Manuals > General English > Rosetta Stone Advantage > Elementary - Book 2 > Lesson 15
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This lesson presents a problem that the student needs to solve. Read the situation, then use the content from the three sections (Reading, Listening, and Interview) to complete the final task.
By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to plan a party taking into account information from different sources.
Communication strategies:
The student should be able to plan an event using the strategy below:
1) state the item that needs to be decided
2) state the information received
3) compare and discuss the different information
4) make a decision / suggestion
e.g.
A) Where should he hold the party?
B) Well, Blake said the Oyster bar he went to was really good. Mike suggested going to the park for a BBQ, and Karen suggested having the party at a nice restaurant. The boss said he just wants to have the party somewhere fun. I like the idea of having a BBQ outside. It's nice and sunny, plus it will be nice to get out of the office.
B) I agree. That sounds like a great idea.
A) OK. So, let's have a BBQ this year.
Words and rules:
- The student should be able to extend invitations
- The student should be able to understand directions
- The student should be able to make suggestions
- The student should be able to make requests
- The student should know different vocabulary associated with parties
Appropriateness:
Non-verbal behaviour: We usually nod our heads to show we are listening to and agreeing with what someone is saying.
Register: When planning an event with a co-worker a casual or formal register can be used depending on the relationship.
Social rules: When listening to people's feedback, we generally don't tell people their ideas or suggestions are bad.
Cultural references: NA
Track #37
The party last year was OK, the only problem was that the place wasn’t really big enough. There wasn’t really room to move around. Also, it was a little far from the office. I think we should have a BBQ this year. The weather is really nice at the moment and there is a park near the office that is really easy to get to. All you need to do is go straight about three minutes and turn right at the bridge.
Track #38
Everyone usually suggests potlucks when planning work parties, but I don’t like them. I don’t have time to prepare food for the party, and half of the people don’t even bring anything. I think we should have the party at a nice restaurant, or at least have a catering company do the food if we are going to have the party in the office.
The following vocabulary is included in the lesson:
1) to look for something (v)
2) an oyster (n)
3) to open up (v)
4) entire (adj)
5) unlimited (adj)
6) fancy (adj)
7) tapas (n)
8) actually (adv)
9) just (adv)
10) a bakery (n)
Option 1:
Difficulty ★
Type: Warm up
Purpose: To steer the student into the lesson
Method: Before you start the lesson, discuss some work parties you've attended and what makes a good work party.
Option 2:
Difficulty ★★
Type: Reading - Vocabulary search
Purpose: To introduce vocabulary / check comprehension
Method: After the student has read the reading activity and completed the questions, have them find the following words in the reading by listening to their definitions. The teacher reads the definition and the student needs to find the correct word. After the student has found all the words, ask the student to give you a summary of the reading. Hopefully, the student will use some of the new words in their summary.
1) to look for something (v) - to search for something
2) an oyster (n) - a type of shellfish that has a rough shell with two parts and that is eaten both cooked and raw
3) to open up (v) - to begin the regular services or activities of (a business, school, etc.)
4) entire (adj) - complete or full : not lacking or leaving out any part
5) unlimited (adj) - without any limits or restrictions
6) fancy (adj) - US, of food : of the highest grade or quality
7) tapas (n) - small Spanish savory dishes, typically served with drinks at a bar.
8) actually (adv) - used to stress that a statement is true especially when it differs in some way from what might have been thought or expected
9) just (adj) - very recently
10) a bakery (n) - a place where bread, cakes, cookies, and other baked foods are made or sold
Option 3:
Difficulty ★★
Type: Task - Role-play
Purpose: To increase fluency and confidence
Method: After you have completed the task role-play one time. Give the student some feedback and
then do it again. Time permitting, you are welcome to do this multiple times.
Reading
1) Where does he recommend holding the party?
He recommends holding the party at an oyster bar.
2) Why does he recommend that place?
He recommends that place because they have a great party plan and it’s close to the office.
3) How do you get to the venue?
You can either take the Red Line there, or just walk. All you need to go is go out the main entrance, turn left at the bank and go through the park. Then you should be able to see it next to the bakery.
Listening
Staff member 1:
1) What kind of party does he recommend and why?
He recommends having a BBQ this year because the weather is really nice at the moment and there is a park near the office that is really easy to get to. Also, the place the party was held at last year was a little small and far from the office.
Staff member 2:
2) What kind of party does she recommend and why?
She recommends having the party at a nice restaurant or having a catering company do the food because he doesn’t like pot lucks.
Interview
Interview your boss and find out what kind of party he would like organized.
A) Hi Steven. Do you have a minute to talk about the upcoming staff party?
B) Sure.
A) OK. What’s the purpose of the party?
B) Well, all the staff have been working so hard, so we want to let the staff know how much we appreciate their hard work.
A) I see. Is there a budget?
B) Yes. We have $2000 for the party.
A) That’s great. Who should we invite to the party?
B) Let’s invite everyone in the department. So that’s 30 people.
A) Sure. No problem. Would you like to hold the party during or after work hours?
B) I think during work is the best. That way more people will turn up.
A) Good idea. I think everyone would appreciate that. Should we have the party inside the office or at a restaurant? Either is OK.
B) You can use meeting room C if you like. It’s really big. It should have enough room for everyone.
A) OK. Last question, what activities should be plan?
B) Maybe one or two games. Something that’s fun for everyone.
A) OK. I’ll think of something.
B) Great. I’m looking forward to it.
Task
Planning the work party.
A) OK. Let’s go over the different information we got. The boss said the purpose of the party is to let the staff know how much we appreciate their hard work. We have $2000, we need to invite everyone in the department - that’s 30 people. We should hold the party during office hours, and it’s ok to hold it either in meeting room C or at a restaurant.
B) Great. What suggestions did the staff give?
A) Blake suggested having the party at a local oyster bar. Mike suggested having the party at a local bar, and Karen suggested going to nice restaurant or having a catering company do the food. It sounded like she really didn’t want to do a potluck.
B) I see. I like Karen’s idea. I think we should get a catering company to do the food.
A) Yeah. Good idea. How do we make sure the most people possible can attend?
B) Well, let’s send the invitations out three weeks in advance. We can put an ad on the company’s intranet site, and mention it in the weekly newsletter.
A) Good idea. Also, I think lots of people will be able to come because it’s during work hours.
B) What can we do to make the party fun?
A) Let’s make sure we don’t run out of food or drink. And let’s plan some fun games for everyone. I’ll do some research and come up with some good party games.
B) OK, so can you plan the games and send out the invitations, and I’ll contact the caterer?
A) Sure. No problem.