Manuals > General English > Rosetta Stone Advantage > Elementary - Book 3 > Lesson 34
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By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to plan their commute.
Communication strategies:
The student should be able to plan their commute by following the 3 steps below:
1) state a condition
2) state pros and cons
3) state an exception
e.g. If I lived 5km away from my company I would probably ride to work. 5 km is really close, so by riding I could get some great exercise. However, driving would definitely be faster and I wouldn't have to worry about the weather so I would probably drive when the weather is bad. I probably wouldn’t walk. If I walked, it might take a long time.
Words and rules:
- The student should be able to talk about transportation options. e.g. I prefer driving to work because...
- The student should be able to talk about cause and result using the first conditional. e.g. If I drive to work, I'll get there earlier.
- The student should be able to understand road and train announcements. e.g. the content from the listening
Appropriateness:
Non-verbal behaviour: NA
Register: NA
Social rules: NA
Cultural references: In America, carpooling is a popular alternative to driving to work by yourself.
Track #25
Tonight, traffic is moving slowly on Highway 40 between downtown and the I-270 interchange. If you are heading to the bay area, we advise you take Route 18 instead.
Track #26
This morning there was an accident on the Stevenson Expressway. Two lanes are closed so traffic is moving very slowly into the city. If you are going to the city, you should use the Peterson Expressway instead.
Track #27
This afternoon, the Uptown-bound A Train is delayed because of construction. Trains are running approximately 30 minutes late. If you need to get uptown, please use either the B or D trains.
Because the lesson touches on the topic of transportation, you are welcome to introduce some of the following vocabulary if you like.
1) carpool (v)
2) rush hour (n)
3) to grind to a halt (v)
4) roadworks (n)
5) to bike (v)
6) commuter (n)
7) the suburbs (n)
8) a traffic jam (n)
9) public transportation (n)
10) to get stuck in traffic (v)
Option 1:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's start - Warm-up discussion
Purpose:
Steering the student into the goal of the lesson before opening the book.
Method: Before you open the book, talk to the student about their commute. How do they usually get to work? What options do they have?
Option 1:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's practice - Grammar practice
Purpose:
Showing the student how to use the first conditional
Method: Show the student that the first conditional can be used to talk about cause and result, especially for things that you think are likely to happen. You can do this by playing a game. Partner one make the first clause, then partner two connects the second clause. This can be repeated indefinitely.
e.g.
If I go to Tokyo,
If I go to Tokyo, I'll have lunch at KFC.
If I have lunch at KFC, I'll order a chicken burger.
Extra questions you might like to ask in the lesson
- If you took the train, would it be faster?
- What's the fastest way to get to work?
- How do you prefer to get to work?
- What are the benefits of taking the train?
- How does that compare to driving?
Let’s start
Match the words to the pictures. Then discuss some possible problems you might encounter with each mode of transportation.
take a bus = delays / take wrong bus
take a taxi = traffic jam / get lost
take the subway = train delay / take wrong train / get off at wrong stop
ride = weather / flat tire
walk = weather
drive = traffic / accident
1) How do you usually get to work?
I take the train
Let’s try
Track #25
Tonight, traffic is moving slowly on Highway 40 between downtown and the I-270 interchange. If you are heading to the bay area, we advise you take route 18 instead.
Track #26
This morning there was an accident on the Stevenson Expressway. Two lanes are closed so traffic is moving very slowly into the city. If you are going to the city, you should use the Peterson Expressway instead.
Track #27
This afternoon, the Uptown-bound A Train is delayed because of construction. Trains are running approximately 30 minutes late. If you need to get uptown, please use either the B to D trains.
Let’s practice
You need to travel from Tokyo to Osaka.
Option 1: train
Option 2: plane
Option 3: overnight bus
If I had to travel from Tokyo to Osaka, I would probably take the bullet train. Flying is also an option. But then I would have to go to the airport, and it would probably take longer. Taking an overnight bus would be an option, however, I think it would be too slow and uncomfortable.
You need to commute during rush hour this week.
Option 1: carpool
Option 2: train
Option 3: bus
If I had a long commute to work, I would probably take the train. Carpooling would be cheaper, but it might take longer because I don’t live close to my colleagues. I don’t really want to take the bus because it’s too slow.
You are going to a party after work today.
Option 1: taxi
Option 2: drive
Option 3: walk
Driving is definitely easier, but I think it’s safer to take a taxi. If I drive I might get arrested. Walking is an option too, but it’s really far. It would take me a long time.
You live 5km away from your company.
Option 1: ride
Option 2: drive
Option 3: walk
If I lived 5km away from my company I would probably ride to work. 5km is really close. I would only drive when the weather is bad. I probably wouldn’t walk. If I walked it might take one hour.
Let’s speak
A) How do you prefer to get to work? Do you like driving or taking the train?
B) I prefer taking the train.
A) Really? I prefer driving
B) Why?
A) It’s easier. I can travel door to door.
B) That’s true, but on the train I can relax. I find driving stressful
A) If you drive you can decide when you want to stop, for example, I can pull into McDonalds or Starbucks.
B) That’s a good point. But on the train I can sleep.
A) If you do that, you might miss your stop though.
B) True. But also taking the train is better for the environment.
A) That’s a good point.
B) What about parking?
A) It can be expensive sometimes, but I don’t mind.