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C1 Business English

Feedback, Appraisals and Difficult Conversations

⏱️ 20-Minute Intensive Lesson

📋 How to use this lesson

👩‍🏫 Teacher Guidance:

Use this 20-minute module for paired or individual practice; guide students through the word table before launching the interactive exercises.

Check answers together using the provided keys and monitor shadowing audio clarity at the end.

🎯 Learner Instructions:

First, study the 10 words, collocations, and memory tricks in the word table.

Next, complete all 16 practice questions and record your voice in the shadowing section.

Word table

Master these 10 key professional terms across three core themes of workplace feedback.

Example Sentence Pattern

"The manager's tone was not unkind, but the shortcomings in the appraisal were hardly minor."

📊 Theme 1: The review

Word	Meaning	Common collocations	Word forms	Example sentence	Memory tip
appraisal	Formal evaluation of performance.	annual appraisal, conduct an appraisal	appraise (v)	She received a positive annual appraisal from her manager.	Think of app-RAISE: good reviews lead to a pay raise.
shortcoming	A fault, flaw, or limitation.	address shortcomings, serious shortcoming	shortcomings (pl)	We must address these shortcomings before project launch.	Coming up SHORT on expectations.
probation	Trial period for a new employee.	pass probation, probation period	–	He successfully passed his three-month probation.	Sounds like PROVE: prove your skills during trial.
morale	Confidence and enthusiasm of a group.	boost morale, low morale	–	Clear feedback helped boost team morale significantly.	MORE-ale: giving more praise lifts spirits.

🤝 Theme 2: The manner

Word	Meaning	Common collocations	Word forms	Example sentence	Memory tip
constructive	Useful and intended to help or improve.	constructive feedback, constructive criticism	constructively (adv)	She offered constructive advice on how to structure the report.	Helps CONSTRUCT or build up better habits.
tactful	Careful not to cause offense or upset.	tactful response, remain tactful	tact (n), tactless (adj)	He gave a tactful answer to avoid embarrassing his peer.	Full of TACT (touch): gentle with people's feelings.
blunt	Direct and frank, often to the point of rudeness.	blunt answer, blunt statement	bluntly (adv)	His blunt comments upset some members of the team.	A BLUNT knife lacks sharpness; plain and unpolished.

💬 Theme 3: The talk

Word	Meaning	Common collocations	Word forms	Example sentence	Memory tip
tone	The general attitude or mood expressed.	professional tone, adopt a tone	–	Keep a calm tone even when addressing difficult issues.	TONE of voice sets the room's mood.
evasive	Avoiding direct answers or commitment.	evasive answer, remain evasive	evade (v), evasion (n)	The director was evasive when asked about budget cuts.	Sounds like EVADE: running away from the main topic.
assertive	Confident and direct without being aggressive.	stay assertive, assertive stance	assert (v)	Being assertive allows you to set clear workplace boundaries.	ASSERT your authority calmly.

Practice

Complete all 16 items below, ordered from foundational matching to contextual word formation.

Part 1 Collocation Matching

Match each verb on the left to its natural workplace noun on the right.

1. Which noun collocates with the verb "conduct"?

Verb

probation

morale

appraisal

shortcomings

conduct

____probation ____morale ____appraisal ____shortcomings

2. Which noun collocates with the verb "address"?

Verb

probation

morale

appraisal

shortcomings

address

____probation ____morale ____appraisal ____shortcomings

3. Which noun collocates with the verb "pass"?

Verb

probation

morale

appraisal

shortcomings

pass

____probation ____morale ____appraisal ____shortcomings

4. Which noun collocates with the verb "boost"?

Verb

probation

morale

appraisal

shortcomings

boost

____probation ____morale ____appraisal ____shortcomings

Part 2 Dialogue Gap-fills

Complete the sentences using the words from the bank below.

Word Bank: evasive constructive tactful tone

5. "She was very ____ when delivering sensitive feedback to the junior designer."

6. "The manager maintained a professional ____ throughout the entire review meeting."

7. "When asked about the project delays, the employee gave an ____ reply."

8. "We need to provide ____ suggestions rather than just pointing out mistakes."

Part 3 Choose the Word

Select the single word that best fits the meaning of each workplace scenario.

9. Her evaluation was quite _______, telling him directly that his work was unsatisfactory without sugarcoating it.

____ a. tactful ____ b. blunt ____ c. evasive

10. To lead difficult conversations effectively, you must be _______ while respecting your team's opinions.

____ a. evasive ____ b. blunt ____ c. assertive

11. New hires must successfully complete a six-month _______ before receiving permanent contracts.

____ a. probation ____ b. morale ____ c. appraisal

12. During the review, the supervisor highlighted several _______ in his management style.

____ a. tone ____ b. shortcomings ____ c. appraisal

Part 4 Word Formation

Complete the sentences by transforming the word in brackets into the correct derivative form from the lesson table.

13. Managers need to ____ their team members objectively every quarter. (APPRAISAL)

14. She framed her critique ____ so that the team felt encouraged. (CONSTRUCTIVE)

15. Delivering uncomfortable news requires a great deal of ____. (TACTFUL)

16. His constant ____ during the inquiry damaged his professional reputation. (EVASIVE)

Shadowing

Listen to each prompt, pay attention to stress and tone, and record your voice.

Part A: Key Collocations

Item 1 🔊 Listen

"conduct an appraisal"

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 2 🔊 Listen

"give constructive feedback"

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 3 🔊 Listen

"boost team morale"

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 4 🔊 Listen

"stay calm and assertive"

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Part B: Everyday Sentences

Item 5 🔊 Listen

"His tone was polite during the review."

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 6 🔊 Listen

"She was direct but tactful with her team."

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 7 🔊 Listen

"He gave a very blunt answer today."

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 8 🔊 Listen

"They discussed how to improve morale."

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Part C: Workplace Statements

Item 9 🔊 Listen

"The manager was assertive when setting goals."

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 10 🔊 Listen

"She handled the difficult talk with great tact."

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Part D: Target Pronunciation Focus

Item 11 (Focus Word) 🔊 Listen

"appraisal"

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 12 (Focus Word) 🔊 Listen

"constructive"

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Vocabulary: Feedback and Difficult Conversations

Feedback, Appraisals and Difficult Conversations

📋 How to use this lesson

👩‍🏫 Teacher Guidance:

🎯 Learner Instructions:

Word table

Practice

Part 1 Collocation Matching

Part 2 Dialogue Gap-fills

Part 3 Choose the Word

Part 4 Word Formation

Shadowing

Part A: Key Collocations

Part B: Everyday Sentences

Part C: Workplace Statements

Part D: Target Pronunciation Focus

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