Lesson 9: How You've Changed
I think it’s a change for the better.

I can talk about how people have changed from before.

INTRODUCE

People like to talk about the changes that happened to them and the reasons for those changes.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.

    1. Something is a change for the better/worse if it’s an improvement/decline.

     

    I quit smoking last year. It was tough, but it was a change for the better.

    Q: Which photo shows a change for the better? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    2. If someone changes with the times, he/she adjusts his/her behavior and beliefs according to what is currently acceptable.

     

    I never used to wear skinny jeans, but I decided to change with the times, and now I have four pairs of them.

    Q: Which photo shows someone who has changed with the times? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    3. Something opens new doors if it offers new opportunities for someone.

     

    Moving to a different country opened new doors for Anna.

    Q: Which photo shows something that can open new doors? Why?

    A

    B

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When the letter t appears between two vowel sounds, it is often pronounced as /d/.
Phrase Example

for the better

/ fawr thuh beh-der /

It was a change / fawr thuh beh-der /.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Kelsie, Mami, and Yuko are at Mami’s baby shower.

Mami:

Kelsie, thanks for organizing this baby shower. And thank you for the present for the baby too! I love stuffed animals like this.

Kelsie:

You’re welcome! When I saw it, I knew I had to buy it.

Yuko:

Here’s my gift, Mami. Uh, it’s a gift certificate to a nearby baby store because I didn’t really know what to get. Sorry.

Mami:

Aw, thanks! I’m kind of surprised to get a gift certificate from you, though. You used to complain about gift certificates being rude, impersonal presents! (laughs)

Yuko:

To be honest, I’m still not a huge fan of them, but everyone seems to give them these days. I guess I’ve changed with the times. Actually, I think we’ve all changed. Last year we were traveling in Italy together, shopping for bags and clothes, and now we’re having a baby shower! (sighs)

Kelsie:

Well, I think it’s a change for the better. (pause) Speaking of changes for the better, I think it’s time for Yuko and me to talk things out… Yuko, I’m really sorry for how I reacted when I found out you were dating Charlie…

Yuko:

I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have kept it a secret. I just didn’t know what to say because I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I knew you were still upset about breaking up with him.

Kelsie:

Well, to be honest, the breakup actually opened new doors for me. I was just too proud to tell you that I had overreacted!

Mami:

Aw, you guys! I’m really just happy that we’re back together. It was so tiring to have to hang out with you separately! (laughs)

TRIVIA

Do you know how to say nuigurumi (ぬいぐるみ) in English? Many Japanese speakers translate it as doll, but the correct translation is actually stuffed animal.

a doll
a stuffed animal

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Fill in the blanks using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed, and some expressions may be used more than once.

open new doors
a change for the better/worse
change with the times
  1. Ella broke up with her long-term boyfriend. She’s a little lonely, but overall, she feels it was
    definitely ________.
  2. Leila used to hate texting, but she’s ________ since no one really makes phone calls anymore.
  3. Ria wants to have bigger and better opportunities, so she’s decided to work abroad for a year. She believes this will ________ for her.
  4. Gio likes his new haircut, but personally, I think it’s ________.

STEP B EXERCISE

Are the underlined expressions used correctly? If not, change the sentences.

  1. I’ve been working at this company for 8 years, and I’m still in the same position I was when I started. Working here has really opened new doors for me!
  2. She needs to change with the times. Her clothes are very fashionable!
  3. I’ve been going to bed early and getting more sleep recently. It’s definitely a change for the worse.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You’re having coffee with a friend that you haven’t seen for the past five years. Talk to each other about the changes that have happened since you last met.

Today's Expressions

  • a change for the better/worse
  • change with the times
  • open new doors

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

CHANGES FOR THE BETTER/WORSE
2

CHANGING WITH THE TIMES
3

OPENING NEW DOORS
1

CHANGES FOR THE BETTER/WORSE

  1. Do you know anyone who has made a change for the worse recently?
  2. Do you know anyone who has made a change for the better recently?
  3. What can cause someone to make a change for the worse?
  4. What can inspire someone to make a change for the better?

2CHANGING WITH THE TIMES

  1. When it comes to fashion, do you usually change with the times?
  2. When it comes to learning English, is Japan changing with the times?
  3. When it comes to using technology, are you changing with the times?
  4. Is it always good to change with the times?

3OPENING NEW DOORS

  1. What can you do to get new opportunities?
  2. What situations in the past opened new doors for you?
  3. Would you leave a stable job if new doors were opened to you?
  4. Is having new doors open always a good thing?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about how people have changed from before.

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