LESSON OVERVIEW

Don’t forget to build bridges! In this interactive lesson, students will explore the importance of networking and how the right connections can influence their lives. They will watch an interesting film and learn the appropriate vocabulary related to networking. The lesson includes lively discussions and practical worksheets, making it suitable and appealing for both adults and youth. This lesson ensures a dynamic and engaging learning experience, helping students understand the value of networking in both personal and professional contexts.

LESSON OBJECTIVES

• Listening: Students will explore the significance of networking through a video, understanding its role in personal and professional development.

• Speaking: They will share personal experiences and strategies for effective networking, discussing how connections can impact their goals.

• Vocabulary: Key terms and idioms about networking, social interactions, and building professional relationships will be introduced and practiced.

• Homework: Tasks include choosing correct answers to reflect on networking strategies, determining true or false for statements about networking experiences, and filling in blanks to complete sentences about creating and maintaining connections.

VIDEO

What are your goals? Who are your average five? Watch this video to learn about social networks and the importance of maintaining relationships throughout your life.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

The importance of a social network and, you know, I teach my kids this too looking back, it’s so important for you, alongside education, because you’re gonna realize, after you’re done with, you know, going to school and high school and college, that the quickest and fastest way for you to learn anything new is going to be through your social network. That whatever you want to accomplish in life, there’s been someone who’s already been there. There’s been someone that is much further along and doing the thing that you want to do. The question is, can you find them? In your social network and surrounding yourself with the right people to help you achieve your goals faster, is like the second, probably next education, the most important skill that I think you could ever have. Whatever it is, because you’re going to realize, as you get older, and you grow up that you’re gonna change your mind. You’re gonna want to change careers. And it’s really your social network that’s going to allow you to grow, to learn, and really be there to support and help help you transition. And so, the importance of social networking isn’t isn’t just having the right people, but they’re also your average five, right? So, when you surround yourself with amazing people that lift you up, then you start to rise to that challenge, and you live up to your fullest potential. If you surround yourself with people that aren’t always the most positive or are always good for you, then you live up to that. So, I often tell girls that just because you might have came, you know from a rough background, doesn’t mean that you can’t surround yourself with people outside of your world. You know, it just takes a little bit of courage, but you can find them. You’ll be surprised that people are willing to sit down with you and just have a conversation as long as you are willing to ask. And taking that time to do that is going to just help you fly even further than than anything else that you could ever think of.

VOCABULARY AND PRONUNCIATION

• build bridges [idiom]: to establish a relationship with others
• networking [noun]: the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts
• live up to one’s full potential [idiom]: to become the best one can be
• courage [noun]: the ability to do something that frightens one; strength in the face of pain or grief
• community [noun]: a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals
• profile [noun]: (of social media) a description of individuals’ social characteristics that identify them on sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.
• to be on the same wavelength [idiom]: to have similar ideas, thoughts, or feelings as someone else
• comfort zone [noun]: is a familiar state where people are at ease and in control of their environment, experiencing low levels of anxiety and stress
• social network [noun]: a group of individuals (such as friends, acquaintances, and coworkers) connected by interpersonal relationships
• keep in touch [idiom]: to continue to talk to or write to someone
• business card [noun]: a small card printed with one’s name, professional occupation, company position, business address, and other contact information
• contacts [noun]: the state or condition of communicating or meeting
• self-confidence [noun]: a feeling of trust in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgment
• open the door [idiom]: (of opportunities) to make (something) easier or more likely to happen
• active [adjective]: (of social media) actively logging in and/or completing some sort of action