Unit 8: It's just not my thing.
– Expressing a lack of understanding
– Expressing opinions without offending someone.
Part 1
Vocabulary
Answer these questions and explain your answers.
- How do you keep up with old friends?
- Do you participate in social networking?
- How often do you post messages on people’s walls? (like facebook)
- How often do you share links to articles and videos on your wall?
- How many people are you connected to?
- Do you ever upload photos and tag people in them?
Part 2
Conversation
Listen and answer 2 questions.
1. What does Nina like to do on Facebook?
2. Why doesn’t Andy spend time on Facebook?
Woman: Nina
Man: Andy
Transcript
Nina: Hey, Andy. I posted a message on your wall.
Andy: Oh, sorry. I hardly ever read those messages.
Nina: I just don’t get why you don’t love Facebook. I’m on it all the time.
Andy: It’s just not really my thing.
Nina: I like to keep up with old friends and connect with new ones. And I like to upload photos of things I do with my friends and family.
Andy: Oh, I don’t like it when people tag me in photos.
Nina: Really? I don’t see why you don’t like to be tagged.
Andy: I’m sure it can be fun, but it’s just not for me. I’m a pretty private person.
Nina: Yeah, I can understand that. But I also like to check out the links that people share.
Andy: I can see why some people like that, but it just doesn’t interest me.
Example answer
- Nina likes to keep up with old friends and connect with new friends on Facebook. She also likes to share photos and check out other people's links.
- Andy doesn't spend time on Facebook because he's a private person and isn't interested in Facebook.
Practice the conversation with teacher
Find the best places to add the sentences below to the conversation and practice it again.
I don’t go on Facebook very often.
It’s fun to see photos of people.
That’s how I get my news.
What do you do on Facebook?
Nina: Hey, Andy. I posted a message on your wall.
Andy: Oh, sorry. I hardly ever read those messages. ____________________
Nina: I just don’t get why you don’t love Facebook. I’m on it all the time.
Andy: It’s just not really my thing. ____________________
Nina: I like to keep up with old friends and connect with new ones. And I like to upload photos of things I do with my friends and family.
Andy: Oh, I don’t like it when people tag me in photos.
Nina: Really? I don’t see why you don’t like to be tagged. ___________________
Andy: I’m sure it can be fun, but it’s just not for me. I’m a pretty private person.
Nina: Yeah, I can understand that. But I also like to check out the links that people share. ____________________
Andy: I can see why some people like that, but it just doesn’t interest me.
Answers
Nina: Hey, Andy. I posted a message on your wall.
Andy: Oh, sorry. I hardly ever read those messages. (1) I don't go on Facebook very often.
Nina: I just don’t get why you don’t love Facebook. I’m on it all the time.
Andy: It’s just not really my thing. (4) What do you do on Facebook?
Nina: I like to keep up with old friends and connect with new ones. And I like to upload photos of things I do with my friends and family.
Andy: Oh, I don’t like it when people tag me in photos.
Nina: Really? I don’t see why you don’t like to be tagged. (2) It's fun to see photos of people.
Andy: I’m sure it can be fun, but it’s just not for me. I’m a pretty private person.
Nina: Yeah, I can understand that. But I also like to check out the links that people share. (3) That's how I get my news.
Andy: I can see why some people like that, but it just doesn’t interest me.
Part 3
Language Booster
Notice the ways we express a lack of understanding and give opinions without offending someone.
Expressing a lack of understanding
I don’t get why you like (Facebook) so much.
I guess I don’t really understand what you get out of it.
I don’t see why you don’t like (to be tagged in photos)
I just don’t get why you don’t love…
Expressing opinions without offending someone.
I’m sure it can be fun, but it’s just not for me.
I can see why some people like it, but it just doesn’t interest me.
It’s just not really my thing.
It’s not that I don’t like…, it’s that I like… better.
Student chooses a topic below and imagine that your teacher likes it, and you don’t understand why. Your teacher will explain why he or she likes it.
- tagging friends
- spending time on social networks
- commenting on posts
- linking with strangers
Example conversation
A: I don't really understand why you don't like spending time on social networks.
B: I'm sure it can be fun, but it's not for me. Why do you like it?
A: Well, I get to keep ini touch with old friends, and...
Part 4
Listening
Listen to Ben and Dana talk about social networks they like and don’t like.
Write the name of the person who likes a social network below.
| Name | Reason | |
Answer
Pinterest - Ben
Facebook - Ben, Dana
Twitter - Dana
Listen again.
Write the reasons why the person likes the social network.
Do you use any of the social networks?
Do you agree with Dana or Ben?
Transcript
A: What are you doing, Ben?
B: I’m looking at posts on Pinterest.
A: Oh, I’ve never used Pinterest. I saw it once, and I don’t think it’s very interesting.
B: I just don’t get why you don’t like it. There’s a lot of great stuff on here! And I can keep track of all the things I’m interested in and share it with others. I didn’t know I had so many interests until I started Pinterest!
A: I can see why some people like it, but it’s not for me. I’d rather just go on Facebook.
B: People post interesting things on Facebook, too, but Pinterest has great photos and things to look at. Plus, I’m an artist, and looking at Pinterest gives me a lot of ideas. You should give it another try.
A: I’ll think about it. Do you use Twitter?
B: No. Do you?
A: Yes! I love Twitter!
B: What do you like about it?
A: I can connect with thousands of people around the world who share the same interests. I get most of my information and news updates from Twitter. Why don’t you use it?
B: People who use Twitter are on it all day!
A: What do you mean?
B: You. You’ve been on your phone the whole time we’ve been talking. You’re on your phone tweeting.
A: (embarrassed laugh) I just have to retweet something. Sorry. I’ll lose followers if I don’t post or connect with other tweeters!
B: I don’t think it matters, does it? Unless you want to lose a real friend.
A: OK! OK! I’m done!
Answer
Pinterest: (Ben) Can keep track of and share things you are interested in, great photos; gets lots of art ideas
Facebook: (Ben, Dana) Interesting pots
Twitter: (Dana) Can connect with thousands of people around the world with same interests; can get information and news updates
Part 5
Speak with confidence
Make a list of two activities that you really like and two that you really don’t like.
Activities you like
________________________
________________________
Activities you don’t like
________________________
________________________
Why you like or dislike the activities?
Discuss these questions below
Which outdoor activities do you like the most?
Are there any sports you don’t enjoy? Why?
Do you prefer group activities or doing things alone?
What is a hobby you tried but didn’t like?
What new activity would you like to try?
Do you enjoy creative activities like drawing or writing?
Is there an activity you used to dislike but now enjoy?