Lesson Plan | Technical Methodology | Verbs: Gerunds and Infinitives

Objectives

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to introduce students to the correct use of the gerund and infinitive in English, essential skills for both written and oral communication. This is especially relevant for the job market, where linguistic precision can directly impact the clarity and effectiveness of professional communications. By developing these practical skills, students will be better prepared to face real-life situations in the workplace, where fluency and command of the English language are often required.

Main Objectives

1. Use the gerund and infinitive forms correctly, placing verbs in the appropriate form.

2. Identify verbs written in the gerund and infinitive forms in texts.

Side Objectives

Introduction

Duration: (10 to 15 minutes)

Purpose: The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to introduce students to the correct use of the gerund and infinitive in English, essential skills for both written and oral communication. This is especially relevant for the job market, where linguistic precision can directly impact the clarity and effectiveness of professional communications. By developing these practical skills, students will be better prepared to face real-life situations in the workplace, where fluency and command of the English language are often required.

Contextualization

Contextualization: Imagine you are in a job interview for an international position, and the interviewer asks you to talk about your daily activities. Knowing how to correctly use the gerund and infinitive can make the difference between clear and confusing communication. In English, these verbal forms are essential for expressing ongoing actions or purposes, and mastering them is a competitive advantage in the global job market.

Curiosities and Market Connection

Curiosities and Connection with the Market: Did you know that many job descriptions and task listings in English use the gerund and infinitive? For example, 'working on projects' or 'to manage a team'. These terms are common in resumes, job postings, and in everyday corporate life. Additionally, the correct use of these verbal forms can improve the clarity of emails and reports, making communication more efficient and professional.

Initial Activity

Initial Activity: Start the class by showing a short video (2 to 3 minutes) featuring professionals from different fields describing their daily tasks in English. After the video, ask the students: 'Which verbs did you notice in the gerund and which in the infinitive?'. Write down some responses on the board to initiate a discussion.

Development

Duration: 45 to 50 minutes

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to consolidate students' knowledge about the use of the gerund and the infinitive in English through practical and reflective activities. This will ensure that students not only understand the theory but also know how to apply it in real contexts, especially in the workplace, where precision and clarity in communication are essential.

Covered Topics

1. Use of the gerund in English
2. Use of the infinitive in English
3. Differences and similarities between gerund and infinitive
4. Practical application in the workplace

Reflections on the Theme

Guide the students to reflect on how precision in using the gerund and infinitive can affect the clarity of communications in the workplace. Ask: 'How can clear and precise communication influence your chances of getting a job or being promoted?'. Encourage them to think about specific situations where effective communication is crucial, such as interviews, professional emails, and presentations.

Mini Challenge

Building Professional Sentences

In this activity, students will create sentences that could be used in a professional setting, correctly using the gerund and infinitive. They will work in small groups to develop a short simulated dialogue, where each member will play a role in a work situation (e.g., a team meeting or a job interview).

Instructions

1. Divide the students into groups of 3 to 4 members.
2. Distribute cards with different professional scenarios to each group.
3. Ask each group to create a dialogue of 5 to 7 lines for each scenario, using verbs in the gerund and infinitive.
4. Guide the students to include at least three examples of each verbal form (gerund and infinitive) in their dialogues.
5. Allow time for the groups to practice and then present their dialogue to the class.
6. After each presentation, discuss with the class the uses of the verbs presented, correcting when necessary.

Objective: The objective of this activity is to allow students to apply the use of the gerund and infinitive practically and contextually in situations they may encounter in the workplace.

Duration: 30 to 35 minutes

Evaluation Exercises

1. Distribute a worksheet containing incomplete sentences and ask students to complete them using the gerund or the infinitive correctly.
2. Propose a pair correction activity, where students swap their worksheets and correct each other's answers, discussing any errors and correct answers.
3. Prepare a short text (100 to 150 words) about a typical day in a specific profession and ask students to underline all the verbs in the gerund and circle all the verbs in the infinitive.

Conclusion

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to ensure that students consolidate their understanding of the use of the gerund and the infinitive, recognizing the practical importance of these verbal forms in professional situations. This will help students reflect on their learning and prepare better to apply it in real contexts.

Discussion

Facilitate an open discussion with the students about how the correct use of the gerund and infinitive can positively impact their communications in the workplace. Ask: 'What were the biggest challenges you faced when using these verbal forms today? How do you think this can be applied in your future careers?'. Encourage students to share their observations and experiences during the activities, emphasizing the importance of continuous practice for improvement of these skills.

Summary

Summarize the main contents covered in the lesson, highlighting the differences and similarities between the gerund and infinitive, as well as their practical applications in the workplace. Remind students about the activities carried out, such as creating professional dialogues and identifying verbs in texts.

Closing

Explain how the lesson integrated theory, practice, and applications in the job market. Emphasize that mastering the gerund and infinitive is not just a grammatical issue but an essential skill for clear and effective communication in a professional context. Conclude by highlighting the ongoing relevance of this knowledge for their future interactions and successes in the workplace.