Power

Pronunciation

Focus on Encouraging Others

Part 1: Make sure that you know where the stress falls in each word. Mark the stressed syllable in each word. I have uploaded the FlashCard Elite file for these words to Week 3.

tiredeverythingbotheringclassesdiscouraged

concernsattendingworriedprettyencouraged

dedicatedseriouslyreasonableadvantagetearjerker

dramaromanticfictionhorroralready

Part 2: Read the dialogue below. When you are comfortable with the language, circle the words that you think are stressed. Read it out loud. Try to make it as natural and as full of feeling as possible. Then listen to the dialogue and see if your stress pattern is similar. If there are differences, think about why. Is there a right and wrong way to stress the sentences?

Situation 1: Good language learners develop a tolerance for not being able to understand every word and they focus on the main idea.

Mark:Hi Mitch. How are you doing? You look tired. Is everything OK?

Mitch:Oh, hi, Mark. I’m fine. Well, really, just OK, I guess.

Mark:Just OK? What is it that’s bothering you? Your classes?

Mitch:Well, yeah, kind of. I mean…to tell you the truth, I feel, I’m feeling a little discouraged.

Mark:I’m sorry to hear that. What’s got you down?

Mitch:I have a few concerns about attending school.

Mark:Are you saying you are worried about your grades?

Mitch:Not so much that. My grades are pretty good. It’s just that I feel that I don’t really fit in.

I’m more than twice your age, Mark, and I have kids and all and everyone else, well…

Mark:Mitch! Your age doesn’t matter. I think it’s great you’re in school. Just by the fact that

you are here has encouraged all of us. And not only that, you work hard and are so

dedicated.

Mitch:Really? The other students think I work hard? They don’t think I should be at home?

Maybe I am taking it too seriously. I shouldn’t worry so much.

Mark: Your feelings are reasonable. I would probably feel the same way, but hang in there. Why

don’t you do something to get your mind off it? Hey, Mitch. Let’s take advantage of our

day off this week and watch a movie.

Mitch: A movie? What kind? I’m not in the mood for a tearjerker. A sad drama would make me

feel worse.

Mark:And I hate science fiction and horror films, so that leaves an action-adventure film or

maybe a romantic comedy? Popcorn, soda, no kids, no homework. Come on Mitch!

Mitch:OK, OK, Mark. I’m feeling better already. Give me a call on Friday, and we’ll choose a

movie. And thanks for listening.

Mark:You’d do the same for me. Talk to you on Friday. Bye, Mitch.

Mitch:Bye, Mark.

Part 3: When your friends are discouraged, what do you do to encourage them? When you are discouraged, what do you want your friends to do for you? Sometimes people simply want you to listen to their problems – that alone will help them feel better. Refer to the “Useful Expression” box at the end of this chapter, and then role-play with a partner two of the situations in the following list. In one role-play, play the person with the problem. Then play the listener and sympathizer in the other role-play. Before you offer any suggestions, practice listening to the problem carefully, restating the problem, and sympathizing. You may find this hard to do. Decide when it might be best no to suggest a solution at all. Here are the role-playing situations:

  1. You got an F on a test, and you feel depressed.
  2. You forgot about an assignment that is due today, and you feel terrible.
  3. You got fired from your job, and you are not sure why.
  4. You want to quit your job because of an unfair supervisor.
  5. You lost your girlfriend (or boyfriend) because you didn’t spend enough time with her/him.
  6. You feel homesick, and you want to return to your native country.
  7. You got a ticket for speeding and you think it isn’t fair.
  8. Your husband never helps around the house, and you need more help.
  9. Your in-laws demand too much of your free time, and you are frustrated.