Overview
These are sample class plans originally developed for a Business English conversation class in Mexico City, Mexico.
Class 1
:Introduction of the teacher and the class :Personal chatting
Class 2
:Discussion of course policies :Students present selves to teacher :Students explain company-related activities to teacher :“Being (held) accountable for something” :Discussion of book
Class 3
:Topic for discussion: the company; what makes it different, market challenges, biggest future opportunities. :Student experiences with international (English-speaking) clients and any travels into English-speaking parts of the world. :Student motivations for speaking English, related to and besides current work-related issues. :Answer any specific language or culture questions. :Assigned homework: Module 1, Business Grammar Book. Due on .
Class 4
:Discuss grammar homework. :First student presentation (?) :Students bring technical documents related to their work. These can be from professional magazines, Internet or books, but should be in English. :Discuss significance of the documents, any practical application to current work, any difficult words, phrases or constructions. :Discuss handout on business idioms. :Answer any specific language or culture questions. :Assigned homework: Module 2, Business Grammar Book. Due on .
Class 5
:Discuss grammar homework. :Student presentation, followed by questions and answers by the class. :Discuss Christmas/holiday plans and traditions in Mexico and US, in individual families, holiday food and/or recipes. :Students bring articles about international trade. :Answer any specific language or culture questions. :Assigned homework: Module 3, Business Grammar Book. Due on .
Class 6
:Discuss grammar homework. :Student presentation, followed by questions and answers by the class. :Students bring articles about finance. :Answer any specific language or culture questions. :Assigned homework: Module 4, Business Grammar Book. Due on .
Class 7
:Discuss grammar homework. :Student presentation, followed by questions and answers by the class. :Students bring articles about business and organizational management. :Discuss unfulfilled dreams. :Answer any specific language or culture questions. :Oral exams. :Assigned homework: Module 5, Business Grammar Book. Due on .
Class 8
:Discuss grammar homework. :Student presentation, followed by questions and answers by the class. :Students bring articles about technology. :Discuss, “What is the best advice that someone can give another person”. :New year's resolutions. :Answer any specific language or culture questions. :Oral exams for those who did not take it on . :Assigned homework: Module 6, Business Grammar Book. Due on .
Class 9
:Students bring articles about sports and sports heroes. :Telephoning exercise. :Student presentation by ______________________, followed by questions and answers by the class. :Discuss grammar homework, Module 4, Business Grammar Book. :Assigned homework: Module 5, Business Grammar Book. :Answer any student questions about language, grammar, culture, etc.
Class 10
:Students bring articles about hobbies. :Students bring any reports and proposals that they have written in English. :Discuss, “Basic business letter formats”. :Student presentation by ______________________, followed by questions and answers by the class. :Discuss grammar homework, Module 5, Business Grammar Book. :Assigned homework: Module 6, Business Grammar Book. :Answer any student questions about language, grammar, culture, etc.
Class 11
:Students bring articles about culture and society. :Discuss general values and customs in US and abroad (cultures working with the company). :Student presentation by ______________________, followed by questions and answers by the class. :Discuss grammar homework, Module 6, Business Grammar Book. :Assigned homework: Module 7, Business Grammar Book. :Answer any student questions about language, grammar, culture, etc.
Class 12
:Students bring articles about business etiquette. :Discuss taboos in the US and other cultures doing business with the company. :Student presentation by ______________________, followed by questions and answers by the class. :Discuss grammar homework, Module 7, Business Grammar Book. :Assigned homework: Module 8, Business Grammar Book. :Answer any student questions about language, grammar, culture, etc.
Class 13
:Students bring articles about English and English learning. :Review English résumés, students bring own résumés. :Oral exams. :Discuss grammar homework, Module 8, Business Grammar Book. :No grammar homework assigned. :Answer any student questions about language, grammar, culture, etc.
Class 14
:Students bring articles about branding. :Discuss, “What is the best advice that someone can give another person”. :Oral exams for those who did not take it on . :Discuss grammar homework, Module 9, Business Grammar Book. :No grammar homework assigned. :Teacher/class feedback form. The class will include surprise topics along the way as well, and the teacher is willing to be flexible and include specially suggested topics and/or deviate from the official class plans as the students request.
Note
You can search for great articles at the following websites: nytimes.com, economist.com, wikipedia.org, news.google.com, etc.