Chapter 15- “I’m going
to a soccer match!”
Invitations and excuses;
leisure-time activities;
telephone messages
Making Excuses
Let’s pretend…
• You are invited to go to a party at
a neighbor’s house.
• You do not like this neighbor. You
think this neighbor is boring, the
neighbor’s children are rude, and
the neighbor’s wife is strange.
• What do you say to this neighbor?
What excuses would you make?
Sample Excuses
• I’m sorry. I have to wash my hair that night.
• I can’t. My parents are visiting from out of
town.
• I’m busy that night.
• I’m sorry. I can’t find a babysitter.
• I’m not feeling well.
• I have to work. I have to get up early.
• I just got a new puppy. I have to stay home
with it.
• I have class that night.
• My favorite TV show is on that night.
Good excuses vs. bad excuses
• Which of these excuses are good
excuses?
• Which of these excuses are bad
excuses?
Conversation- “Making Plans”
• Listen and practice.
• Listen to the rest of the
conversation. When are they
going to have dinner? Who are
they goind to meet after dinner?
Future plans
With a partner, discuss the
following:
• What are you doing after class?
• What are you doing this weekend?
• What are you doing next week?
• What are you doing next year?
Present Continuous and be going to
You can describe future events by
• using present continuous
• be going to+ verb
Examples of present continous:
What are you doing tonight?
I’m going to a soccer match.
Are you doing anything tomorrow?
No, I’m not.
Examples of be going to+ verb
What is she going to do tomorrow?
She’s going to work until five.
Are they going to go bowling?
Yes, they are.
Making requests and apologizing
Take out two pieces of paper.
Tear these pieces of paper in half.
• Write two requests.
• Write two apologies.
Schedules
With a partner, decide who is A and
who is B.
Look at the schedules I give you.
Ask each other questions using
present continuous.
“What are you doing on Thursday
morning?”
“What are you doing Friday
afternoon?”
Can I take a message ?
• Listen and practice.
• Listen to three other calls. Write
down the callers’ names.
Messages with tell
When you are calling, and you want to
make a statement, use “tell”.
Statement: The meeting is on Friday.
Please tell Ann (that) the meeting is…
Could you tell her (that)….
Would you tell her (that)…
Messages with a request
When you are calling, and you want
to make a request, use “ask”.
Request: Call me this afternoon.
Please ask him to call me…
Could you ask him to call me…
Would you ask him to call me…
Writing-Unusual Favors
Think of unusual messages for
three people in this class.
Write a note to your partner asking
him or her to pass on the
messages.
Listening- Taking a message
• Listen to telephone calls to Mr. Lin
and Ms. Carson.
• Write down the messages.
Useful expressions-Phone
•
•
•
•
•
May I speak to…?
Sorry, but…isn’t here.
Can I leave a message?
Can I take a message?
I’ll give… the message?
What is the difference between
“leave a message” and “take a
message”?