English · 2nd secondary · First Term

Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills

About this lesson

This unit focuses on the distinction between hard skills (technical, measurable abilities learned through education or training) and soft skills (personal qualities like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving). It explains why soft skills are harder to develop but equally important for career success, and it emphasizes that employers value a balance of both. The unit includes reading passages, listening exercises, speaking activities (including role-play and debates), and writing tasks. Students learn to identify and discuss various personal qualities (e.g., creativity, flexibility, reliability) and their relevance in professional contexts. By the end, students should be able to differentiate between hard and soft skills, give examples, explain their importance, and use related vocabulary and grammar in speaking and writing. The writing section guides students to write a descriptive essay (e.g., about a memorable trip or a place visited), using sensory language and figurative language. The unit also includes a model descriptive essay about Egyptian champion Ahmed Elgendy, describing his achievement and qualities.

Main topics in this lesson

  • Difference between hard skills and soft skills
  • Importance of soft skills in the workplace
  • Personal qualities (creativity, flexibility, reliability, etc.)
  • Descriptive essay writing
  • Defining and non-defining relative clauses

Key terms and vocabulary

  • hard skills
  • soft skills
  • technical abilities
  • personal qualities
  • communication
  • teamwork
  • time management
  • problem-solving
  • leadership
  • creativity
  • flexibility
  • reliability
  • ambitious
  • cooperative
  • essential
  • resilient
  • emotional intelligence
  • comfort zone
  • debate
  • foot in the door
  • stay on top of things
  • think on your feet
  • meet others halfway
  • descriptive essay
  • sensory language
  • imagery
  • figurative language
  • simile
  • metaphor

Questions and answers on Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills - practice and revision

Multiple choice questions on this lesson in English for 2nd secondary, First Term, with practice exercises for revision and exam preparation.

1

Read this sentence from a student's descriptive essay: "The sea was a blue mirror under the sun." Which type of figurative language does the student use?

  • 1 Simile, because it compares two things using the word "as".
  • 2 Simile, because it compares two things using the word "like".
  • 3 Metaphor, because it describes one thing as if it were another.
  • 4 Imagery, because it only describes what the writer sees.
2

Hala wrote: "My father, who works as an engineer, taught me to plan my time well." What is the job of the clause "who works as an engineer" in this sentence?

  • 1 It is a defining relative clause that tells us which person we mean.
  • 2 It is a non-defining relative clause that adds extra information.
  • 3 It is a defining relative clause where the pronoun can be omitted.
  • 4 It is a non-defining relative clause that must use the pronoun "that".
3

An employer says: "I can teach an employee how to use a new computer program, but I cannot easily teach someone how to work well with others." Which sentence best shows what this employer means?

  • 1 Hard skills are personal qualities that are hard to develop.
  • 2 Soft skills like teamwork are harder to develop than hard skills.
  • 3 Hard skills are more important than soft skills for career success.
  • 4 Employees do not need soft skills if they have hard skills.
4

A student writes about a trip: "The sea was a mirror of gold." Which type of figurative language is used here?

  • 1 Metaphor
  • 2 Simile
  • 3 Sensory language
  • 4 Imagery
5

Ahmed Elgendy is described in the model essay. Which sentence uses a non-defining relative clause correctly?

  • 1 Ahmed Elgendy, who won an important medal, is a hard-working champion.
  • 2 Ahmed Elgendy who won an important medal is a hard-working champion.
  • 3 Ahmed Elgendy, who won an important medal is a hard-working champion.
  • 4 Ahmed Elgendy who, won an important medal, is a hard-working champion.
6

An employer says: "I need someone who can work with a team and solve problems quickly." Which type of skills is the employer describing?

  • 1 Soft skills
  • 2 Hard skills
  • 3 Technical abilities
  • 4 Time management

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