DLA Piper by demoteacher

Welcome

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-07 08:01:31 UTC

I hope you enjoyed your first lesson. You can find the Needs Analysis form using the link above. The homework task is also here. You can either send the email task to me at

katherine.byrne@britishcouncil.org or hand it to me in our next lesson on 15 May.

Homework 07.05.25

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-07 08:02:16 UTC

Lesson 2 14th May

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-14 12:34:53 UTC

Today, we listened to information on causes and effects of economic crises. We also reviewed vocabulary for the same. The video clip (that you couldn't see) is attached if you want to review it.

We talked about our personal money habits and also our favourite foreign destinations and the reasons for our choices.

No homework today but there will be after Friday's lesson.

Lesson 3

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-16 14:22:48 UTC

We did a lot of work on writing today. First, we studied useful language for summarising annual reports. Then we tried to re-write a poorly written example using the phrases studied.

We also looked at techniques for 'softening' your message in writing to avoid sounding rude or too direct - known technically as 'hedging'. The homework task, if you choose to do it, is to use some of this 'hedging' language to rewrite a paragraph describing an academic study.

I sensed that you were not too convinced about softening your communications, so you might find this article interesting.

If you missed this week's lessons, I can give you the materials next week.

Lesson 4 21st May

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-22 13:44:22 UTC

In this lesson, we discussed who we collaborate with and potential barriers to successful collaboration. We listened to people holding a meeting to brainstorm ideas for solving a problem. We also looked at useful phrases for involving participants in a collaborative meeting. Then, we role played short meetings to discuss ways of raising money for a local hospital. No homework from this lesson.

Lesson 5

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-23 14:59:38 UTC

Today, we looked at vocabulary for describing job requirements and grammatical structures for talking about obligation and prohibition.

The homework task is to prepare a short - 2 minute - presentation talking about the requirements of your job. The context is giving a short talk at a careers fair to students interested in working in your field.

The handout from the lesson is above.

There is also a link to the BBC Sounds site. There you can find podcasts and other materials to practise listening skills.

BBC Sounds

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-23 15:01:56 UTC

Lesson 6

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-29 10:34:47 UTC

Today, Florin T, Mari and Daniela give mini-presentations about their job requirements. If you want, you can prepare your 2 minute talk for tomorrow or you can record it and send it to me at:

katherine.byrne@britishcouncil.org

In the remainder of the lesson, we read a text about storytelling and discussed our story preferences. We then studied and practised past simple vs. present perfect. The materials and homework tasks are attached.

Materials from 28 May

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-29 10:35:30 UTC

28 May homework

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-29 10:36:10 UTC

30 May

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-30 13:50:47 UTC

Today we checked the homework on past simple vs present perfect. You can hand your homework to me next week if you missed the class.

We also discussed email etiquette and analysed some sample emails. We prepared for a writing task to send an email stating action points to a mentee David Jessops, with you in the role of mentor. The materials for the writing task are attached and the deadline is Wednesday 11th June.

30 May

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-05-30 13:51:38 UTC

This is the prompt for the email.

4 June

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-05 06:57:04 UTC

Today, we discussed making and receiving phone calls in English. The materials are attached.

We also did a quiz on the use of articles, which Titus won.

Writing homework from 30 May

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-05 06:58:01 UTC

Don't forget this. You can give it to me next week or email it me -

katherine.byrne@britishcouncil.org

6th June

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-06 15:22:28 UTC

Today, we successfully completed a quiz on use of past simple vs. past perfect. We also read about and discussed alternative to the stock market for investment and worked with vocabulary related to making, losing and taking risks with money. The homework is to analyse five start-up companies in order to decide which to invest in. We will hold meetings to negotiate this in the next lesson. Materials are attached/posted.

Information on the start-up companies.

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-06 15:22:49 UTC

Past Simple vs Past Perfect

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-06 15:24:57 UTC

Follow the link if you want to learn more about this grammar area.

11 June

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-11 15:35:43 UTC

Today we reviewed 1st and 2nd conditional sentences and practised using them in a meeting role play on which start up companies to invest. Alina demonstrated the best head for business and impressed her colleagues. If you want to learn more about conditional sentences, use the link above.

13 June

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-13 15:56:57 UTC

In the lesson today, we studied vocabulary for talking about 'perks' at work. We also reviewed language for softening the message in a negotiation and role played a meeting in which an employee tries to negotiate a pay increase with their employer. The lesson handout is attached.

18 June

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-19 10:17:28 UTC

In today's lesson, we looked at writing an email to request updates from colleagues. The handout we used is attached. In the lesson, we also looked at some examples of dependent prepositions. As there is no general rule to follow with prepositions, it is important to record both noun/verb or adjective plus the preposition that corresponds.

The homework task is to write up the email asking for updates from the lesson materials.

Model text for email requesting updates.

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-19 10:18:20 UTC

Lesson 13 - 20 June

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-23 10:38:42 UTC

In Friday's lesson, we talked about management qualities and practised listening for specific information. We also considered the role of management in motivating staff and read a text about personal development. The handouts can be found here. If you are coming to Wednesday's class, please bring the Personal Development handout with you.

Management qualities

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-23 10:39:10 UTC

Lesson 14 - 25 June

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-25 12:36:27 UTC

Today, we did a word-building activity on abstract nouns connected with personal growth and then discussed some questions to personalise the language.

We also completed a narrative tenses review. The homework task is to write a short account of a personal success story, around 100 word, using the narrative tenses. This is for presentation in the next lesson on 27 June.

Homework Task 25 June

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-25 12:39:31 UTC

27 June Lesson 15

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-06-27 16:33:12 UTC

Today we talked about time management and worked on vocabulary related to time - verb and noun collocations plus expressions including the word 'time'. We also did a quiz about recent vocabulary, which was won by Mari and Florin.

2 July Lesson 16

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-07-02 12:26:41 UTC

Today we revised time expressions. We also read a text about talking to strangers and analysed and practised some different question forms.

The homework task is to read more about indirect questions and complete two short exercises forming such questions.

Homework task

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-07-02 12:29:06 UTC

4th July

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-07-07 16:43:55 UTC

In this lesson, we looked at how to ask better questions. We also role played a police interview situations.

Lesson 18 July 9

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-07-09 12:27:43 UTC

Today we talked about what makes a business ethical and did listening for specific information tasks on the same topic. We also analysed and practised use of 3rd conditional sentences.

You can see the homework task in the next post.

On Friday, we will have a short test.

Homework - 3rd conditional

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-07-09 12:28:13 UTC

Lesson 19 - 11 July

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-07-11 12:21:47 UTC

Today, we did an end of course test. We role-played a question and answer interview and played a game of Taboo. This went to a tie-breaker, which Mari won for her team (Mari, Ana and Florin). Bad luck Titus and Catalina.

Lesson 20

BritishCouncilRO — 2025-07-16 13:14:06 UTC

Today we did a video lesson on what is required to start your own business. We also brainstormed ideas in groups for a food truck business and presented this to each other.

Good luck everyone with your future use of English. I have put in a link where you can find bite-sized practice activities.