Summary
This 90-minute ESL lesson for B2 learners explores Performance reviews: giving and receiving feedback politely through a real article. Across 11 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.
What you'll practise:
- 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
- 5 extended vocabulary terms to broaden your range
- Grammar focus: Using the passive voice for diplomatic communication with examples and practice
- Real-world phrases for responding to feedback in a performance review
- Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
- Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
- Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness
Lesson activities (11 exercises)
Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.
- Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
- Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
- Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
- Fill the gaps — Complete sentences with the correct vocabulary. Drag and drop or type your answers.
- Grammar — Study Using the passive voice for diplomatic communication — explanation, examples, and key rules.
- Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
- Practical English — Learn phrases for responding to feedback in a performance review — ready to use in real conversations.
- Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
- Extended vocabulary — Go beyond the basics with additional expressions related to the topic.
- Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.
Vocabulary
This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the article:
- To take something on board — to understand and accept a suggestion or piece of criticism, and be prepared to act on it.
- Actionable feedback — advice or criticism that is specific, clear, and provides concrete steps for improvement.
- Room for improvement — a polite way of saying that someone or something has weaknesses or is not perfect.
- To touch base — to briefly talk or connect with someone to get an update or maintain contact.
- To pinpoint an area for development — to identify a very specific skill or aspect of performance that needs to be improved.
The lesson also covers 5 extended vocabulary items beyond the article:
- A steep learning curve — an experience where you have to learn a lot of new and difficult things in a very short space of time.
- To get up to speed — to learn all the current and necessary information about a project, situation, or new role so you can work effectively.
- A two-way street — a situation or relationship that requires mutual effort and communication from both sides.
- To flag something (as a concern) — to draw attention to something, often a potential problem or an important point that needs to be considered.
- Valuable insight — a deep and useful understanding of a person or a complex situation.
Grammar
This lesson focuses on Using the passive voice for diplomatic communication.
In professional settings like performance reviews, using the passive voice can make feedback sound more objective and less personal. It shifts the focus from the person giving the feedback (e.g., 'I think...') to the action or result itself, which feels more diplomatic.
Examples from the lesson:
- It has been suggested that we could streamline the client onboarding process. — Using the passive ('It has been suggested') avoids directly naming who made the suggestion, making it a general observation rather than a personal command.
- Instead of 'You didn't meet the sales targets', try 'The quarterly sales targets were not met'. — This passive construction focuses on the result (the targets) rather than blaming the individual ('You'), which is less confrontational.
- It is generally felt that more training on the new software would be beneficial for the team. — This structure ('It is felt/thought/believed') is useful for presenting a group opinion diplomatically without singling anyone out.
Key rules:
- Use the passive to focus on the action or result, not the person doing it.
- Common diplomatic structures include 'It is said/thought/suggested that...'
- A common mistake is overusing the passive; active voice is often clearer for direct, positive statements or when responsibility is clear.
Practical English
Responding to feedback in a performance review
A performance review is a key opportunity for professional growth. Use these phrases to respond to your manager's feedback in a way that is professional, constructive, and shows you are engaged in your development.
Phrases you'll learn:
- "That's great to hear. I've put a lot of effort into [project/skill], so I'm glad it's showing." — Acknowledging positive feedback.
- "Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I appreciate the honest feedback." — Acknowledging constructive criticism.
- "Could you give me a specific example of when this happened? It would help me to fully understand." — Asking for clarification.
- "I see what you mean. From my perspective, the main challenge was..." — Politely offering a different viewpoint.
- "That's a fair point. I'll make that a priority. Do you have any suggestions for a first step?" — Agreeing and committing to action.
