Lesson 2. Further contacts

Warm up

I. Representatives of many Pacific countries are meeting in Japan for their biennial conference. This is the welcoming cocktail event. What do you talk about when you meet colleagues who you haven't seen for a year?

II. Do you wait for people to ask you questions or do you take the initiative yourself?

III. How comfortable are you at large social events that you have to attend for work?

Listening

I. Listen to the conversation between Masako, Heather, and Sue. What do they talk about? Write yes or no in the column for conversation.

	Conversation
Their journey to Kyoto
Their children/families
Their work
Their academic studies
Their houses and homes
Their hobbies

Speaking

I. Imagine you meet an international colleague who you haven't seen for a year. Try to mention all the topics in the table in Listening. Ask them what they've been doing and answer their questions.

II. After not seeing them for six months, what three things would you say to a close friend, and what three things to an acquaintance?

Writing

I. An old school or university friend asks you in an email what you have been doing. Answer their email and ask them some questions too.

II. Your manager has asked you to send him an email outlining how you have been spending your time at work during the last month.

Lesson 3. Telling a story

Warm up

I. Which is the best airline you have ever flown with? Which is the worst?

II. Brainstorm all the different things that could go wrong when you fly.

Listening

I. Listen to David telling a story about something that happened to him while traveling.

Which two pictures best describe what happened?

II. Look at the extracts below. Complete them with useful expressions for telling a story.

1. Joanne: Have you ever had a frightening experience on a plane?

David: ___________________________. A couple of years ago.

2. _______________________ outside the plane it was suddenly like a disaster movie - __________________, flashing lights, sirens, people running around.

3. To_______________________ , I continued reading my book. I mean, there was nothing I could do.

4. Later - the food, _______________________, was out of this world -____________, later...

5. But ________________________we had no further problems, so we_________________ got to Tokyo over twelve hours late.

Speaking

I. Tell your partner about something strange that happened to you, (or to a friend of yours) while traveling.

II. Ask your partner to tell you a story. Be prepared to interrupt and ask questions to find out more details, especially about the background situation.

Writing

I. Imagine you are David from Listening. When he was at the hotel, he had time to send an email to his friend explaining the delay. Write the email.

II. You are the co-pilot of the plane. You have to send an emailed report to head office in Athens to explain your delay. Write the email.

III. Write about a dangerous situation you found yourself in.