O R A L P R A C T I C E Lessons 1 - 25 - Shenker

OP 21 - AURAL COMPREHENSION - Doug and Melanie (3)
- Here's a little story for you, about …
Another episode in Doug and Melanie's ongoing relationship. (See OP 8 and 15)
Key points: present perfect; difference between "meet" and "know" (both are "conoscere" in Italian).
There aren't many questions to ask, but sorting out the answers could take a while.
As a different kind of follow-up (*), you can have pairs of students act out the little scene:
CLASS: pairs of students compete for the Best Performance Award; IP: teacher takes one part.
“
“
Do you remember who Doug Macdonald and Melanie Mackinlay are…?
Well, Doug is madly in love with Melanie, as you must remember. He thinks he was very lucky to meet her,
and he will never forget the day they met. In his room Doug has an old calendar from two years ago. One day
in particular is marked on this calendar: Tuesday, the second of April. That's the day he met Melanie. He has
also marked the time they met: one twenty-two p.m.
On the second of April, every year, he thinks: "That's another year gone by. Another year that I've known
her. Another year since we met."
He calls Melanie to tell her, of course: "Today's our anniversary!"
When did Doug meet Melanie for the first time? Two years ago / in April / on the 2nd / at 1.22 p.m.
What is the date today? (the actual date - month and day) / And the time? […]
So how long has Doug known Melanie? […]
But it's a long time from one anniversary to the next, so Doug also COMMEMORATES the months that he has
known Melanie. On the second of every month, at exactly 1.22 p.m., Doug thinks: "That's another month
gone by. Another month that I've known her."
He counts the months, he counts the weeks, and he counts the days that he has known Melanie. He even
counts the hours and… yes, the minutes. But not the seconds - that would be a bit too much, even for Doug.
Does Doug only count the years that he has known Melanie?
No, he also counts the weeks, the days, the hours and the minutes.
But not the seconds? No, not the seconds.
(if it's not too personal:) Do you remember exactly when you met your husband /
wife / girlfriend / boyfriend? […]
So, how long have you known him / her? […]
Do you remember exactly when you started your Shenker course? […]
So, how long have you studied English with the Shenker Method? […]
Did you study English before you came here? […]
*So, how long have you really studied English? […]
(*) Tapescript. "Role-cards" for the students are available on the additional page following the Serial
exercise.
Possible segue:
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