Lesson 2: Taking Action
Whatever you want to do, it’s worth a shot!

I can encourage someone to do something.

INTRODUCE

You can help other people take risks, get out of their comfort zones, and pursue their dreams by giving them words of encouragement.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. What do you have to lose? is used to tell someone to take a risk because the situation cannot get any worse.

     

    Just go up to him and tell him you like him. What do you have to lose?

     

     

    2. What are you waiting for? is used to convince someone to do something immediately.

     

    There’s a flash sale on airline tickets? What are you waiting for? Book our tickets to Brazil already!

     

     

    3. It’s worth a shot is an expression used to encourage someone to try something even though success or good results are not guaranteed.

     

    Try to give her flowers as an apology. It may not work, but it’s worth a shot.

     

    II. What would you say in the following situations? Use the expressions above.

    Your niece is thinking about joining a sports club,

    but she’s not sure she’s good enough.

    Your friend is unsure about

    going on a date after a bad breakup.

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends in t and the next word starts with a consonant sound, the /t/ is often dropped.
Phrase Example

what do you

/ wah-dah-ya /

Hey, / wah-dah-ya / have to lose?

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Toru is talking to his American coworker Holly during their break.

Toru:

Hey, Holly. How was your weekend?

Holly:

It was amazing! The view from the seaplane was absolutely breathtaking. How about you? How was your weekend?

Toru:

Good. I finished a few sales reports, and I met with some clients. Overall, I think it was very productive.

Holly:

Seriously? Well, at least you went out of the hotel. (laughs)

Toru:

Actually, I met the clients in the hotel restaurant. (laughs) Anyway, you sound like you really enjoyed your day off.

Holly:

I did! You know, you should try it too. I can give you the number for the pilot. He said he’d give a discount to my friends.

Toru:

I’m not sure about that, actually… Besides, I…

Holly:

Come on, Toru. You’re already a successful guy. You got promoted, moved to LA, but… What now?

Toru:

What do you mean?

Holly:

Life isn’t work – you need to live a little! YOLO! You need to do something a little crazy. Take an unplanned trip! Do something you’re afraid of! Take chances!

Toru:

I don’t know…

Holly:

What do you have to lose? Whatever you want to do, it’s worth a shot!

Toru:

I guess maybe I could do something next year…

Holly:

What are you waiting for? Do it this weekend! You’re not getting any younger, you know!

TRIVIA

YOLO stands for the phrase You Only Live Once. It encourages people to live life to the fullest and to not miss out on new or exciting experiences.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Choose the sentences or phrases that best complete the speeches.

1.

Go ask her out. __________, but it’s worth a shot.

  1. She’ll definitely say yes
  2. She may not say yes

 

2.

__________. What are you waiting for?

  1. You have the skills and the passion necessary
  2. You don’t have the courage to go abroad yet

 

3.

Why not take a risk and start your own business? __________. What do you have to lose?

  1. Your current job is going so well
  2. You already hate your current job

STEP B EXERCISE

Complete the dialogues using the instructions in parentheses and the expressions in the box.

What do you have to lose?
What are you waiting for?
it’s worth a shot

1.

I’m not sure if I should sign up for the singing contest or not… The deadline is tomorrow.

(Advise her to sign up immediately.)

2.

I can’t believe I didn’t get into the play again this year! Maybe I should just quit acting…

(Say she should keep trying because the situation can’t get any worse.)

3.

I’m writing this fantasy novel, but I’m unsure whether readers would prefer a child or an older main character. What do you think?

(Recommend using a child even though some readers might not connect with such a young character.)

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your friend is showing you an ad of a contest he/she is thinking about joining. Encourage him/her to do it.

Today's Expressions

  • What do you have to lose?
  • What are you waiting for?
  • it’s worth a shot

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

ENCOURAGEMENT
2

TAKING RISKS
3

THINGS THAT ARE WORTH A SHOT
1

ENCOURAGEMENT

  1. In what situations would you like to get encouragement from other people?
  2. Do you usually give encouragement or receive it?
  3. Who encourages you the most?
  4. When was the last time you encouraged someone?

2TAKING RISKS

  1. Do you consider yourself a risk taker?
  2. When was the last time you took a risk?
  3. If you took a risk and failed, what would you do?
  4. Why do some people take more risks than others?

3THINGS THAT ARE WORTH A SHOT

  1. Do you think that it’s worth a shot to join contests?
  2. Is it worth a shot to play the lottery?
  3. Is it worth a shot to quit your job and try to become a famous actor?
  4. Is it worth a shot to gamble?

FEEDBACK

I can encourage 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