Lesson 2: Realizations
That’s when it hit me: This relationship is not good for us.

I can talk about a realization.

INTRODUCE

Sharing the things you realized can help other people learn something new as well.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

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

    1. The expression it hit someone means that a person suddenly realized something.

     

    I was watching a cooking show on TV when it hit me: I really want to be a chef!

     

    Q: Which picture best illustrates the expression? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    2. Something that’s crystal clear is very obvious or easy to understand.

     

    I think everyone understood the story’s message. It was crystal clear.

     

    Q: Which picture best illustrates the expression? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    3. A light bulb moment is when something that you didn’t understand suddenly becomes very clear to you.

     

    After her near-death experience, she had a light bulb moment. She realized that she needed to spend more time with her loved ones.

     

    Q: Which picture best illustrates the expression? Why?

    A

    B

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When the / l / in a word comes after a vowel, it’s called the dark / l /. It’s pronounced by raising the back of your tongue so that it touches the roof of your mouth.
Phrase Example

crystal

/ kris-tuhl /

It’s / kris-tuhl / clear.

bulb

/ buhlb /

It was a light / buhlb / moment!

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Toru and his wife, Holly, are having dinner at their apartment.

Toru:

You know what? I’ve started watching a show about aliens. Let’s watch it together! … Hey, are you listening?

Holly:

Toru, I think… (sighs) I think this has to stop.

Toru:

What do you mean? No more alien talk? (laughs)

Holly:

No, I mean… I think I want a divorce.

Toru:

What?! Divorce? What do you mean? Where is this coming from?

Holly:

The truth is, I’ve always felt like something’s wrong with our marriage. I didn’t understand what it was at first, but when we went to Nevada, I had a light bulb moment and realized that we had a better relationship as friends.

Toru:

Friends? Seriously? If you only saw me as a friend, then why did you agree to marry me?!

Holly:

I did think that it was the right decision at the time. I mean, I’ve always looked up to you, Toru. I do admire you—I think that’s crystal clear! You’re one of the best people I know. But, I think when we got married, you changed…

Toru:

How did I change?

Holly:

Well, back when we were just friends, you always did things your way, but when we got married, you started acting differently. For example, I know you don’t care about aliens, but when you found out that I did, you started to talk non-stop about them. That’s when it hit me: This relationship is not good for us.

Toru:

Isn’t there anything I can do to change this?

Holly:

Toru, I’m sorry…

Toru:

And here I thought we were happy… Well, I guess what they say is true: Ignorance is bliss.

TRIVIA

The phrase shiranu ga hotoke (知らぬが仏) can be translated in English as ignorance is bliss. It means that what you don’t know can’t hurt you or cause you trouble.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Are the underlined expressions used correctly? If not, change the sentences.

  1. It hit her that she’s no longer happy with her job, so she quit.
  2. He had a light bulb moment. He still didn’t understand why the program failed.
  3. We know that he loves writing blog posts—that’s absolutely crystal clear.
  4. I think it hit her. She hasn’t realized that it’s her own fault.

STEP B EXERCISE

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

ex. (it hit someone) After being in retail for five years, she suddenly realized that her true passion is writing.

→ After five years in retail, it hit her that her true passion is writing.

 

  1. (crystal clear) She doesn’t like it here. It’s obvious.
  2. (it hit someone) When he saw the pile of trash in the kitchen, he realized that it had been months since he last cleaned.
  3. (a light bulb moment) After thinking about it for a long time, she suddenly understood what her friends were trying to tell her.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You’re having lunch with a friend you haven’t talked to in a long time. He/She just had a really important realization. Talk about it and share your own realizations as well.

Today's Expressions

  • it hit someone
  • crystal clear
  • a light bulb moment

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

BEING CRYSTAL CLEAR
2

IGNORANCE IS BLISS
3

LIGHT BULB MOMENTS
1

BEING CRYSTAL CLEAR

  1. Do you think you're always crystal clear?
  2. What can people do to ensure that what they're saying is crystal clear?
  3. What do you do when someone's not being crystal clear?
  4. Is what your tutor says crystal clear for you?

2IGNORANCE IS BLISS

  1. In what kind of situations are you likely to say that ignorance is bliss?
  2. Do you know anyone who feels that it’s better not to know about an uncomfortable truth?
  3. How do you react when someone tells you a truth that makes you uncomfortable (ex. get angry, ignore it)?
  4. In what kind of situations is it dangerous to willingly ignore the truth?

3LIGHT BULB MOMENTS

  1. What's the most memorable light bulb moment that you've ever had?
  2. How do you feel when you have a light bulb moment?
  3. Is there a specific place where you have most of your light bulb moments (ex. in the shower, in the bathroom)?
  4. When is the worst time to have a light bulb moment (ex. when you’re about to sleep, while talking to someone)?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about a realization.

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