Entrepreneurial qualities and their development

Topic: Entrepreneurial qualities and their development

Aims:
- to give practice in reading and listening for information and argument
- to discuss their opinions about the topic

Level: Upper intermediate

Introduction
The aim of this lesson is to give students practice in reading for information and argument in an article about being one’s own boss; listening for information and argument in a short movie about business skills and qualities; give them an opportunity to discuss their opinions about the topic.

Procedure

Introduction task
• Ask students to think of reasons why it is worth working for oneself.
• Collect ideas and show them a two-minute movie (What it means to be your own boss) to check if they ideas were similar.

Answer (What it means to be your own boss):

flexibility; handy if burdened with other commitments; a chance to focus on something you are really passionate about; financial independence; no need to look for employment

Pre-reading task
• Ask students in groups to make a list of some mistaken beliefs people have about starting up in business. Collect ideas.
• Ask them to read the on-line tutorial (What it means to be your own boss - Myth buster) and check if their ideas were similar.
• Ask students if they agree with the tutorial.

Answer (What it means to be your own boss - Myth buster):
"Entrepreneurs are driven from a young age. I’m just not the entrepreneurial type."
"You have to be ruthless to be in business, and only focused on money."
"I don’t have any experience working for myself; I’ve always been an employee."
“Starting a business is for the younger generation - "I’m too old to start a business now."

Pre-listening task

• Ask students to tell one another about any person they know who is successful at making business
• Ask them to make a list of adjectives to describe the people.

Listening task
• Give students the listening comprehension questions and show them a four-minute movie from the website (Match your business and skills experience). Ask them to find the answers to the questions.
• In class, elicit the answers to the questions.

1. What are the qualities and personal characteristics that people who work for themselves tend to have?
2. What are the skills that are related to the day-to-day running of the business? Can they be learnt?
3. How can one’s experience or a hobby help ...