Lesson 1: Connections and Contacts
I’m trying to expand my social circle.

I can listen to and understand someone talking about social contacts.

INTRODUCE

Building connections with many people will help you find the right contacts for any situation.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

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

    1. If someone says the name doesn’t ring a bell, it means that he/she is not familiar with the name and may be hearing it for the first time.

     

    He asked if I know Howard Smith, but the name doesn’t ring a bell.

     

    Q: When someone mentions a name to you but the name doesn’t ring a bell, what do you do?

     

     

    2. To know of someone means that you have heard about a person and have at least some idea about him/her.

     

    Yeah, I know of her. We’ve never met, but I’ve seen some of her work.

     

    Q: Do you know of any famous people who live near you?

     

     

    3. To expand one’s social circle means to increase the number of people you know.

     

    She attends parties every weekend to expand her social circle.

     

    Q: Do you think you need to expand your current social circle? Why or why not?

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

ring a bell

/ rin-guh bel /

No, sorry, the name doesn’t / rin-guh bel /.

know of

/ noh-wuhv /

I / noh-wuhv / a great doctor who can help you.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Naoki is in Germany on a business trip. He’s talking to a German coworker about local contacts.

TRIVIA

If something is on the tip of your tongue, it means that you know it but cannot fully access that memory. Think of it like this: The words are sitting on the tip of your tongue, but you just can’t push them out of your mouth!

 

O Yeah, he’s from… Oh, it’s on the tip of my tongue! It starts with a D… Duh… Duh… Oh, Dortmund!

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Complete the sentences using the pictures and the expressions in the box. Some expressions may be used more than once, and the form of some expressions may need to be changed.

the name doesn't ring a bell
know of someone
expand one's social circle

1.

Tutor: Eric Mueller is the one who’s arranging the seminar. Do you know him?

Student: Sorry, __________.

 

2.

Tutor: I don’t want to go to the party!

Student: You should come with me. You need to __________.

 

3.

Tutor: I need to get my car fixed soon, but I don’t have enough money.

Student: I __________ who can do the job for cheap.

 

4.

Tutor: Do you know Bean Blends? It’s the best coffee shop in town!

Student: No, __________.

 

5.

Tutor: You know, I think you should meet more people.

Student: I agree, but how can I __________?

STEP B EXERCISE

Follow the instructions in parentheses using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

The name doesn’t ring a bell.
know of someone
expand one’s social circle

1.

Hey, I heard your eyesight’s getting worse.

(Ask if he/she has heard of a good eye doctor.)

2.

Why do you like attending conferences?

(Say that you attend conferences to meet more people.)

3.

My favorite band is Monday Blues. Have you heard of them?

(Say that it’s the first time you’ve heard of that band.)

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your friend Dani just got her dream job. Listen to her talk about the people who helped her get it. Then, talk to another friend who’s also looking for a job in the same industry.

Today's Expressions

  • The name doesn’t ring a bell.
  • know of someone
  • expand one’s social circle

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

EXPANDING YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE
2

MEETING NEW PEOPLE
3

PERSONAL CONTACTS AND CONNECTIONS
1

EXPANDING YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE

  1. What are the best ways to expand your social circle?
  2. What keeps some people from expanding their social circle?
  3. Why do you think some people prefer to keep their social circle small?
  4. How has social media changed how people expand their social circle?

2MEETING NEW PEOPLE

  1. Do you often make the first move when you meet someone new?
  2. What do you talk about with someone you just met?
  3. How important are first impressions when meeting someone new?
  4. How can you make a person you just met feel comfortable around you?

3PERSONAL CONTACTS AND CONNECTIONS

  1. Do you often introduce your contacts/friends to each other?
  2. How do you keep track of your contacts (ex. with an address book, on your smartphone)?
  3. What percentage of your contacts do you stay in close contact with?
  4. Have you ever gotten something you wanted through a personal connection?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand someone talking about social contacts.

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