3.1.2 SCHEDULES AND DEADLINES
SCHEDULES AND DEADLINES
1A. Warm up
- Are you usually ahead of schedule or behind schedule?
- What deadlines are you facing at the moment?
- When do you feel most pressed for time?
- Do you often procrastinate?
1B. Quiz
Answers the questions and then see what the results mean clicking on the ‘+’ sign.
Quiz results
Results
- Between 0 and 4 ‘yes’ answers: Amazing! You are on the right track.
- Between 5 and 7 ‘yes’ answers: You are verging on ‘too busy’. Time to rethink.
- Between 8 and 10 ‘yes’ answers: Seriously? Did you really need to take the quiz?
Of course, this quiz doesn’t give any scientific proof about your level of busyness. But it does ask some important questions about how you are using your time, and how you are feeling about it. Question 10 is the critical one – think carefully about how the people closest to you view your busyness.
Look at these two words: ‘business’ and ‘busyness’. What do they mean and how do you pronounce them?
2A. Vocabulary: Time Expressions & Idioms
2B. Practice
2C. Practice 2
2D. Discussion questions
3A. Prepositions of Time
[wpdatatable id=333]
3B. Finish the sentences
At lunchtime, I _______________.
On Fridays, we _______________________.
In the summer, _____________________.
During meetings, ____________________.
I have been _________ for over 10 years.
I have worked ___________ since I started working.
I work from _______________ to _______________.
I will be working today until ____________________.
By the end of this week, I have to finish __________.
I need to do ________ within the next couple of hours.
I usually _______________ before I write an email.
I usually _______________ after I finish work.
My energy levels tend to go down between ___ and ___.
Over the next few years, I will probably ______.
Throughout the day, I ______________.
4A. Pre‑listening
- Do you feel you manage your time effectively?
- What strategies do you use?
4B. Video
Watch the following video. Watch it HERE.
4C. Post‑listening discussion:
- Which of the speaker’s suggestions are realistic?
- Which would not work for you?
5. General expressions with “time”
6. Speaking Task A: Crisis Meeting Simulation
Work in groups of 3–4.
Scenario:
Your team is launching a new product. You are behind schedule.
Discuss and decide:
- which product (see the “product prompts” box – options 1-4)
- what tasks must be done first (see “areas to consider” box)
- what can be postponed
- what must be done by the end of the week
- what could be completed within two weeks
Try and use:
- prepositions (by / until / within / in)
- expressions (ahead of schedule, time‑consuming, etc.)
Areas to Consider
- Product design / final features
- Testing and quality control
- Pricing decisions
- Marketing materials (website, ads, social media)
- Packaging and labelling
- Supplier or partner coordination
Option 1:
Eco-friendly Water Bottle
- Reusable bottle made from recycled materials
- Target market: young professionals
- Planned launch: online + fitness stores
Option 2:
Sustainable Food-Delivery App
- App connects users with local, sustainable restaurants
- Target market: urban customers
- Launch includes app store release + marketing campaign
Option 3:
Solar-Powered Phone Charger
- Portable charger for outdoor and travel use
- Target market: travellers and students
- Launch planned before the summer season
Option 4:
Clothing Brand Using Recycled Fabrics
- Limited first collection
- Online-only launch
- Strong focus on ethical production and branding
7. Speaking Task B: Rotating Mini‑Debates
Look at the following debate topics. Decide what you think personally about the subject. Then debate it with other members of the class.
- Deadlines improve productivity.
- Flexible schedules make people lazy.
- Time pressure encourages creativity.
- Procrastination is necessary for good ideas.
To download the pdf for this lesson, click on the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ma0FwIPZ34y5SiSWA_AGpompw-ryth2u/view?usp=drive_link