*To watch the video for this lesson, please navigate to the YouTube link for it.*

OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on making appointments and scheduling meetings offers engaging activities, worksheets, and digital resources tailored for pre-intermediate A2-B1 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss common challenges and experiences related to scheduling meetings.
• Learn vocabulary related to meetings and appointment scheduling.
• Watch a video that introduces Calendly, a scheduling tool that simplifies the meeting process.
• Complete comprehension activities based on the video, including discussing its effectiveness.
• Participate in a role-play activity to practice scheduling meetings in real-life scenarios.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

In the preview and discussion section for this ESL lesson plan on making appointments and scheduling meetings, students begin by reading an email from Dante to Joanna regarding their scheduling conflict. Students discuss the email's topic, the reason for the scheduling issue, and when Dante is available to meet. Additionally, students talk about their own meeting experiences, including how often they have meetings, the types of meetings they encounter, and whether time zones pose challenges. Finally, they complete vocabulary definitions related to meetings, using terms such as "slot," "tool," and "buffer." This collaborative discussion and vocabulary exercise sets the stage for understanding the importance of effective scheduling. Students also can share their experiences with online scheduling tools for making appointments and discuss their usefulness.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

In the viewing activity, students watch a brief commercial video about Calendly, a tool designed to simplify the process of scheduling meetings. The video highlights how Calendly eliminates the need for back-and-forth emails by allowing users to share a link where others can choose available times. They answer a few comprehension questions about Calendly and the commercial. Then, they sequence the steps for using Calendly in the correct order. Finally, in the last part, students select the correct statements about the tool from two multiple choice options.

DIALOGUES & VOCABULARY

Following the viewing stage of the lesson, students engage in a discussion about the video's effectiveness as an advertisement for Calendly and consider whether scheduling tools will gain popularity in the future. Then, they analyze dialogues involving different characters who are scheduling meetings or making appointments. They determine which person or scenario would benefit most from using Calendly. Finally, students complete sentences based on the dialogues, practicing verbs related to scheduling and making appointments. This follow-up part of the lesson helps develop their understanding of the material. It also encourages critical thinking about scheduling practices and making appointments.

LET'S MEET: THE SCHEDULING SUCCESS WORKSHOP!

In the activation section, students participate in a workshop titled "Let's Meet: The Scheduling Success Workshop!" In it, they work with a classmate or teacher to simulate an actual scenario — making an appointment or scheduling a meeting. First, they decide on the meeting type and format, whether online or in-person. They then role-play as colleagues, with one proposing a meeting and suggesting a time, while the other confirms or reschedules. Alternatively, students can discuss various topics related to their meeting experiences. This hands-on activity allows students to apply their new vocabulary and skills in a practical context.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS ESL LESSON PLAN ON MAKING APPOINTMENTS

• Promotes meaningful discussions as students engage in conversations about real-life challenges they face when scheduling meetings.
• Provides clear context for vocabulary and language acquisition with relevant terms and phrases related to meetings and appointments.
• Utilizes a dynamic video resource and makes the learning experience engaging and visually stimulating.
• Encourages interactive activities that promote practical application of language skills and improve student confidence.
• Prepares students for professional communication by equipping them with the necessary language skills for effective scheduling and communication in workplace settings.