Lesson 8: Old Friends
It’s been a while.

I can read and understand an email from an old friend.

INTRODUCE

With modern technology, it's becoming easier and easier to reach out to people that you haven't seen in years.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. It’s been a while is used to say that a long time has passed since you last saw someone.

    Hey, guys! It’s been a while. How have you two been?

     

     

    2. I can’t believe it’s been… is used to say how much time has passed since you last saw someone.

    I can’t believe it’s been five years! You haven’t changed at all.

     

     

    3. Remember when someone used to… is used to bring up a memory you share with the person you’re talking to.

    Remember when we used to take the long way home from school so we could walk by Andrew’s house?

     

     

    II. Which of the expressions above would you use if you saw an old friend?

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

The /t/ sound is often omitted when it occurs between two consonant sounds.
Phrase Example

can’t believe

/ kan bih-leev /

I / kan bih-leev / it’s been a year!

UNDERSTAND

READING

Kelsie is writing an email to an old friend from high school.

Hey, Nicky!

It’s been a while. I’ve missed you!

I saw the photo you posted on your social media page, the one where you were eating ramen in Asakusa. I guess nothing much has changed, huh? You still love noodles! Haha!

How long are you here in Tokyo? I would love to meet up for coffee if you have some free time. Man, I can’t believe it’s been ten years… Remember when we used to talk to each other on the phone every single day? We never imagined that we would go a whole decade without seeing each other…

Anyway, I really hope we can meet up! I have a lot of stories to tell, and I bet you do too. Just let me know when you’re free. Can’t wait to hear from you.

Kelsie

TRIVIA

Do you know how to talk about an old friend from your high school days? Many Japanese speakers often say she’s my friend in high school, but this sounds like the friend is still in high school right now! It’s better to say she’s my friend from high school or she was my friend in high school.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Choose the sentences that best use the underlined expressions.

1. __________.

  1. Remember when we used to play baseball in the park after school?
  2. Remember when we used to play soccer in the park half an hour ago?

 

2. __________.

  1. Hi again! Wow, it’s been a while. I can’t believe I’ve seen you twice in one day!
  2. Oh my gosh! Ted, is that you? Wow, it’s been a while.

 

3. __________.

  1. You’ve changed so much! I can’t believe it’s been 200 years!
  2. You look exactly the same! I can’t believe it’s been 15 years!

STEP B EXERCISE

Complete the captions for each social media post using the expressions in the box. Some expressions may be used more than once, and the form of some expressions may need to be changed.

I can’t believe it’s been…
it’s been a while
remember when someone used to…

1. @Tim_Simon Hanging out with some old friends from elementary school. _____, but nothing seems to have changed. We still love food!

 

2. @Frank_Hart Traveling with some friends from college. _____ 10 years! Still the same people despite the many years apart.

 

3. @Tara_Mitchell Seeing Megan for the first time in over 12 years! Man, _____!

 

4. @Daniel_Gomez Can’t believe I ran into my best friend from college, Zayne, on a bike trail in Japan! @Zayne_Styles, _____ bike up the mountain near campus every weekend? How time has passed…

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Bernadette, your friend from college, just sent you an email. Read the email. Then, talk about the email with Cameron, a mutual friend.

Today's Expressions

  • It’s been a while.
  • I can’t believe it’s been...
  • Remember when someone used to…

Hi!

How are you doing? It’s been a while. Sorry for taking so long to reply to emails recently. I’ve had a lot going on in my life! Things are finally settling down, though, so I’m hoping to meet up with you and Cameron soon. I can’t believe it’s been a year!

A lot has happened to me in the past year. I resigned from my previous job as the head writer of FS Magazine. I’m now teaching journalism at a university in Osaka. I like this job better than the last one. It pays a lot better too!

Also, I have a new boyfriend! His name’s Kenji. I hope to introduce him to you guys soon. He might be the one.

Let’s hang out soon!!!

Bernadette

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES
2

REUNITING WITH OLD FRIENDS
3

MEMORIES
1

HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES

  1. Do you still remember all of your classmates from high school?
  2. What’s your fondest memory of your friends from high school?
  3. Did you have a favorite teacher back in high school?
  4. What after-school activities did you do in high school?

2REUNITING WITH OLD FRIENDS

  1. Do you go to your high school reunions?
  2. What are the pros and cons of reuniting with old friends?
  3. What do people usually do at high school reunions?
  4. Would you prefer to hang out with your old friends from elementary school or your old friends from high school?

3MEMORIES

  1. Are you good at recalling memories?
  2. Do you keep any items to remind you of past events?
  3. What kind of old memories do you like to talk about with your friends?
  4. What kind of old memories do you like to talk about with your family?

FEEDBACK

I can read and understand an email from an old friend.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK