Lesson 9: Timing
It might be best to focus on Aoi-chan for the time being.

I can talk about timing.

INTRODUCE

In life, there are things that you should do now and things that you should leave for later. It’s important to think about what time is right for many big decisions.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and choose T for true or F for false.

    1. It‘s a bad time for someone to do something when it’s not the right moment to do it.

     

    Now’s a bad time for me to buy a new phone because I’m currently broke.

     

    Q: College is a bad time for people to find love. ( T / F )

     

     

    2. For the time being is used to say that something will happen or will be done temporarily.

     

    I haven’t found a place yet, so I’m staying at my parents’ house for the time being.

     

    Q: If you don’t know yet what you really want to do, it’s fine to take a job you don’t like for the time being. ( T / F )

     

     

    3. The expression It’s now or never. means that now is the perfect time to do something because the chance to do it will probably never come again.

     

    She’s leaving for Canada tomorrow, so you have to tell her how you feel! It’s now or never!

     

    Q: If someone offered me a job overseas tomorrow, I would immediately accept because it’s now or never! ( T / F )

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

Words that show contrast are often stressed.
Phrase Example

it’s now or never

/ its NOW or NEH-VER /

Hey, / its NOW or NEH-VER /!

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Naoki is home in Tokyo for the weekend. He and Saori are talking while having dinner.

Naoki:

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I missed your cooking! (laughs)

Saori:

Hey! Catherine said it’s gotten better! This actually tastes like miso soup now.

Naoki:

(laughs) Just kidding. (sighs) It feels so good to be home… I really missed you and Aoi-chan.

Saori:

We missed you too. See? Aoi-chan doesn’t want to let you go.

Naoki:

Yeah! And she won’t stop saying “Papa.” You taught her well!

Saori:

It was easier than I expected. Our little girl’s very smart. (sighs) And she’s growing up so fast, Naoki… It actually got me thinking… Maybe now’s the best time for Aoi-chan to have a little brother or sister.

Naoki:

Uh… Don’t you think it’s a bit early for that?

Saori:

Not at all! I think the timing is perfect! I really wanted our children to be only a year or two apart. I mean, wouldn’t it be great? And then, at school—

Naoki:

Whoa, whoa, time out, Saori… Hmm, I know the idea seems exciting, but we have to slow down. I think now’s a bad time for us to have a second child… I mean, I don’t even know when I’ll be transferred back here. It might be best to focus on Aoi-chan for the time being.

Saori:

But think about it, Naoki. If we raise our second child while Aoi-chan’s still young, they can be really close. She’s going to be two soon—it’s now or never!

TRIVIA

The expression time out is used in sports to temporarily stop a game or a match. However, it can also be used in everyday conversations to tell another person to pause or stop talking.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

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

be a bad time for someone to do something
for the time being
It’s now or never.

1.

Tutor: The local theater is having auditions for my dream role! I’m scared to try out, but next year, I might be too old for the role.

Student: (Say that he/she should definitely audition for the role this year because next year will be too late.)

 

2.

Tutor: You didn’t bring your car today?

Student: (Say that it’s being repaired, so you’ll be taking the train temporarily.)

 

3.

Tutor: I’m coming to the city next weekend! Can I stay at your house?

Student: (Say that you’re sorry, but you can’t have guests next weekend because you’re renovating your kitchen.)

STEP B EXERCISE

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

be a bad time for someone to do something
for the time being
It’s now or never.

1.

Tutor: My favorite band announced that their upcoming concert is going to be their last one, but it’s in Singapore! Do you think I should go?

Student: ___________.

 

2.

Tutor: My husband and I really want to start a family soon, but he just got promoted and I just got chosen to lead a really important project…

Student: __________.

 

3.

Tutor: The brand of milk that we usually buy at the supermarket is out of stock. What should I do?

Student: __________.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your friend are talking at a cafe. He’s/She’s thinking about making some big life decisions. Give him/her advice about timing and talk about your own plans as well.

Today's Expressions

  • be a bad time to do something
  • for the time being
  • It’s now or never.

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

TIMING
2

FOR THE TIME BEING
3

OPPORTUNITIES
1

TIMING

  1. Do you think it’s important to think about timing?
  2. Have you ever missed an opportunity because of bad timing?
  3. What's the best way to deal with something that happens at a bad time?
  4. Do you think now is a good time for you to make a big change in your life?

2FOR THE TIME BEING

  1. Are you doing something just for the time being?
  2. While waiting for a good career opportunity, what should a young person do for the time being?
  3. While waiting for the right time to start a family, what should couples do for the time being?
  4. When students can't decide on what they want to major in, what should they do for the time being?

3OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Have you ever let a rare opportunity pass?
  2. What kinds of opportunities only come every once in a while?
  3. What’s an opportunity that you would take right away if it came?
  4. How do you feel when you see someone say no to a rare opportunity?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about timing.

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