Lesson 3: Expressing Your Thoughts

Part 1: Express Your Feelings

Sometimes in conversation, it is important to learn how to express your feelings to a person or to a situation. Knowing how to express your feelings will let others know that you do care about them or about the situation…..which will eventually improve your relationship with that person.

• I feel ______________________ (today / [felt] yesterday).
• I understand how you feel: I feel ______________(too).
• You must feel ___________________.
• You must be feeling ______________.
  

Words you can use: delighted, relaxed, relieved, confident,
irritated, disappointed, uncertain, helpless, offended, etc.

For more feeling words, please visit:
http://www.cnvc.org/feelings.htm
or
http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/assess/feelings.html

Activity: By the end of the class, I want everybody to give me one feeling word about how they feel at that moment and why.

Part 2: Breaking the News

In everyday conversation, we like to use the term “break the news” to make something known. They can be good or bad depending on the situation.

Breaking good news to someone:

• I (we) got some (a bit of) good news for you, ____________________________________.
• We would like to _______________________.
• I’m really pleased to tell you that _______________________________________.
• Congratulations (on _________________).
• That’s fantastic/ great/ wonderful (news).
• I’m really happy for you.
• I’m really happy about __________________.
• Wow!/ Really?

Sometimes, you may want to ask a follow-up question:

• Are you excited/ nervous?
• So when did you___________________?
• So are you going to _________________.

Breaking bad news to someone:

• I’m afraid __________________________.
• I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news for you: _____________________________________.
• Unfortunately, (I’m afraid) __________________.
• I’ve got some bad news for you __________________.
• I hate to break the news: _________________________.
• You must be feeling ________________.
• That must have been (absolutely) _____________.
• I’m so sorry to hear about _____________________.
• That’s terrible/ awful.

Sometimes, you may want to follow-up by lending your ear or offering help if that person needed.

• Any time you need/ want to talk just call me/ just come to me.
• If you ever need to talk to someone just call me/ just come to me.
• If there is anything I can do, just let me know.

Activity: Have someone ever break news to you? If so, is it good or bad? How do you respond?

Listening Activity: Listen for the bad news in this dialogue.
What is the bad news in this dialogue?

I was at the hospital at with my friend, Wendy. Her father was in an accident and she was waiting to talk to the doctor.

Doctor: Hello, I’m Dr. Johnson. How are you holding up?

Wendy: Oh, I’m fine. Is there any news?

Doctor: Yes. I have examined your father’s test results and I’m afraid the news isn’t good. His condition has deteriorated rapidly, and I want you to prepare for the worst.

Wendy: You’re not saying that he won’t recover, are you?

Doctor: We can hope for the best, but your father may only have a few days. I’m very sorry.

Wendy: Can I see my father?

Doctor: Yes, of course.

Part 3: Making Mistakes and Apologies

Sometimes when we make a mistake, the most simple thing to say immediately is "I’m sorry".

• I’m really sorry, (name), I didn’t mean to ______________.
• I’m so sorry _______________________________.
• Sorry about/ for ____________________________.
• I would like to apologize for ______________________.

Sometimes, instead of apologizing, you might be regret at doing something:

• I shouldn’t have ___________________.
• I wish I hadn’t ______________________.
• It’s thoughtless of me to do such a thing.
• It’s careless of me to do so.

Accepting apologies:

When accepting apologies, you can say:
That’s OK/ No problem/ Don’t worry about it/ No worries, etc.

Part 4: Making Complaints

Sometimes when you feel annoyed by someone or by someone’s action, you might want to make your feelings known by complaining.

• It’s unreasonable/ unfair/ ridiculous _________________.
• That’s (really/ absolutely)(unfair/ unreasonable/ ridiculous) __________________________.
• I would like you to ___________________.
• I think you should _______________________.
• I’m tired of ____________________.
• I’m sick of _____________________.
• I’m sick and tired of _________________.

Part 5: Asking a Favor

Asking a favor means asking somebody to do something for you…

• Can I ask (you) a favor?
• May I ask you a favour?
• Do you mind if I ask you a favor?
• Can you help me?
• Would you give me a hand?
• Would you please help me?

You can respond by saying:

• I’ll be glad to
• I’d be happy to
• It’s no bother
• With pleasure
• Love to
• Of course

Idioms of lesson 3:

Bonkers
Nuts
Get out of the wrong side of the bed
Grab a bite to eat