Warm-up
Change Management
Change Management
After this lesson you'll be able to...
- Use key change management vocabulary
- Announce a change and explain what will happen
- Use the passive with will, modals, present perfect and present continuous
- Reassure people and respond to worries about change
Get to know each other (3 minutes)
- What was the biggest change at your workplace in the last few years?
- How do you feel when a company announces a big change?
- Why do some people resist change?
- What helps you to accept a new way of working?
Say it out loud
Announce a change. → A new system will be introduced next month, and everyone will be trained before it is used.
Fact worth knowing
Vocabulary
Change management vocabulary
Useful change management phrases
| The new system will be introduced in May. | Нову систему запровадять у травні. |
| All employees must be informed in advance. | Усіх працівників потрібно попередити заздалегідь. |
| The plan has already been approved. | План уже затверджено. |
| The software is being tested at the moment. | Зараз програму тестують. |
| Training will be provided for everyone. | Для всіх проведуть навчання. |
| We understand that change can be difficult. | Ми розуміємо, що зміни можуть бути складними. |
| Your feedback will be taken into account. | Ваші відгуки будуть враховані. |
| The changes will take effect on 1 June. | Зміни набудуть чинності 1 червня. |
Try out the new words
Say what change you would like to see in your workplace. → I would like to see … changed because …
Say what helps you to accept a change. → It helps me when I am … informed and …
Which word is it?
Fill in the missing word
Choose the correct word
Translate the phrase
Write each phrase in English.
Grammar
The passive in announcements
| will be + past participle | future announcements: The new system will be introduced in May. You will be informed by email. |
| modal + be + past participle | All employees must be informed. The files can be accessed from home. The plan should be approved by Friday. Form: modal + be + V3. |
| present perfect passive | changes that are already done: The plan has been approved. The offices have been moved. Training has not been organised yet. Form: has / have been + V3. |
| present continuous passive | changes that are in progress now: The software is being tested. Two new offices are being opened. Form: am / is / are being + V3. |
| by + agent | use by only when the agent is important: The decision was made by the board. In announcements, we often skip it: Training will be provided. |
Which sentence is correct?
Complete with the correct word
Make it passive
Rewrite the sentence in the passive. Several answers are possible.
Correcting mistakes
Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.
Put the words in order
Put the words in the right order and write the full sentence.
Say it about your own work
Announce one change at your workplace using the passive. → A new … will be … and everyone will be …
Reading
Read: a message about a big change
Important announcement: our new working system
Dear colleagues,
We are writing to tell you about an important change. After several months of discussion, the plan has been approved by the board. A new project-management system will be introduced on 1 June, and the old programs will be closed at the end of the month.
At the moment, the new software is being tested by a small group of employees. Their feedback is being collected, and any problems will be fixed before the full rollout. Training sessions will be organised for every department, and everyone must be informed about the schedule in advance.
We understand that change can be difficult, and some of you may be worried. Please remember that you will not be left alone: a support team will be available during the transition, and your questions will be answered quickly. We would also like to consult you: your ideas will be taken into account.
We believe that the change will make our work simpler and more transparent. If you have any questions, please contact the HR office.
Best regards, The Management
True or false?
The plan has not been approved yet.
The new system will be introduced on 1 June.
The software is being tested by all employees.
Training sessions will be organised for every department.
Employees will be left alone during the transition.
Answer the questions
When will the new system be introduced?
What is happening to the software at the moment?
How will employees be supported?
What does the management want from the employees?
Find the key language
Write the word (or phrase) from the text.
Fill in from the text
Why is this a good text?
Your own opinion
- How would you react to a message like this?
- What else could the company do to help people?
- What is the best way to tell people about bad news?
Practice
Picture the situation
Announce → Explain → Train → Reassure. People accept change more easily when they understand what will be done, when and why.
Match the phrase to its function
Put the words in order
Put the words in the right order and write the full sentence.
Fill in the missing phrase
Say it in your own words
Write one sentence. Several answers are possible.
Translate into English
Write each sentence in English. Several answers are possible.
A useful tip
Speaking
How to use this section
Your tutor plays an employee, a manager or a team leader. Announce changes, answer worries and ask for support. Use the passive with will, modals, has been and is being.
Announcing a change
Task: tell your team about a new working schedule. Say what will change, and when.
Starter: "I’d like to tell you about an important change. A new schedule will be introduced on 1 May, and everyone will be informed about the details this week."
Reporting progress
Task: your boss asks how the project is going. Explain what has been done and what is being done.
Starter: "The plan has been approved, and the software is being tested now. The training will be organised next week."
Calming an employee
Task: an employee is worried about losing their job. Reassure them honestly.
Starter: "I understand your worry. No decisions about jobs have been made, and you will be informed as soon as we know more."
Explaining why
Task: a colleague asks why the change is necessary. Give two reasons.
Starter: "The old system can no longer be used safely. Also, a lot of time is wasted, so we need a faster process."
Asking for feedback
Task: invite the team to share opinions about the plan.
Starter: "Your feedback is important for us. Please send your ideas by Friday, and they will be taken into account."
Handling resistance
Task: a manager does not want the change. Listen and respond.
Starter: "I see your point, and your concerns will be discussed at the next meeting. However, the decision has already been approved."
Celebrating a milestone
Task: the first stage of the change is complete. Thank the team.
Starter: "I’m happy to say that the first stage has been completed. Thank you all — the new system has been tested and is working well."
Full conversation — no stops
Run through a change meeting with your tutor: announce a change, answer a worry, explain what is being done and what will be done next — entirely in English.
Let's talk — reflection
- Which passive form (will be, has been, is being, must be) was the hardest to use?
- Which phrases sounded calm and professional?
- How would you like to be told about a change at work?
Cool down
Now I can...
- Use key change management vocabulary
- Announce a change and explain what will happen
- Use the passive with will, modals, present perfect and present continuous
- Reassure people and respond to worries about change
Quick self-check
How do we form the future passive?
Which form shows an action in progress now?
When do we use "by + agent"?
One more thing before you go
Tell your tutor about a change you have experienced. → A change that I experienced was … It was introduced …
Homework
Words to remember
| to implement | впроваджувати |
| resistance to change | опір змінам |
| a transition | перехід, перехідний період |
| to restructure | реструктурувати |
| a rollout | поетапне впровадження |
| buy-in | підтримка (згода) колективу |
| to adapt | адаптуватися |
| a timeline | графік, хронологія |
Fill in the missing word
Choose the correct form
Open the brackets
Correct the mistake
Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.
Translate the phrase
Write each phrase in English. Several answers are possible.
Write it yourself
Write an announcement (6–8 sentences) about a change in a company (a new system, a new office or a new schedule). Use at least two passive forms (will be, has been, is being, must be) and include one reassuring sentence.
Practise out loud
Say your announcement aloud as if you were reading it to the team. Use a calm, friendly tone.
Read aloud
Read the text “Important announcement: our new working system” aloud twice before the next lesson.
- 8.7 I wrote an announcement (6–8 sentences)
- 8.8 I said my announcement aloud
- 8.9 I read the text about the new working system aloud twice