TEACHER

GUANA

Unit 1
First impressions
 Unit 1
First impressions
Lesson objective: Discuss modern impressions

This lesson will cover:

SPEAKING TIME
READING MOMENT
LISTENING DRILL
VOCABULARY
 AGREE OR DISAGREE?

“First impressions are more

important online than in person”
 SPEAKING TIME
How important do you think first impressions are in business? HWhat are some challenges of making a good first impression in
Can they ever be changed? virtual meetings (e.g., Zoom, Teams)?

What do you think are the most important factors when making How can someone make a strong first impression in an email or
a first impression in a professional setting? (e.g., appearance, message?
body language, communication skills)
Do you think first impressions are the same in every culture? Can
When you want to know more about other companies or about you give an example of a cultural difference in making first
colleagues and clients before you meet them, where do you impressions?
normally start looking?
How important is eye contact, a handshake, or a smile in your
How do you think first impressions are different online (e.g., culture when meeting someone for the first time?
LinkedIn, email, or social media) compared to in-person
meetings? Do you think first impressions are always accurate? Why or why
not?
What do you notice first when you look at someone’s social
media profile or professional website? If you could give one piece of advice to someone about making a
good first impression, what would it be?
Do you think employers or business partners should check
someone’s social media profiles before working with them? Why
or why not?

How can someone create a positive professional image on

platforms like LinkedIn?
 READING PRACTICE

Read the following text about online impressions.

VIRTUAL IMPRESSIONS
1. These days creating a good impression is more than just shaking hands and presenting a well-designed business card when you first
meet someone. That’s because before you even attended a meeting with a prospective client or a potential employer, you can guarantee
that they’ve already searched your name, checked to see if your company has a good reputation via online review sites and even
searched your personal online history.

2. To manage your online profile, start with your company’s website. According to researchers at the Missouri University of Science and
Technology, it takes under three seconds for an online visitor to start to form an opinion of your brand from the website. The researchers
also tracked eye movements and discovered that visitors tend to gain their first impressions from the logo, photographs, menus and, in
particular, the opportunity to make contact via social media. In other words, projecting the right kind of online image is not just about
looking good, but companies should also make sure their customers can interact with them and start building a relationship.

3. Individuals such as freelancers and job-seekers also need to think carefully about their social media image before posting photos and
comments online. A recent survey of 450 employers showed that more than 40% had taken a dislike to a potential employee as soon as
they’d checked the person’s Facebook page. One typical reason for rejection was finding out that the information on the CV didn’t match
the applicant’s online profile. It’s a good idea for anyone who is self-employed or looking for a job to think about how they come across
to people and to make sure their online profile promotes a positive and truthful image.
 ACTIVATION

Which paragraph (1-3) is about...?

how companies need to make sure their website maintains a

visitor’s interest. ___
how people looking for work need to check their digital history
before applying for a job. ___
how people get their first impressions of you or your business by
going online first. ___
 ACTIVATION
Complete questions 1-8 with the correct verbs from the list.

1. What kind of impression would your company like to ________ on its website?
2. What sort of reputation do you or your company ________?
3. How does your company ________ the right kind of image through its advertising?
4. How important is it to ________ your own online profile?
5. When you meet someone for the first time face-to-face, how do you ________ an opinion of
them?
6. How do you think you ________ across to people you meet for the first time?
7. In your line of work, how important is it for you to ________ a close relationship with other
customers or clients?
8. Do you ever ________ an instant dislike to someone when you meet them for the first time?
What are the reasons?

build take project come create form have manage

 LISTENING DRILL

1.1 Listen to Zhifu Li, a website designer in Hong Kong, talking about

adapting websites to local needs. Then, answer the following

questions:

1. In what way is website localization similar to other forms of

advertising?
2. What differences between Western and Asian websites
does Zhifu mention?
 VOCABULARY

Match each of the adjectives from the previous audio to an adjective with a similar meaning:

1. Expensive Reliable
2. Ineffective Unsuccessful
3. Arrogant Showy
4. Trustworthy Positive
5. Suspicious Costly
6. Complex Mistrustful
7. Modest Practical
8. Ostentatious Complicated
9. Functional Simple
10. Successful Effective
11. Wary Over-confident
12. Favorable Cautious
ACTIVATION

Which of the adjectives are positive and which are negative?

Using as many of the adjectives as possible, discuss what makes

an effective website in your culture.

What aspects of a website would give a negative first

impression?
 SPEAKING TIME

Look at this list of things that can create a good or bad first impression of a company:

uniform dress code

office- business premises website
telephone answering system advertisements in media
reception area brochures / printed materials
meeting/ conference room price
quality of product / service speaking customer’s language
warm greeting reputation

1. Which four are the most important and why?

2. Choose two of the factors that create a good impression of your company. Explain how.
3. Choose two of the factors that are less successful at creating a good impression of your company.
How could they be improved?
 ACTION!!

Task: Imagine you are in charge of opening a new branch in England. You
must ensure a strong first impression and build a positive reputation.

Physical/Visual Elements: How will the office/ website look?

Communication: How will you greet customers or clients (in person, online, or on the
phone)?
Cultural Considerations: How will you adapt your approach according to cultural
aspects (e.g., website design, communication style)?
Reputation-Building: What steps will you take to maintain a good reputation (e.g.,
quality of service, customer feedback)?
PROGRESS CHECK:

What is one new thing you

learned about first impressions
today?

How will you apply this

knowledge in your professional
or personal life?
Homework:
Worksheet #1
TEACHER
GUANA

THANK YOU!