Adult Speaking Class, Level 3.

17th January 2020

A collection of exercises and features aimed at the advanced student.

Contents

British culture (Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare)

Politics

Speaking games

Speaking practice

British culture

Charles Dickens

Here’s a little video about the famous short story, ‘A Christmas Carol’ by the British writer (start video at 1.27 – 1.55):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrYIMmUTFdo

Debtor’s prison = people were sent to prison if they couldn’t pay their debts.

Famous Shakespearean quotes:

Match the quote to the play !

To be or not to be // Romeo and Juliette

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears // Hamlet

Now is the winter of our discontent // A Midsummers’ Night Dream

A plague on both your houses // Julius Caesar

Lord, what fools these mortals be ! // Richard III

Watch an excerpt from a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe in London

How much can you understand ? : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WiVaQheUfE

Politics

In December 2019, The UK had a general election. USA have their election at the end of 2020.

Idioms and collocations

campaign / victory / vote / party / voter 

It was a long and dirty election _________which divided the country. The Conservatives won a landslide _________ in the last general election. I usually cast my _________ for the candidate who is more business friendly. The problem with two _________systems like the USA’s, is not all views are represented. I’m a typical floating _________ , I never decide how to vote until the day of the election. 

If you elect me for President, I will make a difference. I will lower taxes for every citizen and I will make sure that every worker gets a fair deal. I will not stand by and watch the poor and the needy being downtrodden. 

Conversation:

How long is a political term in your country ? 

Do you think it’s important to vote? 

If you were elected leader of your country, what law would you change first? 

Watch this clip. Could this happen in your country ? (politicians attacked) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKdDnMwnV_o

Speaking game

Build a character

You will see some character information. Use this to create a character for yourself. 

Take some time to think. Put some effort into this by using the facts and incorporating them. 

EXAMPLE:

Lee Morgan 27 musician born Chicago resides Sai Gon not married

Likes music ! barbecue and spicy food cinema going to clubs and dancing

Dislikes early mornings 9 – 5 jobs Vietnamese food traffic no-smoking ban

Hi, my name’s Morgan, Lee Morgan. I’m 27 and I hail from Chicago, Illinois, which is a dynamic city, but pretty damn cold in winter; icy winds and snow. I’m currently living here, in HCM or Sai Gon, whatever. I’m still single, haven’t found the right girl yet but there are a heap of cute ladies in Vietnam, right ?

I’m a professional musician so, of course, I love music, it’s my passion. I also really love barbecue and hot, spicy food like chilli or gumbo. Yeah, what else … oh, I also enjoy taking in a movie, but at the cinema, not on DVD … no atmosphere at home. Because I finish work late, I often find myself going to clubs and dancing the night away. Great way to meet women, too !

What I’m not crazy about is getting up early. I never get up before noon, no way ! Oh, yeah, sorry to say, I really can’t find any Vietnamese food I like, hey, sorry. Some of it’s OK, but it’s just soup and noddles and bones ! The traffic is another pet hate, it’s hellish and absolutely dangerous. Lastly, I’m a smoker and I want to smoke where and when I want. I hate that I get told not to smoke.

If you have just met, what questions could you ask Lee ?

Remember – nothing too personal. When he answers, show interest, maybe add information about yourself.

BACKCHANNEL – say ‘yeah’, ‘oh, right’, ‘really ?’ etc

Example:

I was born in Hue but I grew up in Na Trang.

Really ? I’m from Na Trang. When did you move to HCMC ?

I like sports.

Me too. I play badminton every week and football every Sunday. 

We’ve been married for three years but no kids.

Why not ? What is wrong with you, or is your wife too lazy to have kids ?

(this is not considered a correct or polite thing to say. Instead, change the subject)

Kenjie Ozu 24 medical student born Tokyo resides Sai Gon engaged

Likes Jazz music / keep fit / karaoke / meeting friends / computer games

Dislikes noise and pollution / smoking / animal cruelty / fast food 

Rob Forster 31 lawyer born Sydney resides Sai Gon married, 2 children

Likes barbecue and beer / jogging / investing money / repairing cars / rugby

Dislikes lazy people / Vietnamese traffic / nagging wife / housework / liars

Vu Nugyun 43 security guard born HCMC resides HCMC married, 2 kids

Likes sitting / sleeping / smoking / beer / karaoke / gambling / shouting

Dislikes work / his boss / exercise / when his wife asks for money / foreigners

Hank Douglass 30 shop manager born San Francisco resides Ha Noi single

Likes investing / gambling / baseball driving / fast cars / action movies

Dislikes housework / romantic films / tipping / drunk people / police / recycling

Speaking practice:

Boz I don’t get much time to read, but I’d like to improve my English. Any tips ?

Pip Well, maybe you could give Dickens a go. Oh, some of his books are 1000 pages.

Boz Bloody hell ! Who has time or energy to read 1000 pages ! 

Pip Hold your horses, he also wrote short stories. ‘A Christmas Carol’ is very famous.

Boz Hang on … yes, I know … Ebenezer Scrooge, right ? I’ll download it later.

Pip Of course, the most famous writer is Shakespeare. ‘To be or not to be…’

Boz Not sure that’s my cup of tea. I prefer something a bit more modern.

Pip Conversely, watch a version. I went to see a play in London, at the Globe.

Boz The reconstructed theatre ? I saw it on the news. It looks really cool … and cold !

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