Unit 5 Problems and advice
A Teaching Plan
Objectives
At the end of this session, the students will hopefully have
1. got a general understanding of the target passages, i.e. the three letters.
2. grasped some confusing sentences precisely.
3. learnt to retell the major storyline of the three letters respectively.
4. learnt to give their own advice on how to handle similar problems.
5. formulated their own positive attitudes towards possible awkward situation(s).
Focus and challenge
1. comprehension of the text.
2. understanding expressions as … when she accidentally knocked … , … narrowly
missing … , … not being Superman and hating violence, … my usual supermarket … , On
discovering the error, That did it. etc.
3. students’ airing their advice or solution(s) in English.
Procedures
1. Pre-reading: a lead-in: Ask the students to read the three pictures on P. 64 (also see PPT)
and match the advice in the box to each of the three.
2. While-reading
⑴. Skim the three letters and complete the table.
Letters What happened What you did How you felt
‘The flowerpot’ It fell outside the flat/window. I said nothing/kept silent. I had a guilty
conscience.
‘Bad behavior on
the underground’
Three tough guys bullied a boy. I got off at my station. I felt regretful.
‘A rude checkout The assistant gave an extra The writer left the
supermarket with the
I did not correct the
error, but still had a
assistant’ ten-pound note in my change. extra ten-pound note. clear conscience.
⑵. Scan the letters and answer the questions(written and oral)
Questions based on Letter 1
1. Who knocked a flowerpot from the window of a new high-rise flat?
2. What did the police do to a neighbor’s son?
3. Why did your friend say nothing to the police?
4. Why did you write to the counsellor?
Questions based on Letter 2
5. How did you feel after getting off the train?
6. Why didn’t you help the boy?
7. What would you do if you were the writer?
Questions based on Letter 3
8. How much extra money did the checkout assistant give you?
9. Why did you go back to the assistant?
10. Why was your conscience clear when you left the shop?
3. Post-reading
⑴. Retell ONE of the three letters.
⑵. Read aloud the three letters after the recording.
4. Assignment
⑴. Read aloud the three letters after the text recording at least three times.
⑵. Choose ONE of the three letters and write a summary in about 40 words.
⑶. Write Hanna a reply in around 60 words, offering your advice(see the handout).
Your letter could begin this way. I’m pleased to read your letter. You’re a honest girl,
and you seem to be at a loss what to do with your weight problem. …
Text What should I do?
Letters from students asking for advice are published anonymously in a school newspaper as
a part of the ‘Counsellor’s Corner’. Read exceprts from the letters below.
1 One evening last month, I was visiting a close friend in her new high-rise flat when she
accidentally knocked a flowerpot from her window. It smashed to the ground below, narrowly
missing some children at play. On our way out, we stopped to take a look, but no one was hurt,
so we said nothing and left for the cinema as planned. Returning home later that evening, my
friend learnt that the police had been to the flats and questioned everyone. They had even taken
a neighbour’s son to the police station. After questioning him, they let him go temporarily.
Frightened, my friend has said nothing to the police.
Though no one was hurt, I have a guilty conscience and ...
2 Last night, while traveling home on the underground, I saw three tough guys enter my
almost empty carriage.
They sat down beside a young boy who was travelling alone and began to tease and bully
him. Their behaviour was so bad that it made him move to another seat, but that did no good.
They just followed him and continued their bullying. The boy was obviously frightened. At this
point, I stopped looking and got off at my station, feeling sorry for the boy. I regret not helping
him, but not being Superman and hating violence, what could I do? Should I ...
3 The checkout assistant at my usual supermarket is always rude and unhelpful. A few days
ago, I gave her a fifty-pound note to pay for an six-pound purchase, but she was so busy
grumbling that she accidentally gave me an extra ten-pound note in my change.
On discovering the error, I went back and tried to tell her. 'Excuse me,' I said. However,
before I could continue, she barked, 'Can't you see there's a queue? Go to the end and wait your
turn.'
That did it! I left the shop with the 10 and a clear conscience. I had meant to correct the
error before leaving, but she would not let me. On the other hand ...