This week’s lesson examines Part 3 questions that ask the candidate to talk about spontaneous situations.
Part 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below):
| Do you like surprises? Do you think doing things spontaneously is a good idea? How do unexpected situations make people feel? Why do some people feel stressed when things don’t go as planned? |
| 🧑🎓Target language: on a whim (phrase) -Something done without careful planning “A house or car purchased on a whim can spell financial disaster.” |
Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson.
Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor.
| Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲 “If they are pleasant surprises, yes, of course I enjoy a good surprise.” |
Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝
Transcript
Do you like surprises?
If they are pleasant surprises, yes, of course I enjoy a good surprise.
Do you think doing things spontaneously is a good idea?
It depends on what the things are. A trip taken spontaneously can be wonderfully adventurous and rejuvenating. However, a house or car purchased on a whim can spell financial disaster. So spontaneity can be a great way to bring some excitement to a person’s life but it has to be done in moderation.
How do unexpected situations make people feel?
Generally, I think people are uncomfortable with the unknown. We say that we like excitement and novelty, but in reality we are creatures of habit and are uncomfortable in unfamiliar circumstances. People get anxious and if this feeling is prolonged or happens repeatedly, their well-being suffers.
Why do some people feel stressed when things don’t go as planned?
People like a sense of control. Or rather, I should say they like the illusion of control. They like to feel like they are masters of their own destiny – although if you ask me, this is ridiculous. I think people get stressed because they are insecure about their ability to handle something unexpected, and it’s a little childish quite frankly.
Thank you.