Lesson Aim
Students watch a comic video about the problems of online meetings and practise language for technical issues, interruptions, clarification, rescheduling and professional meeting management.
Before watching
- What usually goes wrong in online meetings?
- How can people sound polite when there is a technical problem?
- When is it better to reschedule a meeting?
Prep Part 1
Drag the correct sentence ending into each gap.
Sentence endings
the sound or connection disappearing for short momentsstudents should connect it to the lesson topic.where sound comes from on your devicethe settings symboltheir sound or connection disappears for short moments.Watch Part 1
Watch from 0:06 to about 1:20. Focus on connection problems, audio issues, echo, headphones, updates and late arrivals.
Open Part 1 on YouTubeComprehension 1
Click each question to reveal the answer.
Vocabulary from Part 1
Paul is having a sound .
Try adjusting your output .
Taylor had a hard time .
Someone just the meeting.
Options
joinedcashlesssettingsconnectingissuePrep Part 2
Drag the correct sentence ending into each gap.
Sentence endings
unable to move because there are too many carsreview the financial figuresstudents should connect it to the lesson topic.move something to another timeyou arrange to have it at a different time.Watch Part 2
Watch from about 1:20 to the end. Focus on the financial report, freezing, background interruptions, music, confusion about the platform and rescheduling.
Open Part 2 on YouTubeComprehension 2
Click each question to reveal the answer.
Vocabulary from Part 2
John is stuck in .
Taylor needs to go over the .
Beth has an to discuss.
They decide to the meeting.
Options
adjustmenttrafficnumbersGDPrescheduleVocabulary Review
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sound issue | a problem with audio | Paul is having a sound issue. |
| output settings | settings that control where sound comes from | Try adjusting your output settings. |
| cutting out | audio or video stopping briefly and repeatedly | Taylor keeps cutting out. |
| stuck in traffic | delayed because the road is busy | John had to call in because he was stuck in traffic. |
| reschedule | arrange a different time | Let’s reschedule and use a conference call. |
Phrasal Verbs and Expressions
Can you hear ?
Try adjusting your output .
Maybe we can get .
Can you put your headphones ?
Let’s go the reports.
Options
settingsoverstartedonbehindmeUse the Same Phrases to Form Questions
1. Can you hear clearly?
2. How do you change your output ?
3. Shall we get now?
4. Could you put your headphones ?
5. Can we go the numbers again?
Options
startedoutoversettingsmeonCollocations
sound
hotel
financial
conference
nine-digit
Options
passcodeWiFireportissueevasioncallB2/C1 Grammar: Managing Online Meeting Problems
This section practises polite requests, clarification questions and cause/result language for remote-work problems.
Grammar Section 1: Polite Requests
Choose an answer to get instant green/red feedback.
1. Which request sounds most professional?
2. Complete: “Could you try ___ your output settings?”
Grammar Section 2: Clarifying Technical Problems
I’m having trouble .
You’re cutting a little.
I think your microphone is picking your speakers.
Could you say that one more ?
Options
uptimeoutcashconnectingGrammar Section 3: Cause and Result
| Problem | Result | Professional response |
|---|---|---|
| The connection is unstable. | People miss information. | Could you repeat the key figures? |
| The platform needs an update. | People join late. | Let’s allow extra time before future meetings. |
| There is echo. | People cannot hear clearly. | Could you use headphones or mute your speaker? |
Thought-Provoking Questions
1. Are online meetings more efficient or more stressful than face-to-face meetings?
2. Who is responsible when technology fails: the employee or the company?
3. Should people join online meetings five minutes early?
4. What rules should every online meeting have?
5. When should a meeting be rescheduled instead of continued?
6. How can managers include people who are joining by phone?
7. What is the most annoying online meeting habit?
Role Play
| Technical problem | Polite response | Moving forward |
|---|---|---|
| I can’t hear you. You’re cutting out. I’m having trouble connecting. | Could you check your settings? Could you repeat that? Would you mind using headphones? | Let’s pause for a moment. Let’s go over that again. Shall we reschedule? |
Context
Student A
You are the meeting leader. Keep the meeting calm, solve technical problems and decide whether to continue.
Student B
You are a team member with connection problems. Explain what is happening and ask people to repeat key information.
Role play task: Manage the meeting for five minutes. By the end, decide whether to continue, reschedule or switch to a conference call.
Thank You
You have completed the ESL CONNECT video lesson.