Learning the
English language means learning how to deal with ordinary
day-to-day situations.
Take the
situation that you’re out and you meet a friend.
Here are
some expressions you can use:
Hi, how are
you doing?
Hi, nice to see you.
Hi, so good to see you. Everything OK?
Hi, how are things with you and your
family?
Some answers
could be:
Fine, and
you?
Nice to see you too.
Sure, everything is OK, and you?
We’re all fine, thanks.
If you haven’t
seen this person in a long time:
It’s great
to see you again.
You look great!
You’re looking good! (very informal)
You haven’t aged a bit!
Now that you’ve met
someone perhaps you’d like to make plans to see them again.
Why don’t we
get together some time?
How about going out for lunch next week?
Why don’t we go out together next weekend?
How about coming to my house for dinner this weekend?
Why don’t we make definite plans to see each other
again?
Some answers:
Fine with
me!
That would be great!
I’d like that.
Of course, I’d love to.
Now that the
teacher has given these commonly used expression to the
students, they can try them out.
First, they can
write up short dialogues and then go on to using the expressions
in situations.
It’s best to divide
the class into small groups so they can work on the dialogues
together and then the teacher can go to each group and have them
use the dialogues for conversation practice.
It’s a time for the
students to “experiment”.
Often it’s a very
informal time when the students can enjoy their little “meet and
invite” conversations.”
Again the teacher
will have her part in preparing situations to be used.
You meet someone
you know……walking down the street window-shopping.
……in a
restaurant.
……at a
party while talking with other friends.
……in a
shop.
……at a
wedding while crying sentimental tears.
I’ve found that
some students are “born actors” and just love to show how
creative they are in these “acting out” situations.
I found too that if
the students are enjoying the lesson, they will surely remember
it!!
By the way, the teacher can ( and is heartily advised to) step
in and participate with the students!
A Nice Thought
Good
teaching is one fourth preparation and three-fourths “theatre”