Lesson Topics: modern work, alienation, capitalism
Skill Focus: Speaking, Vocabulary, Listening
Approximate Class Time: 1.75 hours
Lesson Plan Download: employment-alienation-intermediate-022026.docx
Lesson Overview:
- Foreword: This lesson is centered around the award-winning short, El Empleo (The Employment). The video has no dialogue and a runtime of 5:30 minutes. Though it's a bit longer, it's an engaging video that many (I believe) students will enjoy. For vocabulary introduction, students are introduced to some new language in a (semi-fictional) comment section.
- After warm-up questions about entering the workforce, students watch a 6:25-minute short film (full running time with credits) called The Employment. The video depicts a worker going through his morning routine until he arrives at his workplace (I won't spoil the story). The video explores themes of interdependence and worker alienation.
- This is followed by comprehension and follow-up questions.
- To introduce vocabulary, I've created a fictional comments section (based on real comments) that includes eight B1/B2-level words to target in the lesson.
- After matching words with definitions, students use some of the new vocabulary to complete discussion questions.
- The lesson has two debate prompts on whether there is a job out there for everyone and working in the gig economy.
- The lesson's roleplay scenario has a young lady discuss her job-related complaints with her grandfather, a pragmatic man who believes that jobs are solely a means to an end.
- Next, students review vocabulary and the lesson's collocations.
- As usual, the lesson ends with a few final discussion questions.
INTERMEDIATE (B2/C1) Lesson on Worker Alienation
- What jobs do you think are the worst? Why?
- Describe your dream job.
- Do young people in your country feel excited or worried about starting a career? Why?
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- Lesson plan written by Matthew Barton of EnglishCurrent.com (copyright). Site members may photocopy and edit the file for their classes. ChatGPT was used to generate vocabulary definitions and answer keys. For questions, contact the author. Permission is not given to rebrand the lesson, redistribute it on another platform, or sell it as part of commercial course curriculum. For questions, contact the author.
Comprehension Question Answer Key:
- …
- They look tired, expressionless, and unhappy while working
- The dull colors and quiet sounds make the film feel depressing and uncomfortable
- No, they do not talk to each other, which makes the work feel lonely and isolating
- …
- Yes, it adds a small sense of hope / No, it does not really change the overall message
- …
Vocabulary Answers: a-dull, b-routine, c-play a role, d-depressing, e-beneath, f-award, g-meaningful, h-character
Collocation Answers: 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b, 5-e
[1] Original comments paraphrased and modified