Chapter 15- “I’m going to a soccer match!”

Invitations and excuses; leisure-time activities; telephone messages

Making Excuses

Let’s pretend…

• You are invited to go to a party at a neighbor’s house.

• You do not like this neighbor. You think this neighbor is boring, the neighbor’s children are rude, and the neighbor’s wife is strange.

• What do you say to this neighbor? What excuses would you make?

Sample Excuses• I’m sorry. I have to wash my hair that night.

• I can’t. My parents are visiting from out of town.

• I’m busy that night.

• I’m sorry. I can’t find a babysitter.

• I’m not feeling well.

• I have to work. I have to get up early.

• I just got a new puppy. I have to stay home with it.

• I have class that night.

• My favorite TV show is on that night.

Good excuses vs. bad excuses

• Which of these excuses are good excuses?

• Which of these excuses are bad excuses?

Conversation- “Making Plans”

• Listen and practice.

• Listen to the rest of the conversation. When are they going to have dinner? Who are they goind to meet after dinner?

Future plans

With a partner, discuss the following:

• What are you doing after class?

• What are you doing this weekend?

• What are you doing next week?

• What are you doing next year?

Present Continuous and be going to

You can describe future events by

• using present continuous

• be going to+ verb

Examples of present continous:

What are you doing tonight?

I’m going to a soccer match.

Are you doing anything tomorrow?

No, I’m not.

Examples of be going to+ verb

What is she going to do tomorrow?

She’s going to work until five.

Are they going to go bowling?

Yes, they are.

Making requests and apologizing

Take out two pieces of paper.

Tear these pieces of paper in half.

• Write two requests.

• Write two apologies.

Schedules

With a partner, decide who is A and who is B.

Look at the schedules I give you.

Ask each other questions using present continuous.

“What are you doing on Thursday morning?”

“What are you doing Friday afternoon?”

Can I take a message ?

• Listen and practice.

• Listen to three other calls. Write down the callers’ names.

Messages with tell

When you are calling, and you want to make a statement, use “tell”.

Statement: The meeting is on Friday.

Please tell Ann (that) the meeting is…

Could you tell her (that)….

Would you tell her (that)…

Messages with a request

When you are calling, and you want to make a request, use “ask”.

Request: Call me this afternoon.

Please ask him to call me…

Could you ask him to call me…

Would you ask him to call me…

Writing-Unusual Favors

Think of unusual messages for three people in this class.

Write a note to your partner asking him or her to pass on the messages.

Listening- Taking a message

• Listen to telephone calls to Mr. Lin and Ms. Carson.

• Write down the messages.

Useful expressions-Phone

• May I speak to…?

• Sorry, but…isn’t here.

• Can I leave a message?

• Can I take a message?

• I’ll give… the message?

What is the difference between “leave a message” and “take a message”?