Running workshops: using gerunds and infinitives
1
Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.
- Think about the most memorable workshop or training session you've ever attended. What made it so effective or so forgettable?
- In your opinion, what are the key elements that make a workshop truly engaging rather than just a lecture?
- If you had to lead a one-hour workshop for your peers on a skill you possess, what would you teach and what's one interactive activity you would include?
2
Workshop Feedback
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.
3
Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the dialogue.
01What was Marco's overall opinion of the project management workshop?
Sample answerHe thought it was fantastic. He particularly appreciated the hands-on approach, where they were actively doing things rather than just listening to theory.
02According to Marco, what was his favorite part of the workshop and why?
Sample answerHis favorite part was the breakout session. He liked it because it gave his small group a chance to flesh out their initial ideas.
03How did the facilitator make the workshop engaging from the very beginning?
Sample answerThe facilitator got the ball rolling by giving the participants a practical problem to solve right away.
04What specific new skill or piece of knowledge did Marco identify as his key takeaway?
Sample answerHis key takeaway was learning a new framework for prioritizing tasks.
4
Key vocabulary for workshops
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally when discussing training and development.
Examples
Get the ball rolling — to start an activity, project, or discussion.
This is a common, slightly informal idiom used by facilitators to begin a session. For example: 'Alright everyone, let's get the ball rolling with a quick introduction.'
Hands-on approach — a method of learning that involves active participation and practical experience, not just theory.
This collocation is used to describe a type of training. You can say a workshop has a 'hands-on approach' or that you gained 'hands-on experience'.
Key takeaway — the main point or most important piece of information to remember from a presentation, meeting, or workshop.
Often used in the plural ('key takeaways'). It's a very common phrase in professional and educational settings. For example: 'My key takeaway was the importance of clear communication.'
Breakout session — a smaller group activity or discussion that is separate from the main workshop, allowing for more focused work.
This is standard terminology for workshops and conferences. A facilitator might say: 'We're now going to move into breakout sessions to brainstorm some ideas.'
To flesh something out — to add more details or substance to an idea or plan to make it more complete.
This phrasal verb is useful for collaborative work. For example: 'That's a great starting point. Let's use the next 20 minutes to flesh out the proposal.'
5
Workshop leader collocations
As a workshop leader, you need to use specific phrases. Can you match these common verb and noun combinations?
Match the verbs on the left with the phrases on the right to form common collocations.
Drag or click to match
Definitions
6
Spot the mistake
Read the sentences below about workshops and training.
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01The facilitator suggested to take a short break before the next session.
Corrected version
The facilitator suggested to take taking a short break before the next session.
02To really understand the process, we need to take a hands-in approach.
Corrected version
To really understand the process, we need to take a hands-in hands-on approach.
03The main goal of this workshop is improving our team's collaborate skills.
Corrected version
The main goal of this workshop is improving our team's collaborate collaboration skills.
04I look forward to hear your ideas during the breakout session.
Corrected version
I look forward to hear hearing your ideas during the breakout session.
05The key takeaway from the morning session were that we need more time for planning.
Corrected version
The key takeaway from the morning session were was that we need more time for planning.
06We need fleshing out this proposal with more specific details before the deadline.
Corrected version
We need fleshing to flesh out this proposal with more specific details before the deadline.
07The trainer gave us an useful handout to summarise the main points.
Corrected version
The trainer gave us an a useful handout to summarise the main points.
7
Useful phrases: Managing a workshop session
Vocabulary
When you're leading a workshop, you need to do more than just present information. You have to manage the group, keep the energy up, and make sure everyone is involved. These phrases will help you guide the session smoothly and professionally.
Examples
"Alright, let's dive right in with our first topic." — a dynamic way to start the workshop or a new section.
Register: Neutral/Informal. Use this to create an energetic and engaged tone. It's a great alternative to the more standard 'Let's begin'.
"I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this." — used to invite opinions and start a discussion.
Register: Neutral. This is a polite way to open the floor for comments without putting pressure on a specific person. It encourages voluntary participation.
"That's a great point, but in the interest of time, we should probably move on." — a polite way to redirect the conversation and stick to the agenda.
Register: Neutral/Formal. Use this when a discussion is going on for too long or off-topic. It acknowledges the value of the comment before guiding the group forward.
"Does that make sense so far?" — a way to check for understanding before continuing.
Register: Neutral/Informal. This is a friendly and collaborative way to ensure everyone is following along. It feels less like a test than 'Do you understand?'.
"So, to quickly recap, the main points are..." — used to summarize a discussion or presentation segment.
Register: Neutral. Use this before transitioning to a new topic or at the end of a session to reinforce the key takeaways and help participants organize the information.
"Let's pause here for a moment. What questions do you have?" — a way to formally open the floor for a question-and-answer period.
Register: Neutral. This creates a clear, dedicated space for questions, which can make people more comfortable asking. It's more structured than a simple 'Any questions?'.
8
Planning an effective workshop
Read the passage about organizing a training session.
Fill in each blank with the correct word or phrase from the word bank.
Word bank
When planning a training session, it's important to decide on the best way to at the start. Many facilitators prefer using a because it helps participants learn by doing. After presenting the main theories, you might organize a for small group discussion. This allows attendees to explore ideas and begin their initial thoughts. The ultimate goal is for everyone to leave with at least one that they can apply to their work.
9
From passive to practical
Many companies are rethinking their approach to employee training. Read about one person's experience with this change.
Read the article below, then answer the comprehension questions.
For years, our annual training consisted of one thing: enduring hours of PowerPoint slides in a stuffy conference room. The key objective seemed to be avoiding falling asleep. Last year, management finally decided to implement a change. To get the ball rolling, they hired a facilitator who specialized in a hands-on approach. Instead of passively receiving information, we started engaging with it directly. The new format encourages using breakout sessions for small-group problem-solving, which gives everyone a chance to flesh out their ideas before presenting them to the wider group. The most significant difference is the clarity of the key takeaway; we leave not just knowing what was said, but understanding how to apply it. I've stopped dreading these events; I actually look forward to collaborating with my colleagues.
01According to the article, what was the main issue with the previous training style?
Sample answerThe main issue was that it was passive and boring, consisting of long presentations that made it difficult for employees to stay engaged.
02What is the main function of the breakout sessions in the new workshop format?
Sample answerThey are used for small groups to solve problems and develop their ideas more fully before sharing them with everyone.
03What does the author suggest is the biggest benefit of the new 'hands-on approach'?
Sample answerThe biggest benefit is that the key takeaway is much clearer, and employees understand how to apply what they have learned.
04How has the author's personal feeling about company training changed?
Sample answerThe author's feeling has changed from dread and boredom to positive anticipation and enjoyment. They now look forward to the sessions.
10
Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
- Some argue that online workshops can never be as effective as in-person ones, especially when a hands-on approach is crucial. What is your stance, and what do you think is the key takeaway for companies choosing between the two formats?
- Thinking about your country or professional culture, is the typical approach to training more lecture-based or interactive? How might this preference for one style over another, such as the use of breakout sessions, impact workplace innovation?
- Imagine you need to design a workshop to solve a common problem at your work or school. How would you get the ball rolling on the first day, and what kind of activities would you use to help participants flesh out their initial ideas into practical solutions?