This lesson is based on one of my most popular Instagram post to date. You can use it with B2+ students and higher. Use it/Adapt it to your heart’s content. If you use it, leave your comments below! 🙂
A Read the conversation. Is Ann seeing anyone at the moment? How about Sue?
Ann: Are you still seeing that Bruce guy?
Sue: You mean Bernie?
Ann: Yeah, the chef.
Sue: Hmm… Let’s just say that things went sour after a while. And how are things going between you and the astronaut?
Ann: You mean Ethan? Well, he said he needed some space, so you can imagine how things turned out.
B Read the information in the box and check. Then explain how the blue words in the conversation are connected.
C Here are other stories of unrequited love. Match 1-5 to a-e.
1 She fell in love with a cardiologist,
2 She fell in love with an investor,
3 She fell in love with an accountant,
4 She fell in love with an athlete,
5 She fell in love with an astrologer,
a but things didn’t add up.
b but he broke her heart.
c but he didn’t invest in her.
d but he didn’t want to go the distance.
e but their stars didn’t align.
Click here to check.
D Complete 1-5 with the professions in the box. If necessary, click on the underlined words and expressions to look up their figurative meanings.
1 She fell in love with _______________, but there was no spark.
2 She fell in love with _______________, but their romance didn’t blossom.
3 She fell in love with _______________, but he turned out to be a bitter pill to swallow.
4 She fell in love with _______________, but their love is out of tune.
5 She fell in love with _______________, but their love is half-baked.
Now try 6-8. No clues this time!
6 She fell in love with ________________, but they weren’t on the same page.
7 She fell in love with ________________, but there is no chemistry between them.
8 She fell in love with ________________, but things weren’t spicy enough.
Click here to check.
E Now write two ‘She fell in love…’ sentences using some of the phrases below in the correct tense.
F Share your sentences with the rest of the class and, optionally, post them on bit.ly/3tYVp3g.
G Watch the video excerpts. What is each person saying? Underline the correct answers.
1 People [were / weren’t] happy about it.
2 People [became/remained] friends.
3 Things happened [as planned / by chance].
4 We [need / don’t need] your help to keep going.
5 This [makes / doesn’t make] sense.
6 Things turned out [badly / well] between us.
7 Employees need to [think in a similar fashion / work hard].
8 We [are / aren’t] doing things differently from other countries.
9 It’s a [dull / terrible] relationship.
10 The integration [feels incomplete / is terrible].
[Answers: 1. weren’t / 2. became / 3. by chance / 4. need / 5. doesn’t make / 6. badly / 7. think in a similar fashion / 8. are / 9. dull / 10. feels incomplete]
Wow! Can’t wait to use it with my groups, Luiz! I loved the way you turned the tweets and post into this amazing lesson! And kept us all engaged, like I am sure the students will be.
Thanks, Carina! Let me know how it goes, ok?
Very creative and fun class! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
You deserve a nice tap on your shoulder fia a job well done! Thank you very much!
Thank you, David!
Amazing! I’m definitely gonna try this activity next week! Thanks a lot.
Thanks, Yasmine! Let me know how it goes,
ok?
Great lesson! I’ll definitely give it a try.
Thanks, Valdir. Let me know how it goes, ok?
Amazing, Luiz.
I’m gonna try it with one of my classes. I’m sure they will love it.
Thanks, Sérgio. Let me know how it goes, ok?
Just so excited about my next class. Going to use it for sure. Thanks. As usual, you rock
Thanks, Ligia. Let me know how it goes, ok?
Great class! I’ve just used it with a mixed group (B1 and B2) and they loved it. Thank you, Luiz
Wow! So it worked with B1 as well! Great! Thanks for letting me know.
Passando para dizer que acabei de usar a aula com uma aluna particular e ela amou, aprendeu muitas expressões novas! Thank you so much!
Que legal, Paula! De que nível ela é?
I was blown away by your creativity! Man, you just nailed it! Thanks for sharing your amazing work! Pleased to meet you!
Thank you for your kind words, Eliane! Please to meet you, too!
Just passing by to tell you I’ve just finished this lesson with a C1 student and the class was amazing! She really enjoyed it!!
Thanks!!
Loved it! My students had a blast creating their own!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!
Love it! Thanks a lot! I definitely gonna use it too. Congrats! =) That part (Figurative Language) reminds me of this episode of The Big Bang Theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvlWZ3mODJA
What a great lesson! Use it with 2 intermediate students. They loved it! Thank you so much for sharing!
Dear Luiz,
Nice to meet you. My name is Michal and I am responsible for the trainings / lectures for the senior faculty members at Ariel University. “Travelling” the net, I came across your book ” The Only Academic Phrasebook You’ll Ever Need: 600 Examples of Academic Language ” . A subject we believe there is always something to learn and develop in.
This is why I wanted to ask you: Do you deliver a Zoom lecture in this topic?
If the lecture can suit you, I would be happy for price quote. (by the way, it is possible for us to have several sessions with a time interval in the middle for homework and practice)
Thank you and All the best,
Michal
Michal Shainberger
Ariel University
So funny. I love it! I fell in love with a musician but the timing was off. I fell in love with a student but he didn’t make the grade.
Thanks for sharing such an amazing lesson! I ‘m eager to use it with my students!
Thank you!