lingua house

TM

Innovation in Learning

A A BUSINESS VOCABULARY

Time management
Lesson code: KXH7-R16E-HDM6 PRE-INTERMEDIATE

1 What is time management?

Look at the definition below.

Time management is the process of planning and controlling how much time you spend on specific
activities.
Do you think you are good at time management? Why/why not?

2 Key vocabulary
Match the words on the left to the definitions on the right.

1. a goal a. a plan to meet someone at a particular time and place

2. a deadline b. a time or day that you need to do something by
3. a priority c. needing to be done immediately
4. a task d. not done before now
5. an appointment e. something that is important and must be done first
6. overdue f. something that you want to achieve
7. urgent g. something you have to do that can be difficult

Now, complete the sentences below using the words from the activity.

1. This bill is . Why wasn't it paid last month?

2. Remember that the for the work is 5pm today.
3. This order is . The customer needs it tomorrow.
4. I can't go home yet. I still have one more to finish.
5. Charlie set himself a to finish the presentation by the end of the day.
6. Richard had an to meet a new customer at 10am.
7. This email is a . You need to reply to it first.
LE

1/3
AB

You can review this worksheet online at www.linguahouse.com/ex

Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
PI

O
c
Linguahouse.com OC
P H OT
 lingua house
TM
Time management
Innovation in Learning

A A A A BUSINESS VOCABULARY

3 Things to help with time management

Match the words to the pictures

a calendar a diary apps

a schedule a to-do list colour coding

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

4 Time management tips

In pairs, look at the time management `tips' below. Decide which are good advice and which are bad
advice.

1. Do unpleasant tasks first.

2. Continue even if you're not making any progress with a task.
3. Prioritise the most important tasks.
4. Make a to-do list of your tasks.
5. Make a plan for the day and stick to it.
6. Decide on the best time of day to do each task.
7. Do any tasks you don't want to do last.
8. Be realistic about how much work you can do in a day.
9. Complete overdue work at the end of the week.
10. Try to do every task perfectly.
LE

2/3
AB

You can review this worksheet online at www.linguahouse.com/ex

Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
PI

O
c
Linguahouse.com OC
P H OT
 lingua house
TM
Time management
Innovation in Learning

A A A A BUSINESS VOCABULARY

5 Managing tasks
Simon is the manager of a large furniture shop. It's Friday, 4pm. The shop is open until 6pm. In pairs,
look at his list of tasks below, then decide if they are high priority (hp) or low priority (lp).

place an urgent order for a customer who wants a sofa by next Wednesday

arrange a meeting with a customer who wants to buy a lot of furniture

prepare a presentation for a trade show
call a company to ask about a product you would like to sell in the future
pay your staff their wages

reply to 10 job applications that arrived last week

fire an employee who was very rude to one of your main customers
call one of your customers because his order will be late

read and sign a contract sent by a delivery company

show a new employee the office

Now, answer the questions

1. Which tasks should he do first (prioritise)?
2. Which tasks can he do on Monday?
3. Which tasks can he give to someone else?
4. Which tasks should he do by the end of the day?
5. Which tasks can he do next week?

6 Talking point
Discuss any of the following questions:

1. What things stop you completing your tasks on time?

2. Are you a perfectionist? If so, what problems does this cause?
3. Do you have your own personal time management tips?

7 Homework
Write a list of tasks that you have to do for work, and then plan how you will do them.
LE

3/3
AB

You can review this worksheet online at www.linguahouse.com/ex

Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
PI

O
c
Linguahouse.com OC
P H OT
 lingua house
TM
Time management - Key
Innovation in Learning

A A A A BUSINESS VOCABULARY

1- What is time management?

Encourage a short discussion.

2- Key vocabulary

1. f 2. b 3. e 4. g 5. a 6. d 7. c
1. overdue 2. deadline 3. urgent 4. task
5. goal 6. appointment 7. priority

3- Things to help with time management

Students can work alone and check answers in pairs.

1. a to-do list 2. apps 3. a diary
4. a schedule 5. colour coding 6. a calendar

4- Time management tips

1. Good 2. Bad 3. Good 4. Good 5. Bad

6. Good 7. Bad 8. Good 9. Bad 10. Bad

5- Managing tasks

Students should work in pairs. There are no right or wrong answers, but students should try to agree on sensible
answers.

6- Talking point

Monitor the activity. Make a note of any typical errors or useful vocabulary.

7- Homework

This is a useful activity that students can use for their work if they don't do it already. LE

i
AB

You can review this worksheet online at www.linguahouse.com/ex

Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
PI

O
c
Linguahouse.com OC
P H OT