Lesson Plan
Workplace Wordsmith Lesson
Students will identify and define essential workplace vocabulary and common phrases to build confidence for professional environments.
Understanding workplace jargon is crucial for effective communication and successful integration into professional settings, reducing anxiety and increasing student self-efficacy.
Audience
9th Grade Group
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive activities and discussions to demystify professional language.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Decoding the Workplace Dictionary, Career Charades & Pictionary, Jargon Match-Up Challenge, Markers or pens, and Small slips of paper for game
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Workplace Wordsmith Lesson, Decoding the Workplace Dictionary, Career Charades & Pictionary, and Jargon Match-Up Challenge.
- Prepare whiteboard or projector for slides.
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Jargon Match-Up Challenge worksheet.
- Cut out word/phrase slips for Career Charades & Pictionary.
Step 1
Warm-up: What's the Word?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students if they've ever felt confused by words adults use at work or in professional settings. Share a personal anecdote if appropriate.
- Ask: "What are some words or phrases you've heard that made you scratch your head?"
- Introduce the lesson: "Today, we're going to become 'Workplace Wordsmiths' and tackle some of that tricky 'job jargon' so you'll feel more confident in any professional setting!"
Step 2
Introduction to Job Jargon
10 minutes
- Present the Decoding the Workplace Dictionary slide deck.
- Go through slides 1-3, defining 'jargon' and explaining its importance in the workplace.
- Engage students with questions like: "Why do you think different jobs have their own special words?"
Step 3
Decoding Common Workplace Terms
15 minutes
- Continue with Decoding the Workplace Dictionary slides 4-10, introducing common workplace terms and their definitions.
- For each term, ask students to try to guess the meaning before revealing it. Provide examples of how each word is used in a sentence.
- Encourage students to share if they've heard these words before or if they can think of related words.
Step 4
Interactive Jargon Practice: Career Charades & Pictionary
10 minutes
- Introduce the Career Charades & Pictionary game.
- Divide students into small groups or pairs.
- Explain the rules: one student acts out or draws a workplace term from the list while their team guesses.
- Circulate and provide support, clarifying terms as needed.
Step 5
Wrap-up & Challenge
5 minutes
- Distribute the Jargon Match-Up Challenge worksheet for students to complete individually or in pairs as an exit ticket or homework.
- Review key takeaways: "Understanding job jargon helps us communicate clearly and confidently in the professional world."
- Encourage students to pay attention to new words they hear and try to figure out their meanings.
Slide Deck
Decoding the Workplace Dictionary
Understanding the language of the professional world.
Ready to become a Workplace Wordsmith?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of workplace vocabulary. Ask them if they've ever heard words adults use at work that they didn't understand.
What is Jargon?
Special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand.
Think about sports, games, or even your favorite online communities – they all have their own jargon!
Define 'jargon' in simple terms and give a relatable example from a hobby or sport they might know. Ask for student examples.
Why is Jargon Important?
It helps us:
- Understand what people are talking about.
- Communicate clearly and professionally.
- Feel confident and prepared for real-world work environments.
Explain why understanding jargon is important for confidence and success in a job. Connect it to feeling like an 'insider.'
Workplace Word: HR
Stands for: Human Resources
What it means: The department in a company responsible for managing employees, hiring, training, and benefits.
Example: "If you have questions about your pay, you should talk to HR."
Introduce the term 'HR.' Explain what HR departments do in a company. Ask students if they can guess what these letters stand for.
Workplace Word: ROI
Stands for: Return on Investment
What it means: The benefit you get back from something you put time, effort, or money into.
Example: "The company hoped their new marketing campaign would have a high ROI."
Introduce 'ROI.' Explain it simply as getting something back for what you put in. Use a non-business example first, like studying for a test.
Workplace Word: ASAP
Stands for: As Soon As Possible
What it means: Something that needs to be done with urgency, without delay.
Example: "Please send me that report ASAP so I can review it before the meeting."
Introduce 'ASAP.' This is a common acronym they might even hear outside of work. Ask for examples of when they might use it.
Workplace Word: FYI
Stands for: For Your Information
What it means: Used to share information that might be helpful or interesting, but doesn't necessarily require an action.
Example: "FYI, the office is closing early on Friday."
Introduce 'FYI.' Another common one. Ask where they might see this in everyday life.
Workplace Word: Synergy
What it means: When two or more things work together to create a result that is greater than the sum of their individual efforts.
Example: "The team achieved great synergy, leading to a much more creative project."
Introduce 'Synergy.' This one can be a bit abstract, so emphasize the 'working together' aspect. Ask for examples of teamwork producing better results.
Workplace Word: Bandwidth
What it means: The capacity or ability to deal with a situation or task; having enough time or resources.
Example: "I don't have the bandwidth to take on another project right now."
Introduce 'Bandwidth.' Explain it first in terms of internet speed, then transfer that idea to a person's capacity to take on tasks.
You're Becoming Jargon Experts!
Great job learning these new terms!
Now, let's put your new knowledge to the test with some fun activities.
Conclude by reiterating the importance of jargon and preparing them for the next activity.
Game
Career Charades & Pictionary
Objective: To reinforce understanding of workplace jargon through active and creative engagement.
Materials Needed:
- Small slips of paper with workplace terms (provided below)
- A hat or bowl for the slips
- Whiteboard or large paper pads
- Markers or pens
- Timer (optional)
Game Setup:
- Divide the class into 2-4 teams.
- Write each of the workplace terms listed below on a separate slip of paper and fold them.
- Place all the folded slips into a hat or bowl.
How to Play:
Option 1: Charades
- One student from a team picks a slip of paper from the hat.
- Without speaking, they must act out the workplace term for their team to guess.
- Set a time limit (e.g., 60-90 seconds) for guessing. If the team guesses correctly within the time, they earn a point.
- Teams take turns. The team with the most points at the end wins.
Option 2: Pictionary
- One student from a team picks a slip of paper from the hat.
- Without speaking or using letters/numbers, they must draw the workplace term on the whiteboard or paper for their team to guess.
- Set a time limit (e.g., 60-90 seconds) for guessing. If the team guesses correctly within the time, they earn a point.
- Teams take turns. The team with the most points at the end wins.
Teacher Tip: You can combine both! Allow teams to choose whether they want to act it out or draw it, or assign one for each round.
Workplace Terms for the Game:
- HR (Human Resources)
- ROI (Return on Investment)
- ASAP (As Soon As Possible)
- FYI (For Your Information)
- Synergy
- Bandwidth
- Deadline
- Meeting Agenda
- Brainstorm
- Collaborate
Worksheet
Jargon Match-Up Challenge
Name: _____________________________
Instructions: Draw a line to match each workplace term on the left with its correct definition on the right.
Workplace Terms
- HR
- ROI
- ASAP
- FYI
- Synergy
- Bandwidth
- Deadline
- Meeting Agenda
- Brainstorm
- Collaborate
Definitions
A. Working together to achieve a common goal.
B. The capacity or ability to deal with a situation or task; having enough time or resources.
C. A list of items to be discussed or acted upon at a meeting.
D. A time by which something must be finished.
E. To produce an idea or way of solving a problem by holding a spontaneous discussion.
F. For Your Information.
G. Human Resources; the department in a company responsible for managing employees.
H. As Soon As Possible.
I. Return on Investment; the benefit you get back from something you put time, effort, or money into.
J. When two or more things work together to create a result that is greater than the sum of their individual efforts.