Unit 2 Teaching Plan.doc

English for Careers 1
Unit 2 Office
Teaching objective
After studying this unit, the students are able to master the key words and structures, and more importantly, to communicate for the following purposes:
ü understanding the job duties of secretaries
ü understanding skills required for good secretaries
ü understanding a newsletter
ü making appointment by telephone
ü understanding and taking telephone messages
ü understanding and writing an agenda
ü making a travel plan
ü mastering tenses

The method of approach
1. Discussing, listening, reading, presenting, and role-playing by the students;
2. Explanation and demonstration by the teacher;
3. After-class research and practice by the students.
Unit content
Reading A: Secretaries
Reading B: SWAP Industries Newsletter
Listening & Speaking: Meeting People
Writing: Agenda
Mini-project: Itinerary
Grammar: Tenses
Time requirement: 8-9 periods
Unit Focus

appropriate individual schedule reflect depend on prospect
challenging anticipate be expected to a variety of
keep track of handle deal with a great deal of
operate so….that…. not…until…
Teaching procedures

This unit is arranged for a time span of 8 hours, during which a time limit is suggested for each step. Though it’s always important to keep a time limit in mind for each activity, a teacher should never stick to a rigid time plan in teaching, but rather follow a more flexible time table when dealing with unexpected in-class occurrences and make necessary adjustments accordingly. Note that not every step suggested here is a must in teaching. A teacher can make whatever changes he thinks necessary.
Hour 1:

Course introduction 45 minutes
Warming-up Task 15 minutes

Objective: Ss can organize their activities in one day and make a time schedule.
Steps:
• Ss read Warming-up Task.
• Go through Mr. Thomson’s schedule with Ss.
• Allow three minutes for Ss to do the task.
• Ask some Ss to present their work.

New words in Reading A 15 minutes
Objective: Ss can get familiar with the new words and expressions, etc..
Steps:
• Ss listen to the new words and expressions, etc.
• Ss read the new words and expressions, etc.

Notes: For a class with higher English proficiency, the teacher may follow the following steps:
• Ss preview the new words and expressions.
• Ss read the new words and expressions.
• Ss dictate several important new words and expressions.

Discussions before Reading A 15 minutes
Objective: Ss can get familiar with the new words and expressions, etc..
Steps:
• Ss know something about Reading A.
• Ss discuss the following two questions:
1. What does a secretary usually do?
2. What skills are required in a good secretary?
• Comment briefly on their work.

Hours 2-3:

Reading A 45 minutes
Language points 35 minutes
Paragraph 1
a variety of: a lot of things of the same type that are different from each other in some way
e.g. The girls come from a variety of different backgrounds.
reflect: v. to show or be a sign of a particular situation or feeling
e.g. The low value of the dollar reflects growing concern about the US economy.

Paragraph 2
depend on: be decided by
e.g. The price depends on the quality.
It depends (on) whether you want to do it or not.
minimum: n. the smallest amount of something or number of things that is possible or necessary
e.g. Looking after a cat costs a minimum of $2,000 a year.
handle: v. to do the things that are necessary to complete a job
e.g. Computers can handle huge amounts of data.
My secretary will handle all the details.
keep track of: to pay attention to someone or something so that you know what is happening to them
e.g. It’s difficult to keep track of all the new discoveries in medicine.
operate: v. to use and control a machine or equipment; to run
e.g. Mary was experienced in operating the computers.
The company operates five factories.
appropriate: a. correct or suitable for a particular time, situation or purpose
e.g. I didn’t feel that this was an appropriate time to mention the subject of money.
deal with: to take the necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem
e.g. They should deal properly and fairly with any complaint.

Paragraph 3
efficient: a. working well and effectively without wasting money or energy
e.g. All staff think Maria is a very efficient secretary.
anticipate: v. to expect that something will happen and be ready for it
e.g. It is anticipated that next year the workers’ wage will increase.
confidential: a. spoken or written in secret and intended to be kept secret
e.g. Doctors are required to keep patients’ records completely confidential.

Paragraph 4
prospect: n. a person, job, plan, etc. that has good chance of success in the future; a possibility that something you hope for will happen
e.g. The manager held out bright prospects for me if I would accept the position.
I see little prospect of his recovery.

individual: n. one person, considered separately from the rest of the group or society
e.g. It is important to know that the virus can be passed from individual to individual.
a. considered separately from other people or things in the same group
e.g. Each individual leaf on the tree is different.
pursue: v. to continue doing an activity or trying to achieve something over a long period of time
e.g. Christine pursued her acting career with great determination.
challenging: a. difficult in an interesting or enjoyable way
e.g. Teaching young children is a challenging and rewarding job.

Task 1 5 minutes
Objective: Ss can find some specific information in the passage.
Steps:
• Ss do Task 1.
• Ask Ss to work individually.
• Check the answers.
Suggested Answers:

Task 2 5 minutes
Objective: Ss can decide whether the following statements are true or false according to the passage.
Steps:
• Ss read the passage.
• Ss complete the task.
• Ss compare their work with others.
• Select Ss to present their work.
Key
Key: 1. T 2. F 3. F 4. T 5. F

Language lab 45 minutes
Task 1 5 minutes
Objective: Ss know the spelling and meaning of the words and expressions from Reading A.
Steps:
• Ss read Task 1.
• Allow Ss 5 minutes to do the task.
• Check the answers.
Key
Key: 1. C 2. G 3. A 4. J 5. I 6. H 7. B 8. F 9. E 10. D

Task 2 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can use the words and expressions from Reading A.
Steps:
• Ss do Task 2.
• Ask Ss to work individually.
• Check the answers.

Answers
1. individuals 2. schedule 3. reflects 4. range
5. appropriate 6. operate 7. challenging 8. deal with
9. prospects 10. anticipate
Task 3 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can use the words and expressions from Reading A.
Steps:
• Ss do Task 3.
• Ask Ss to work individually.
• Check the answers.

Key:
1. In addition to; provides practical experience
2. depends on; he can go to college or not
3. are expected to; the meeting is held tomorrow
4. Everyone arrived late; a variety of
5. handle; she is a careful person

Task 4 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can express ideas in writing using the two models outlined for Task 4.
Steps:
• Read the models to Ss with an explanation if needed.
• Ss work in pairs.
• Check the answers.

Key:
Model 1
1. She was so sick that she had to go to see a doctor.
2. He was so surprised that he could say nothing.
3. It was so cold at night that I couldn’t sleep at all.
Model 2
1. The mother didn’t leave the room until the child fell asleep.
2. I didn’t know the truth until you told me.
3. We won’t start the meeting until Bob comes.

Task 5 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can use the vocabulary in Reading A for translation.
Steps:
• Ss work individually or in pairs and translate the sentences.
• Ask two Ss to write their translations on the board.
• Comment briefly on their work with emphasis on the structures of their sentences.

Key:
1. A great deal of money has been spent on the new hospital.
2. Success depends on your efforts and ability.
3. It is difficult to keep track of the new developments in science and technology.
4. All complaints will be dealt with by the manager.
5. Don’t try doing it yourself; it requires specialized knowledge.
6. He was awarded a gold cup for being the best athlete.
7. Why not turn off TV and do some physical exercise?
8. The annual celebration will be held within the week after the New Year’s Day.

Hours 4-5:

Listening 45 minutes
Task 1 5 minutes
Objective: Ss can accurately write down the right information.
Script:
W: General Manager’s Office. Can I help you?
M: Yes, could I speak to Mr. Muller, please?
W: I’m sorry. He’s in a meeting at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?
M: Yes, please. When he comes back, please tell him that David Charles called. Could he call me back before half past six? It’s urgent.
W: Of course. Does he know your phone number?
M: I think he does. But you’d better give it to him again. That’s 82375598.
W: Can I check that? It’s 82375598.
M: That’s right.
W: OK, I’ll be sure to inform Mr. Muller as soon as he comes back.
M: Thank you very much. Goodbye.
W: Goodbye.

Key: She writes 5:30, not 6:30, and the phone number is 82375598, not 82372598.

Task 2 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can accurately write down the missing information.
Script:
Hello, Polly. This is Ellen calling. My computer has been infected by viruses. You’d better delete all emails on your computer from me. There’s a virus in the attached files, so don’t open them. OK? If you have any problems, call me at 8021. Just don’t open those files! This is very important! Thanks. Bye.
Key
Key:
From: Ellen For: Polly
Phone number: 8021
Message: Delete all emails from Ellen. Don’t open the attached files.

Task 3 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can understand the conversation and choose the best answer.
Script:
W: Good afternoon, Mr. Brown. This is Anna Johnson from Guangzhou ABM Company. I’m calling to make an appointment with you for sometime tomorrow.
M: Hello, Miss Johnson. I’ll check my diary. I’m sorry I’m quite busy on Tuesday. In the morning, I’m visiting the factory. In the afternoon, I’m seeing someone from the Head Office. How about Wednesday?
W: That would be fine. Would 9:30 a.m. be convenient for you?
M: Let me see. Sorry, I’m afraid I can’t make it in the morning because I’m having an important meeting.
W: Then can you manage in the afternoon?
M: Yes. Would 3:00 p.m. be all right?
W: Yes, that’s all right with me.
M: Then I’ll see you on Wednesday afternoon at 3:00.
W: I look forward to seeing you, Mr. Brown. Goodbye.
M: Bye.

Q1: When does Anna Johnson make the phone call to Mr. Brown?
Q2: What will Mr. Brown do on Wednesday morning?
Q3: When will Mr. Brown see Anna Johnson?

Key:
1. A 2. D 3.D

Task 4 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can accurately write down the missing information.
Script:
M: Hello, Cathy. It’s Tom. Could you check my schedule for next week?
W: Well, on Monday you are to sign the contract with Auden Company at 9:30.
M: Fine. What about Tuesday?
W: On Tuesday you’re going to attend the sales meeting at 10:00. And you’re in France from Wednesday afternoon through to the weekend.
M: So I’m free on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. Right?
W: Not on Wednesday morning. You’ll meet the new production manager at 9:00. But you’ll be free on Tuesday afternoon.
M: Thanks, Cathy. I’ll see if I can schedule the department meeting for then. Could you enter it in my schedule first?
W: Yes, I’ll do that.
M: Have a good weekend! Bye.
W: Bye, Mr. Barnes.
Key
Key: 1. Sign the contract 2. Sales 3. Department
4. production manager 5. France

Task 5 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can find specific information from listening to a passage related to the theme.
Script & Key:
Time is equal to everyone. Whether you are smart or foolish, ugly or beautiful, you have the same 24 hours each day that everyone else has. How you spend that valuable time determines the quality of your life. Time is more precious than
any possession.
There are three rules for effective time management. Firstly, don’t create impossible situations. Don’t try to work full time and take a full load. Be reasonable about how much work you can do.
Secondly, make a list of all the things that you need to get done in a given time period. Put the tasks in order of importance and delete any unimportant items.
Thirdly, avoid lack of focus. Use lists to focus attention. To be more attentive, set boundaries with family and friends when you are at work, as personal phone calls and emails can easily disturb your workday progress. In a modern work environment, you
can use technology to help. For unimportant communications, provide clients with a fax number or email address. This should cut down on the number of unimportant phone calls you receive throughout the day.

Speaking 45 minutes
Task 6 45 minutes
Objective: Ss are able to make an appointment on telephone.
Time: 45 minutes
Steps:
• Ss read Task 6.
• Ss work in pairs to make an appointment on telephone.
• Comment briefly on their work.

Key: (Omitted)

Hours 6-7:

Reading B 45 minutes
New words 5 minutes
Objective: Ss can get familiar with the new words and expressions, etc.
Steps:
• Ss listen to the new words and expressions, etc.
• Ss read the new words and expressions, etc.

Fast reading 20 minutes
Objective: Ss can comprehend Reading B.
Time: 20 minutes
Steps:
• Ss read the passage.
• Provide help if needed.

Task 1 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can decide whether the following statements are true or false according to the passage.
Time: 20 minutes
Steps:
• Ss read the passage.
• Ss complete the task.
• Ss compare their work with others.
• Select Ss to present their work.
Key
Key: 1. T 2. F 3. F 4. F 5. F

Task 2 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can fill in the application form.
Steps:
• Ss read the passage.
• Ss complete the task.
• Ss compare their work with others.
• Select Ss to present their work.

Suggested answers:

Writing 45 minutes
Task 1 10 minutes
Objective: Ss can get familiar with the style of agenda.
Time: 10 minutes
Steps:
• Ss do the task individually.
• Ss compare with each other’s answers.
• Provide help if needed.
• Present the answers.

Key: