Micro Lesson Video
Lesson Plan
Level: Intermediate
Business/Materials
- Copies of sample job application
- Markers/Highlighters
- Two sets of cards:
- Labels from the different sections of an application
- Possible answers to form sections
- PowerPoint with pictures of different jobs
- Access to Indeed.com
- Example military veteran and disability/non-discrimination questionnaire
Sources:
This lesson plan pulls ideas, activities, and general inspiration from:
- ESL Questions About – Job Application Lesson Plan
- ESL Directions – Understanding and Filling in Job Applications
- Busy Teacher – Teaching the Job Hunt
Lesson Objectives
- Students will understand vocabulary related to jobs
- Students will be able to fill out a job application form
- Students will create a profile on a job application site (Indeed.com)
Warm-up and Objective Discussion
Show pictures of different jobs you’ve personally had:
- Software Developer
- Tour Guide
- Grocer
- Teacher
- Babysitter
- Writer
- Customer Service
Ask students if they can describe each job and write down at least two skills for each. Discuss if students have had any of these jobs. Transition into a discussion on job hunting and introduce Indeed.com as a popular job search website.
Explain today’s objective: learning to fill out a job application—an essential (if sometimes frustrating) life skill. Ask students to share what kind of job they would like to have.
Instruct and Model
Vocabulary Introduction:
- Job Posting
- Job Application
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Explain how a job posting usually asks you to fill out an application and submit a resume—and optionally, a cover letter. Many employers admit they don’t read cover letters.
Show a Sample Job Application:
Go over the major sections:
- Personal Information
- Education
- Work Experience
- References
Create a mock character together as a class and fill out the sample application with fictional information. Emphasize that not all job applications look the same. Some may not ask for references; some may leave out entire sections.
Cultural Notes:
- Social Security Number: Only required for U.S. citizens and usually not needed until hired. Students should not provide official ID numbers unless they are officially employed.
- Veteran, Gender/Ethnicity, Disability Disclosure: Common on U.S. applications. Explain that students are not required to answer these, especially the disability section, which often includes legal language related to the ADA.
Guided Practice
Write these four categories on the board (or create headings on a large table):
- Personal Information
- Work Experience
- Education
- References
Give students cards (or printed words) with items like names, degrees, job titles, etc. Students must place them under the correct category—either by sticking to the board or laying them out on a table.
Next, pass out a second set of cards with sample answers (e.g., “Alice Walker”, “Bachelors in Science”, “John Smith”). Students must match these to the previous categories to reinforce understanding of where information goes on a form.
Use this interactive resource as inspiration if needed:
https://wordwall.net/resource/65240231/esl/job-application-group-sort
Independent Practice
Hand out blank copies of a sample job application form.
Students fill it out using their real information. This gives them real-world practice and prepares them to use job boards confidently.
Assessment
Students visit Indeed.com and create an account.
They set up their profile, using their completed job application form as a reference for the information they need to include.