Don’t lie through your teeth! In this lesson, students will discuss resume writing and providing false or exaggerated information on a resume. This lesson features a video about a person arguing why it’s better not to lie on a resume. Students will learn and practice vocabulary and idioms relating to the topic. The lesson includes plenty of engaging discussion activities and worksheets that have been developed for adult and teenage learners.

Lesson Objectives

To develop speaking and listening skills

To discuss the topic of lying on a resume

To learn and use new vocabulary in practice

Video

What have you done to make yourself look better professionally? Have you embellished your skills or knowledge while applying for a job? Watch this video to learn about why it’s better not to lie on your resume.

Video Transcript

Vocabulary and Pronunciation

lie through one’s teeth [idiom]: to tell someone something that you know is completely false

exaggerate [verb]: represent (something) as being larger, better, or worse than it really is

misrepresent [verb]: to give a false or misleading representation of usually with an intent to deceive or be unfair

inflate [verb]: increase (something) by a large or excessive amount

overestimate [verb]: to estimate or value (someone or something) too highly

stretch the truth [idiom]: also: bend the truth; to say something that is not exactly true; to describe something as larger or greater than it really is

fib [verb]: tell a lie

ambiguous [adjective]: open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning

withhold [verb]: refuse to give (something that is due to or is desired by another); suppress or hold back (an emotion or reaction)

embellish [verb]: make (a statement or story) more interesting by adding extra details that are often untrue

come to light [idiom]: become widely known or evident

red flag [noun phrase]: unhealthy or manipulative behavior; a warning sign that could indicate a problem, miscommunication, or challenge in the future

lenient [adjective]: mild or soothing

have an edge [idiom]: have an advantage over or be slightly better than someone or something else

in hot water [idiom]: in trouble or disgrace

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