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Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Organize tasks and meet deadlines efficiently in a professional setting.
Exercise 1
Situation
Direction: Read the situation for today's lesson
Alex manages multiple tasks for the week by prioritizing, setting mini-deadlines, and checking progress daily. He coordinates with Sarah, clarifies Omar’s responsibilities, and gives Mr. Miller concise updates. Staying organized and proactive helps him meet deadlines smoothly and show reliability.
Exercise 2
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your tutor
Prioritize
verb
/praɪˈɔːrətaɪz/
Meaning:
To arrange tasks in order of importance.
- Alex prioritized urgent tasks to ensure deadlines were met.
Beat the clock
idiom
/biːt ðə klɑːk/
Meaning:
To finish something before the deadline.
- The team worked late to beat the clock on the client report.
Follow up
phrasal verb
/ˈfɑːloʊ ʌp/
Meaning:
To check progress or remind someone about a task.
- Alex followed up with Omar on his portion of the project.
On schedule
phrase
/ɑːn ˈskedʒuːl/
Meaning:
Progressing according to the planned timeline.
- At this point, the project is on schedule.
Exercise 3
Office Conversation
Direction: Read the conversation aloud with your teacher.
Situation:
Anna introduces herself to a new colleague at work.
Good morning, everyone. At this point, we’re on schedule with the report.
Alex
Great! Which tasks should we prioritize first?
Sarah
Let’s focus on the client feedback summary and then the charts.
Alex
I’ll follow up with the design team to get the latest files.
Omar
Can we beat the clock on the final draft?
Mr. Miller
Yes, if we wrap up the main sections by tomorrow.
Alex
Sounds doable.
Sarah
Perfect, I’ll send reminders and checkpoints so we stay on track.
Alex
Check Understanding
Direction: Answer the questions about the conversation.
1. What phrase did Alex use to indicate the project is progressing as planned?
2. What does 'beat the clock' mean in this conversation?
3. Who is responsible for following up with the design team?
Exercise 4
Study Guide
Direction: Read the study manual aloud.
Meeting deadlines is essential in any professional environment. Start by prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance. Break larger projects into smaller steps and set mini-deadlines to track progress. Use tools like calendars, task lists, or project management software to stay organized.
Communicate clearly with colleagues about responsibilities and follow up regularly to ensure tasks are on track. If unexpected delays occur, update your team and adjust priorities accordingly. Avoid last-minute work by planning ahead and tackling the most critical tasks first. Phrases like “on schedule,” “beat the clock,” and “follow up” are useful for discussing deadlines and progress.
Efficient deadline management not only reduces stress but also shows reliability and professionalism. Regular updates, proactive planning, and clear communication help teams achieve goals successfully and maintain a productive workflow.
Exercise 5
Choose the Correct Answer
Direction: Direction: Select the correct answer from the options A, B, or C.
1. Alex keeps the project ___ by checking progress daily.
A. on schedule
B. late
C. messy
2. To ___ tasks, list them by importance.
A. prioritize
B. postpone
C. ignore
3. The team worked hard to ___ on the report.
A. beat the clock
B. fall behind
C. relax
4. Omar needs to ___ with the design team.
A. follow up
B. skip
C. avoid
5. We are completing the project ___ our planned timeline.
A. on schedule
B. off course
C. accidentally
6. Alex ___ follow-up emails to check progress.
A. sends
B. send
C. sending
7. The manager asked for ___ updates on tasks.
A. regular
B. irregular
C. messy
8. Completing tasks ahead of time shows ___ and reliability.
A. professionalism
B. laziness
C. confusion
Exercise 6
Discussion
Direction: Discuss these questions to practice speaking and share experiences.
1. How do you usually prioritize your tasks at work?
2. When is it important to follow up with team members?
3. How do you handle multiple deadlines at the same time?
4. What strategies help you stay on schedule?
5. How do mini-deadlines help manage a large project?
6. How do you communicate delays to your manager professionally?
7. What tools do you use to track project progress?
8. How does managing deadlines efficiently impact teamwork?
