Week 1 to 3

Week 1-3

A. Objectives
We'll discuss what you wish to accomplish by taking these English courses and any particular topics you would like me to integrate into this course.


B. Building a profile
The rules are very easy for this exercise and they are as follows:
  1. You have to go up to the board and write down the answers to all of you questions. Make sure to categorize them
  2. You have 20 minutes to ask questions.  Any question that you would typically ask someone to learn more about them.  They can be professional or personal in nature
  3. Be creative when asking questions.
  4. Let me know when you have finished asking question by saying something like: That's all the questions that I have for now.  This helps me know you a little bit better.
C. Describing a picture

Look at the following picture and describe it in details. In order to do so, you will need to answer the following 5 basic questions:
  1. What is this picture about?
  2. Who is in the picture?
  3. Where do you think it takes place?
  4. When (timing) did this happen?
  5. Why do you think the person is doing what he's doing?
If you could ask this person a couple of question, what would you ask him? Come up with 2 questions

Photo #1



Photo #2



D. Tell me a story: how creative are you?

Now, I want you to look at the following picture and spend 5 minutes looking at all the details of the picture and come up with a STORY that says why they are there, who are these people, what's is happening and what will happen next

Spend 5 minutes looking at the picture and then 10 minutes writing the story. Let me know once you have finished and we'll review it together



























E. Time to test your comprehension

Watch and listen to the following video, take notes (individually) and write a summary of it. Each one of you will read your summary in class. Play it once without taking any notes, just listened to the story. The second time, play it and stop it to take notes. Watch it a third time if necessary.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34301413


F. Modal Verbs
Open up the following document and let's review the modal verbs of ability, capability, and advice: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8g3yDGyanyyTHV6Mngteno0Qms/edit?usp=sharing

Now, let's put your knowledge of model verbs to work. We'll go to the board and discuss what you SHOULD, MAY, MUST and WILL do before the end of the year. Our discussion will center around the categories of Work, Travel, Social and Sports.


G. Modal Verbs: What would you tell them...

Please provide appropriate advice in the form of a short paragraph for the following use cases.  It's important that you use as many modal verbs as possible including should, can, must, need to, have to, could, etc.
  1. A friend asking for advise after being reprimanded by her boss for being late all the time  
  2. A person planning to drive into Montpellier between 5-6pm today (Friday).
  3. Your children for not doing their chores around the house very often.
  4. Hollande to increase his chances of being reelected in the next election.
  5. Anyone asking you advise about where to go for lunch near the office.
  6. A person looking to improve his health.  Advice about diet, stress and exercise.
  7. A person thinking about starting their own business.
  8. Your son/daughter on the best way to succeed on their first professional job.
  9. Your employees/coworkers on how to improve the way they spend their time at work.
  10. A friend from Paris asking your advise on what to do in Montpellier and its surrounding area.
H. Travel Agent Advise

Ready to go on vacation (holidays). Well, it's never too late to start planning your trip. In this exercise you will have a distinctive destination and you will need to plan a trip for your spouse. You will do your research using TripAdvisor.com. So, where are you going? Your destinations are as follows:

Jean Christophe: Rome, Italy


  1. Select 3-5 places that your spouse MUST visit
  2. Select 3 activities that your spouse SHOULD do
  3. Select 1 thing (activity or place) that your spouse COULD do

I. A thirsty american invention

Listen to the following brief BBC audio and we'll discuss the topic and the new vocabulary

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/news-report/ep-150817


J. Telling the time

Watch the following video about telling the time...UK style.  Afterwards, we'll go over the minor differences with American English.

How do we ask the time? There are several ways to ask for the time and the following are the most popular ones.

  1. What time is it?
  2. Can you please tell me what time it is?
  3. Can you tell me the time please?
  4. Do you have the time?
  5. Do you know tht time?


American English examples

10:00  It's ten o'clock
10:05  It's ten oh five OR It's five after 10.
10:15  It's ten fifteen or a quarter AFTER 10
10:40  It's ten forty OR It's 20 'til 11.
10:30   It's ten thirty


Questions: Ask each other the following questions:

At what time you go to bed?

At what time do you get up on Sundays?

At what time do you leave home to go to work?

At what time do you feel tired during the day?

At what time do you usually eat lunch?

At what time do you like to eat dinner on the weekends?

Now is your turn to ask me a few questions. Come up with 2 questions each...but try to be think of new questions if possible

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