Inside a Modern Office
This B1 lesson explores modern office design and workplace vocabulary. Students learn words like “open space,” “collaborate,” and “creator studio,” then watch a TikTok office tour video. The activities include discussing what makes a good workplace, rating different office styles, and writing about their own work or study space.
Lesson overview
- Learn vocabulary related to office features, design, and workplace culture
- Watch a video tour of TikTok’s Sydney office and discuss what makes it special
- Practice expressing opinions about office design and work environments
- Develop writing skills by describing your own office or study space
Student's Version (Light/Dark)
Teacher's Version (Answer Keys)
Printable Classroom Version (A4)
| Level | Vocabulary | Video Length | Lesson Time |
| B1 / Intermediate | 16 words and phrases | 1:40 min | 60 min |
Vocabulary
- Large windows
- Plenty of space
- Lounges
- Free snacks
- Coffee machine
- Standing desks
- Flexible workspaces
- Outdoor terrace or balcony
- Open space
- Casual meeting
- Brief
- Mural
- Inspiration
- Collaborate
- Comfy chairs
- Creator studio
Contents
- Lead-in
- Discussion
- Vocabulary
- Definitions
- Video
- Questions
- Agree or disagree
- Speaking
- Vocabulary practice
- Discussion
- Writing
Start with the brainstorming activity where students write down office-related words they already know. This activates their existing vocabulary and shows you what they’re working with. The discussion about important office features gets students talking about preferences. Some will prioritize free snacks, others will care more about standing desks or natural light.
Go through the vocabulary sentences and have students explain the bold words before checking definitions. “Comfy chairs” is informal, which is worth pointing out since they might see “comfortable” in more formal contexts. “Brief” as a noun meaning a short explanation can be confusing because students often know it only as an adjective.
The video is under two minutes and shows the TikTok Sydney office. Play it twice as suggested. The first watch gives students a general impression of what makes the office special. The second watch focuses on the four comprehension questions about what the speaker likes, what the team values, and what the creator studio is for. The video moves quickly, so two viewings help students catch details they missed the first time.
The agree or disagree activity works well in pairs or small groups. Students discuss statements like “Private offices are better than open ones” and “Creative jobs need a special environment to grow ideas.” These spark real debate because people have different work styles and preferences.
The speaking section shows three different office images. Students rate each one from one to ten and explain what they like, what they’d change, and whether they’d enjoy working there. This recycles the vocabulary in a personalized way. The vocabulary practice fills in blanks using the eight words from the lesson. The discussion questions push deeper into topics like worst work environments and future office needs. The writing task has students describe their own office or study space in seven to ten sentences, which gives them a chance to use the vocabulary in a personal context.
