Communication styles: assertive vs aggressive
Lesson plan overview
This intermediate Business English lesson plan looks into 2 types of communication styles: assertive and aggressive. Students will learn key differences between the 2 ways of communication and will practise using assertive expressions. This lesson will work great in combination with the following lessons: “Why debates turn into arguments“, “The importance of good posture”, which includes key vocabulary about body language, “Self-confidence“, “Dealing with a difficult co-worker”, “Business meetings; getting your point across”, “Giving and receiving feedback“, “The art of listening“, “Self-care”, which includes different ways of saying “no”, and “Phrasal verbs: communication”, “Phrasal verbs: convincing and persuading”.
The lesson starts with a few questions about assertive and aggressive communication. Then, students look at 3 situations and find 1 assertive and 1 aggressive response and try to come up with basic rules of assertive and aggressive language.
Video: Students watch a video called “Assertive vs aggressive communication: know the difference”, and complete the notes given.
Then, they read a few tips and are presented with 17 expressions, which they need to divide into aggressive and assertive. Next, students transform 6 expressions from aggressive into assertive.
Vocabulary: Moving on, students discuss the role of body language in communication and in coming across as either aggressive or assertive. Then they learn a few expressions (e.g. pointing, clenched jaw, leaning, narrowed eyes). Then they use the expression to complete a short text bout the role of body language.
Speaking: Finally, students are given 4 scenarios to role-play.
The conversation questions provide further speaking opportunities, as well as a chance to revise the key vocabulary from this lesson.
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Teacher’s lesson plan
Student’s worksheet
Student’s interactive PDF
Conversation cards PDF
Pre-class activities
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In-class activities
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Additional resources
Each video-based lesson plan includes links to additional resources (videos and articles), which are FREE can be found online (in the pre-class activities page. These links aim to extend the learning experience, enabling students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications.
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Teacher’s lesson plan
Student’s worksheet
Student’s interactive PDF
Conversation cards PDF
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