In real life, job advertisements are written to be read. In the classroom we can use them for developing reading strategies such as:

• Skimming – a rapid glancing through the text to determine general content or a gist

• Scanning – a rapid glancing through the text to find a specific information (a deadline for the application, age, languages required etc.)

• This section includes activities whose primary aim is to concentrate on developing reading comprehension.

 

Identify parts of the text:

 

Language and skills	skimming and scanning strategies, comparing and matching parts of a text
Level	beginners / intermediate / advanced
Time	5 minutes
Materials	sets of advertisements cut into pieces

 

Procedure: Pair work. Teacher elicits from learners what information should every job advertisement provide e.g. position, address, deadline, description of the job etc. It can be done in mother tongue.

Then s/he writes or dictates the parts of the advertisement:

• The company – its name and a short description

• The job – an indication of the job and main duties

• The person – the qualification, skulls and experience

• Rewards – the salary, holidays, company car, mobile phone, bonus etc.

• Methods of application – instruction how one should apply

Learners work in pair and try to identify parts of the text and put them in the correct order.

 

 

Identify parts and order them:

 

Language and skills	skimming and scanning strategies, comparing and matching parts of a text
Level	beginners / intermediate / advanced
Time	5 minutes
Materials	a copy of a mixed up advertisement

 

Procedure: Teacher writes components of the advertisement on the blackboard:

 

 

Learners are given a handout with a mixed up text, each part labeled A,B,C,D or E. In the chart, they circle the letter corresponding to the given component.

 

 

Divide the text and make up an advert:

 

Language and skills	reading and controlled writing
Level	post beginners / intermediate / advanced
Time	10 minutes
Materials	transparency or copies of the text
Preparation	none

 

Procedure: The teacher prepares the undivided text either on a transparency or hands out photocopies.

Learners have to copy the text and organize it in the format of a job advertisement. They can design a company logo.

 

 

Identify a missing part and write it:

 

Language and skills	skimming and scanning strategies, guided writing
Level	beginners / intermediate / advanced
Time	12 minutes
Materials	a copy of a mixed up advertisement with one component missing
Preparation	list of positive adjectives and skills describing a person

 

Procedure:  Pair work. Learners get a copy of a mixed up advert and have to organize it according the structure (a company, job, person, reward, methods of application). One part of the text is missing e.g. the person.

 

Learners must list qualities and skills required and write the missing part. They can use the list prepared beforehand by the teacher or during a brainstorming stage of the lesson. It is advisable to choose a job that is as close to learners study program as possible (secretary, driver, manager, nurse).

 

Then the teacher can show the original part of the text and learners compare it with their own writing.

 

 

More adverts – more information:

 

Language and skills	skimming and scanning strategies
Level	beginners / intermediate
Time	5 minutes
Materials	a handout with 6 adverts, a transparency with questions
Preparation	list of questions focusing on details in adverts

 

Procedure: Individual work. Learners get a copy of six adverts on one handout. Each advert has its number.

Learners read questions on the transparency and match the question to adverts that provides required information.

 

Examples of questions:

• Which secretarial job wants you to speak three languages?

• Which secretarial job wants you to be under 35?

• Which secretarial job wants you to have three and more years of experience?

• Which secretarial job considers a university degree?

• Which secretarial job wants you to send CV in English?

• Which job requires a supporting letter English?

This activity can be organized as a competition.

 

 

Addresses and numbers in adverts:

 

Language and skills	skimming and scanning strategies, spelling and dictating controlled speaking
Level	beginners/intermediate
Time	7 minutes
Materials	a handout with 6 adverts, (the same copy as above)
Preparation	list of addresses and numbers which are similar but NOT the same as on the handout list of questions related to the text of adverts

 

Procedure: Individual work leading to group work. Learners read the adverts and focus on addresses of companies, fax and telephone numbers. They compare it to the ones given and identify mistakes in them.

 

 

Find the information as quickly as possible:

 

Language and skills	skimming and scanning strategies, answering questions
Level	beginners / intermediate
Time	5 minutes
Materials	a copy of one advert
Preparation	list of questions related to the advert

 

Procedure Individual work. Teacher reads the questions and learners have to find the answers as quickly as possible. The questions should not follow the structure of the advert. Examples of questions:

• How old should the candidate be?

• Does s/he have to send CV?

• Will s/he work in this country or abroad?

• Where?

• Is it possible to communicate with the company by e-mail?

• Public check.

  

That’s nearly me:

 

 

Procedure: Individual work leading to class work. Learners read several texts focusing on personal qualities and requirements. They try to mach them to their personalities and justify, why they think requirements match their personal qualities. They form statements beginning like:

• I’ve chosen this adverts because…

• In the future I’d like to…

• My father is a … and I want to … etc.

 

Reconstruct a job advert:

 

 

Procedure: Individual work leading to pair work. Every learner gets one half of an advert. The task is to reconstruct it (complete sentences and words) and check their version with a partner. Example:

 

 

 

Note: The outcome does not have to be the original text but it has to have a meaning.

 

 

 

Click here to return to Introduction or go to the 4 other lessons:

 

1. Warm Up

3. Teaching Vocabulary and Grammar

4. Teaching Writing

5. Teaching Communication