Lesson 6: Stress
I know I shouldn’t have taken it out on him.

I can listen to and understand someone talking about stress.

INTRODUCE

One of the most effective ways to deal with stress is to talk about it.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. When someone is stressed out, it means that he/she is very stressed.

    Why are you in a bad mood? Are you okay?

    No, I’m not. I’m stressed out! Juggling work and household chores is just so hard.

     

     

    2. If you take it out on someone, you treat him/her badly because you’re angry or stressed even though he/she has nothing to do with your problems.

    Leave me alone! I don’t want to see you!

    I know you’re stressed, but don’t take it out on me. I’m just trying to help.

     

     

    3. To have a lot on one’s plate means to be very busy.

    Can you help me write this proposal?

    Sorry, I can’t really help you right now. I have a lot on my plate today.

     

    II. What makes you feel stressed? Talk about it using the expressions above.

     

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends with a consonant sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound, they are often linked together.
Phrase Example

take it out

/ tey-kit out /

Don’t / tey-kit out / on her.

have a lot

/ ha-vuh lot /

I / ha-vuh lot / on my plate today.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Saori received a voicemail from Catherine, who just gave birth two weeks earlier.

TRIVIA

Many people know that crying is one way to relieve stress, but did you know that there are actually crying events designed to help people lower their stress levels? Participants at so-called ruikatsu (“tear-seeking”) events watch sad videos and listen to sad stories that help them release their emotions and cry out their stress.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Choose the sentences that best go with the underlined expressions.

1. Harry is stressed out.

  • He’s so excited about his exam results.
  • He’s worried about the upcoming entrance exam.

2. I told you not to take it out on him.

  • He didn’t do anything wrong.
  • It was his fault, so you should blame him.

3. Kate has a lot on her plate this week.

  • She said she was really hungry.
  • She didn’t even have time to eat her breakfast this morning.

STEP B EXERCISE

Rephrase the sentences using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

be stressed out
take it out on someone
have a lot on one’s plate
  1. Why are you yelling at Anne? She didn’t cause the delay!
  2. Sorry, can I call you back later? I’m super busy right now.
  3. We should probably check on Tony. He’s been really worried about work recently.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You’re watching your favorite variety show. One of their segments today is about stress. Listen to the segment. Then, call your friend and talk about the show.

Today's Expressions

  • be stressed out
  • take it out on someone
  • have a lot on one’s plate

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

STRESS
2

HANDLING STRESS
3

STRESSFUL SITUATIONS
1

STRESS

  1. What would you say is your #1 cause of stress right now?
  2. What happens to you when you get stressed out (ex. get headaches, can’t sleep)?
  3. What do you do to prevent feeling stressed out?
  4. Can stress ever be a good thing?

2HANDLING STRESS

  1. Do you prefer to be alone or with others when you’re stressed?
  2. Do you lose your appetite or eat more when you’re stressed?
  3. In your experience, what’s the best way to handle stress?
  4. What are some really bad ways that people handle stress?

3STRESSFUL SITUATIONS

  1. Do you feel stressed when you have a lot of work to do?
  2. Do you feel stressed when you meet someone for the first time?
  3. Do you feel stressed when you’re in an unfamiliar place?
  4. Do you feel stressed when you have to speak in public?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand someone talking about stress.

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