U n I t o n e “by heart”

PART I. WARMING UP ACTIVITY

TASK I. Work in pairs. Do you have any problems with your studies? Ask your partner about it using the following ideas:

• you don’t like the subject

• you don’t like the teacher

• other students seem to be better than you

• you can’t follow the lesson

• you can’t concentrate

• the lessons are usually boring

TASK II. A student, Ann by name has some problems with studying. This is her letter to a magazine problem page for advice. List her problems and tell your partner about them. What are her fears? Make a list of them.

Dear Susanne,

I’m having some problems at University. It is very difficult to concentrate in the evenings because I’m always sleepy. What is more, I find it difficult to get down to work. I think that other students are much better than me and I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep up with them. The teacher has told me that I’m falling behind with my studies. I’m not good at writing dictations and “Making a Message” comes difficult to me.

I’m sure I’m not going to get through my winter exams. I scraped through my mid-term tests with only 67% and I’m depressed now.

What do you think I should do?

Yours desperately,

Ann.

Try to work out what the italicized words mean.

TASK III. In pairs, through discussion, match the words in column A with the definitions in column B. Using the expressions below give Ann your advice.

A B

1. to get down to doing sth a. to pass an exam or test

2. to keep up with someone/sth b. to pass an exam with a very low

grade

3. to fall behind with sth c. to start work on

4. to come easy/difficult to smb d. to remain at the same standard

as someone else

5. to learn parrot fashion e. to be behind with sth, not at the

level expected

6. to scrape through sth f. to cause some/no problem

7. to get through sth g. to learn sth without understanding

a word of it

TASK IV. Take turns to ask and answer the questions below about your studies:

1. How are you getting on with your studies?

2. Are you good at using computers?

3. Is it always easy to keep up with the group?

4. How do you think you will do in your future exams?

Report to the rest of the group of what you have found out.

TASK V. Discuss the following questions:

1. What are the arguments for and against learning by heart?

2. What do you think is a good way to learn new words and expressions?

3. How useful is it to learn things parrot fashion?

4. Why do people find it difficult to get down to work?

TASK VI. Discuss in pairs how teenagers express their complaints about their problems in studies.

Neutral Formal Informal

I’m sorry, I’m afraid… I’m not completely satisfied… I’m sick & tired of.

It’s really bad… I wish to complain about… I’m fed up with…

I’m sorry to say this, I’m not the person who I’ve just about had

but… usually complains, but… enough of…!

There’s something to

complain about…

How would you express your complaints talking to: a foreign friend?

an adult?