Validation

Video activity – 16.24 minutes

Language - Paying compliments in English

Watch a beautiful short film by director Kurt Kuenne to practise using positive adjectives and paying compliments.

1. Pre-watching discussion:

What is a compliment to you?  What is definitely not a compliment? How often do you say nice things to your friends or family? Do you ever pay a compliment to your classmates, teachers, coworkers or bosses? How do you feel when someone pays you a compliment? Surprised, happy, self-conscious?

 2. Structures:

Learn the following structures for paying compliments or making positive comments to people.

Be + so/ very / really + adjective	Have  + adjective + noun	Item of clothing/ accessory/ color +  suit/ match/ flatter	That’s a + adjective + noun Those are + adjective +noun
“Tom, you’re so funny.”	“Lucy, you have an amazing attitude.”	“Jack, that teeshirt really suits you.”	“Tim, that’s a great tie.”
“Juana, you’re very elegant today.”	“Serena, you have a great sense of humor.”	“Cora, your necklace matches perfectly with your eyes.”	“Ana, that’s a fantastic smile.”
“Marianne, you’re really kind to everybody.”	“Ricky, you have a wonderful laugh.”	“Ingrid, red flatters you very much.”	“Mario, those are awesome shoes.”

Practice saying a few positive comments of your own.

3.  Watching

In this short film a parking attendant gives customers real validation* -dispensing free parking and free compliments.

*Validation means approval.  Parking validation is free parking given by businesses to their customers.

PART 1

1a-Watch the first segment (up to 04.00) of the movie and answer TRUE or FALSE.

A)Hugh validates parking for a shop.  

B)A few people start coming to see him for compliments.

C)People are not buying, they just come to see him.

D)His boss is angry with him.

E)He compliments famous people.

F)There’s no one Hugh cannot make smile.

1b-Mini debate:

What will happen next? Will Hugh live happily ever after validating people and parking? What could go wrong?

2a-Watch the second segment (from 04.00 up to 07.37) of the movie and answer TRUE or FALSE.

G)Smiling in a driver’s license photo is not allowed.

H)He makes the photographer girl smile during her working hours.

I)Hugh is sad and thinks there’s no point in validating people anymore.

2b-Mini debate:

What will happen next? Will Hugh live unhappily for the rest of his life? What could brighten his days?

3a-Watch the third segment (from 07.37 up to the end) of the movie and answer TRUE or FALSE.

J)He becomes a famous photographer.

K)One day he sees a driver’s license with a photo of Victoria.

L)She was fired from her job for smiling.

M)He finds her taking passport photos.

N)No one can smile in passport photos.

O)She didn’t smile for years because her mother did not smile either.

P)Victoria had looked for him but couldn’t find him.

Q)Someone told Hugh for the first time that he was amazing.

3b-Mini debate:

How did you like this film? What is its message? What could be the effect of complimenting people in a society?

PART 2 – Re arrange the words in each statement to make a few of Hugh’s compliments from the film – other combinations may be possible. 

Then, watch again and/or check your work in the answer section.

e.g.  awesome / ‘re / you   = You’re awesome.

A) an / face / have / amazing / you   

B)  features / you / powerful / have

C) ‘re /  amazing  / you / cheekbones/ and/ great /have / you    

D) appreciate / people / have / much / other / life/ so / that / don’t/ you / experience

E) and / suit / you / fantastic / flatters / it / that / really / is / a

F) a / have / golf/ you / swing / great

G) have / moustache / you / a / fantastic  

H) in/ are / shape / you / great

I) ‘re / and / so / you / ‘re / efficient / amazing / you

J) a/ name / ‘s / beautiful / that

K) seen / ‘ve / the / eyes / have / ever/ most / you / beautiful / I

L) great / ‘re / pet / you / a / owner

M) reason / you / to / smile / have / every

N) beautiful / ‘re / you / couple / a

O) and / dress / eyes / your / your / matches / are / gorgeous /your

Answers here!

New year's Eve

Discussion & Reading Activity

 

Photo by Surface on Unsplash

 

Discussion

• How do you welcome the New Year?
• Are there any special meals or activities for New Year's eve?
• Was this year good for you? In what way or why not?
• Can you think of a few things you will remember from this year?
• What are you looking forward to in the next year?
• Have you ever made New Year's resolutions?

 

 

 

 

Pre-reading questions: Choose the option that you think is true and then read the text to find out if you were right.

1. What "drops" at midnight in Times Square?

    a. a ball

    b. a clock

   

2.Where in The USA is the biggest New Year's Eve party?

    a. New York

    b. Los Angeles

   

3.Where do temple bells ring 108 times?

    a. China

    b. Japan

   

4.Countries around the world celebrate New Year's Eve

    a. In the same way

    b. In different ways 

                                           Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

5.Where is there a famous celebration with fireworks on the beach?

    a. In Cuba

    b. In Brazil

6. Where is the celebration called Réveillon?

    a. In France

    b. In Australia

7.What are New Year’s resolutions?                                                   

    a.Reflections on the year that is ending.

    b.Goals to carry out in the following twelve months

8.What food is associated with money and eaten in many countries on this day to bring good luck?

    a.Beans

    b.Cherries

Reading

New Year's Eve, also called Old Year's Night, is celebrated on December 31st, the final day of the year. It is celebrated all over the world with parties and social gathering with usually a lot of fireworks and noise. In the United States of America, New York is the place where this celebration is associated with. People gather in the Times Square just before midnight in the last minute of the countdown to see the "ball dropping". The celebration is also associated with parties in other parts of the world. In France, for instance, the celebration is called le Réveillon. People also to the Eiffel Tower in Paris to see fireworks display. In Japan, people traditionally clean their home. Buddhist temple bells are rung 108 times at midnight. In Brazil, the beach of Copacabana is considered by many to be the place of the most beautiful fireworks show in the world. Certain foods are eaten on this day in different parts of the world. However a common practice is to eat beans to bring good luck and good fortune for the upcoming year. They are considered lucky, because of the similar shape with coins. December is also the month when we look back at the year that was and reflect. On New Year's Eve, some people commit themselves with resolutions or goals to carry out in the following twelve months. Such as eat more healthily, do more exercise, or learn something new. How are you wrapping up this one?

 

Source: some information taken from Wikipedia

Answers here!

Starbucks Coffee Culture

Reading and discussion activity

Is coffee popular where you live? Is there a coffee culture? How often do you drink coffee? Where do you usually drink coffee? Are there any Starbucks coffee shops in your area? Who are their typical customers? What do you know about the company Starbucks, origin, name, success, etc.?

Read the text below and find the answers to the last question, and other information on the company.

Starbucks The first Starbucks opened in 1971 in downtown Seattle. Back then, the company was a single store in the historic Pike Place Market. The small coffee shop offered some of the world’s finest fresh-roasted whole bean coffees. The name, inspired by Moby Dick, evoked the romance of the high seas and the tradition of the early coffee traders. In 1981 a New York man by the name of Howard Schultz became curious about the company. Schultz went to Seattle to see what Starbucks did, and met the three partners who owned Starbucks. He wanted to become part of the company. In 1982, he was hired as the company’s head of marketing A year later, in 1983, Howard traveled to Italy and became captivated with Italian coffee bars and the romance of the coffee experience. He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition back to the United States. A place for conversation and a sense of community. A third place between work and home. Between 1987 and 1992, Starbucks opened 150 new stores—and that was only the beginning. Starbucks first international coffeehouse opened in Tokyo in 1996 and the response was extraordinary. Starbucks coffeeshops have been embraced by millions of people around the world. With more than 21,000 stores in over 65 countries, it’s clear that the company’s passion for great coffee, genuine service and community connection transcends language and culture. Source: starbucks.com

Can you answer the following questions without going back to the passage? Check your answers afterwards with the text.

1.What is the main topic of the reading?   

2.Who is Howard Schultz?

3.Where does the name Starbucks come from?

4.What idea did Howard Schultz get from his trip to Italy?       

5.What’s the reason behind Starbucks success?

Answers here!

The Perfect Coffee

Conversation, vocabulary & video

A)Match the terms to the pictures:

an espresso – instant coffee – a French press or Cafetier  a latte -   an Italian percolator/coffe maker  an espresso machine  -  a plastic cup with a lid

B)Discuss the questions below with a parter or in small groups.

Do you drink coffee, tea or any kind of hot drink in the morning? What kind of coffee do you prefer? Do you care if you have instant or blend coffee? Is there a particular brand or coffee shop that you like? What’s the best method to prepare a perfect cup of coffee: a French Press, an Italian Coffee Maker, an Espresso Machine,..? Do you know the difference between blend, cappuccino, espresso, latte, etc? Is coffee bad for you?  Does coffee affect your appetite? Does coffee have any health benefits? Which?

C)VIDEO Segment: Whatch the clip. Are these statements TRUE or FALSE? Correct the ones you think are wrong.

1. You can make a decent cup of coffee with any good coffee maker.

2.14 grams of coffee for 2 cups is a right amount.

3.They are using a cafetiere for 7 cups.

4.You will also need mineral water.

5.Oxigen helps percolate(a) the coffee.

6.It is best to pour(b) a little water, stir(c) and then pour the rest of the water.

7.To stir is very important.

8.Coffee needs to brew for at least 2 minutes.

Glossary: (a)filter  (b) serve liquids  (c)mix in circular  motions

Answers here!

The Space Station Gets A Coffee Bar

Discussion & listening activity

How do astronauts eat in space? Is eating in space the same as eating on Earth? Do astronauts eat the same foods we do? How do astronauts make sandwiches? How do astronauts drink? What if astronauts want ketchup on their meat? Can you eat chips in space? Research the answers to these and other questions on www.NASA.gov

NPR Report - Length: 2.59 minutes

Listen to the report and mark the statements below as TRUE or FALSE. Correct the mistaken ones.

             

1.At the International Space Station nothing is considered more precious than water. 2.Nasa sent an espresso coffee maker to the station. 3.In space all they've got is instant coffee. 4.There’s an Italian austronaut on the station who likes his coffee very strong, with foam on top. 5.Three companies got together and created an espresso maker for space, called ISSpresso. 6.The coffee maker looks like a box, bigger than a toaster but smaller than a microwave. 7.The machine has been tested to work in zero gravity. 8.Some think it will be also a great occasion to meet and have a coffee on the space station. 9.For the astronaut who manages the space station's food supply, the capsules will produce a lot of trash. 10.Once astronauts get a taste of espresso, the machine will have to stay.

Answers here!

Coffee Quotes

Conversation activity

Look at the images and discuss the sayings. How do you feel about them?

Compare and contrast. Give your opinion and fundament your views.

Discuss the following quotes with a partner or in small groups. Ckeck any vocabulary you might not known.

• What do you think the author was trying to say or show?
• Do you agree? Why (not)?

If this is coffee, then please-bring me some tea. But if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.     ~Abraham Lincoln  “Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love.”     ~ Talleyrand Decaffeinated coffee is kind of like kissing your sister.     ~Bob Irwin In Seattle you haven’t had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine while it’s running.     ~Jeff Bezos I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.     ~T.S. Eliot Coffee makes us severe, and grave, and philosophical.     ~Jonathan Swift Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.     ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh I would rather suffer with coffee than be senseless.     ~Napoleon Bonaparte The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce.     ~Oliver Wendall Holmes, Sr. I never laugh until I’ve had my coffee.     ~Clark Gable It is the duty of all papas and mammas to forbid their children to drink coffee, unless they wish to have little dried-up machines, stunted and old at the age of twenty     ~Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin