Review 17 - 20
- Are you afraid of…?
- I’m overworked.
- If I could go anywhere…
- I wish I had…
Part 1
Preview
Look at the photos.
How do you think Alex feels in photo a? Why might he feel that way?
What are Maria, Alex and Tom doing in photo b? Why do you think they are doing it?
Example answer
I think Alex feels stressed out. He might feel that way because he has a lot of deadlines.
I think Maria, Alex, and Tom are closing their eyes and imagining something wonderful.
I think they are doing this to try to relax.
Part 2
Practice
Watch the video. Were your guesses correct?
Watch the video again. Write A (for Alex), M (for Maria), or B (for both Alex and Maria).
- ______ is/are happy.
- ______ is/are scared of missing deadlines.
- ______ can’t find a job.
- ______ would like to be an actor.
- ______ wish(es) that he/she hadn’t studied so much in high school.
- ______ is/are worried about not having enough money.
- ______ is/are afraid of public speaking.
- ______ is/are going to be in a commercial.
Answer
- A
- A
- M
- M
- M
- M
- A
- B
Transcript
Tom: Hi, Maria.
Alex: Hey Maria.
Maria: Hi, guys.
Tom: Want to join us?
Maria: Yeah, sure, thanks. So, how’s it going?
Alex: Oh, not bad. Of course I’m under a lot of pressure at work, as usual. I’m terrified of missing deadlines.
Maria: Your boss still getting on your nerves?
Alex: Yeah, and I have a lot of deadlines coming up.
Tom: Maybe you should try some relaxation techniques.
Alex: Relaxation techniques?
Tom: Yeah, I always feel better after I do some deep breathing. We can try it right now. Ready? Okay, breathe in....breathe out....breathe in...breathe out...feel better?
Alex: Wow, I do! That really works! Thanks! So, how are things with you, Maria? How’s the job search going?
Maria: Oh, I don’t know. I have a feeling I’m never going to get a job. I had three interviews last week, and I haven’t heard back from any of the companies.
Tom: Really? Why is that, do you think?
Maria: Well, it seems like I’m either overqualified or underqualified for all of the jobs. I mean, I either have too much experience or not enough.
Tom: Oh, that’s too bad. So, what would your ideal job be, anyway?
Maria: If I could do anything? Well, this is kind of embarrassing, but... I’d actually love to be an actor. I’ve always dreamed of that.
Tom: Really? I never knew that! So why don’t you do it?
Maria: Well, acting is hard to get into, you know. And I don’t have much experience. I wish I’d been in some plays in high school, but I took school really seriously... I studied all the time.
Tom: Oh...so do you wish you hadn’t studied so hard?
Maria: Well, not exactly, I guess... but I wish I’d gotten involved in some other activities, too.
Alex: But it’s never too late, right? What are you afraid of?
Maria: Uh...failure? And I’m nervous about being broke.
Tom: But seriously, I think you’d be great! Why don’t you start small... like try out for a play at a local theater?
Alex: I could never do that... I’m terrified of public speaking.
Maria: I guess I could...but I wouldn’t get paid.
Alex: But it would be a start, right?
Maria: Yeah... but I’d still need a day job.
Alex: Uh-huh. But at least if your day job were boring, you’d have something to dream about.
Cafe worker: Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt...
Maria: Oh, that’s okay.
Cafe worker: But we’re actually filming a commercial here in a little while. We need to ask you to leave the cafe...unless you’d like to be extras in the commercial, of course.
Alex: Extras?
Cafe worker: Yeah... the producer said they’re looking for some people to just sit here and drink and talk. You’d even get paid for it!
Part 3
Discuss
Answer the questions
What advice would you give to Alex? To Maria?
What causes you the most stress? How do you deal with it?
What is your dream job? What would you need to do to get the job? Do you think you’ll ever have that job? Why or why not?
Part 4
Review: Are you afraid of...?
Talk about your fears. Your teacher will suggest ways to overcome each fear. Use the ideas below or your own ideas.
Fear of heights: each day, climb up one more rung of a ladder
Fear of public speaking: practice speaking in front of a pet, then a friend, then a few friends
Try to:
- Ask about fears
- Talk about fears
Asking about fears
- What are you afraid of?
- Are you afraid of (public speaking)?
- What’s your greatest fear?
- Do (snakes and spiders) scare you?
Talking about fears
- l’m afraid of/scared of/terrified of (public speaking).
- l’m nervous (about public speaking).
- (Public speaking) makes me nervous.
- l’m uncomfortable around (snakes and spiders).
(They) give me the creeps
Example conversation
A: What are you afraid of?
B: Well, I'm terrified of public speaking.
A: Why don't you practice speaking alone, or in front of a pet? Then you could practice in front of one friend, and then a few friends. Slowly, you'll gain confidence.
B: That's a good idea. Thanks. So, what's...?
Part 5
Review: I'm overworked.
Discuss these causes of stress. Your teacher will give advice by talking about his or her own experience.
financial problems
too much work
problems with a family member
health problems
Try to:
- Talk about causes of stress
- Give advice by talking about personal experiences
Talking about causes of stress
- I have too many deadlines.
- l’m overworked.
- I’m under a lot of pressure.
- I’m having problems with a friend.
Giving advice by talking about personal experiences
- I’ve found that it’s really helpful to (drop a class).
- ln my experience (six is too many classes).
- … has always worked well for me.
- I always feel better after I…
Example conversation
A: Being a video game creator isn't just fun. What would you bring to our organization?
B: Well, I'm creative and I work well with others.
A: That's important. And what is the biggest challenge you've ever faced in your job?
B: One time we were trying to develop five new games all at the same time. This was hard because I can be a little disorganized. But we worked together and finished everything before the deadlines.
Part 6
Review: If I could go anywhere...
Talk about the dreams and wishes below.
be a famous actor
create a new social networking site
stay in a space hotel
invent a new type of technology
Try to:
- Talk about dreams and wishes
- Express interest and ask for reasons
Talking about dreams and wishes
- If I could go anywhere, I’d travel to (the Bahamas).
- If I could do anything, I’d (be a scientist).
- If I could have any job, I would (be a scientist).
- If I could meet anyone, I’d meet…..
Expressing interest and asking for reasons
- Interesting. Why (the Bahamas)?
- Oh, really? Why is that
- Oh, is that right? How come?
Example conversation
A: I'm under a lot of pressure because I have too much work.
B: In my experience, it's better to focus on one small project at a time. If you think about everything, it's overwhelming. But if you think about one small thing, you feel a sense of accomplishment and can then move on.
A: That's great advice. Thanks. How about you? What causes you stress?
Part 7
Review: I wish I had...
Look at some of the things that people regret below. Think of two more and write them down. Choose two that you regret the most. Your teacher will ask about your regrets.
hurting someone’s feelings
not making the right decisions
Try to:
- Ask about regrets
- Talk about regrets
Asking about regrets
- If you could do it over, what would you do differently?
- What/Where/Who/When do you wish you…?
- Do you wish you had…?
Talking about regrets
- I wish l’d (taken school more seriously).
- I wish I hadn’t (gotten involved in a clique).
- I regret…
- I (never) should have…
- lf only I had/hadn’t…
- lf I could do it over, I would…
Example conversation
A: If I could do anything, I'd be a famous actor.
B: Oh, really? Why is that?
A: It would be fun to meet famous people and be recognized by fans.
B: Interesting. If I could do anything,...