Teaching Vocabulary and Grammar with Authentic Materials, ESL lesson

Job adverts are not rich in vocabulary and grammar structures and functions. This characteristic feature can be an advantage as it helps learners to identify specific language used in the text. The teacher can focus on word categories (e.g. positive adjectives) and language of description (e.g. company, qualification) and language of persuasion.

Word categories:

Language and skills	vocabulary, reading comprehension

Level	beginners / intermediate / upper-intermediate

Time	8 minutes

Materials	3-4 advertisements upper pair/group

Preparation	a labeled chart

Procedure: Learners work in pairs or small groups. They read the texts of advertisement and categorize words into the following categories:

size of the company	growth of the company	professional skills	personal qualities

Later, learners use this chart in the process of writing a job advert.

Self image through a job advert:

Language and skills	vocabulary, language function - description, reading reading

Level	pre-intermediate - advanced

Time	10 minutes

Materials	dictionaries, copies of advertisements corresponding to learners study program

Preparation	a chart on a transparency or blackboard

Procedure: Individual work. Learners choose 2 - 3 copies of adverts for the job they are interested in. They study it and focus on job requirements and personal qualities required.

JOB: SECRETARY:

	JOB REQUIREMENTS	MY STRENGTHS
Personal qualities	flexible, independent
Languages	fluent in English
Skills	telephone skills communication skills

In the column learners copy requirements from the text of a job advert. In the second column they consider their strengths and points where they meet the requirements.

Find words and fill in prepositions:

Language and skills	reading comprehension / vocabulary, guided writing

Level	pre-intermediate / upper-intermediate

Time	10 minutes

Materials	a copy of a gapped advert

Preparation	none

Procedure: Individual work. Learners get a copy of a gapped advert. They have to fill in words provided. It is possible to make this task more challenging by providing more words than gaps.

For lower levels the teacher can leave initial letters of required words. Words to be filled in: license, seeking, CV, position, salary, PC, ideal, bonus, degree.

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

1. Warm Up

2. Teaching Reading

4. Teaching Writing

5. Teaching Communication

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Teaching Vocabulary and Grammar with Authentic Materials (Part 3 of 5)