What is this lesson about?

“Bring your whole self to work” sounds lovely, but how much of the real you actually belongs in the office? This C1-C2 lesson gets advanced learners talking about work personas, oversharing, office politics and the invisible rules of being “professional”. Students compare their work self with their real self, decide where they draw the line, work through awkward workplace dilemmas, practise shifting between casual and professional English, and debate whether authenticity at work is liberating or overrated.

What language will students learn?

Students use natural, high-level British English for talking about identity, relationships and boundaries at work, including idioms, register-shifting and diplomatic language. The expressions come up through the speaking tasks rather than as a list to learn.

How do students practise?

●       Comparing the work version of themselves with the real one

●       Reacting to familiar office mottos

●       Discussing work personas, professionalism and workplace friendships

●       Deciding which topics are fair game at work

●       Ranking what makes it hardest to be yourself at work

●       Deciding what to do in awkward workplace situations

●       Shifting between casual and professional English

●       Weighing up two views on authenticity at work

●       Telling a story about seeing a different side of someone

●       Agreeing, disagreeing and partly agreeing with opinions

●       Giving advice to someone starting a new job

Why is this lesson useful?

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to…

●       use natural idioms about openness, boundaries and workplace culture accurately

●       shift between informal and professional register

●       handle sensitive workplace situations diplomatically

●       concede a point and push back politely

●       give nuanced advice about workplace behaviour

Who is it for?

C1-C2 adult learners in one-to-one or group classes, online or in person, especially working professionals and business English students. Every task is a straightforward speaking task with no pair work required, and the lesson needs no preparation beyond printing the worksheet.