The Gig Economy – EAP Lessons

What is the gig economy?

The gig economy can be defined as independent work that encapsulates autonomous, collaborative short-term working relationships (gigs). This encompasses the labour services of trading in goods and renting assets. A credible segregation of the gig economy would be to divide it into five key sectors; accommodation, transportation, household, professional and financial services which are generally accessed through digital platforms or databases (Wilson, 2017: Academic English UK).

The gig economy lesson

This blog provides a number of lessons based on the Gig Economy. There is over 6-hours of lesson content here. It starts through a discussion of well-known Gig companies and students internet research a specific gig company. This then leads into a definition of ‘The Gig Economy’ using a dictogloss (a three-sentence dictation).  Once the foundation of a gig economy is established, students can then do the reading (questions and/or summary writing), then a 12-minute lecture listening and finally a seminar discussion. Everything is included in one PDF book.

Gig Economy Lesson PDF Book

AMAZING VALUE – Six Lessons in one book. Introduction, definition, reading test, summary writing, Lecture listening & seminar

All content in PDF Book is below  

Introduction: What is the Gig Economy?

Activate schemata: Discuss in small groups – What is the Gig Economy? Can you name any Gig companies? 

Look at these Gig Companies – do you know any of these? Do a quick internet search – find out what they are? 

A Definition – a dictation & writing exercise

A dictogloss is a classroom dictation activity where learners are required to construct a short text (3 sentences) by listening and taking notes, which are then used to reconstruct the text. There are many key skills used in this type of lesson; listening, note-taking, communication with other students, grammar and vocabulary development. 

Dictogloss: The Gig Economy

What is the Gig Economy?  The five main markets of the economy and the main drivers. Key language areas noun phrases / formal academic verbs. Example Level: ***** [B2/C1]  / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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More Dictogloss Lessons – here

Reading Test

AEUK Academic Reading Tests have been specifically written by AEUK for university English reading tests. The texts are based around academic journals and there are a variety of test questions (t,f,ng / gap fill / information tables, summaries, etc..) to test comprehension. The test takes 1:30 (+30 minutes answer check). The tests can be used as normal lesson material too.

 

 

Reading Test: The Gig Economy

The text discusses the rise of the gig economy and makes an attempt to define exactly what it is. It then highlights key gig companies investigating the importance and limitations of this new contemporary employment platform. Finally, it puts forward the future challenges of the gig economy for employees, employers and society. Example / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

 

More Reading Test Lessons – here

Summary Writing: The Gig Economy 

This uses the same text as the reading test (above). This lesson asks students to highlight key points with support and then write a summary of 200-250 words. The lesson includes all key points & support, a model answer and a critical thinking worksheet.

 

Summary Writing: The Gig Economy

The text discusses the rise of the gig economy and makes an attempt to define exactly what it is. It then highlights key gig companies investigating the importance and limitations of this new contemporary employment platform. Finally, it puts forward the future challenges of the gig economy for employees, employers and society. Example / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

More Reading & writing Summary Lessons – here

Listening to a lecture

AEUK has written and created this lecture. It is designed to compliment the Academic Gig Economy reading text (above) where it discusses three Gig Companies.This lecture includes a listening worksheet, a simple video and PPT. We provide PPT slides so students can practise authentic university lecture listening by adding notes to the slides.

The Gig Economy – AEUK Test

This is a lecture on the defining the Gig Economy and discussing the positives and negatives of three Gig Economies (AirBnB, Uber and Task Rabbit). It includes a video, test questions and PPT (see example).  Level ***** [B2/C1] PPT link in download  Video [12.14]  TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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More Listening Worksheets & Lessons – here

Seminar Discussion

This seminar is based around using the reading text and the listening text. In small groups students use their notes and texts to discuss the key seminar questions. There is a worksheet for collating all the ideas and this can be used to answer the questions.

Key Seminar Questions

  1. Discuss key Gig Economy companies – what they are and what they do?
  2. Define ‘what is the gig economy’ (state one aspect with development)
  3. Discuss all the positive aspects of the Gig Economy
  4. Discuss the negative aspects of the Gig Economy
  5. Critical thinking – is there anything in the lecture or text that you would question?? 

What is a seminar?

What is a seminar?

Generally, it is a small discussion on a specific topic among a group of students. At university it can be a central part of the learning process from lecturers creating seminars around pre-reading texts or post-lecture discussions. Commonly, at university English language centres seminars have become a feature of testing English speaking  though fluency, conversational skills and ability to discuss complex subjects.

Why have seminars?

  • explore topics in more depth
  • share ideas in a way that will advance your thinking
  • learn from other people’s experiences and background knowledge
  • improve transferable skills for career development

Pre-seminar Procedures

Students are often given pre-texts and pre-listenings before the seminar to prepare. Students are expected to read and listen to texts carefully by making detailed notes and come to the seminar fully prepared.

A Seminar Test 

  • Students work together in groups of 4-6
  • Teachers provide a set of questions.
  • Students discuss for 25-30 minutes (approx 5 mins per person)
  • Students summarise the key points in the last 5 mins
  • Students CAN refer to their texts and notes
  • Teachers monitor and give feedback at the end.

The seminar process

  • The group are called into a room and they sit around a table.
  • The questions are given out and students have 2 minutes to read and prepare by taking notes.
  • The seminar begins with an opening statement – we’re here today to discuss…
  • The students then begin to discuss the first question.
  • Each student should make a contribution by referring to their notes / texts.
  • The seminar should flow with students adding to what was previously said.
  • Once everyone agrees the question has been addressed in full, then they move onto the next question.
  • Important:  not all the questions have to be answered but they should be discussed in order.
  • Once the students begin to approach 25 minutes, they should bring it to an end by each one summarising a main point raised.

key points to a seminar

  • It should be a flowing conversation with everyone involved and contributing.
  • The teacher / tutor should not intervene if it goes quiet but let the students manage the discussion.
  • Students have to show confidence and demonstrate thorough awareness of the texts.
  • Dominant students are penalised for not sharing and including others.
  • Students should be penalised for just reading notes.
  • Key debate phrases should be used to should conversation skills – agreeing, disagreeing, interrupting, etc…

 

Seminar Speaking Criteria x2

There is a basic seminar speaking criteria to assess seminar speaking skills which has four key criteria: Language accuracy, language range, pronunciation and communicative effectiveness. Also, another seminar criteria that includes ‘reference to materials’. Example / Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

 

 

Gig Economy Lesson PDF Book

AMAZING VALUE – Six Lessons in one book. Introduction, definition, reading test, summary writing, Lecture listening & seminar

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