Managing bosses
09.06.2010
Use the vocabulary in Skill Up! to brainstorm the qualities of good bosses.
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| Language work | Level/Time |
|---|---|
| reading, discussion, writing |
medium, 30/45 minutes |
| Preparation | Materials |
| none |
“The boss from hell?” (pp. 46–49) |
PROCEDURE
Lesson one (30 minutes)
- Ask your student what makes a good boss. Use the vocabulary on pages 12–13 of Skill Up! to brainstorm the qualities of good bosses.
- Now brainstorm what makes a bad boss (see examples on page 13 of Skill Up!), and write down useful words and expressions.
- Read the text on page 46. Did your student mention these qualities? Ask these questions: “How can you separate a person from his or her behaviour?” “Should people get management training before being promoted to manager?” “What is the best way to deal with a ‘boss from hell’?”
Post-task activity
- Your student should read the rest of the article and the expert advice on page 49. Can your student add two more tips to the advice given?
Lesson two (45 minutes)
- Discuss your student’s two new tips.
- Together with your student, create a written profile of a “boss from hell”.
- Tell your student to imagine that this person is your boss, and you need advice on how to deal with him. Your student plays the role of a colleague giving you advice. You may wish to give your student expressions like: “Why don’t you...?” “How about...?” “What would happen if...?”
- As a follow-up activity, ask your student to write you an email summarizing this
