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In 8D the functions are:
. criticising and complaining
. sympathising and changing the subject
You also read and study aspects of 'teacher speak' and reflect on some teaching ideas.
1 Look at the picture what do you think has happened?
a) Rob is trying to steal money from the receptionist.
b) Rob is teaching the receptionist a new song.
c) Rob is complaining about the hotel.
2 Listen and answer. 1. What were the two problems Rob had at his hotel?
2. How does he feel now?
3. What was yesterday's talk like?
4. What linguistic mistake does he make?
3 Listen again and complete the dialogue. Stop the audio if you need to.
Receptionist: Good morning, sir. Is ______OK?
R: No, ____ _____ ______I'm afraid. I really couldn't sleep last night.
Rec: Oh____! What was the______?
R: There were men working in the next room. They made a terrible noise.
Rec: Ah yes, _____ _____ _____they disturbed you.
R: ____ ____ _____to another room?
Rec: Yes, I'll move your things right away for you.______ ______.
Back at the conference
F: Hi Rob. How are you?
R:____ too _____. Although I'm a bit tired. The hotel was very noisy, but they're moving me to a new room, now.
F: Oh_____! _____, did you enjoy that last talk?
R:_____ _____, I thought it was a bit boring really.
F:_____ _____, I think she talked too much.
R: Yes,____ _____. Right, it's time for lunch. ____ ____ ___ today. Vamos entonces?
F: That's Spanish. In Portuguese we say Vamos então.
R: Vamos então. ____ ____.
F: (Laughs) That's very good. You've got a good _____for languages.
4 Can you remember the answers to these questions? Listen and check your answers.1. Is everything okay?
2. Oh dear, what was the problem?
3. Can I move to another room?
4. Hi Rob, how are you?
5. Did you enjoy that last talk?
5 Listen. Can you hear a difference between the hotel receptionist's intonation and Rob's? Why?Rec: Good morning, sir. Is everything OK?
R: No, not too good I'm afraid. I really couldn't sleep last night.
Rec: Oh dear! What was the problem?
R: There were men working in the next room. They made a terrible noise.
Rec: Ah yes, I'm sorry if they disturbed you.
R: Can I move to another room?
Rec: Yes, I'll move your things right away for you. Don't worry.
Listen again and repeat using the same intonation as the receptionist and Rob. Teacher Speak.
In English when people are being friendly or polite they often widen their range. When they are unhappy, annoyed or bored people often use a narrower range.
Professional Tip
See Unit 6 for pictures of faces to help your students use more intonation.
7 Read the conversation.
a) Underline the words Rob uses to criticize and complain.
b) Circle the words the receptionist and Fernanda use to sympathise with Rob.
Receptionist: Good morning, sir. Is everything OK?
R: No, not too good I'm afraid. I really couldn't sleep last night.
Rec: Oh dear! What was the problem?
R: There were men working in the next room. They made a terrible noise.
Rec: Ah yes, I'm sorry if they disturbed you.
R: Can I move to another room?
Rec: Yes, I'll move your things right away for you. Don't worry.
Back at the conference
F: Hi Rob. How are you?
R: Not too bad. Although I'm a bit tired. The hotel was very noisy, but they're moving me to a new room, now.
F: Oh dear! Anyway, did you enjoy that last talk?
R: Not much, I thought it was a bit boring really.
F: Me too, I think she talked too much.
R: Yes, I agree. Right, it's time for lunch. It's on me today. Vamos entonces?
F: That's Spanish. In Portuguese we say Vamos então.
R: Vamos então. Let's go (said with Braz Intonation)
F: (Laughs) That's very good. You've got a good ear for language.
8 Language analysis
1. Why does Rob say 'Not too good', rather than 'Awful'?
2. What's the function of 'I'm afraid'?
3. Do you know two more ways to say 'Right away'?
4. Why does Rob say 'Not too bad', rather than 'Not too good' to Fernanda?
5. What does Fernanda say to change the subject?
6. Find the expression that means 'I'll pay'.
Teacher Speak
In English we try to use positive words to give negative information so if we want to say: "That's bad" we say "That's not very good". We also try to distance by saying "might" rather than "is/are" e.g. we mean "that's a bad idea" we say "that might not be a very good idea". We can also make it sound like our instructions were bad by adding seem to- we mean "you don't understand - stupid!" we say "you don't seem to understand?"
9 Update your Portfolio. As a teacher, what do you criticise or complain about? Look at these complaints and change them into more positive sounding feedback.
1. This is very inconvenient I'm afraid that might not be very convenient.
2. We're very unhappy about it.
3. You will fail the exam.
4. You don't understand.
5. The books are very expensive.
6. I will be late.
7. Your homework was awful.
10 Record the sentences onto your Portfolio cassette
à go to Unit 8 E