Minggu, 17 Juli 2011

Likes and Dislikes

English Expressions

Expression Response
What do you think of (... jazz)? I can’t stand it.
It’s so-so.
How do you like (... soccer)? I’m crazy about watching it, but not playing.
I think it’s a boring game.
Which do you prefer (... ice cream or candy)? I prefer ice cream.
Actually, I don’t like either, I prefer yogurt.
Do you like ( ... apples)? Yes, I love them.
No, not really.
What is your favorite ( ... food)? My favorite food is Korean food.
English Dialogue
Students should work together in pairs and read the following dialogue, one student reading one part, the other student reading the other. Note the expressions used in the dialogue and the progression of the conversation. The dialogue can be used as a model to have in similar conversations.

James: What kinds of music do you like, Susan?
Susan: I’m partial to classical music. What about you?
James: I like jazz and 50’s and 60’s rock and roll.
Susan: What is your favorite kind of food?
James: Mexican food, without a doubt. What’s yours?
Susan: I don’t really have a favorite. I like all kinds of food, except Thai food. It’s too spicy for me.
James: Who is your favorite movie star?
Susan: Brad Pitt, he’s so handsome. Who do you like?
James: My favorite actor is Sean Connery and my favorite actress is Jody Foster.
Susan: What sport do you like to play best?
James: I really like to play golf, but I’m not very good at it. What about you?
Susan: I don’t really like sports and have never played them. I like games though.
James: What’s you favorite game?
Susan: Don’t laugh, but it’s tiddlywinks.
James: Tiddlywinks! That’s a kid’s game.
Susan: I know, but I’m very good at it. I play with my nephews and nieces and I beat them every time.
James: Don’t you ever let them win?
Susan: Never.

After reading, close your book and tell your partner a summary of the dialogue. Then switch and have your partner tell his or her summary. Start like this: This dialogue is about two people talking about what they like and don't ...This may seem silly, since you both already know what the dialogue is about, but the purpose is to practice using your English, not to give information or test your reading skills.

Conversation Activities

1. Pair work- discussion
What are your favorite things? Discuss with your partner whether you like or dislike the items below
(and why or why not). Your partner should ask questions to get more information.

Basketball Reading TV soaps Eating Pizza
Exercise Watching news Blind dates Going to class
Romance movies French food R & B music Watching boxing
Traveling Studying Ping Pong Playing chess
2. Pair work- Role Play
The situation: See the situations below
Working with a partner, role play the situations, using the information below

The roles: you, your partner

1. At a movie and you can’t stand the violence. Try to convince your partner to leave the movie because you
don’t like it.

2. At a restaurant and the food is terrible. You are eating a hamburger, French fries, and chocolate ice cream.
The waiter (your partner) comes by and asks how the food is. Tell him/her why you dislike it.

3. In English class and the teacher is lecturing about grammar. Tell your partner why you dislike lectures on
grammar.

4. At home and you just opened a birthday present that you really hate. Your partner is the family member who
gave you the present. Tell him/her why you like the present even though you don’t.

Greetings and Introductions


English Expressions
Expression       

Response
Hello, I’m ( ... Ms. Jaines).   

Hello, Ms. Jaines, I’m Susan Appleton.
My name is ( ... John Grey).   

Nice to meet you Mr. Grey, I’m Mrs. Sukjoy.
I’m (... George Franks. What's your name)?

My name is Sopida, Sopida Hakam. It’s a pleasure to
   meet you Mr. Franks.
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is ( ... Frank Jeffers).    

I'm delighted to meet you Mr.Jeffers. My name is
   Pornpan Orasa.
         
Introducing others
On occasion, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to introduce one person to another. Look at these possible expressions that are used for this.
English Expressions
Expression   

Response
Sam: Peter, I would like to introduce
         (... Miss Helen Cranston).    
Helen: Nice to meet you too Mr. Kellogg.

Peter: Hello Miss Cranston, nice to meet you.
Bob: Min Ju, this is ( ... my friend Betty  Watson).        
Betty: Same here.

 Min Ju: Hi Ms. Watson, a pleasure to meet
        you.
Alice: Harry, let me introduce ( ...my supervisor, Mr.
          Lee).
Mr. Lee: Good to meet you too. But please, call me
               Sammy.

Harry: Mr. Lee, it’s good to meet you.
         
              Point to remember
              Many beginning learners use the expression “Nice to meet you” even when they interact with a
              person they have already been introduced to. This expression (Nice to meet you) is only used
              at a first meeting, not after that. Instead, if greeting a person for the second time, use “Nice to see
              you again”
Farewells
Just as there are several standard expressions for greetings, there are also expressions of farewell. The farewell itself is generally very short- one or two words. However, many times people add something to the expressions, depending on what they want to happen in the future or the situation.  

              Expressions                                         
              Goodbye                             Bye               
              So long                               Catch you later    
              I have to run                        I have to be going now     
              So long                                Later dude  
              Good day         

              Extensions to farewells
              See you again                      I hope to see you again
              See you later (soon)            Call me 

              Point to remember
              Bye Bye is an expression that very young children use when they are first beginning to learn to
              talk or  on very rare occasions by women, but almost never by most adults. 
Well Being
After the greeting are finished the conversation should be continued in some way. One of the most common ways is is ask about the other persons well being. Again, there are several expressions that can be used for this. The responses to such inquiries will, of course, depend on how one actually feels. Lets take a look at these.                                        

  Expressions                             
Responses

 IF GOOD
How are you?   
 Great.
How’s it going?      
Couldn’t be better.
How are things?
 Fantastic.

  IF SO-SO
 How are things going? 
 Could be worse.
 How have you been?   
 I can’t complain.
  How do you feel?  
  Not bad

  IF BAD 
 How goes it?   
 I’ve had better days.
How are you doing?   
 Not too good.
 How's life treating you?     
 Lousy.

                        
English Dialogue

Students should work together in pairs and read the following dialogue, one student reading one part, the other student reading the other. Note the expressions used in the dialogue and the progression of the conversation. The dialogue can be used as a model to have similar conversations.

Sam: Hello, you look lost. Can I be of assistance?
Mary: Oh, thanks. You’re right, I am lost. I’m looking for the Student Union building?
Sam: You’re close; it’s just across the lawn. It’s the three story brick building over there.
Mary: I see, well thanks a lot. You’ve been a big help.
Sam: Excuse me for saying so, but you’re not from around here, are you? Are you British or what?
Mary: Actually I’m Australian. I’m a new transfer student. You’re an American, I assume?
Sam: Yes, by the way I’m Sam, Sam Jones.
Mary: I’m Mary Donald. Pleased to meet you.
Sam: So how long have you been in the States, Mary?       
Mary: I’ve been here about three weeks now. So, what’s your major Sam?
Sam: I’m a pre-med student. What’s yours?
Mary: I’m not sure yet, but I’m kind of interested in sociology.  
Sam: So, do you live in the dorm?
Mary: Actually no, I have a small apartment about five blocks from here. Well, I have to run. Thanks for your help.
          Maybe we’ll bump into each other again sometime.
Sam: Could be, it’s a pretty small campus. Nice to meet you, Mary. See you later.
Mary: So long.

After reading, close your book and tell your partner a summary of the dialogue. Then switch and have your partner tell his or her summary. Start like this: This dialogue is about two people who meet...This may seem silly, since you both already know what the dialogue is about, but the purpose is to practice using your English, not to give information or test your reading skills.