How to succeed as a freelancer

Ewa | Jul 12, 2023Mar 28, 2025

LESSON OVERVIEW

In this lesson students discuss working as a freelancer. They watch a video, do four role-plays and talk about different freelancing ideas. The lesson can be used with students who are freelancers, as well as all Business English students.

DISCUSSION & VIDEO

The lesson starts with a short discussion. Students answer some general questions about working as a freelancer. For an optional vocabulary activity, the teacher can ask students about the ways the word freelance is used in the questions. The teacher can use the wordcloud provided in the pdf and the e-lesson plan. In the wordcloud, students need to find three words which cannot be verbs. They can also choose three words and explain how they are related to freelancing (e.g. compensate, undertake, price, value). 

After that, students look at some quotes from the video and discuss what they think the speaker meant. The quotes refer to how a freelancer should price their services. Students watch the video and check their ideas. Next, they read some statements which refer to working as a freelancer and say to what extent you agree with them. 

SPEAKING & ROLE-PLAYS

Students look at the freelance businesses mentioned in the video. They need to decide which are most marketable and what the pros and cons of running these businesses might be. Then, students imagine they want to start working as a freelancer. They need to choose a business, look at some of the tips from the video and create a draft strategy to become a freelancer in that field. 

Finally, students do four role-plays. They include the following areas: social media manager, web designer, personal chef and conference planner. Students play the roles of freelancers and potential customers and need to negotiate contracts. While doing the task, students can use what they learned from the video as well as from the lesson discussion.

WORKSHEETS

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