English Lesson 20
Food and a teacher you remember
Food you enjoy and eating out, a teacher from your past, and teachers and teaching.
How to practise
- Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
- Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
- Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
- Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
- Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Part 1 · Interview
Food
Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.
What kind of food do you enjoy eating?
I enjoy home-made food the most, especially rice dishes with stew. I also love kebabs. When I eat out, I usually choose Italian food, like pizza or pasta. I'm not very good at cooking, but I'm very good at eating!
- home-made foodfood cooked at home
- especially…give a special example
- When I eat out, …eat out = eat at a restaurant
- I'm not very good at cookinggood at + -ing form
Are there any kinds of food you never eat? Why?
Yes, I never eat very spicy food. My stomach can't handle it. I also try not to eat too much fast food, like burgers and fries, because it's unhealthy. I used to eat it a lot, but I stopped when I started going to the gym.
- can't handle itcan't deal with it, it causes problems
- try not to…make an effort to avoid
- I used to … but I stoppedtalk about a past habit
Do you generally prefer to eat at home or at a restaurant? Why?
I prefer eating at home. It's cheaper and healthier, because you know what's in your food. It's also more relaxing. But I enjoy going to a restaurant once in a while, especially for a birthday or when friends visit.
- I prefer eating at…prefer + -ing form
- you know what's in your fooda good reason
- once in a whilesometimes, not often
What is a popular food in your country? Why do people like it?
One of the most popular foods is ghormeh sabzi. It's a green stew made with herbs, beans and meat, and we eat it with rice. People love it because it has a special smell and taste. For many people, it tastes like home, because their mothers make it every week.
- One of the most popular foods is…introduce an example
- It's … made with…describe ingredients
- it tastes like homeit reminds you of home and family
Part 2 · Cue card
A teacher from the past whom you remember
You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.
Candidate task card
Describe a teacher from the past whom you remember.
You should say:
- what class the teacher taught you and how old you were
- what subject he or she taught you
- what this teacher's special qualities were
- and explain why you still remember this teacher
Start
I'd like to talk about Mrs Ahmadi, my teacher in the third year of primary school. Even after all these years, I still remember her clearly.
Class and age
She taught my class when I was nine years old. She was our main teacher for the whole year, so we spent every day with her.
What she taught
She taught us almost everything: reading, writing, maths and science. But her favourite subject was reading, and she always brought storybooks to class.
Her special qualities
She was very warm and patient. She never shouted at us, even when we were noisy. She also had a special way of making every child feel important. For example, she gave each of us a small job in the classroom, like watering the plants.
Why you remember her
I still remember her because she made me love reading. Every Thursday, she read a story to us, and I couldn't wait to hear the ending. Because of her, I started reading books at home, and I still read every night before bed.
- Even after all these years, …means after a long time
- for the whole yearfor all the year
- She never shouted at usshout = speak very loudly and angrily
- making every child feel importantmake someone feel + adjective
- I couldn't wait to…I was very excited to
- Because of her, …show the result of what she did
Part 3 · Discussion
Teachers and teaching
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
What kind of person makes a good teacher?
A good teacher is someone who is patient and really likes young people. They should be able to explain difficult things in a simple way. A good teacher also notices when a student is having problems, and offers help before the student asks.
- someone who is…describe a type of person
- in a simple wayso it is easy to understand
- notices when…sees and understands
- offers helpsays they can help
Why do some people choose to become teachers?
Most teachers choose this job because they love working with children and want to make a difference. Some people also like the long holidays and the stable working hours. Others had a great teacher when they were young, and they want to be like that person.
- make a differencehave a good effect on people's lives
- stable working hoursthe same hours every day
- they want to be like…they want to copy someone
Is teaching a well-respected job in your country?
People respect teachers, but I don't think they get enough money. Many teachers need a second job to pay their bills. In the past, teachers had a higher status in society. I think we should pay teachers more, because they shape the future of the country.
- well-respectedpeople think highly of it
- a second jobanother job in addition to the main one
- a higher statusa more important position
- shape the futuredecide how the future will be
Will teachers be replaced by computers in the future?
I don't think so. Computers can give information and check simple exercises. But children also need someone who encourages them, understands their feelings and teaches them how to behave. A computer can't do that. So teachers will use more technology, but they won't disappear.
- be replaced byhave something take your place
- I don't think so.a clear no
- encourages themgives them confidence and support
- they won't disappearthey will still exist
What is the difference between teaching children and teaching adults?
With children, you need to make lessons fun, with games and pictures, because they get bored quickly. You also need to manage their behaviour. Adults are usually more motivated, because they choose to study. But they're often busy and tired, so lessons need to be practical.
- they get bored quicklythey stop being interested fast
- manage their behaviourcontrol how they act
- more motivatedhaving a stronger wish to do something
- lessons need to be practicaluseful in real life
What can students do to learn better outside the classroom?
They can review their lessons for a short time every day, instead of studying only before exams. They can also study with friends and explain things to each other. And they can use online videos to understand difficult topics in a different way.
- review their lessonslook at them again
- instead of…in place of
- explain things to each otherteach one another
- in a different wayusing another method
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.