Revise and extend your students' vocabulary relating to homes and highlight some differences between British and American English with this lesson plan and photocopiable worksheet. This lesson plan is based on the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 7th edition — the world's best-selling advanced learner's dictionary.
Go to lesson.
Adriana and Helli try to arrange to meet for lunch.
Choose the correct answer. "Can I take a rain check?" means
1. Is it raining?
2. Can I pay with a check?
3 Can I reschedule?
4. How much is the bill?
Slang
Quote
“They put me in my place.”- Beyonce Knowles, singer and actress, on how her family raised her.
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Meaning
to remind you you’re not as important as you think you are
Use
Beyonce Knowles is a diva, but she still has a kind heart and good perspective about her fame. Her family made sure of that! They put her in her place from the moment she got famous. And it worked because Beyonce understands that she is not the most important person in the world.In 2006, she took a part in Dreamgirls, a movie about a girl band. And we all know Beyonce can sing, but in the movie she toned down her voice to play a back-up singer for American Idol’s Jennifer Hudson. She didn’t let her ego get in the way. She was humble. A role she learned from being put in her place by her family.Honestly, though, Beyonce has a right to feel important. It would be hard for someone to put her in her place these days. Her life seems perfect with a new album coming up and marriage to rapper Jay-Z.
Examples
“I am glad you told her the truth. You put her in her place.”“He is being so mean to the customers. Someone needs to put him in his place!”
http://www.englishbaby.com/lessons/4500/slang/put_me_in_my_place
In this episode, The Teacher gives his response to some of the idioms sent in by BBC Learning English users.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1153_videoenglish_re/
Ebaby! TV
Eavesdropping
Apr 08 2008
Intro
Remember how long it took for Amanda and Mason to finally get together? Well, things sure are moving quickly now. Marni discovers Amanda hanging up some posters in her new house, but they don’t look like posters Amanda would like…
Video
Dialogue
Listen to streaming audio of this English lesson >
Marni: Can I help you? Do you need some help?
Amanda: I think I got it.
Marni: Are you just decorating, or…
Amanda: No. You know I don’t really like this stuff. This is actually just a taste of Mason, ‘cause we’re moving in together and he’s still on the road, so I’m moving in before him and I just wanted to get it…What? What!?
Marni: Mason and you are moving in together?
Amanda: Well isn’t that the natural step? We kissed that night and we held hands. Isn’t that the next thing?
Marni: No! I mean…
Amanda: I thought that was the American way. You kiss and then you move in. No?
Marni: It seems a little soon to me. I’m just a little surprised. It seems soon. I mean, you just got together and now he’s going to move in. Do you really think that’s a good idea?
Amanda: But what are the disadvantages, I guess? I mean, we can just spend all our waking hours together and I don’t really see anything wrong with that. I mean, we’re so in love, we’re like…you know…
Marni: Hearts over the eyes?
Amanda: Yeah. Why are you hating? Are you jealous because you’re single? What’s going on? What’s the root of it?
Marni: You’re so hostile!
Amanda: I’m sorry, I just don’t understand why no one’s supporting our love.
Marni: I don’t think it’s about not supporting your love. I think it’s about the fact that you just got together and it would be more natural…that’s not a good choice of words…but anyhow, it just seems like you’re kind of really rushing things.
Amanda: So what should we do next?
Marni: Just date!
Amanda: Like, drive across town every night to spend the night? I’m not gonna do that. I want to save gas and be green.
Marni: Well, you could take the bus. I mean, come on. I don’t think it’s about being green. I think it’s about just really being careful and kind of taking things…
Amanda: We use protection.
Discussion
Mason is out of town, but he and Amanda already have a new place. Amanda is putting up his posters so they’ll be there when he gets back.Marni thinks it’s much too soon for Amanda and Mason to move in together, but Amanda thinks she’s just jealous because she doesn’t have a boyfriend (or does she?). But Marni insists that the normal thing to do would be to live in separate places and date for a while, even if that’s a little inconvenient.Do you think Amanda and Mason are moving too fast? They have known each other for a while, so why not move in together if they want to?
Grammar Point
Amanda’s use of “hating” is very informal. You might hear people say, “Don’t hate!” when someone is being mean to them. This verges on slang.
Vocab Quiz
When did Mason and Amanda start seeing each other?
Years ago.
Very recently.
They're just friends.
Amanda thinks that moving in together is the logical next...
...step.
...American way.
...date.
Which does not belong?
disadvantage
inconvenient
a taste
