In this lesson the student will learn how to enter a conversation, as well as how to make suggestions without sounding rude or too direct. The information presented here can be taught many ways, however, I have found that by letting the students practice the key phrases a few times, and then moving into role play situations works really well.
You may want to begin with the following statement.
Have you ever been around native speakers of English but found it difficult
to enter the conversation? One way to enter a conversation is by making a
suggestion. If you know some polite phrases and when to use them, you can
increase your ability to share your opinions in a conversation. Sometimes
students learning English phrase suggestions in a way that is too direct.
For example, you should get some exercise. Or, you need to eat
more vegetables.
To help the students learn the phrases more quickly, you may want to write Them on the board before class. That way they will see them as they enter the class and be thinking about the lesson before it actually begins. I have provided some key phrases and conversational contexts at the bottom of this page. Feel free to print this page and use the lesson in your own class.
To end the lesson you may want to ask a few review questions. For example;
What is one method for beginning or entering a conversation?
Which sentence is more polite?
Have you though about buying your mother a new dress? or
You need to buy your mother a new dress.
Or you could ask your students to write some sentences using each
"suggestion phrase" in an appropriate way.
Conversational contexts:
1. You notice another student has locked his keys in his car. 2. Some people are talking about how awlful the cafeteria food is. 3. You saw someone cheating on an examination in your class. 4. Think of a difficult situation you have had recently. Ask your partner to suggest a solution. 5. You notice a classmate never goes out on dates and is shy around members of the opposite sex. 6. You notice someone at work has put on a lot of weight. 7. Your class is deciding where to go for spring break. 8. Someone down the hall is angry with his girlfriend again.