: What is the complaint from the editorial team? Why does Marcie think Paul is responsible? What is Paul’s explanation for Marcie? What is Marcie’s final advice for Paul?

7. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. Language Focus---- 10 minutes #1. “complaint” Complaint = an expression of discontent, regret, pain, unhappiness, resentment You can: make a complaint = express a complaint file a complaint = a more formal way to express a complaint, usually documented have a complaint = to hold in mind, to possess a complaint investigate a complaint = to look into, to examine, to inquire about a complaint handle a complaint = to deal with or to solve a complaint

8. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. Language Focus #2. “point fingers” This is a commonly used idiom that means accuse or blame. Have the student give you two sentences, of their own, using this phrase. #3. “headache” We normally know the word headache to mean pain in your head, physically. But this is a different meaning. Headache = an annoying or bothersome person, situation, activity - It was such a headache trying to get here on time. - All this snow created a huge headache for driving to work this morning.

9. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. Cultural Takeaway Nobody likes being criticized but, unfortunately, it will happen. To be able to respond to criticism positively and effectively is an important life skill. If we do not respond to criticism carefully, it can easily lead to unnecessary suffering. We have some tips for how you can respond to criticism! #1: What can you learn? Most criticism is probably based on some truths. Criticism may appear negative. But, with criticism we have the opportunity to learn and improve from their suggestions. #2: Don’t take it personally This is often the biggest problem with criticism. A person may be criticizing you, but it is not exactly a personal attack. It's important to not feel offended or think that the person dislikes you. #3: Don’t respond immediately. It is best to wait awhile before responding. If we respond with feelings of anger or hurt we might regret it. If we wait patiently, we will be able to think better and respond calmly. #4: Smile Smiling, even a false smile, can helps us to relax more. It creates a more positive feeling and calms the situation. Smiling can also motivate the other person to relax.

10. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. Role Play ------ 5 minutes Let’s practice our new vocabulary and phrases! Have your student think about their future plans coming up in these next few months. In real life, what do they need to (or would like to) ask for time off? If they don’t work, do they need time off from school? OpenLanguage? Play the role of the boss and have the student practice a dialogue with you asking for time off. Be sure to ask several follow-up questions as the boss! Why? When? For how long? And so on.

11. These documents are private and confidential. Please do not distribute. The End --- Review --- 5 minutes * Review today’s class. Encourage the student on where he/she did well; give feedback to where he/she needs to pay more attention. * Assign homework, i.e. the ‘Exercise’ part of today’s lesson. Student should complete it and submit it online. They will see an automatic score. * Have them listen to the dialogue again and see if their understanding has improved. * Remind students that they can save different vocabulary terms in the app or online and review them as flashcards. * Tell the student what the next lesson is.