Lesson 8: Convincing Others
Talking to him is like talking to a brick wall sometimes, you know?

I can read and understand an email about convincing someone to do something.

INTRODUCE

It's not always easy to convince people to agree with you. Sometimes, you have to ask others for advice or help.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and fill in the blanks.

    1. To pressure someone into doing something means to strongly push a person to do it.

     

    I didn’t really want to attend the party, but my friends pressured me into going.

     

    Once, my friends pressured me into __________.

     

    2. When you talk someone into doing something, you talk to that person about the advantages of doing it until he/she agrees with you.

     

    I talked my mom into buying ice cream! She said no at first, but I kept telling her how nice some cold desserts would be in this heat, and she finally agreed.

     

    I’ve talked my best friend into ___________.

     

    3. If someone refuses to listen to what you’re saying, you can say that it’s like talking to a brick wall.

     

    I keep telling my sister that she should cut down on the amount of sweets she eats, but she keeps buying candy. It’s like talking to a brick wall!

     

    Talking to _____ can sometimes be like talking to a brick wall because __________.

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends with a vowel sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound, a consonant sound is sometimes added to connect them.
Phrase Example

to a

/ too-wuh /

It’s like talking / too-wuh / brick wall.

UNDERSTAND

READING

Saori is reading an email from Catherine.

Hey, Saori!

So, have you thought of a game plan yet? Since Naoki’s coming home for the weekend, maybe this is your chance to talk to him about having a second child. It might help if you do something nice for him like cook his favorite food! I know you’re worrying a lot about how he’ll react, but I think it’s going to be fine.

Just beware of one thing: Don’t make him feel like you’re forcing the idea on him, or else he won’t listen to you. Trust me—I know. Jun and I have fought so many times because of that. Whenever he feels like I’m pressuring him into doing something that he doesn’t want to do, he stops listening. You know how we went to Taiwan a few months ago? I tried to talk him into staying longer to see the Dragon Boat Festival, but he didn’t want to, and the more I pushed, the more he shut down. And just this past week I tried to tell him to change his tie because it didn’t go with his jacket, but did he? Nope… Talking to him is like talking to a brick wall sometimes, you know? Ugh…

Whoops, this email became more about me and Jun than you and Naoki! Hehehe. Sorry about that. Anyway, good luck with Naoki. Let me know how your talk goes, okay?

Catherine

TRIVIA

In English, the term brick wall may refer to a person or obstacle that cannot be moved, changed, or overcome. Aside from the expression be like talking to a brick wall, it’s also used in many other idioms. Here are some examples:

  • bang one’s head on a brick wall – to keep trying to do something that’s impossible
  • hit a brick wall – to encounter an obstacle that stops you

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Replace the underlined parts with expressions from the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

pressure someone into doing something
talk someone into doing something
be like talking to a brick wall
  1. You shouldn’t let people push you to follow a career path you’re not interested in.
  2. I tried to convince her to come with us, but it was clear that she wasn’t listening to me at all.
  3. I don’t like it when salespeople keep telling me how good their products are until I decide to buy something I don’t need!

STEP B EXERCISE

Complete the conversations using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

be like talking to a brick wall
pressure someone into doing something
talk someone into doing something

1.

Tutor:  Did you buy a new car?

Student: No, this is my sister’s car. I __________. I told her that she’s such a great sister and that I’d treat her to a day at the spa if she did.

 

2.

Tutor:  I thought he didn’t want to transfer to Tokyo! What happened? Did he change his mind?

Student: No, his boss __________. Apparently, he would’ve gotten a really bad evaluation if he said no.

 

3.

Tutor:  Why don’t you tell Jim about your idea?

Student: I’m sure he won’t listen. Talking to him __________.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You got an email from the sibling of your friend Max. Read it. Then, call Max’s sibling to talk about the email.

Today's Expressions

  • pressure someone into doing something
  • talk someone into doing something
  • be like talking to a brick wall

Hi!

What’s up? Hope you’re doing great. I need your help—it’s about Max. He’s been so stressed about his job lately. He just told me that his boss has been pressuring everyone into doing several hours of overtime every single day.

It seems to be affecting Max’s health, so I told him that he should try to find a new job. As usual, though, he refused to listen to me about it. I talked to him about it for ten minutes straight, but it was like talking to a brick wall! He kept saying that he’s fine, but he’s obviously really stressed out. It seems like he’s always sick now.

He always tells me that it’s too difficult to find a new job. Personally, though, I believe that he can find a new job that’s much better than his current one. He just needs to be more confident in his abilities. As one of his closest friends, I thought you might know how I could convince him. I’ve had no luck so far, but you might know a way. I’d really appreciate it if you could help me. Thanks a lot!

Sincerely,

Ash

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

CONVINCING PEOPLE
2

PRESSURE
3

TALKING TO A BRICK WALL
1

CONVINCING PEOPLE

  1. Have you ever talked someone into doing something for you?
  2. What do you think are some effective ways of talking someone into doing something?
  3. Do you easily get talked into doing something for others (ex. chores, favors)?
  4. In what professions/jobs should someone be good at convincing people?

2PRESSURE

  1. Have you ever felt pressured into doing something?
  2. How do people usually pressure others?
  3. What would you tell a friend who’s easily pressured by others?
  4. Do you think pressure is always negative?

3TALKING TO A BRICK WALL

  1. Have you ever tried to talk to someone but felt that it was like talking to a brick wall?
  2. What do you do when you talk to someone who doesn't seem to listen?
  3. Why do some people not listen to others?
  4. Can not listening to others ever be a good thing?

FEEDBACK

I can read and understand an email about convincing someone to do something.

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