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READING & STORY
The Project That Went Off Track
Identify why a project went off track and recommend a more effective response.
LevelB1Time30 minutesLesson typeReading & StoryTopic FamilyTF19 · Meetings, Projects & Decisions
Your goal
Identify why a project went off track and recommend a more effective response.
Why this lesson / ทำไมต้องเรียนบทนี้
The learner locates and connects written evidence before making a workplace interpretation, decision or recommendation.
ระบุสาเหตุที่โครงการไม่เป็นไปตามแผนและเสนอวิธีรับมือที่มีประสิทธิภาพกว่า ผู้เรียนค้นหาและเชื่อมโยงหลักฐานจากข้อความก่อนตีความ ตัดสินใจ หรือให้คำแนะนำเรื่องงาน
Progress Focus · how the final task is assessed
EV · EvidenceFinds and connects the evidence needed for the decision.0 not yet · 1 with support · 2 independently
CT · InterpretationDistinguishes fact, cause, assumption, risk and implication.0 not yet · 1 with support · 2 independently
COM · Evidence-based responseExplains a justified conclusion or recommendation.0 not yet · 1 with support · 2 independently
Lesson structure · 30-minute route
3 minSet the reading purpose4 minFirst read 5 minFind and connect evidence5 minInterpret the evidence8 minDiscuss the workplace decision5 minFinal reading response
For maximum benefit, unfinished personal examples may be completed after class. The core lesson still ends with an independent performance.
TEACHER Teacher Lesson Plan · Read before class
- Set the listener, purpose and final outcome.
- Use the model for noticing, not line-by-line reading.
- Let the learner select and personalise useful language.
- Run supported practice, then remove the support.
- Delay feedback until the message is complete.
- Score the final task, give one improvement point and require a focused retry.
1
Set the reading purpose
A project missed its launch date. Read the case to separate the visible symptoms from the decisions and communication gaps that caused the failure.
Learner does: explain the listener, purpose and successful outcome in your own words.
Teacher Help · Stage 1
Ask the learner to state the listener, purpose and successful outcome in plain English. Move on only when the task is clear.
2
First read · understand the case
Case extract: The team added two client requests without changing the schedule. Testing started three days late, but the risk was not raised in the weekly meeting. When approval failed, nobody owned the revised plan. The client learned about the delay on launch day.
Learner does: identify the job of each part of the model before borrowing any language.
Teacher Help · Stage 2
Set a reading question before the text. The first read is for the overall case; do not explain every unknown word.
3
Find and connect evidence
| Evidence |
- two requests were added
- testing started late
- the risk was not raised
|
| Cause or symptom |
- scope change
- late testing
- missing ownership
|
| Response |
- record the change
- escalate the risk
- assign a revised-plan owner
|
Learner does: explain the meaning of each group and create one true workplace example from every row.
Teacher Help · Stage 3
Require a line, phrase or figure for each claim. Separate evidence from interpretation before discussing solutions.
4
Interpret the evidence
Learner does: Underline facts; circle interpretations.
Use keywords only. Change names, figures, reasons and actions so the message is yours.
Teacher Help · Stage 4
Give prompts or keywords, not a full script. Require the learner to make the content true for the situation.
5
Discuss the workplace decision
- Build a cause chain from the first decision to the client impact.
- Choose the earliest point where a different action would have helped most.
Retry rule: after feedback, repeat the weakest part with one changed condition.
Teacher Help · Stage 5
Take the other role or act as the reader. Change one realistic fact after the first attempt and delay correction until the message is complete.
6
Final reading response · justify a recommendation
Give a two-minute evidence-based explanation of why the project failed and recommend two controls that directly address the causes.
Success: complete the task independently and make the listener’s next action or understanding clear.
Teacher Help · Final assessment
Do not supply wording during the final task. Score the three Progress Focus areas, give one precise improvement point and run a shorter retry.
Continue learning with Engduo
Practise a realistic variation with an Engduo teacher and use the connected lessons below to strengthen the same workplace outcome through another skill.
Explore Engduo Business English →
Continue your learning path
Learn firstBuild the prerequisite: use precise problem, cause, impact and solution language in a workplace explanation.
Use in a real situationApply this preparation to run a remote project kick-off that aligns purpose, roles, risks and next actions.