Lesson 6: Strange Stories
The other day, the funniest thing happened to me.

I can listen to and understand a story about something strange.

INTRODUCE

Strange stories can either be funny, weird, or crazy. It’s what makes them interesting.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. If you say The craziest/weirdest/funniest thing happened to me., it means that you are about to share a crazy/weird/funny story.

     

    Yesterday, the funniest thing happened to me. I left the house to go to work without realizing I still had my towel wrapped around my hair!

     

     

    2. Use The other day, … to talk about something that happened recently but not today.

     

    The other day, my friends and I watched a soccer match.

     

     

     

    3. Use go, “…” to report exactly what someone said.

     

    When Maggie and I saw each other, she went, “Hey, it’s good to see you!” and gave me a big hug.

     

    II. Talk about a recent crazy/weird/funny experience using the expressions above.

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

The is pronounced as /thuh/ when the next word starts with a consonant sound. It's pronounced as /thee/ when the next word starts with a vowel sound.
Phrase Example

the craziest

/ thuh krey-zeeyest /

/ thuh krey-zeeyest / thing happened to me last year.

the other day

/ thee uhther dey /

/ thee uhther dey /, I watched the fireworks contest.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Naoki is talking to his coworker Andy during their break.

TRIVIA

Usually, we talk about past events using past tense. But did you know that you can also use simple present and present progressive tenses when telling stories that happened in the past? These tenses can make the story more exciting, like it’s happening right as you’re telling it!

 

O The funniest thing happened to me yesterday. I was looking for my glasses all over my office. Then, suddenly, my coworker told me that they were on my head!

O The funniest thing happened to me yesterday. I’m looking for my glasses all over my office. Then, suddenly, my coworker tells me that they’re on my head!

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

The underlined expressions are close but not quite correct. Correct them.

  1. The other days, I was playing basketball with my friends when I injured my ankle.
  2. When my friend saw my injured ankle, she walked, “Man, what happened?”
  3. The crazier things happened to me last night. My sister dyed my hair pink while I was sleeping!

STEP B EXERCISE

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

The craziest/weirdest/funniest thing happened to me.
The other day, …
go, “…”
  1. Last Wednesday, I met up with some old friends from school.
  2. When I jumped out of the bush, I thought he would be scared, but he wasn’t at all! He just said, “Oh, there you are.”
  3. Let me tell you a weird story. This morning, I told my friend about a dream I had last night, and she told me that she had the same dream!

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You have plans to meet up with two of your friends later today. One of them, Mel, just called and left you a voicemail. Listen to the voicemail. Then, tell your other friend about it.

Today's Expressions

  • The craziest/weirdest/funniest thing happened to me.
  • The other day, ....
  • go, "..."

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

STRANGE THINGS
2

TELLING STORIES
3

THE OTHER DAY
1

STRANGE THINGS

  1. What’s the strangest event you’ve attended?
  2. What’s the strangest story you’ve ever heard?
  3. Would you believe a strange story even if there was no proof that it actually happened?
  4. Why do you think some people experience strange things more often than others?

2TELLING STORIES

  1. Do you like telling stories?
  2. What kind of stories do you usually tell?
  3. Would you ever tell a story that wasn’t true just to impress someone?
  4. Do you think adding hand gestures makes storytelling more exciting?

3THE OTHER DAY

  1. Where did you go the other day?
  2. What did you do the other day?
  3. Who did you talk to the other day?
  4. What did you see the other day?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand a story about something strange.

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