Main goal: To have a conversation in which you are able to introduce yourself and ask someone else about themselves.

 

Steps for success: Listening and reading comprehension in order to build vocabulary and prepare useful questions and phrasing for the conversation, have a conversation, synthesize the information you learned while practicing your writing skills.

 

Skills used: Listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

 

You’re going to listen to some audio created by the British Council.  The speaker, Harry, introduces himself and talks about his city, work, and what he does during his free time.

 

Listening/Reading

 

  1. Prelistening:
    1. Review some slang vocabulary you’ll hear in the audio http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/big-city-small-world/meet-harry#tabset-tab-3
  2. First time listening to the audio
    1. Harry will talk about the city where he is from, his job, and what he does in his free time.  As you listen, write down keywords for each topic. http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/big-city-small-world/meet-harry
    2. Listen to Harry’s introduction again.  This time, use the transcript provided below.  Note where your keywords appear in the text.  Stop and review the audio for portions where you had difficulty understanding.  Use a dictionary if necessary. http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/big-city-small-world/meet-harry
    3. Listen to Harry a third time.  Try not to use the transcript.  Could you answer questions about Harry’s city, job, and hobbies?  If not, review the written transcript again.
  3. Comprehension
    1. Complete the quiz: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/big-city-small-world/meet-harry#tabset-tab-4

Speaking

    1. Prepare to have a similar conversation with your language partner.  Write down keywords you will need to describe your town, work, and hobbies. Write down 10 possible questions along with a list of cities and jobs so you can ask your partner his or her opinion.  For example:
      1. Where are you from?
      2. Is it a city or a small town?
      3. Would you like to live in New York?  London? Sydney?  Why?
      4. Do you work, study or both?
      5. Would you like to work as teacher?  
      6. etc
    2. Meet with your language partner.  Try your best to only speak in English for 30 minutes.  Of course, be sure to then provide your partner with an equal amount of time to practice your native language as well.

Writing

    1. Write a summary of your exchange with your partner on the Mixxer blog.  Describe your partner and yourself.  Ask your partner to comment on your post and ask if the information is correct and if you used any of your new vocabulary correctly.