SESSION 1:
BEING POLITE & DIPLOMATIC
THE ENGLISH WAY
When you speak English, your first priority is probably to be understood. That’s good! But, you might also want to sound smooth, confident and kind. In other words, to be all of these things, you can start by using polite and diplomatic English! Do you always know what register or tone you should use in each situation?
And the fact is that simply translating from Spanish is not enough. Why? Because English is polite in its own way.
1. Compare these two conversations:
CONVERSATION 1
A: How can I help you?
B: Hello Ángel. I want to speak to Cati.
A: Do you have an appointment?
B: No, I don’t
A: I see. That will be difficult. She’s very busy.
B: Of course, I understand that. I need a few minutes though.
A What about?
B I've had a problem in class. It’s a rather large discrepancy so I want to explain Cati how it happened.
A: You should ask her for an appointment. She’s definitely busy until 10.30 so you have to wait.
B: No, thanks. I prefer to stay. I’ll wait.
CONVERSATION 2
A: How can I help you?
B: Hello. I was wondering if I could have a quick word with Cati.
A: Do you have an appointment?
B: Actually, no, I don’t
A: I see. That won’t be easy. She’s very busy.
B: Of course, I understand that. I just needed a few minutes though.
A: Could you tell me what it’s about?
B: Well, there seems to be a problem with one of my teachers. It’s a rather large discrepancy so I thought it might help to speak to Cati and explain the real cause of it.
A: Why don’t you give her a call about this? As far as I know she’s busy until 10.30 so you would have to wait.
B: I’d really rather speak to her in person. If there’s a chance to see her at 10.30, I’d prefer to wait.
Which conversation do you prefer, and why?
In the first conversation, the language is direct and clear. However, to a native speaker it may feel COLD and IMPOLITE.
The second conversation has words and phrases that make the language feel more POLITE and DIPLOMATIC: I was wondering if, Actually, That won’t be easy … (the words in bold do this).
2. Transform these sentences so that they sound more polite. Use the prompts:
Present > past
When is deadline? ..........................................................................................................
Simple > continuous
I hope you can (join us for the meeting) .........................................................................
Past + Continuous (progressive)
I think you can.................................................................................................................
I wonder if I can ..............................................................................................................
Use Indirect questions
I need to know … ...........................................................................................................
Make a negative question so that it becomes a suggestion, not an order
It is better to… ...............................................................................................................
Use the passive to depersonalise the issue
He promised us … ........................................................................................................
Use the 2nd condition instead of the 1st
If you can …. I’ll be very grateful ..................................................................................
Use modals
Let's try ..........................................................................................................................
We need ........................................................................................................................
3. Now go to page 105 from your books Citizen Z B2 and do exercises 1 & 2 from the section FUNCTIONS and learn how to ask someone politely to change their behavior.
Remember!
Video: The Art of Diplomacy!
A. How does the video define diplomacy?
B. Complete the sentences according to the video:
The diplomat remembers that behind our fierce way of arguing may lie a frustrated ................... for affection.
They recognise that it is almost as important to people to feel .................., as to win their case.
The diplomat knows how ........................ it is to state these wishes too directly.
In negotiations, the diplomat is not addicted to indiscriminate or .................... truth telling.
They don’t take it personally – even when they may be the target of .....................
In the face of a tirade, instead of going on the ......................, the diplomatic person might suggest some lunch.
True niceness does not mean seeming nice, it means helping the people we are going to ...................... to adjust as best they can to reality.
Diplomacy seeks to teach us how many good things can still be accomplished when we make some necessary accommodations with the ........................... material of human nature.
THINK self-esteem
Go to page 105 and describe what would be the best way to handle each situation without hurting someone's feelings.
SESSION 2:
THE REMAINS OF THE DAY AND SELF-REFLECTION
While reflecting on the past can prove beneficial, it’s important not to create a habit of dwelling on the past. Instead, we should use it as a way to push ourselves towards creating a better future.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is a novel of self-reflection. The main character of the novel, Mr. Stevens, is at the end of his life and at the end of his career. His memories show him that the life that he thought was so fulfilling turned out to be disappointing.
1. Mr. Stevens thinks to himself: "Perhaps (...) I should cease looking back so much, that I should adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of the remains of my day. After all, what can we ever gain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives had not turned out quite as we might have wished? Explain what you think these words mean. What is the author using as a metaphor for the stages of life?
2. What, in your opinion, makes Mr. Stevens regret about the past? Do you think he had complete control of his life? Why or why not? Watch the video and explain:
3. Go to page 106 from your books Citizen Z B2. Read the excerpt from The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro and do exercises 1-3.
SESSION 3:
A MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Warm-up questions:
Is it important to get work experience before going to university?
What sort of work experience can you get when you are a teenager?
Reading
Go to page 107 and read Eve's article and do exercises 1&2.
Writing
It is your turn to write a magazine article (200-250 words) for your school. Follow the steps in exercises 3-5 on page 107. Exert yourselves! I will choose the best and publish them in our school virtual magazine. Here you have some tips.
MAIN PARTS OF A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE:
I. Lead sentence
Grab and hook your reader right away.
II. Introduction
Which facts and figures will ground your story? You have to tell your readers where and when this story is happening.
III. Opening quotation
What will give the reader a sense of the people involved and what they are thinking?
IV. Main body
What is at the heart of your story?
V. Closing quotation
Find something that sums the article up in a few words.
VI. Conclusion (optional—the closing quote may do the job)
What is memorable? The end quote sums things up. You can also end your story with a link to more information.
SESSION 4:
WORD & IMAGE
Do you remember this poem by Emily Dickinson? Because I Could not Stop for Death. In this illustration we can see how word and image can be related, something you will have to do in your videos.
Watch this video again and pay attention to how words correlate with the images shown:
Now, have a look at the pictures below, you will see the main images that the poem conveys. Put a name to each and then say what they represent in the poem:
So, let's do it! Get down to work!
Something that can help you before shooting is drawing a storyboard. A storyboard provides information about what your video will look like without ever having to pick up your camera or before you record your film. A storyboard can also contain vital information for you or anyone else working on your video. But, what is a storyboard?
A storyboard is a visual representation of your video sketched out. There are different storyboard software options out there (creately or canva), have a look at them; but all you really need is a piece of paper and some simple stick figures.
Assignment: You will have to design a storyboard before shooting with the five shots you want to include together with the line each will go with.
SESSION 5:
WE WERE LIARS
READ CHAPTERS 83-87
Listen to Maddie reading the last five chapters of this thrilling story. I hope you have enjoyed it! As always, do your summaries, add new words in your glossaries together with their pronunciation and answer the last four questions from the guide.
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