A varied lesson plan. Firstly, we’ll (we will) start with a talk about married life. After, we’ll focus on phrasal verbs and finally we’ll conclude with some new expressions.
Naturally there will be many opportunities for you to practise, and I’ll (I will) include the answers at the end of the blog.
Married life
Conversation Practice
What advise would you give to someone getting married ?
How does life change after marriage ?
What is the normal marriage age in your country ?
Are married people expected to have children ?
How many children are expected ?
Is there pressure from family to have children ?
Is marriage ‘give and take’ ? Is it a continual compromise ?
How important are families in your country ?
Do you live in a nuclear or extended family ?
(nuclear = parents & children / extended= parents, children & grandparents, maybe aunts, uncles, nieces etc)
Phrasal verbs: coming out // look after // hang up // turn down // give up // hang out // look up to // take after // turn up
What phrasal verb means:
take care of // spend time with friends // to be like someone // stop doing something // make music louder // make music softer (quieter) // to respect someone // turn off a phone conversation // plan to go outside
Hang out with friends
Look after your young sister (Treeless Mountain, South Korea, 2008)
Now … your turn
Which phrasal verb would you use?
Many people 1) ………. Nelson Mandela.
In ‘Treeless Mountain’, a young girl has to 2) ……… of her young sister.
She looks just like her mother, she really 3) ………. her.
Learning Mandarin is too hard, I 4) ………..
Are you 5) …… tomorrow night ?
New expressions / vocabulary
unique = one of a kind, there is only one of them, very special
numerous = many
typical = normal, usual
straightaway = immediately, right now
clue = evidence (the police look for a clue.)
I haven’t got a clue = I’ve no idea !
First impressions count = the first thing you see is very important
blows your (my) mind = something so amazing, you almost can’t believe it.
Can’t judge a book by its cover = you can not tell what something or someone is like just by how it or they look.
Making a very good first impression
Now … your turn
What words or expressions would you use ?
1. Can you please send me that email …….. (now).
2. He looks so quiet and nice, but he plays very loud guitar. That proves you …………………………………….
He looks a very nice, quiet young man, but …
3. Don’t worry, there are ……. coffee shops on the main road.
4. Wow ! He knows so much, it totally ……………. (really surprises me)
5. You can’t replace that broken vase, it was …….. (only one of a kind).
6. What is 1 693 093 divided by 37 ? I …………………………. (no idea at all)
Answers:
take care of // look after
spend time with friends // hang out
to be like someone // take after
stop doing something // give up
make music louder // turn up
make music softer (quieter) //turn down
to respect someone // look up to
turn off a phone conversation // hang up
plan to go outside // coming out
look up to 2. take care of 3. takes after 4. give up 5. coming out
New expressions
1. straightaway or immediately 2. can’t judge a book by its cover 3. numerous 4. blows my mind 5. unique 6. haven’t got a clue !
To make the lesson come alive, have the students act out scenes or give them a set time to make up sentences containing as many phrasal verbs as possible.
Same as Shakespeare … English is meant to be USED and SPOKEN … not just studied in a dry text book.
So, without further ado:
Phrasal Verbs
Put
the cat out / the fire out / up with it (something unpleasant) / on a happy face
it in your own words / up or shut up ! / it away / it another way
Get
well soon / over it ! / on with it / away with murder / on the bus
stuffed ! (impolite) / with the program (US) / some fresh air
Make
a career move / your move a pig’s ear of something / a wish /
up for lost time / the best of something / fun of someone /
Do
the right thing / away with that old technology / your best /
a funny walk / the dishes / your hair
Bring
it on ! / it to me / “my bow of burning gold” (poem) / about change
it up at the next meeting / a smile to my face / up children well
Take
turns speaking / it up with the manager / up my trousers a little /
a good look at yourself / a hike ! / medicine / a deep breathe
phrasal verbs:
look after/ think about / wear out / give up / grow up / takes after
tell off / look up to / hang up / go for / passed away
Phrasal verbs work like normal verbs, so they can be used in the infinite (look,think), the past tense (I wore out, I looked up to ..) and in continuous (I am hanging up now).
Make sentences using phrasal verbs in:
present tense
past tense
present continuous
Examples
I need to think about that for a while. (present)
He gave up smoking ten years ago (past)
We are looking after our niece today (present continuous)
Phrasal verbs
verb + particle e.g. find + out = find out (learn something)
The verb can be present, past, future or continuous:
I give up
I gave up
I’m finding out about HCM City.
I will (I’ll) find out about the cost.
buy out / up
call off
carry out
give up / away /
CLUE: first identify what tense is being used
They were __________ free samples
The computers are down; we have to ________ the meeting
A soldier has to _______ orders
The company was ______ by a Japanese company
The stocks are very low, we should ________ as many as we can
Don’t ________ on your dream 🙂
Make sentences with these phrasal verbs:
take care of // hold on // move on // take over // think it over
Phrasal verbs:
look after // think about // give up // grow up // takes after // tell off // look up to
Which phrasal verbs fits here ?
She really …………. her father, they are so alike.
I can’t go out, I have to ……….. my nephew.
Mandarin is too hard, I just …………. (past tense verb)
Many Vietnamese ………………. Uncle Ho
I’m not sure which bank is best. Let me ………. it and get back to you.
I had to ………….. my son because he ate all the cakes.
My manager is very immature. He needs to ………… and quickly !
Phrasal verbs
give up / go for / grow up / hang out with / hang up / look after / look up to / tell off / passed away / takes after /think about / wears out
Izzy is talking to Kate on Skype. Izzy can’t go out on Saturday because she has to
____________ (take care of, be responsible for) her little sister, Georgie. Izzy says she’ll __________ (consider) bringing Georgie too. Georgie interrupts, and Izzy has to
_____________ (end the phone/Skype conversation). Georgie’s hamster has ________
(died) and she’s upset. Izzy says she loves her little sister but she __________
(makes her tired).
Meanwhile, Sam is wondering why Izzy doesn’t want to _____________ (spend time with) them. He thinks Izzy should bring Georgie to the cinema, but maybe Izzy won’t ________
(like, agree to) the idea.
Izzy is annoyed because her sister is trying to look like her, but Kate says it’s sweet that Georgie _____________ (respects and admires) her big sister. Izzy disagrees that they are similar; Georgie ______________(is similar to an older relative) her dad, whereas Izzy is more like her mum.
When Georgie asks Izzy to get her a hamster, Izzy gets angry. She tells her sister
to ________ (become an adult). Georgie says their dad will _______(Izzy)_______
(speak angrily to Izzy because she’s done something wrong). In frustration, Izzy says
“I __________ (admit defeat)!”. Fred and Sam take Georgie to look at some kittens, then they all go to the cinema. Georgie is the only one who isn’t scared by the film.
Now – let’s get down
(have a dance and a great time)
What songs can you find that use phrasal verbs ?
Lighten up, it’s the laid-back sound of 70s California
This level of English is for students who live, or plan to live, in English-speaking countries.
I advise my students to learn Standard English, as that will help them to communicate with other non-native speakers. Clarity in both pronunciation and meaning is paramount (of most importance).
However, that is NOT how everyday people speak in everyday situations. Therefore, here’s a set of examples and new vocabulary that you will need. Furthermore, you will feel more confident, using the language and vernacular of those around you.
Dialogue practice
phrasal verbs / collocations / idioms / adverbs
vocabulary:
fond – to like something.
more than likely = very probably, about 90% sure.
sip – to drink a very little.
rival – competitors
A: Hi, how’s it going with you ?
B: It’s going incredibly well today. I want to celebrate. Fancy a beer ?
A: I’m not so fond of beer, I prefer coffee. How does that sound ?
B: Brilliant ! Highlands or Coffee bean ? Which one ? I can’t make up my mind.
A: Is Highlands far ? They are Vietnamese, a rival to the American company.
B: It’s quite far. We ‘ll have to take a taxi. More than likely it will rain.
A: Let’s get a move on before it rains cats and dogs.
B: Too right ! We’ll have to give up getting a taxi once it rains. Let’s go !
At the coffee shop
A: Watch out! The coffee’s incredibly hot. Just sip it. What are you up to now ?
B: Just texting the office. They seem rather busy.
A: You should take a break. Tell them to just do their best.
B: Hold your horses… there ! Finished. Piece of cake.
A: You want some cake ?
B: No, hahaha. ‘Piece of cake’… means no problem. Having said that …
A: Right ! The cakes look amazingly tasty. Shall we … ?
They buy two gloriously large cakes
A: Let’s dive in ! Wow … I must admit, this is remarkably good. How’s yours ?
B: I think it’s too big for me. Let me try some … oh, blimey, that’s awful !
A: Yes, afterwards, we’ll need to work out.
B: A minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips !
A: Do you have a minute ? I’d like to go over something with you.
B: Sure, what’s on your mind ?
A: Which video do you think is better for the students ? We need to inspire them.
B: This one looks good … oh, hold on … the vocabulary is very difficult … good !
NOW … YOUR TURN
Write a short dialogue scene about planning a holiday
Present perfect I have been to Ha Noi / I’ve been to Ha Noi
Idioms and expressions – bucket list
A: Hello, how’s it going ? Long time no see.
B: Yes, I’ve been in Ha Noi.
A: Amazing ! I want to go. I’ve never been there. It’s on my bucket list.
B: Really ? You must go, the food is great.
A: I’ve heard the people are not nice.
B: They are not the friendliest people in the world, but they are not so bad.
A: What were you doing there ?
B: Knocking on doors ! I had interviews for new companies.
This conversation is more complex and features more idioms and expressions
A: I’m sick of my job ! I need to change.
B: I’ve also been on the lookout for a new job. My job is so tedious !
A: Mine too. Same thing, day in, day out. But … it’s a job. Oh, Tom was fired.
B: No ! Why ? I’ve known him for a long time.
A: He was cooking the books.
B: You’re pulling my leg !
A: Yes ! Really, he went to Boston. He’s got a new job.
B: Good for him ! Now we should go to Boston.
cooking the books = writing false numbers in the accounts – a serious crime
You’re pulling my leg ! = joking with me
Downtown Boston, a very historic US city
A night out in Boston
Now, a quick customer service dialogue:
US restaurants serve LARGE portions
Speaking practice:
Try acting this out in the classroom, encouraging body language and appropriate intonation.
Café worker: Next, please! What would you like? Andi: Can I have a burger, please? Café worker: A cheese burger or double cheese burger? Andi: Double cheese burger, please. Café worker: Anything else? Andi: Yeah, I’d like some banana cake. Café worker: Would you like a drink? Andi: Yes, can I have an apple juice, please? Café worker: OK, so that’s one double cheese burger, one banana cake and an apple juice. What’s your table number? Andi: Table 3. How much is that? Café worker: That’s £8.37, please. Andi: Here you are. Café worker: Thank you … that’s £10.00 … and £1.63 change. Next, please …
As usual, I use bold font to highlight words, expressions and idioms that students can learn and then use in their everyday speech. Remember, some expressions are only used in some situations, but an IELTS instructor will always notice an attempt to use a wider variety of English.
Next week, one of my IELTS classes has their speaking test therefore this blog will help, I sincerely hope, to prepare them, and enable them to achieve a commendable result.
With that in mind, tonight’s class will just be practice, practice and … more practice.
I try to relax my students by telling them that passing IELTS is easy (that normally gets their attention). I have to elaborate; IELTS is easy because they
TELL YOU WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR
Namely, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and para linguistics (body language, eye contact, stress, intonation, rhythm) and fluency (the ability to speak without overlong pauses) as well as answering the question relevantly.
Let’s break that down:
Vocabulary: low-frequency words // idioms // expressions //
Structure: complex sentences employing discourse markers and clauses
Let’s kick off with complex sentences. Here’s a link to a previous blog regarding just that subject; there are a number of exercises for students to practise:
The above blog gives an example of answering a question about laptops, then allows students to compose their own response on subjects of their choice.
Finally, here are some expressions that can be used to ‘spice up’ a student’s talk as they are all everyday phrases though some will be UK-specific as they are part of the common culture:
Not my cup of tea = a polite way of saying you don’t like something.
I can take it or leave it = have no strong feelings about something.
I’m really into it = like or love something very much.
It doeswhat it says on the tin = something that does the job, no more, no less (this is from a UK TV commercial).
Vocabulary game:
To pracise using low-frequency words, put students in teams, giving each team a set of IELTS words (or phrases, idioms). They have a set time, maybe a minute, to use as many as they can, speaking about any subject they choose.
Some students may prefer to be given a set topic, so choose typical general subjects such as shopping, food, their city or country, free time etc.
Words and expressions are:
ubiquitous // somewhat // not my cup of tea // significant or significantly // I can take it or leave it // exhausting // challenging // miserable // having said that // I’m keen on // all in all // consequently // allow me to explain // eventually // thrilling // put up with
Irregular verbs are all different. A lot of common verbs are irregular:
have /had // do / did // say / said // be / was/were// go / went // get / got // make / made // take / took
Here are 7 verbs in the PRESENT.
Choose the correct verb AND use it in the correct tense.
teach / live / go / see / drink / am / have
Ms Ha (1) …….. drinking tea yesterday
when she (2) ……. an idea.
I haven’t (3) …….. my neighbours how to drink tea. I am sure they will be happy.
They have not (4) …… to the UK yet.
I have (5) …. in many cities in England.
Now I am in Viet Nam. I have (6) …. many wonderful sights,
but I have never (7) …… a cup of good, English tea.
Grammar – verb practice
Here’s the 15 most common:
infinite / present / past /past participle (verb 3)
1 to be / / am // was /been
you are / / were / been
2 to have / / have / had / had
3 to do // do / did /done
4 to say // say / said / said
5 to go //go / went / gone
6 to get // get / got / gotten
7 to make //make / made / made
8 to know // know / knew /known
9 to think // think / thought / thought
10 to take // take / took / taken
11 to see // see / saw / seen
12 to come // come / came / come
13 to want // want / wanted /wanted
14 to use // use / used / used
15 to find // find / found / found
Grammar: must or have to ? mustn’t or don’t have to
must or have to ? don’t have to or mustn’t
have to = other people tell you // must = your decision
don’t have to = not necessary // mustn’t = is forbidden
You have to have a degree in order to be an engineer
I must stop eating at Lotteria (an Asian fast-food chain like McDonalds) !
You don’t have to bring any beer to the party.
You mustn’t run a red light or use your mobile phone on your motorbike.
The new James Bond film may be sold out.We ______ buy tickets NOW !
I hate parties ! Do I _____ go ?
You _______ eat too much popcorn; it’s bad for you.
You ________ be over 18 to see this film
You don’t ____ bring your passport to get intoa cinema in Viet Nam.
Answers: must / have to / mustn’t / have to / have to
Grammar: Phrasal verbs
Phrasal Verbsand collocations
Put
up with / the fire out / up / on a happy face
it in your own words / up or shut up !/ it away / it another way
Get
well soon / over it ! / on with it / away with murder / on the bus
back to work ! / with the program (US) / some fresh air
Complete the sentences:
She looks so sweet but she never does her job ! She gets …….. at work,
Come on, cheer up ! Put ……. and smile.
If you are so good, you do it ! Put ………..
We are all going to work on the new project together, so get …….. or get a new job !
She is not the thinnest lady in the world. OK, let me put ………. she’s fat !
Stop playing and do your homework. Get ……….
His Thai girlfriend left him. He needs to get ……….
Answers:
she gets away with murder (is allowed to do bad things) // put on a happy face // put up or shut up (don’t just talk about it – do it OR stop talking) // get with the program (do what everyone wants to do) // put it another way (to say something differently) // get back to work // get over it (stop being sad, and forget the past).
Sentence building
Linking words: and / as well as / and also / along with
These link positives sentences:
I like tea as well as coffee He plays football and also badminton.
How are they dressed ? How do they look (emotions) ?
Example
Tesco Lotus is quite cheap and also has a great choice.
but / however / having said that / on the other hand
These link positives to negatives / negatives to positives:
Jet Mart is convenient. Having said that, it is (it’s) extremely expensive.
Czech beer is fantastic quality, however it’s not easy to find in Sai Gon.
‘therefore’ is a conclusion word:
The Spanish supplier is reasonable (so-so) quality, but more expensive. Therefore, we will use the German supplier in future.
Photo descriptions
These can be a great way to encourage students to speak and build longer sentences and therefore become more confident in speaking and using English.
Describe what you see in this photo. Use as many adjectives as you can.
Subject first – Do not use a pronoun (he / she / they) Say what you see.
Where are they ? What are they doing ? What do they look like ?
How are they dressed ? How do they look (emotions) ?
What do you think they are talking about ?
Example
I see two young ladies … now try to add more adjectives:
I see two beautiful young Asian ladies. One has very long, straight brown hair. Her friend has medium brown hair, a little wavy.
The lady on the left has a white dress with flowers. The lady on the right wears a blue cotton dress.
Now what are they doing – use continuous verbs – verb + ing
They are talking, laughing and drinking coffee. They are in a nice coffee shop. I see some bags, one yellow, one orange, so I think they like shopping.
Now – your turn. Describe these photos:
I see a very angry lady. She is …The lady likes to talk. She is …I see two young girls … maybe they are sisters …What do you see ? What are they doing ? Are they both happy ?What do you think about this ? How does it look ?
Listening:
I would normally read this aloud and then ask the students the questions. You can alter the speed, the natural chunking sounds, etc, to suit the ability of your class.
I usually go shopping once a week. I sometimes go to Big C but I like shopping at Mega Market. CitiMart is good but it’s a long way from my house. Mega Market is quite near my house so it’s easy to get there. It’s a big supermarket and it has everything I need, which is great. The best thing is that it’s not expensive so I can save money.
How often do I go shopping ? Where do I like shopping ? Why ?
What is the best thing about Mega Market ? Why don’t I go to Citimart ?
Vocabulary
Come/Go
Come is where you are NOW: Come here ! Go is for somewhere else: Go away !
I am in Vietnam so – I will goto Thailand, then comeback to Sai Gon.
Always ‘go to’ EXCEPT go home / go shopping / go swimming / go fishing
Kitchen items: What is it for ?
Look how native-speakers link words together:
What is a knife for ? What’s aknife for ? / Sounds like, ‘Whatsa kinffor ?’
A knife is for cutting meat and fish and also vegetables as well as fruit and, not forgetting, bread.
What is a spoon for ? Whatsa spoon for ?
A spoon’s for eating as well as stirring drinks and not forgetting cooking.
What are they for ? They are / they’re scissors (sis zerss) a pair of scissors
multi = many / multi-purpose = many uses
corkscrew / bottle opener / sharp / blunt
scissorsBottle openers, corkscrews and key-chains Potato peeler
good as gold / butter wouldn’t melt in his\her mouth / a little rascal / a handful
well-behaved / a little madam / a young gentleman / full of him\herself
What are the pros and cons (The benefits and drawbacks ) ofhaving children ?
Pros: makes us responsible / patient / sometimes they can be funny
they can enrich our lives
Cons: sometimes they misbehave ( are naughty) / no free time / they need a lot of energy / need a lot of money for toys, sweets, uniform, books, equipment.
Is there pressure from family to have children in your culture ?
Niece (girl) and nephew (boy) = children of my brother/sister
How would you describe these children ?
She has an angelic smile.
Remember – for sentence building, use adjectives and discourse markers (linking words or phrases). Never start with a pronoun (she, it, he, they) but say what the subject is – in this example, the subject is a girl. Now we can keep building up more information:
The girl has an angelic smile.
The young girl has blonde hair and an angelic smile.
The young girl, who has long straight blonde hair, has lovely big green-grey eyes, and is smiling angelically. She wears a multi-coloured T-shirt as well as some flowers around the neckline.
Now – your turn:
Here, you can also add some verbs and background information. Where do you think he is ? How is he feeling ? Who taught him this behaviour ? Do you think his mother is with him ?
These young gentleman attend a very expensive, possibly elitist, private school. Such schools are named ‘public schools’ in the UK. they include Eton, Harrow and Gordonstoun.
