Picture-based discussion

Here are some sentences students said about families.

Each sentence contains a mistake.

Can you find and correct the mistake?

1. If you have older brothers and sisters, they can giving you useful advice.

2. In a big family, never you may learn to be independent.

3. So your family is small, you probably have your own bedroom.

4. Your brothers and sisters can play by you when your parents are busy.

Choose from the words below to complete the expressions used for giving opinions.

as        in         to         on

1. ______ my experience , a small family is better.

2. According _______ a TV programme I saw, there are fewer big families now.

3. As far _____ I’m concerned, the bigger the better.

4. It depends _______ where you live, but I prefer small families.

TIPS: When you study for speaking tasks like this, practise several times. Each time concentrate on a different factor, e.g. choice of vocabulary, pronunciation, speaking fluently, and so on.

Look at the two photos of families. Compare and contrast them. Include the following points.

advice and support

independence

space at home

attention form parents

ROLE-PLAY

Work in pairs and role-play presented problematic situations. Try to sort them out by giving advice and recommendations. All of the role-plays are related to family relationships.

You are 18 years old. Your boyfriend, who you have been dating for 2 weeks, has proposed to you. You love him, but you are not sure what to do. You ask your parents for an advice …

Your daughter, who is 18 years old, tells you that her boyfriend, whom she has been dating for 2 weeks, has proposed to her. She loves him and asks you for an advice …

Your wife has got a new job in another country. You don’t want to move, but this is a good opportunity for her. You have a daughter of 8 years and you are not sure that such changes will be good for her. Discuss the situation with you wife.

You have got a new job in another country. You husband doesn’t want to move, but this is a good opportunity for YOU. You have a daughter of 8 years. Discuss the situation with your husband.

You are 18 years old. You want to join the army, because your country is involved into a military conflict and you want to protect your motherland. Convince your parents to let you go.

Your son / daughter is 18 years old. He/ she wants to join the army, because your country is involved into a military conflict and he/she wants to protect the motherland. Discuss the situation with your child.

You’ve got a chance to move to another country for a permanent residence. You can’t decide what to do, because all your relatives live in your home town, you’ve got a great job in here. You ask your friend for an advice.

Your friend has got a chance to move to another country for a permanent residence. He/she is quite an indecisive person and needs your advice.

You’ve won the beauty contest “Miss World” and you’re supposed to travel the whole year doing some charity work all over the world. But during this year you can’t work, can’t get married, can’t have any boyfriend, can’t live in your country , etc.  Talk to you parents and decide what to do…

Your daughter has  won the beauty contest “Miss World” and she is supposed to travel the whole year doing some charity work all over the world. But during this year she can’t work, can’t get married, can’t have any boyfriend, can’t live in with you, etc.  She is only 19. Talk to her and decide what to do…