English Lesson 4

Family and teachers

Your family, a teacher who influenced you, and how education is changing.

How to practise
  1. Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
  2. Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
  3. Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
  4. Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
  5. Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Speed

Part 1 · Interview

Family

Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.

Do you have a large family or a small family?

I have a fairly small family. There are just four of us: my parents, my younger sister and me. But we have a lot of relatives. I have many uncles, aunts and cousins, so family parties are always big and noisy.

  • a fairly small familyfairly = quite, a little
  • There are just four of usa simple way to say how many people
  • relativespeople in your family, like uncles and cousins

Can you tell me something about them?

Sure. My father is an engineer, and he's quite calm and patient. My mother is a teacher. She's very kind, and she always takes care of everyone. My sister is still at school. She's a bit noisy, but she's really funny, and we get on well.

  • he's quite calm and patientdescribe a person's character
  • takes care ofmeans looks after, helps and protects
  • we get on wellmeans we have a good relationship

How much time do you manage to spend with members of your family?

Not as much as I'd like. On weekdays, I'm at work until the evening, so we usually only see each other at dinner. But at weekends, we spend most of the day together. We often visit my grandparents on Fridays.

  • Not as much as I'd likemeans less than I want
  • see each othermeans meet, spend time with one another
  • spend most of the day togethertalk about time with people

What sorts of things do you like to do together?

We love eating together, especially when my mother cooks something special. We also watch films in the evening, and sometimes we go for a walk in the park. In the summer, we usually go on a short trip to the north.

  • We love eating togethera warm, simple start
  • especially when…add a special example
  • go for a walkmeans walk for fun, to relax
  • go on a short tripmeans travel for a few days

Part 2 · Cue card

A teacher who influenced you

You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.

Candidate task card

Describe a teacher who has influenced you in your education.

You should say:

  • where you met him or her
  • what subject he or she taught
  • what was special about him or her
  • and explain why this teacher influenced you so much
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about Mr Karimi, my maths teacher in high school. He's the teacher I remember the most.

Where you met

I met him when I was fifteen, in my first year of high school. He taught our class for three years.

What he taught

He taught maths. Before his class, I really hated maths, and my marks were quite low.

What was special

He was very patient. When we didn't understand something, he explained it again in a different way, with simple examples from real life. He never made us feel stupid, and he always had a smile on his face.

Why he influenced you

He influenced me because he changed the way I thought about learning. Thanks to him, I started to enjoy maths, and my marks went up a lot. Later, I chose to study engineering. Without him, I don't think I would have made that choice.

  • I'd like to talk about…a clear first sentence for any cue card
  • the teacher I remember the mosta strong way to introduce a person
  • He never made us feel stupidmade us feel + adjective
  • Thanks to him, …means because of his help
  • my marks went upmarks = school scores; went up = got higher
  • Without him, I don't think I would have…talk about how he changed your life

Part 3 · Discussion

Education and ways of teaching

Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.

How has education changed in your country in the last 10 years?

It has changed a lot. The biggest change is technology. Ten years ago, we only had books and a blackboard. Now, many schools use computers and smart boards, and students can find information online. Also, more young people go to university now than before.

  • It has changed a lota short, clear first answer
  • The biggest change is…give your main point
  • than beforecompare the present with the past

What changes do you foresee in the next 50 years?

That's hard to say, but I think online learning will become much more common. Students might study from home for part of the week. I also think schools will focus more on practical skills, like using technology and working in teams, and less on memorising facts.

  • foreseemeans expect to happen in the future
  • That's hard to say, but…a natural start for a difficult question
  • will become much more commontalk about a future trend
  • focus more onmeans give more attention to

What do you think of the education system in your country?

It has some good points and some bad points. On the good side, school is free, so almost every child can study. On the other hand, there's too much pressure on exams. Students spend years preparing for one big university exam, and they don't have much time for hobbies.

  • some good points and some bad pointsa balanced start
  • On the good side, …start with the positive
  • On the other hand, …show the other side
  • too much pressure on examspressure = a feeling that you must do well

Should education be free for everyone?

Yes, I think school education should be free for everyone. Every child deserves a good start in life, whether their family is rich or poor. University is a bit different. I think it can cost something, but the government should give loans or scholarships to students who can't afford it.

  • deservesmeans should get, because it is fair
  • whether … or …means it doesn't matter which one
  • scholarshipsmoney given to good students to pay for study
  • can't afford itmeans don't have enough money for it

Is it better to learn by listening to a teacher or by doing things yourself?

I think we need both, but doing things yourself is more memorable. For example, in chemistry, you can listen to the teacher for an hour, but you understand much more after one real experiment in the lab. Still, the teacher's explanation is important at the beginning.

  • I think we need both, but…a balanced opinion
  • memorableeasy to remember
  • you understand much more after…compare two ways
  • Still, …means but, even so

What makes a good teacher?

In my opinion, a good teacher is patient and really cares about students. They should explain things clearly, with real examples. A good teacher also makes the class interesting, so students want to learn. Knowing the subject well is important, but it isn't enough on its own.

  • In my opinion, …a common way to give your opinion
  • really cares aboutmeans is truly interested in and wants to help
  • it isn't enough on its ownmeans you need other things too

Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.