Plan a simple project in English
Students learn how to talk about tasks, deadlines, responsibilities and progress using clear A2 language.
Lesson overview
Students learn simple project-management language and practise giving short project updates.
Lesson aims
- Talk about basic project steps.
- Use vocabulary for tasks, deadlines and responsibilities.
- Ask and answer simple project questions.
- Give a short progress update.
Warm-up questions
- Have you ever worked on a school or work project?
- What makes a project easy or difficult?
- Do you prefer working alone or in a team?
Key idea
A project is a piece of work with a clear goal, a plan, tasks, people and a deadline.
What is project management?
Read the text and complete the comprehension tasks.
Project management means planning and organising work so a team can finish a project successfully.
A project usually has a clear goal. For example, a team may need to create a new website, organise an event, prepare a presentation or design a new product.
Before the team starts, they make a simple plan. The plan explains the main tasks, the people responsible for each task and the deadline. A deadline is the date when the work must be finished.
Good project management helps people understand what they need to do. It also helps the team solve problems early. If a task is late, the team can change the plan or give help to the person responsible.
In a good project team, people communicate clearly. They ask questions, give updates and listen to each other. Short meetings can help the team check progress and decide the next steps.
Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer
Project words
Learn basic words for project management.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| goal | what you want to achieve | Our goal is to finish the website. |
| task | one piece of work | My task is to write the text. |
| deadline | the final date | The deadline is Friday. |
| team | people working together | Our team has four people. |
| update | new information about progress | Can you give me an update? |
| problem | something difficult | We have a problem with the budget. |
Exercise 1: Choose the correct word
Exercise 2: Match the word and meaning
A short project meeting
Read the dialogue and practise it with a partner.
Manager: Good morning. Can we check the project plan?
Ana: Yes. Our goal is to finish the customer presentation by Friday.
Manager: Great. What are the main tasks?
Ana: I will write the introduction. Marco will prepare the slides. Sara will check the images.
Manager: Is everything on time?
Ana: Mostly, yes. But we have one problem. We need one more photo.
Manager: Okay. Please send me an update tomorrow.
Ana: No problem. I’ll send a short update in the morning.
Comprehension
Project Management Update Meeting
Listen to the two parts of the project meeting and answer the questions.
Part 1
Audio 1: Project update
Write short answers. Listen once for the general idea, then listen again for details.
Part 2
Audio 2: Deadlines and next steps
Listening answers
- The project is about creating/building a new website.
- Tom finished the home page last week.
- Tom is currently working on the contact page.
- The contact page will be ready on Friday.
- Sarah has written text for the About Us page and the Services page.
- Sarah needs to write six product descriptions.
- Sarah will complete all the product descriptions by Wednesday.
- Tom mentions a problem with the product photos/images.
- The project manager will speak to/check with the design team about the photos/images.
- The final deadline for the entire project is next Friday.
- Tom will finish all the web pages by Tuesday.
- Sarah will complete the content by Wednesday.
- The team needs to test the website, including the links and contact form.
- Tom might need help with testing the website/contact form.
- The client presentation is on Friday morning.
- Yes, the client can request small changes after the presentation.
- The next team meeting is on Monday morning.
will for simple project decisions
Use will + verb to say what someone agrees to do.
Form: subject + will + base verb
Examples: I will write the report. / Marco will prepare the slides. / We will finish on Friday.
Short form: I’ll send an update. / We’ll check the plan.
Exercise 1: Choose the correct sentence
Exercise 2: Write your own project sentences
Useful Project Management Phrases
Practise useful phrases for giving updates, discussing timelines, identifying problems, planning tasks and offering support.
Giving updates
- We finished... last week.
- We're currently working on...
- Everything is on schedule.
- It's going well.
- I've completed...
- I'm starting... this afternoon.
Talking about timelines
- I estimate it will be finished by...
- I think I can complete it by...
- That gives us [time period].
- We need it by [date] at the latest.
- The deadline is...
Discussing problems
- I have a small concern.
- Does anyone see any risks or challenges?
- We might have a problem with...
- If we have any technical issues...
Planning and organizing
- Let me break down the tasks.
- Should I take notes?
- We need to make sure...
- I'll assign someone to help you.
- Keep everyone updated.
- Everyone needs to be prepared.
Offering and asking for help
- I might need some extra help.
- If you need support, let me know.
- Can you handle that?
- I'll assign someone to help you.
Drag-and-drop gap fill
Drag the correct phrase into each simple project meeting sentence.
Plan a simple project
Work in pairs or small groups. Choose a project and complete the planner.
You need to prepare a 5-minute presentation for next week.
You need to organise a small event for 20 people.
Project planner
Speaking model
Our project is a class presentation. Our goal is to explain project management. I will write the introduction. My partner will prepare the slides. The deadline is Friday. Everything is on time, but we need one more image.
Final review
Check the key language from the lesson.
Exit task
Give a 30-second update about your project. Use at least four words from the lesson.