Navigate Signposts to Improve Listening (Intermediate ESL Lesson)

Are you an English teacher or an adult ESL student looking to enhance listening skills in professional settings?

This lesson is designed to help intermediate English learners improve comprehension by focusing on verbal signposts—phrases and expressions that guide understanding during presentations, meetings, and discussions. By recognizing these “signposts,” learners can more easily identify main ideas, transitions, and conclusions in spoken English.

The Navigate Signposts for Improved Listening lesson provides essential skills for understanding structure in spoken language, helping learners follow conversations with clarity and confidence. Through practical exercises and real-life listening practice, students will gain essential skills for navigating professional communication.

Lesson Focus: Listening for Verbal Signposts in Business Communication

This 60-90 minute lesson introduces adult ESL learners to verbal cues used in formal and informal settings. By focusing on phrases that guide the flow of speech, this lesson enables learners to better understand main points, topic shifts, and summaries in real-world conversations.

What You’ll Get:

• Student Handout (PDF): Activities and vocabulary exercises to help learners identify verbal signposts, with guided practice in structured listening.
• Lesson Presentation (PDF format): Visual aids that cover the types of signposts, from topic introductions to transitions and summaries, making it easy for learners to follow along.
• Audio Files: Listening exercises with real-world examples to practice recognizing and understanding verbal signposts.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Recognize Common Signposts: Identify phrases used to introduce topics, change subjects, and conclude discussions.
• Enhance Comprehension with Context Clues: Learn how signposts provide structure in spoken language, making comprehension easier.
• Differentiate Formal and Informal Signposts: Practice recognizing variations in professional and casual language.
• Apply Skills in Real-Life Scenarios: Homework encourages learners to listen for signposts in real-world talks, meetings, and lectures.

Ideal for English Teachers and Independent Learners

This lesson is perfect for classroom teachers supporting adult ESL students in improving listening skills for business communication. It’s also suitable for independent learners seeking to strengthen their professional English skills through guided self-study.

Equip yourself or your students with strategies to follow conversations more effectively, recognize key points, and enhance overall listening comprehension. Download the Navigate Signposts for Improved Listening lesson today to advance your English learning journey!

About Me

With over 20 years of experience and a Master’s in Education, I specialize in empowering adult ESL learners with practical language skills for the workplace and beyond. My lessons are designed to be engaging, relevant, and immediately useful in real-world settings.