communication skills

Video-based lesson plans

Whether your lessons are online or in-person, The English Flows’ lesson plans are the ultimate time-saver for ESL teachers working with adult and Business English students. Cut down on prep work and free up your time for what truly matters – guiding, coaching, and meeting your students' unique needs. Our current and highly relatable topics will keep your students engaged before, during, and after the class. We add 7-8 new video-based ESL lesson plans each month. Ignite their curiosity and inspire them to explore the English language further!

UPDATED

confident business woman, mentor, or a coach, speaking assertively to business people and a slogan - Learn how to be assertive!

Communication styles: assertive vs aggressive

Functional language: aggressive vs assertive expressions
Vocabulary: body language (leaning, pointing, narrowed eyes, clenched jaw)
Video: Assertive vs aggressive communication: know the difference

B1 / B2

Business ESL lesson plans

4:35

a person about to give feedback, and a slogan "are you good at giving and receiving feedback?"

Giving and receiving feedback

Functional language: giving positive feedback and praise, identifying gaps, suggesting improvements
Speaking: discussing the importance of feedback in different situations, and practicing giving feedback
Video: “How to give effective feedback to employees (5 tips for managers)”

B1 / B2

Business ESL lesson plans

5:14

a person actively listening to another, and a slogan "how to become a better listener"

The art of listening

Vocabulary: barriers to listening (e.g. distraction, prejudice, information overload)
Confusing words: listen and hear
Expressions: expressions with listen and hear (never hear the end of it, listen with only hald an ear, hear me out, listen to reason)

B1 / B2

Business ESL lesson plans

5:06

two business people shaking hands in a meeting and a slogan "Why are business relationships important?"

Business relationships

Vocabulary: stakeholders (customers, suppliers, shareholders, media, government)
Vocabulary: collocations (to acquire/upsell a customer, to bring in business, to build rappport/trust)
Speaking: discussion stakeholders and business relationships

B1 / B2

Business ESL lesson plans

4:00

a woman and a man in an elevator with the man delivering an elevator pitch, and a slogan "craft and deliver a killer elevator pitch"

Elevator pitch

Collocations: collocations with pitch (e.g. craft a pitch, tailot a pitch, nail a pitch, rehearse a pitch)
Vocabulary: adjectives to describe effective and ineffective pitches
Functional language: useful phrases to talk about one’s accomplishments, passion, target audience, mission and vision (for companies)

B1 / B2

Business ESL lesson plans

5:00

three women chatting over coffee, and a slogan "are you good at making small talk?"

Small talk (making questions)

Vocabulary: small talk, build rapport, talk to strangers, keep the conversation going
Grammar: questions (open-ended questions, yes/no questions, follow-up questions)
Speaking: conversation questions, role-play, discussing photos

A2 / B1

Business ESL lesson plans

2:02

a team during a brainstorming session generating ideas woth a slogan - lets brainstorm some ideas!

Idea generation techniques: brainstorming

Ford formation: the suffix -ity (novelty, originality, feasibility, creativity, practicality)
Functional language: useful phrases for idea generation (introducing ideas, building on someone else’s idea, introducing alternatives, expressing caution, encouraging participation)
Speaking: games, brainstorming, conversation questions, survey

B1 / B2

Business ESL lesson plans

2:00

a team of colleagues discussing their ideas in a boardroom and a slogan - expressions with point

Business meetings: getting your point across

Functional language: making a point, giving reasons and examples, summarising a point
Vocabulary: expressions with “point”
Speaking: discussion questions, role plays

B1 / B2

Business ESL lesson plans

2:33