Lesson: Telling Time and Scheduling

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Activity I: Vocabulary

Appointment – An arrangement to meet someone at a particular time and place.
Deadline – The latest time or date by which something should be completed.
Punctual – Happening or doing something at the agreed or proper time; on time.
Postpone – To cause or arrange for (something) to take place at a time later than that first scheduled.
Reschedule – To change the time of a planned event.
Time zone – A geographical region in which the same standard time is kept.
Agenda – A list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting or a plan of things to be done.
Time management – The ability to use one's time effectively or productively.

Activity II: Reading

Effectively telling time and managing schedules are essential skills in our fast-paced, interconnected world. For intermediate English learners, mastering this area of communication is crucial for both personal organization and professional success. It involves not just understanding clock times but also navigating appointments, deadlines, and coordinating with others, often across different time zones. This ability allows for smoother interactions and demonstrates reliability and respect for others' time.

There are various ways to state the time in English. Beyond simple "It's five o'clock," intermediate learners can use phrases like "It's a quarter past five" (5:15), "half past five" (5:30), or "a quarter to six" (5:45). When discussing schedules, precision is often key. You might need to confirm an appointment by saying, "Is our meeting still scheduled for 3 PM on Tuesday?" or manage deadlines with statements like, "The project deadline is next Friday at 5 PM sharp." Understanding and using AM (for morning) and PM (for afternoon/evening) correctly is also vital, especially in written communication.

Scheduling involves more than just setting dates; it requires good time management and communication. Sometimes plans change, and you might need to postpone or reschedule an event. Polite phrases for this include, "I'm afraid I need to postpone our meeting. Would next Wednesday work for you?" or "Could we possibly reschedule our call to a later time?" Being punctual is highly valued in many cultures, so if you anticipate being late, it's courteous to inform the other person. An agenda can be very helpful for meetings, outlining what needs to be discussed and in what order, ensuring time is used efficiently.

In a globalized world, being aware of different time zones is increasingly important when scheduling international calls or meetings. Confirming the correct time zone can prevent misunderstandings. Overall, developing proficiency in telling time and scheduling not only helps in organizing your own life but also in building strong professional relationships. It shows you are organized, considerate, and capable of managing responsibilities effectively, which are valuable traits in any context.

Activity III: Role Play (Arranging a Business Meeting)

Instructions: Practice this dialogue with your teacher. One person is Ms. Evans, and the other is Mr. Chen.

Ms. Evans: Good morning, Mr. Chen. I'm calling to arrange our project kick-off meeting.

Mr. Chen: Good morning, Ms. Evans. Yes, I was expecting your call. What day were you thinking?

Ms. Evans: I was proposing next Tuesday. Would you be available in the morning, say around 10:00 AM your time?

Mr. Chen: Let me check my agenda. Tuesday at 10:00 AM... Unfortunately, I have a prior appointment then.

Ms. Evans: Oh, I see. What about Wednesday afternoon? Perhaps 2:30 PM?

Mr. Chen: Wednesday at 2:30 PM looks much better. That should work for me. Just to confirm, that's 2:30 PM in my time zone, correct?

Ms. Evans: Yes, that's correct. And it would be 9:30 AM my time. Perfect.

Mr. Chen: Excellent. Will you be sending out a meeting invitation with the agenda?

Ms. Evans: Absolutely. I'll send it over by the end of today. We need to be punctual as we have a tight deadline for the first phase.

Mr. Chen: Understood. I'm keen to get started. If anything comes up and I need to reschedule, I'll let you know well in advance.

Ms. Evans: Likewise. Sometimes we have to postpone things, but hopefully not this time. Good time management is key.

Mr. Chen: I agree. So, Wednesday at 2:30 PM my time it is.

Ms. Evans: Confirmed. I'll also include a video conference link in the invitation.

Mr. Chen: Great. I appreciate you being so organized with the scheduling.

Ms. Evans: It helps ensure we meet our project deadlines. Thank you, Mr. Chen.

Mr. Chen: Thank you, Ms. Evans. I look forward to our meeting.

Activity IV: Let's Practice

Schedule an Activity with Your Teacher.

Imagine you and your teacher need to schedule a 30-minute online practice session for next week. Discuss available times, considering potential time zone differences if applicable. Propose a few options, confirm a time, and practice phrases for possibly needing to reschedule or postpone. Use vocabulary related to appointments, punctuality, and time management. Agree on a final time and day for your practice session.