Working Remotely and Online

ESL Lesson Plan

© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.

 Thank you for downloading your FREE Off2Class lesson plan!

This teacher-led lesson plan is designed using the communicative

approach - perfect for teaching students online or in any
screen-enabled classroom.

To access the Teacher Notes and Answer Key, or to assign

homework, click here to set up your FREE Off2class account.

Don’t forget to join the discussion on Facebook to get access to

other great tools for online ESL instruction.

© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.

 Working online

Today, people who work online need to be familiar with

technology.

A B

C
D
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 What about you?

Do you need to communicate

with customers or clients?
Is part or all of
your job online?

Do you have a
What kind of devices do you use? strong wi-fi
A phone, a tablet or a laptop? connection?

© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.

 The rise of online jobs

In the 21st century, working online has become increasingly

common.

Today, many people work online. Many people spend up to 9 hours a

day working via electronic devices. The Internet has affected every
industry. In particular, publishing and finance have turned into almost
100% online industries.

Today, many journalists work exclusively online. Their articles are

published only online. And in banking and finance, there are fewer and
fewer people working behind a counter. Most people in finance now
work all day in front of a computer.

What percentage of people are

working online in your industry?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 Vocabulary

Match the terms to their definitions, which you will need for
the upcoming text.

a person with detailed understanding of a

hardware
particular subject

a person who makes and repairs wooden

to maintain
objects

the physical components of a computer, as

specialist
opposed to software

to continue the situation or the condition of

carpenter
something
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 Working online

Maria works in IT.

I work in the company’s IT department and help people who are
working online. One thing that really surprises me is people’s lack of
knowledge of the tools that they use.
For example, many people treat their hardware badly. And second,
people don’t maintain and update their software. They expect the
computer to do everything itself, and then complain that computers will
replace them!
People who work online successfully need
specialist knowledge and an understanding
of how to use technology. No one would trust
a carpenter who didn’t know how to use a
saw, so why do people who work online fail to
know their own tools?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 Points of view

What do you think?

‘Working online is great… unless

the wi-fi goes down. Without wi-fi,
it’s almost impossible to do anything
now.’

‘I hate working online. I stare at a

computer all day. It’s bad for my mind
and bad for my body.’

‘You need to strike a balance. If you spend time

communicating via the Internet, you should also
remember to interact with real people.’
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 Working remotely

What do you think about What kinds of jobs can

working remotely? you perform this way?

What personal skills do you

need to work remotely?

Do you need particular personality

characteristics to work successfully in this way?

Which jobs will never be

done remotely?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 More vocabulary

You will read a text about working remotely.

Match terms to definitions.

a quality or characteristic, belonging to one person motivation

your reasons for acting or behaving in a certain

self-discipline
way

a region of the globe that keeps a standard time for

trait
commercial and legal purposes

the ability to control your weaknesses time zone

© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.

 Will the office disappear?

James works remotely.

In fact, his company doesn’t have an office.
I think I have the best job in the world. I teach English as a
Second Language and I work remotely. I don’t have to be
in an office and I can choose to work the hours I want.
However, if you work remotely you must have certain character traits.
For example, you must have self-discipline. I get up at 5am and
exercise, then I work from 6am until 2:30pm. I do this every day, no
matter what. I have plenty of motivation. I don’t need someone to tell
me that I am good at my job. I love what I do so it’s easy to do my job.
Routine is very important if you want to work remotely. I live in Sydney,
Australia and I teach European business people. I have to make sure
that I’m ok to work in my students’ time zones, so it’s important for me
to be in bed each night by 9:30pm.
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 Working remotely

Do you consider yourself What are your weaknesses? Do

a motivated person? you have good self-discipline?

Would you be able to

work unusual hours?

Why do you think that

James sticks to a routine? Can you think of any advantages or
disadvantages of working remotely?

© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.

 More vocabulary

Working remotely can be challenging.

Match terms and definitions.

a thing that stops you from concentrating on

obligation
something else

to try to resolve a problem, especially with

distraction
computers or other technology

a duty or commitment; something that you must do interruption

an act that suddenly stops you doing what you

to troubleshoot
were doing
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 It’s not always easy

James talks about the challenges of working remotely.

It’s important that you work in a quiet space. If there are other people in
your house – especially young children – then there will be constant
interruptions. Don’t work in the kitchen.
And you must not put yourself in a place with a lot of distractions. Stay
away from the television!
You also have to be good at troubleshooting. If your computer doesn’t
work, you must be ready to resolve the problem. There is usually no
one to assist you.
Other than that, it’s just family obligations. Because I work from home,
people think that I’m always free. My mother thinks I’m always on
vacation and so she asks me to do things for her during the day. It’s a
little annoying.
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 What do you think?

How challenging would it be for you to work remotely?

What distractions exist for

you in the home?
Do you have a lot of
family obligations?
Would constant
interruptions be a
problem for you?

How would you set up

your remote office?
Would it be easy to find
a quiet space to work?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
 Points of view

What do you think about these opinions?

Explain your reasons.

‘I thought that working remotely would make me happy. I

wouldn’t need to take public transport and I wouldn’t need to
wear a shirt and tie. However, working remotely was hard. I felt
lonely. There was no-one to talk with. And I felt lost, like I wasn’t
part of the company any longer.’

‘I have worked remotely for three years and I love it. I use video
conference software to stay in touch with my colleagues and
clients. I don’t have to travel on the train. And I eat better. No
more takeout food from city restaurants.’

© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.