LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this updated lesson are to:

• talk about the value of mentorship;
• watch a video about how to find a mentor;
• correct common mistakes with the word ‘advice’;
• review useful vocabulary.

In this lesson about mentorship, students discuss mentor and mentee’s relationships, watch a video about finding a mentor and review useful vocabulary (e.g. invest time in, feel comfortable with, network with people). Students also do a role-play discussing work problems and exchanging advice. The lesson has been updated to replace a video and amend the tasks appropriately. There’s now a different set of vocabulary students revise, a checklist for finding a mentor and a follow-up activity to work on the vocabulary from the video. 

WARM-UP & DISCUSSION

The lesson starts with students reading a short definition of a mentor and a mentee. They have to add more details to it using the suggested words and phrases (e.g. help someone grow, inspire, ask for help). Then, students work with word formation and discuss more words that are formed similarly (with -er and -ee endings). Students also try to come up with more synonyms for the word ‘mentor’. After that, they have a discussion about mentorship in the workplace. After that, students look at the checklist for finding a mentor. They discuss whether the points are important and explain their opinions or give examples.

VIDEO & ROLE PLAY

In this part of the lesson about mentorship, students watch the video on how to find a mentor. They identify one point on the checklist from the previous activity that isn’t mentioned in the video. Then, students look at the sentences from the video and complete the missing words. The first letter is provided. After that, they watch it again and check their answers. To follow-up, students complete the sentences with their own ideas (e.g. One goal a mentor could help me achieve is…). Next, students read a short text about working with a mentor. They have to find and correct three mistakes with the word ‘advice’. Then, they discuss the text and answer more questions about mentorship. Students share their experiences of having a mentor or being one. They also talk about asking for or giving advice. To wrap up this ESL lesson about mentorship, students do a role-play activity. They have six cards with problems a mentee can ask their mentor (e.g. I’m not developing professionally., I often miss deadlines.). Students have to come up with good advice for each problem.