Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Understand and use idioms related to professional growth and mentorship
Listen for gist and details in a business-themed conversation
Role-play mentorship-style interactions using natural, idiomatic English
Warmer
Answer the question
- Have you ever had a mentor? What kind of advice did they give?
- What qualities make someone a good mentor/mentee?
- Do you think it’s better to work your way up in a company or start your own thing?
Pre-listening
Have you ever been stuck in an elevator or weird situation? What happened?
How do you stay calm when things get weird or out of control?
Pre-listening vocabulary
Read the sentences and guess the meaning of the words in bold.
- Interning might not pay well, but it’s a great way to get your foot in the door.
- He didn’t panic after the failed pitch—just took it in his stride
- You can’t pin all your hopes on investors—build something they can’t ignore.
- She decided to go it alone and launch the app without a cofounder.
- Trends change fast. You gotta keep your ear to the ground.
- If you want to make a name for yourself, you’ve got to show up early and stay late.
- Dream big, sure, but keep your feet on the ground while you plan.
Matching exercise
Vocabulary Gap-fill
Listening
Listening for Gist
Comprehension Questions
Listen again and answer the questions.
Key Phrases
Text
1. Jordan: Thanks for meeting with me, Max. Honestly, I didn’t expect a CEO to take time for some random newbie.
2. Max: Don’t sell yourself short, kid. Everyone starts somewhere. You just got your foot in the door—I remember that feeling.
3. Jordan: Feels more like I kicked the door and it barely budged.
4. Max: That’s the startup grind. Some doors open slow. You taking things in your stride?
5. Jordan: I’m trying. My app glitched during the demo, then my investor bailed… I kinda panicked.
6. Max: Classic rookie chaos. Listen—you can’t pin your hopes on others. Investors come and go. Build value, and they’ll chase you.
7. Jordan: I thought about quitting and just doing freelance. Going it alone, you know?
8. Max: Dangerous path. Freedom’s great, but isolation will eat your ideas alive. Find partners—real ones.
9. Jordan: Right. I’ve been reading nonstop, watching trends, market shifts…
10. Max: Good. Keep your ear to the ground, but don’t forget to look up once in a while—or you’ll walk into traffic.
11. Jordan: Wise words. What was your first break?
12. Max: I handed out flyers at 6am in the rain for a fitness app no one wanted. But it got me in the room.
13. Jordan: And now you’re the one people are dying to meet.
14. Max: I made a name for myself the hard way. Long hours, fast pivots, bad coffee.
15. Jordan: Do you ever miss the early chaos?
16. Max: Every day. That chaos sharpened me. Just don’t romanticize failure. Learn and move forward.
17. Jordan: I appreciate the honesty. Some mentors sugarcoat everything.
18. Max: Not my style. I’ll hype you up, but I’ll also call you out. Sound fair?
19. Jordan: Fair. And honestly… I’m fired up again.
20. Max: That’s what I like to hear. Now go mess something up—and learn from it.
Post-listening activity
Discussion Questions
Answer the questions
Have you ever had to get your foot in the door for a job or opportunity? How did you do it?
How do you take things in your stride when things go wrong at work?
Do you prefer to work in a team or go it alone?
How do you keep your ear to the ground when it comes to trends or business news?
What would you need to do in your field to make a name for yourself?
Role Play 1 - Mentor Meetup
Role A:
You’re a new entrepreneur seeking guidance after a failed pitch. Explain what went wrong with the pitch, and ask for advice.
Role B:
You are their mentor. Give three pieces of advice using the language from this lesson.
Role Play 2 - Advice Panel
Role A:
You’re an audience member asking for tips on breaking into the industry. Ask about getting noticed and building a career.
Role B:
You are a charismatic panel speaker who gives practical and realistic advice. Use language from the lesson to give advice.
