Work Phrasal Power Lesson Plan Mastering Work Phrasals
Lesson Plan • Professional English Series
Duration
60 Minutes
RATIONALE
Phrasal verbs like "follow up" and "bring up" are ubiquitous in professional communication. Mastery of these structures boosts learners' confidence and clarity in emails, meetings, and everyday workplace interactions.
OBJECTIVES
In this 60-minute individual lesson, adult learners will master seven essential workplace phrasal verbs—understanding meanings, practicing through context-based activities, and applying them in simulated emails and conversations with 90% accuracy.
Preparation Checklist
Print copies of Practice Worksheet
Ensure digital access to Flashcards
Review Sample Emails for context
Organize Role-Play Cards
Instructional Sequence
5 min
Warm-Up Discussion
Ask the learner to share common communication challenges they face at work.
Introduce the idea of phrasal verbs in professional contexts and elicit any they already know.
Briefly preview today’s target verbs without definitions to spark curiosity.
10 min
Presentation of Phrasal Verbs
Show each verb with Digital Flashcards : definition, phonetics, and example sentence.
Model pronunciation and meaning, then have the learner repeat and paraphrase each one.
Confirm understanding by asking the learner to use each verb in a simple sentence.
15 min
Controlled Practice
Distribute the Workplace Phrasal Verbs Practice Worksheet .
Learner completes fill-in-the-blank sentences and matching exercises using the seven target verbs.
Provide immediate corrective feedback and explain any errors.
15 min
Contextual Application
Hand out Sample Workplace Emails with Phrasal Verbs .
Together, identify and discuss how each phrasal verb functions in context.
Learner drafts two short email snippets or sentences incorporating at least three different target verbs.
Review drafts and provide constructive feedback.
10 min
Role-Play Activity
Shuffle Role-Play Scenario Cards and have the learner draw one at random.
Conduct a simulated dialogue based on the scenario, encouraging use of all seven phrasal verbs.
Switch roles so the learner practices both initiating and responding.
5 min
Assessment & Feedback
Conduct a quick verbal quiz: prompt the learner with each phrasal verb and ask for definition and an original example.
Note accuracy and correct pronunciation or usage as needed.
Summarize strengths, address any lingering errors, and set goals for continued practice.
Work Phrasal Power Slides Mastering Work Phrasals
Professional English Series
Understand
Master meanings of 7 essential verbs.
Practice
Apply usage in emails & reports.
Speak
Build confidence in meetings.
Teacher: Welcome the learner and introduce objectives. Explain that they'll master 7 phrasal verbs for real workplace contexts.
Warm-Up Discussion
1 What communication challenges do you face at work?
2 Have you encountered phrasal verbs in emails or meetings?
3 Guess the meanings: follow up, bring up, set up
Teacher: Prompt a short discussion to activate background knowledge.
Today's Target Verbs
follow up
bring up
set up
get back to
go over
carry out
hand in
Ready to master them?
Teacher: Reveal the list without definitions to spark curiosity.
follow up
Verb 1 of 7
Definition
To continue or check on something previously discussed.
Pronunciation
/ˈfɑː.loʊ ʌp/
Example
"I’ll follow up with the client tomorrow to confirm the details."
Teacher: Model pronunciation. Ask learner to create their own sentence.
bring up
Verb 2 of 7
Definition
To mention or raise a topic.
Pronunciation
/brɪŋ ʌp/
Example
"She brought up the budget concerns during the meeting."
Teacher: Elicit a sample sentence from learner.
set up
Verb 3 of 7
Definition
To arrange or organize something.
Pronunciation
/sɛt ʌp/
Example
"I’ll set up the conference call for 3 PM."
Teacher: Model pronunciation and use in context.
get back to
Verb 4 of 7
Definition
To respond or return contact.
Pronunciation
/ɡɛt bæk tuː/
Example
"I’ll get back to you with the report by Friday."
Teacher: Clarify nuance between reply and return contact.
go over
Verb 5 of 7
Definition
Workplace Phrasal Verbs Practice Worksheet Workplace Phrasal Verbs
Professional Communication Series
Name:
Date:
1
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each sentence with the correct phrasal verb from the box below. Use each verb only once. You may need to change the verb tense (e.g., brought up).
follow up
bring up
set up
get back to
go over
carry out
hand in
I’ll with the client tomorrow to confirm their availability.
During the meeting, she concerns about the new budget.
Can you a conference call with the overseas team next week?
Please your completed report by Friday afternoon.
Let’s the project timeline one more time before we start.
He promised to my email by the end of the day.
The audit team will the safety procedures this afternoon.
2
Matching Definitions
Match each phrasal verb to its meaning. Write the letter of the correct verb next to the number.
1. To continue or check on something previously discussed
2. To mention or raise a topic
3. To arrange or organize something
4. To respond or return contact
5. To review or examine
6. To perform or complete a task
7. To submit something
Phrasal Verbs
a. follow up
b. bring up
c. set up
d. get back to
e. go over
f. carry out
g. hand in
3
Create Your Own Sentences
Write two original sentences using at least three different phrasal verbs from today’s list. Underline the phrasal verbs you use.
A.
B.
Sample Workplace Emails Reading Sample Workplace Emails
Contextual Reading & Analysis
Review the following emails. Pay close attention to how the highlighted phrasal verbs are used in professional context. Discuss with your teacher why each verb was chosen.
Subject: Follow-Up on Marketing Plan & Meeting Set-Up
From: jane.doe@company.com
Hi Team,
I wanted to follow up on the draft marketing plan I sent last week. During our last discussion, Sarah brought up some concerns about the budget allocation. Let’s set up a brief meeting tomorrow at 10 AM to go over her feedback and adjust the timeline accordingly.
Please let me know if this time works for everyone, and I’ll send a calendar invite shortly.
Thanks,
Subject: Project Review and Next Steps
From: mark.smith@client-services.com
Hello Carlos,
Thank you for your detailed report. I will get back to you with my comments by Friday afternoon. In the meantime, could you go over the latest design mockups and carry out the usability tests we discussed? That data will help us refine our approach before the next phase.
Looking forward to your updates.
Best regards,
Subject: Reminder to Hand In Your Timesheet
From: linda.hr@corporate.net
Hi Everyone,
This is a friendly reminder to hand in your timesheets for the current pay period by 5 PM tomorrow. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out, and I’ll follow up with you as needed.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this.
Kind regards,
Role-Play Scenario Cards Activity Role-Play Scenario Cards
Office Interactions & Professional Communication
Use these cards to practice the seven target phrasal verbs in realistic office dialogues. Instructions: Shuffle the cards and draw one. Role-play the scenario with your teacher/partner, aiming to use all listed verbs naturally. Switch roles to practice both perspectives.
Card 1: Project Deadline
PRO
Scenario: You must bring up changes to the project deadline with your manager. Explain why tasks can’t be carried out on time and ask when you should hand in your progress report.
Use Verbs:
bring up carried out hand in
Card 2: Report Follow-Up
ADMIN
Scenario: Your colleague hasn’t handed in the monthly report. You need to follow up by email and ask when you’ll get back to them with feedback.
Use Verbs:
hand in follow up get back to
Card 3: Training Session
OPS
Scenario: You’re organizing a new software training. You need to set up the session, go over the agenda with the trainer, and ensure they carry out a short demonstration.
Use Verbs:
set up go over carry out
Card 4: Client Feedback
SALES
Scenario: You spoke with a client last week. You want to follow up on their suggestions, get back to them with revised mockups, and go over any final edits.
Use Verbs:
follow up get back to go over
Card 5: Team Meeting
MGMT
Scenario: It’s your turn to lead the team meeting. You need to bring up three discussion points, set up the video conference link, and remind everyone to hand in their pre-meeting notes.
Use Verbs:
bring up set up hand in
Card 6: Post-Training
HR
Scenario: After employee training, you must carry out a survey, hand in the summary to HR, and get back to participants with follow-up resources.
Use Verbs:
Workplace Phrasal Verbs Answer Key Worksheet Answer Key
Mastering Work Phrasals
Teacher Resource
1
Fill in the Blanks
Teacher Note: Check that students pick the intended verb from the box and adjust verb form appropriately (e.g., past tense where necessary). Spelling and particle placement must be accurate.
I’ll follow up with the client tomorrow to confirm their availability. Rationale: Means to continue or check on something previously discussed.
During the meeting, she brought up concerns about the new budget. Rationale: Past form of "bring up"; means to mention or raise a topic.
Can you set up a conference call with the overseas team next week? Rationale: Means to arrange or organize something.
Please hand in your completed report by Friday afternoon. Rationale: Means to submit something.
Let’s go over the project timeline one more time before we start. Rationale: Means to review or examine.
He promised to get back to my email by the end of the day. Rationale: Means to respond or return contact.
The audit team will carry out the safety procedures this afternoon. Rationale: Means to perform or complete a task.
2
Matching Definitions
a
1. To continue or check on something...
b
2. To mention or raise a topic
c
3. To arrange or organize something
d
4. To respond or return contact
e
5. To review or examine
f
6. To perform or complete a task
g
7. To submit something
Note for matching: Verify correct letter choice and neat numbering if physical copy. Letter 'a' correlates to 'follow up', 'b' to 'bring up', etc.
3
Create Your Own Sentences
Teacher Note: Look for accurate, context-appropriate usage of at least three different target verbs. Ensure sense and grammar are correct.
Sample Answers:
1. "After our meeting, I’ll follow up with HR to see when we can set up the training room and then hand in the equipment request form."
Work Phrasal Power Slides Revision Mastering Work Phrasals
Professional English Series
Understand
Master meanings of 7 essential verbs.
Practice
Apply usage in emails & reports.
Speak
Build confidence in meetings.
Warm-Up Discussion
1 What communication challenges do you face at work?
2 Have you seen phrasal verbs in emails or meetings?
3 Guess the meanings: follow up, bring up, set up
Today's Target Verbs
follow up
bring up
set up
get back to
go over
carry out
hand in
Ready to master them?
follow up
1 of 7
Definition
To continue or check on something previously discussed.
Pronunciation
/ˈfɑː.loʊ ʌp/
Example
"I’ll follow up with the client tomorrow to confirm the details."
bring up
2 of 7
Definition
To mention or raise a topic.
Pronunciation
/brɪŋ ʌp/
Example
"She brought up the budget concerns during the meeting."
set up
3 of 7
Definition
To arrange or organize something.
Pronunciation
/sɛt ʌp/
Example
"I’ll set up the conference call for 3 PM."
get back to
4 of 7
Definition
To respond or return contact.
Pronunciation
/ɡɛt bæk tuː/
Example
"I’ll get back to you with the report by Friday."
go over
5 of 7
Definition
To review or examine.
Pronunciation
/ɡoʊ ˈoʊ.vɚ/
Example
"Let’s go over the agenda before we start."
carry out
6 of 7
Definition
To perform or complete a task.
Pronunciation
/ˈkæri aʊt/
Example
"We need to carry out the safety inspections this week."
hand in
7 of 7
Work Phrasal Flashcards Study Set Work Phrasal Flashcards
Cut along the dotted lines to create your study set.
follow up
/ˈfɑː.loʊ ʌp/
To continue or check on something previously discussed.
"I’ll follow up with the client tomorrow to confirm the details."
bring up
/brɪŋ ʌp/
To mention or raise a topic.
"She brought up the budget concerns during the meeting."
set up
/sɛt ʌp/
To arrange or organize something.
"I’ll set up the conference call for 3 PM tomorrow."
get back to
/ɡɛt bæk tuː/
To respond or return contact.
"I’ll get back to you with the report by Friday afternoon."
go over
/ɡoʊ ˈoʊ.vɚ/
To review or examine.
"Let’s go over the agenda before we start the presentation."
carry out
/ˈkæri aʊt/
To perform or complete a task.
"We need to carry out the safety inspections this week."
hand in
/hænd ɪn/
To submit something.
"Please hand in your timesheets by 5 PM on Monday."
Mastery Checklist
Can you use all 7 verbs in a single paragraph?
Mastering Work Phrasals • Reference Cards
