LESSON PLAN
CHARACTER REFERENCE
Class: 11th – 12th School: Nicu Gane National College
Number of students: 25-30 Time: 50’
Textbook: CAE Gold Plus Teacher: Alina Mihaela Ciubotaru
Lesson type: Writing
Level: Upper-Intermediate / Advanced
Aims (by the end of the lesson, students will be able to):
Use adjectives describing personality traits in a character reference
Fully familiarize with the layout and style of a character reference
Improve their writing skills for applying for future jobs / university degrees
Language Focus: language used in a character reference
Timetable Fit:
In the previous lessons, the students worked on writing a proper letter
of application
In the next lesson, the students will revise the vocabulary related to
personal qualities in view of writing a resume, also needed when
applying for a job/scholarship
Aids: handouts (adapted from textbooks), videos (internet)
Anticipated Problems: Students may have problems coming up with a higher number of
adjectives/ nouns describing personal skills
Solution to the anticipated problem: The activities are designed to refresh their memory
about vocabulary connected to personal traits, encourage them to ponder on their future
careers, as well as to learn new things related to both themselves and their classmates
Assumptions: The Ss already handle a satisfying level of language in order to accomplish
the requests of the lesson
PROCEDURE
Time Stages Interaction
10’ 1) Warm-up:
Activity 1 (handout)
Aim: an ice-breaker meant to:
Create a pleasant atmosphere and relax the students
Introduce Ss to the topic of careers, and to practise their speaking
skills
Procedure:
1. T will have Power Point slides, which write the following T-Ss
questions (Ss will see them on their worksheets):
Ever since you were little, people have been asking
you: what do you want to be when you grow up? Have
your intentions/expectations changed? Why?
Which would be your dream job? Is it different from what
you are actually going to pursue as a career? If so, in what
way? What are the qualities needed for that job?
2. Ss work individually, trying to come up with a list of qualities to
answer the questions on the handout, then share their opinions Ss-Ss
freely with the rest of the class
3. T writes their ideas on the board, and, together with the students, Ss-T
decide on which qualities would be suitable for all jobs in
general, and which would go only for certain jobs
15’ 2) Predictive activity about the qualities needed for specific jobs
Activity 2 (handout)
T-Ss
Aim: to get students to talk in groups and come to a decision about
which are the most suitable qualities for a specific job
Procedure: Ss-T
1. T divides students into groups of four, and gives each group an
A3 sheet of paper containing the name of a job and several cards
including qualities (adjectives and nouns – explaining that, in
order to avoid repetition, students could resort to changing the
part of speech of a word they are using), asking them to choose
the qualities/skills that are best suited to that particular job, and
fill-in the table provided, which divides the vocabulary into
general/specific skills and adjectives/nouns, as well as to stick
them onto the A3 paper. The Ss can also add some of their own
examples.
Power Point slide with example!
2. Students do the task in groups, then choose two spokespersons to
present their ideas to the rest of the class – one student will
present the words chosen, while the other will explain how they
divided the words into the required categories
Jobs: Construction engineer/manager
Teacher
Hair stylist
School administrator
Volunteer working with disabled children/adults
School counsellor
Museum curator
Qualities: communication skills; honesty; technical competency; work
ethic; flexibility; determination; persistence; ability to work in harmony
with co-workers; eager and willing to add to their knowledge base and
skills; inspiring; supportive; progressive; unbiased; visionary; creative;
problem solving abilities; loyalty; kind; gentle; resilient; honest;
practical; appreciative; consistent; capable; sensitive; perceptive;
patient; thoughtful; trustworthy; perfect fit; versatile; integrity; passion;
optimism; self-confidence; easy-going; ability to work well under
pressure; adaptability; leadership; fairness; conflict resolution; time
management; good command of information in (his/field of activity);
Example: School Principal
General qualities Specific qualities
Noun Adjective Noun Adjective
communication Supportive good command Trustworthy
skills Capable of information consistent
work ethic Patient in
adaptability kind self-confidence
fairness
10’ 3) Reading activity:
Activity 3 (handout)
Aim: to get students acquainted with the layout of a character reference
and get them to make decisions regarding the correct position of certain
expressions in the reference
Procedure:
1. T draws the students’ attention to the Power Point slide where T-Ss
they see the task (also written down in Activity 3 on their
handout), and asks the students: Which would be the most
suitable qualities for this position?
Task: Your childhood friend, Stephen, intends to apply for a
position of guide in a museum of ancient history, and has asked
you write a character reference for him, in which you are to
include: the period you have known him for, a detailed
description of his character and what would make him the best
choice for the job. (220-250 words)
2. Ss give examples of skills necessary for being a guide in a Ss-Ss
museum of history
3. T then asks students to fill in the blanks with the suitable words T-Ss
and phrases, to complete the reference
Ss-T
4. Ss read the entire character reference out loud, including the
phrases used to fill in the blanks
Answers:
a) 2 f) 7
b) 1 g) 8
c) 4 h) 9
d) 3 i) 10
e) 6 j) 5
4) Post-reading activities
2’ Activity 4 (handout)
Aim: to help students understand the structure and register of a character
reference
Procedure:
1. T asks the Ss to answer the questions in Activity 4 on their T-Ss
worksheets
2. Ss work individually and write down the answers
3. T monitors the activity
4. Ss deliver the answers to the T and the T corrects them if Ss-T
necessary
Answers:
2, 3, 4
Formal
No
1
5
3’ Activity 5 (handout)
Aim: to get students to think about how to turn a negative thing into
something that would leave a positive impression about the applicant
Procedure:
1. T asks the Ss to answer the question in Activity 5: Which T-Ss
weakness (which could eventually turn out to be a positive thing)
could you add to further recommend Stephen for the position?
Ss-Ss
2. Ss perform the activity in pairs (PW)
3. T monitors the activity
Ss-T
4. S deliver the answers to the rest of the class
Possible answer:
It can be difficult sometimes to keep up with Stephen’s perfectionist and
visionary nature. He shows so much initiative, without realizing that not
all ideas can be put into practice – for budget reasons, for instance, but
that comes from his wish to better himself and the others, and, in the
end, everybody follows his lead.
2’ 5) Feedback
Activity 6 (handout)
Aim: to get students to further practise their speaking skills and use
critical thinking
T-Ss
Procedure:
1. T asks Ss to answer the questions in Activity 6 Ss-T
2. Ss take turns giving sharing their opinions freely with the class
Questions:
Do you think the reference would really help Stephen get the job?
Can anything else be added to make his application more successful?
Is there any exaggeration in the reference?
Should the reference have been more personal or, on the contrary?
2’ 6) Home assignment: T-Ss
Students will have the opportunity to choose one of the topics
provided and write a Character Reference of 220-250 words
HW 1: You are a teacher and one of your final year students
intends to apply for volunteer work in a camp for children with
disabilities. The job description includes initiating and actively
participating in various games and activities with the children,
lunch duties and evening/sleeping supervision duties. Write a
reference for him/her indicating how long you have known
him/her, adding some character traits which would make
him/her the most suitable person to consider.
HW 2: One of your classmates intends to apply for a
scholarship at a university in UK, and specialize in veterinary
medicine. You have been asked to provide a character reference
for him/her, stating how long and in what capacity you have
known him/her, what qualities recommend him/her as the best
candidate for the scholarship.
1’ 7) Evaluation T-Ss
Teacher evaluates the level of, participation and cooperation of the
students, praising the active ones and encouraging all students to
participate in order to improve their speaking skills.
5’ 8) Up Sleeve Activity
Time permitting, the students will watch a video reminding them of the
most important steps in writing a successful reference
HANDOUT
Activity 1
Briefly answer the following questions:
Ever since you were little, people have been asking you: what do you want to be
when you grow up? Have your intentions/expectations changed? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Which would be your dream job? Is it different from what you are actually
going to pursue as a career? If so, in what way? What are the qualities needed
for that job?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Activity 2
Choose the most suitable qualities/skills for the job you have been assigned to talk about
and fill in the table with the words chosen, in the correct category. Feel free to come up
with your own examples.
Example: School Principal
General qualities Specific qualities
Noun Adjective Noun Adjective
communication Supportive good command Trustworthy
skills Capable of information consistent
work ethic Patient in
adaptability kind self-confidence
fairness
Job assigned: ………………………………..
General qualities Specific qualities
Noun Adjective Noun Adjective
Activity 3
Read the following task and tell us which would be the most suitable qualities for the
position:
Your childhood friend, Stephen, intends to apply for a position of guide in a
museum of ancient history, and has asked you write a character reference for
him, in which you are to include: the period you have known him for, a detailed
description of his character and what would make him the best choice for the
job. (220-250 words)
Now try to match the phrases below with their correct spot in the character reference
To whom it may concern: Stephen MacIntyre
(1) Stephen and I first got acquainted in our first year of university, where we were both pursuing
our passion for history. Since then _______(a) and regularly see each other to exchange ideas
and news in the field.
(2) Fully aware of his thirst for knowledge of the past, his impeccable work ethic, _______(b)
Stephen has the makings of a great and well-informed museum guide. _________(c) but he
also has a natural talent for making history alive, with a natural mixture of fun stories, clear
and detailed explanations, as well as updated facts.
(3) _______(d), Stephen has drawn people together with his extremely warm and friendly
manners, showing patience towards and appreciation of others. These wonderful qualities
enable him _________(e) and to be respected and admired by both colleagues and friends.
(4) Besides being a voracious reader, Stephen is also _______(f) always eager and able to
assimilate new information in little time and with great ease, a skill which _________(g) to
fully grasp the necessary knowledge about each and every exhibit in your museum, and put
his personal stamp on it when delivering a speech to any group of visitors, to make it
attractive and easy to understand.
(5) For the above mentioned reasons, ______(h) that Stephen possesses the required skills for
this post and he __________(i). He has proven to be a loyal, inspiring friend and I can assure
you he would definitely be a reliable, honest and much appreciated employee, which is why
_____(J)
Feel free to contact me for further details/ information.
Miriam Stones
Miriam Stones
History Professor
[email protected]
1. I can say without a doubt that
2. we have remained close friends
3. In addition to his passion for uncovering the past
4. Not only does Stephen show initiative
5. I fully support his application
6. to easily communicate with people of different age-groups
7. an excellent listener
8. would undoubtedly help him
9. I am very confident
10. would be a great asset for the museum.
Activity 4
Answer the following questions:
In which paragraph(s) are the personal qualities presented? _________
Which register (formal/informal) is used? _________________
Are there any contractions used? ______________
In which paragraph appears the writer’s personal/ work relationship with the
applicant? ________________
Which paragraph reinforces the writer’s recommendation? ___________
Activity 5
Answer the following question:
Which weakness – which you could turn into a positive thing – would you add to further
recommend Stephen for this position, and how would you express it?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Activity 6
Answer the following questions:
Do you think the reference would really help Stephen get the job?
Can anything else be added to make his application more successful?
Is there any exaggeration in the reference?
Should the reference have been more personal or, on the contrary?
HOMEWORK:
Choose one of the topics provided and write a Character Reference of 220-250 words
HW 1: You are a teacher and one of your final year students intends to apply for
volunteer work in a camp for children with disabilities. The job description includes
initiating and actively participating in various games and activities with the children,
lunch duties and evening/sleeping supervision duties. Write a reference for him/her
indicating how long you have known him/her, adding some character traits which
would make him/her the most suitable person to consider.
HW 2: One of your classmates intends to apply for a scholarship at a university in
UK, and specialize in veterinary medicine. You have been asked to provide a
character reference for him/her, stating how long and in what capacity you have
known him/her, what qualities recommend him/her as the best candidate for the
scholarship.
Other examples of phrases used in a Character reference
Writer’s relationship with the applicant
I first met … and the friendship has only got stronger in time
I have known …. for ….. years, being his … (colleague/ supervisor, etc)
… and I have been working together for … and during this time ….
As/ Being a former colleague of …. it is my honour/pleasure to write this character
reference (letter of recommendation) for him/her
Applicant’s overall suitability
.... has the necessary qualities for …
… has the makings of a wonderful/ an excellent …
… would be a valuable asset to …
… would greatly contribute to/ would make a great contribution to …
I am in no doubt that …/ There is no doubt that …/ Undoubtedly, … would be the
perfect fit for the position/ grant …
… would be a worthy candidate to be considered/ to consider for …
Aspects of personality, relevant abilities/ qualities
Not only is he/she … a highly trained… but he/she proves exceptional talent in …
Being a highly skilled … enables him/ her to …
He/ she definitely has great flair for…/ gift for … which would make him/ her a
promising …
Editing Checklist
Once you’ve written your rough draft, check the following points:
1. Have you used a formal, impersonal register, no short verb forms?
2. Have you started your reference by clearly stating the nature of your relationship
with the applicant?
3. Have you pointed out why the candidate is suitable for the position applied?
4. Have you included relevant qualities (with some examples, if necessary) and most
important aspects of his/her personality?
5. Have you ended with a stronger recommendation to reinforce your overall good
impression of the candidate?
6. Have you used different paragraphs for each point and relevant linking expressions?
7. Have you checked for any spelling/ grammar errors?
If so, well done!
