- Levels: B1B2C1
- Lesson Types: Lesson Plans
- Recommended for: Balanced TeachingBusiness EnglishDownload and GoScreen Sharing
- Themes: Curious Linguists
🕑 60 minutes
🎚 B1, B2
🎯 idiomatic expressions, business English (especially expressions with ‘track’) and speaking
🕑0-5 minutes
– Print one worksheet for each student.
– Print the Teacher’s Insights or keep them at hand.
Kickoff: speaking intro
Reading: introductory reading linking the railway to the English language, business, and culture
Vocabulary: complete idiomatic expressions related to trains and the railway
Speaking: questions using the idioms from the last section which encourage students to speak
Extra Activity: optional Pictionary-style drawing game with railway idioms
The railway has played a very important role in British history over the last 200 years or so. Naturally, therefore, it has also had an important influence on the language. From “go off track” to “full steam ahead”, you’ll discover a wealth of idioms related to the railway, connecting British history to Business Englisha and general conversation which is as relevant today as it ever was.
Detailed Description
Students begin the class with a few simple introductory questions about trains and the railways to introduct the topic.
Following this, they proceed to read a short text about the connection between the railway, British history, and the English language. This will not only give them some cultural awareness and historical knowledge but it will also help them to put the expressions into context and remember them as they learn them.
Next up, they learn twelve railway-related expressions derived from the words ‘track’, ‘train’, ‘rails’, and ‘steam’, which are commonly used in everyday language. Many of these expressions are also prevalent in business English, appearing in meetings, presentations, and workflows.
Students review these terms through a speaking exercise where they are encouraged to use the expressions in real-life situations.
There is a recommended drawing game at the end if you have extra time.
This ESL PDF printable worksheet and presentation touches on many interesting topics for ESL teachers. Students will learn idioms and expressions and see how to connect them to Business English and ESP, such as English for meetings. Happy teaching!
Liked this worksheet? Check out some of our other ESL materials for free:
Homophones vs Minimal Pairs: Students focus on pronunciation, and are challenged to decide whether certain pairs of words are the same (homophones) or slightly different (minimal pairs).
Business Phrasal Verbs: Students learn phrasal verbs used commonly in Business English with a fun and easy-to-follow presentation which can be used on a projector or for screen sharing in online classes.
Handling Difficult Questions: Students learn how to handle difficult questions in business scenarios, with specific techniques and sentences they can use for a wide range of situations.