Lesson 9: Strange Behavior
You’re not acting like yourself.

I can point out that someone is behaving strangely.

INTRODUCE

People can have a sudden change in behavior for various reasons. Sometimes you need to point this out in order to find out the reason behind it.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. To act like oneself means to act normally, like one usually does. It’s often used negatively to indicate a change in behavior.

     

    Tina isn’t acting like herself today. She’s usually talkative, but she’s really quiet this morning.

     

     

    2. The phrase Who are you, and what have you done with someone? is used to express that you think
    someone is acting like a totally different person.

     

    You only eat tofu and salads now? You used to eat two hamburgers a day! Who are you, and what have you done with Mario?

     

     

    3. Funny can be used to mean weird or strange.

     

    I remember putting my phone in my bag earlier, but it’s not here anymore. Hmm… That’s funny.

     

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

    Your coworker said she hasn’t

    received your email yet,

    but you’re pretty sure you

    sent it.

    Your friend who never pays

    anyone back just paid you

    back.

    Your normally positive friend

    has been very negative

    recently.

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

Who are you

/ hoo-wahr yoo /

/ hoo-wahr yoo /, and what have you done with Kenji?

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Naoki just got home from work. He’s now talking to Saori.

Saori:

Um… Naoki? Do you have a second? I’d like to talk to you about something.

Naoki:

If it’s about me coming home a bit late, I’m really sorry. I know you want me to be here with you, but we had a lot of deadlines today and –

Saori:

Relax. I’m not angry. Here, I actually prepared you some dinner. I know you’re tired and hungry from work.

Naoki:

Wow, thanks.

Saori:

You’re welcome. (pauses) I, um… I just wanted to make it up to you. I’ve been upset about you working away from home. But, after seeing how happy you are with your job, I realized there’s no reason to fight about it. Actually… Seeing you so happy made me feel happy too.

Naoki:

Uh… Okay? Wait… Who are you, and what have you done with my wife?

Saori:

(laughs) What?

Naoki:

Well, you’re not acting like yourself. Aren’t you supposed to convince me to go back to Tokyo with you?

Saori:

(laughs) Well, that was my plan, but I’m not going to do that anymore. It’s clear that you enjoy working here, and I’m truly happy for you. Naoki, I’m… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten so mad at you before.

Naoki:

That’s funny. You don’t usually say sorry either. Are you sick or something?

Saori:

(laughs) I don’t often apologize because I’m usually right about everything.

Naoki:

(laughs) Now, that is really you!

TRIVIA

The phrase Who are you, and what have you done with someone? is used to point out a person’s change in behavior. It comes from the idea that a person is acting differently because his/her body was taken over by an alien or other creature.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

The underlined expressions are close but not quite correct. Correct them.

  1. I heard the bathroom door close. That’s fun. I’m alone at home now.
  2. Amy, did you just say that you love pop music? You always talk about how horrible it is! What are you, and what have you done with Amy?
  3. Matthew used to like to chat with everyone, but recently he just sits at his computer and works quietly. He’s not acting by himself.

STEP B EXERCISE

Choose the correct follow-up sentence.

1. Maya, you want to go to the beach? Who are you, and what have you done with Maya? __________!

  • You love the beach
  • You hate the beach

2. Have you seen Eddie recently? He’s not acting like himself. __________.

  • He used to try hard at school, but recently he doesn’t even do his homework
  • He’s always studied hard, and he’s gotten a perfect score on every test this month

3. The lights were on when I came home. That’s funny… __________.

  • I often forget to turn them off
  • I know I turned them off this morning

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your best friend hates to exercise. However, he/she just sent you a message asking if you could sign up for a yoga class with him/her. Call your friend and talk about it.

Today's Expressions

  • act like oneself
  • Who are you, and what have you done with someone?
  • funny

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR
2

A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PERSON
3

ACTING LIKE ONESELF
1

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR

  1. Do you think your behavior has changed at all recently?
  2. What are some possible reasons for a sudden change in behavior?
  3. Do you think changes in behavior are always bad?
  4. Do you think it’s easy for people to change their behavior?

2A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PERSON

  1. Do you ever wish that you could be a totally different person?
  2. Do you agree that having kids should make you a totally different person?
  3. What would make someone become a totally different person (ex. a realization, an incident)?
  4. Would you say that you’re a totally different person than you were 15 years ago?

3ACTING LIKE ONESELF

  1. What does acting like yourself mean for you (ex. always smiling, being quiet)?
  2. When was the last time you didn’t act like yourself?
  3. In what kind of situations do people not act like themselves?
  4. What would you do if a friend weren’t acting like himself/herself?

FEEDBACK

I can point out that someone is behaving strangely.

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