☰ Year plan · English (Connect)

First steps and calm talks

Week 5 · Unit 2 Communication with Family and Friends (B): a story chapter (reference only), research / courage / talent / proposal / determination, a conversation about a misunderstanding, friendly phrases and role-play, an opinion paragraph on staying close, Assessment Corner, Self-Reflection · 3 lessons
2

Fixing a misunderstanding: talk and role-play

English Preparatory 3 Term 1, Unit 2: pp. 34–40
GoalTalk about a misunderstanding calmly, use six chatty phrases correctly and use the third conditional in speaking.
New words
misunderstanding · a problem caused by understanding something differentlyignored · not given any attentionapologise · to say that you are sorrystraight away · immediately, without waitingcheck in · to contact someone to see how things arecalm · not angry or upset
Explanation

To fix a misunderstanding, listen first and talk second. Start with a calm sentence such as Can we talk? Then say what happened and how you felt (I felt ignored because …), and finally say how you want to solve it. Chatty phrases make a talk sound natural. That’s cool! shows that you are pleased or interested. I totally get that means I understand fully. For sure means yes, certainly. Honestly, … introduces what you really think. Right? asks the other person to agree with you, and Absolutely means I agree completely. In speaking, the third conditional shows regret and apology: If I had remembered, I would have called you. Use it kindly: talk about what you could have done, not about what the other person did wrong. Your book has a talk about a misunderstanding on page 36: read it and find three chatty phrases. Then practise the role-play on page 37 with your own situation.

PhraseMeaningExample
That’s cool!I like it / I am pleasedYou won? That’s cool!
I totally get that.I fully understandI totally get that. You were busy.
For sure.Yes, certainlyCan you come? For sure.
Honestly, …I will tell you the truthHonestly, I forgot.
Right?Do you agree?It’s better to talk. Right?
Absolutely.I agree completelyWe should be kind. Absolutely.
Worked examples
Rana

Fady, can we talk? I waited for your call yesterday.

Fady

Oh no. Honestly, I forgot. My brother needed help with his homework, and the time passed.

Rana

I totally get that, but I felt ignored. I thought you did not care about our presentation.

Fady

I do care! If I had remembered, I would have called you straight away. I am really sorry.

Rana

Thanks for saying that. If I had texted you, we would not have lost a day.

Fady

Right? Next time we both check in. Absolutely.

Rana

For sure. Let’s meet at break and plan the slides.

Fady

That’s cool. Thank you for talking to me first.

Listen to a talk between two friends. A grown-up reads it aloud, or two people read the parts.
The talk follows three steps: 1. Rana says what happened and how she felt (I felt ignored). 2. Fady explains and apologises, with a third conditional sentence. 3. They agree on a plan (Let’s meet at break).
Third conditional for an apology: If I had remembered, I would have called you. The speaker takes responsibility and does not blame the other person.
Now you. A friend waited for you and you were late. Say two sentences: one with Honestly, and one with If I had …
Class activity

Role-play. Partner A: you waited for a friend who did not come. Partner B: you forgot. A starts with Can we talk? and says how they felt. B explains and apologises with If I had … , would have … . Use at least three chatty phrases from the table, then agree on a plan. Swap the parts and use a new situation.

Practice
1
Match the phrase with its meaning. 1 For sure. 2 Honestly, … 3 Absolutely. (a) I agree completely. (b) Yes, certainly. (c) I will tell you the truth.
2
Choose the best phrase: A: “It is better to say sorry quickly.” B: “___ ! It stops problems from growing.” (Absolutely / Honestly, I forgot / Can we talk)
3
Complete with the third conditional: If we ___ (talk) earlier, we would not have argued.
4
Complete: If I had texted you, we ___ (not lose) a day.
5
Write one calm sentence to start a talk with a friend who is angry with you.