Lesson 9: Group Dates
She has a thing for doctors.

I can talk about who to invite on a group date.

INTRODUCE

Group dates are fun when you’re with the right people! That’s why it’s important to invite people who will get along with everybody.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

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

    1. When someone is out of your league, he/she is not a good match for you because he/she is better than you in some way.

     

    She’s out of my league – she’s way too popular for me!

     

    _____ is out of my league because _____.

     

     

    2. You have a thing for someone/something when you really like that person or thing.

     

    I like Judith because I have a thing for redheads.

     

    I like _____ because I have a thing for _____.

     

     

    3. When you break the ice with someone, you do or say things to make him/her feel more comfortable with you.

     

    I asked about his favorite music to break the ice.

     

    I like to talk about _____ to break the ice with someone I just met.

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

the ice

/ thee-yice /

It’s a really good way to break / thee-yice /.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Toru and his coworker are planning a group date.

Miya:

I invited two girls from my previous company to our group date this Friday. Who did you invite?

Toru:

Three of my friends from university. I think you’ll really like one of them.

Miya:

Great! Okay, that means there are three women and four men. We should probably invite one more woman. Do you have anyone in mind?

Toru:

Well, I actually want to invite the receptionist… I really like her.

Miya:

You mean Miki? No offense, Toru, but I think Miki is out of your league. (laughs) I mean, you’re a great guy, but she’s just way too beautiful. Besides, she’ll never go on a group date with us – she’s too cool for that!

Toru:

How do you know that for sure? Are you two close?

Miya:

Yeah. We actually talk in the breakroom sometimes. I remember her telling me that she has a thing for doctors. In fact, she said that all her past boyfriends are doctors! So, I don’t think you’re really her type, Toru.

Toru:

Who knows? I could be her first non-doctor boyfriend!

Miya:

Well, you could try to invite her. Just don’t be disappointed if she says no.

Toru:

I’ll talk to her after work today. By the way, isn’t Peter coming? I thought you invited him.

Miya:

I did, but he said he didn’t really understand how we can have a date with that many people. (laughs)

TRIVIA

Group dates are popular in Japan but extremely unusual in most Western countries. In the US, for example, one-on-one dates are standard, although double dates are also sometimes done. In the case of a double date, however, it’s two couples who go on a date together, not four single people.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Are the rephrased sentences correct? If not, correct them.

1. I have a thing for the new girl at work.

→ I like the new girl at work.

 

2. We played a few games at the party to break the ice.

→ We played a few games at the party where we broke ice into little pieces.

 

3. Tammy is out of my league because she’s the smartest person at school.

→ Tammy is too smart for me.

 

4. I have a thing for brunettes.

→ I don’t like brunettes.

 

5. Henry is too famous; he’s out of your league.

→ You and Henry would be a good match because he’s really famous.

STEP B EXERCISE

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

out of someone’s league
have a thing for someone/something
break the ice

1.
Tutor: This is your first meeting with your client, right? How are you going to make him comfortable?
Student: I’ll _____ by _____.

 

2.
Tutor: I heard that Gabe just got promoted to vice president of his company! Do you think he’s too successful for me?
Student: No, I don’t think he’s _____ because _____.

 

3.
Tutor:  Why do you like him/her?
Student: I like him/her because _____.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your foreign friend are organizing a group date, but he/she can’t decide who to invite. Help your friend decide which of his/her friends to invite.

Today's Expressions

  • out of someone’s league
  • have a thing for someone/something
  • break the ice

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

GROUP DATES
2

BREAKING THE ICE
3

LIKING SOMEONE
1

GROUP DATES

  1. Do you like organizing group dates?  
  2. What are the good and bad points of going on a group date?  
  3. How do you make sure that everyone has a great time on a group date?
  4. What do you think is the ideal number of people for a group date?

2BREAKING THE ICE

  1. Are you usually the one who breaks the ice when meeting someone new?  
  2. What questions would you ask someone you’re meeting for the first time?  
  3. Do you think jokes are always a good way to break the ice?
  4. Do you find it easier to break the ice with Japanese people or with foreigners?

3LIKING SOMEONE

  1. Are you confident when talking to someone you like?  
  2. Why is it hard for some people to tell someone that they like him/her?  
  3. What are the most obvious signs that a person likes someone?
  4. What are some good ways to show someone that you like him/her?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about who to invite on a group date.

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