Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 part 2

6th January 2020

Contents

At the bank

Complaining in shops

Grammar / past tense exercise / reflexive verbs

Past time expressions

Pronunciation quiz

Sentence building and speaking exercises

Telephone speaking

Vocabulary booster

At the bank

What can you do at a bank ?

Deposit money: put money into your account

Withdraw money: take money out of your account (at the counter or by ATM)

Exchange money: buy foreign currency

Check the exchange rate. How the Vietnamese Dong compares with other currencies

Open or close an account

Speaking practice:

Clerk: Good morning. Can I help you?

Customer: Yes, please. I would like to open an account here.

Clerk: OK. Do you have any ID?

Customer: I have my driving licence; is that enough?

Clerk: Well, we need two forms of ID, and something with your home address.

Customer: OK, well I also have an electric bill with my name and address on it.

Clerk: That’s fine. Just give me a few minutes to open your new account.

People at the bank

bank manager / bank clerk (UK) / bank teller (US) / security / customer adviser 

Teller: Hello. Can I help you?

Customer: Yes, please. I’d like to deposit this cheque into my account.

Teller: Certainly. Do you have your account number?

Customer: No, but I have my bank card. Is that enough?

Teller: Yes, that’s fine. OK, that’s all done!

Customer: Thanks!

What else can you do at a bank ? 

Bank charges – interest 10% APR

mortgage – a loan for a home or building

What are your opinions of this cash-flow solution ? (payday loans) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37YZREaPvI4

Complaining in shops, returning items

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/rants-raves-returning-goods-a-shop

What is the problem with the shoes ?

What are the shop asking for ?

What is the situation in your country ? Is is possible to return items ? Do you get money back or shop credit ?

What do you think of this complaint ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNxaDllhMyg

Grammar: Past Tense exercise

Past Tense exercise. Use the appropriate verb.

Tom (to be) born in Sydney and (arrive) in Viet Nam in 2015. He (work) as an engineer in District 1 but (want) to work near his home in Go Vap. Last week, his wife (have) a party. Firstly, she (buy) a fancy new dress and shoes then (cut) her hair. She (dance) all night and we (hear) her singing. In the morning, she (catch) a plane and (fly) to Australia.

Grammar: Reflexive verbs:

Notice the reflexive verbs: 

You may find yourself / you may ask yourself

What are they doing ?

He is shaving … /// She is looking at …

Past time expressions

Not for a long time / not recently / oh, I can’t recall it was so long ago

quite recently / fairly recently / about a month or so ago 

last week / last month / last year / yesterday / just this morning

the day before yesterday / a fortnight ago / ages ago / I’ve never done that

Pronunciation Quiz

What words are being said ?

Cheese or cheers / Ship or sheep / close (the door) or close (near) 

work or walk / heard or hurt / house or ours / open or a pen 

Sentence Building & Speaking Subjects

laptops / holidays / engineering / travelling

motorbikes / family / living in your hometown / modern life / traditions

Introduction

1^st point

2^nd point

anecdote (personal story)

conclusion

Laptops are an incredibly useful piece of technology. They can be used for work, hobbies, music, and to stay in touch with friends.

I use my laptop every day. I plan lessons and use the internet to search for lesson notes, English language games and interesting video clips to show my students.

Because I live so far from my home country, I find the internet essential. I can maintain contact with friends and family by using: Skype, Facebook, Viber, Instagram … well, there are so many social media sites.

I like Apple; I know there are very expensive, but they seem to work so well. I rarely have a problem with my computer which is great because I know nothing about IT.

There was one issue I had in Vietnam. My plug snapped and I had to buy a new cable. I eventually found a store in Quan 3. I had to wait 30 minutes but finally a man came with an ‘Apple’ plug … and it was less than half the UK price.

To conclude, laptops are part of my life. I use them every day for work, relaxing and chatting with friends.

Tips: If you need time to think before answering, use one of the following phrases:

Let me think (about it)

How can I put it … ?

What’s the word … ?

What is happening ?

Make long sentences: what are the people doing, what are they wearing, what do they look like ? Then, why are they doing it ? What is the story ?

Speaking Practise:

Holiday in Canada

Ron and Sid are on holiday in Canada. They are hungry but it’s cold outside.

Ron Come on, there’s a KFC franchise nearby. I’m starving !

Sid Sounds good, let me get my coat … and hat and gloves and scarf.

Ron Yeah, it’s freezing outside. This is worse than Sapa.

Sid Tell me about it ! It takes me 10 minutes to put all these clothes on.

Ron They have shovelled the snow so the path is safe. Are you ready ?

Sid Ready ! I love staying here although it’s so cold.

Ron According to the news, this is the worst winter for 16 years.

Sid Let’s go. I need some hot chicken.

Ron And some damn fine coffee.

Note the expressions ‘this is worse than …’ & ‘according to’

It is cold in Sapa BUT it is much colder in Canada: This is worse than Sapa.

John said Peter was leaving: According to John, Peter was leaving.

Try these sentences:

It is noisy in New York but much nosier in Sai Gon: This is worse than New York !

Karaoke was loud on Friday but louder on Sunday:

The test was hard on Monday but much harder on Tuesday:

New Boss

Nick and Fred are discussing (talking about) their new boss

Nick Have you seen the new boss ? She looks very professional and a little scary.

Fred No, I have spoken to her. She’s quite friendly although a bit serious.

Nick I like her business suit. Is it a designer label ? It looks expensive.

Fred Maybe it’s French or Italian. I think she will be dependable.

Nick She can’t be worse than the old boss. He had a screw loose !

Fred He was a little arrogant and very bossy. And hard as nails.

Nick He was crazy. According to Jerry, he didn’t want to pay any bonuses.

Fred That’s why he got such a negative backlash. I’m glad he’s gone.

Nick Jerry and I are also very glad.

Reflexive verbs:

Sam Allow me to introduce myself. My name’s Sam and I’m Australian. Good day !

Pat Hi, Sam, nice to meet you. How did you get here ? By Uber or taxi ?

Sam No, mate, I drove myself. My wife and I always drive ourselves.

Pat Yeah, taxis are a luxury. Sorry, I’m Pat. Please help yourself to beer.

Sam I like the sound of that. Are you the one that wrote me the email ?

Pat Yeah. Sorry if my English is not perfect; I’m teaching myself.

Sam No problems, you speak well. Those people are really enjoying themselves.

Pat Of course, Vietnamese love free beer but we behave ourselves.

Sam Not me ! Last time I had too much, I fell down and hurt myself.

Pat Where’s your wife ? I think I saw her earlier ? She has blonde hair, right ?

Sam Nah, she’s a brunette. She’s out buying herself a new dress. And new shoes !

Pat I get it ! I do the working, my wife does the spending.

Symbols

Sid It’s so cold in Germany. Have you ever experienced snow or minus temperatures ?

Lyn No, never, I hate the cold. Hang on a minute … yes, I was in Sapa once.

Sid I’m going there once the schools break up. Are you going to the staff party ?

Lyn Possibly. What time do the festivities kick off ?

Sid Around seven I guess. What are those pictures ? Is it for a project ?

Lyn Yeah, exactly. I have to make a presentation about countries so I’m using symbols.

Sid OK, let’s see … I know three lions means England and the eagle represents USA

Lyn The hammer and sickle, of course, is Russia. Do you know the towers ?

Sid Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur. I was there on business once. Amazing food.

Lyn How about the other two ? The first one is a mythical creature.

Sid From Egypt, near the pyramids. Remind me of the name.

Lyn The Sphinx. She has a woman’s face, a lion’s body and an eagle’s tail.

Sid The last one ? That’s Jesus … hang on a minute … I know, in Brazil, right ?

Telephone speaking

Listening practice: IELTS listening to phone numbers (0.55 – 3.06)

Listen out for:

You can get hold of me / you can reach me at (phone number) = my number is …. 

Mia:	Hello, you’ve reached the marketing department. How can I help?
Rich:	Yes can I speak to Rosalind Wilson, please?
Mia:	Who’s calling please?
Rich:	It’s Richard Davies here
Mia:	Certainly. Please hold and I’ll put you through.
Rich:	Thank you.
Mia:	Hello, marketing.How can I help?
Rich:	Could I speak to Jason Roberts please?
Mia:	Certainly. Who shall I say is calling?
Rich:	My name’s Richard Davies .
Mia:	Just a second – I’ll see if he’s in. Hang on a moment, I’m just putting you through.

Vocabulary booster:

Match the words with their opposite meanings

generous // hard working

reliable // light-hearted

serious // arrogant

lazy // selfish

modest // unreliable

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