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Superstitions. Speaking exercise

Introduction

Conversation class on Superstitions

Conversation class on Superstitions

In this week's English lesson we will be talking about Superstitions, and looking at the grammatical construction it's + adjective + to.

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CLASS 1 - The origin of superstitions

Quote on superstitions

Quote on superstitions

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In this first class we will be looking at a quote by Chuck Palahniuk, and discussing some questions based on vocabulary related to superstitions. We also recommend that you take some time to study the common pronunciation problems and common mistakes that our students make.

 

Quote:

Discuss the following quote with your native English teacher via Skype:

 

"What we don't understand we can make mean anything."

Chuck Palahniuk

 

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Questions to discuss with your teacher:

1. Where do superstitions come from?

2. Why do people believe in superstitions? Do you believe in superstitions?

 


Check your pronunciation of the vocabulary with your native English teacher, and discuss the questions below.

Vocabulary Question
Superstition What is superstition?
Culture How does culture affect superstition?
Evil Spirits Why do people belive that evil spirits harm us?
Coincidence What is the difference between superstition and coincidence?
Supernatural What is your opinion about supernatural forces?

 


Common pronunciation problems 

  • Supernatural SupernaturalIn British English

  • Myth MythIn British English

  • Culture CultureIn British English

 

Common mistakes

   
✘ I have very lucky. ✔ I am very lucky.
✘ I am very superstition. ✔ I am very superstitious.
✘ It's bad luck walking under a ladder. ✔ It's bad luck to walk under a ladder.

CLASS 2 - The influence of superstitions

Is the number 13 lucky or unlucky?

Is the number 13 lucky or unlucky?

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In this class we will be looking at questions and vocabulary related to the influence of superstitions on our daily lives.

 

We also recommend you watch the video before your English class to be able to discuss it with your English teacher.

 

 

unknown.pngQuestions to discuss with your teacher:

1. What are some superstitions that exist in your country/culture?

2. What is a superstition that you believe in?

 

Check your pronunciation of the vocabulary with your native English teacher, and discuss the questions below.

Vocabulary Question
Myth In what way are myths like superstions?
Luck If you believe in superstitions, will you receive good luck?
Horoscope Do you consider horoscopes to be superstitious? Why?
Shooting Star What do people usually do when they see a shooting star?
Miracle Have you ever been a witness of a miracle? Explain.

 

 

Now discuss the video with your English teacher in your online conversation classes via Skype:

Click to do the English listening exercise on this video!

CLASS 3 - Facts to know about superstitious beliefs

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reading.pngReading Practice:

This article talks about intersting facts on some of our superstitious beliefs. Read and discuss the article with your native-speaking English teacher online via Skype:

 

Are you superstitious? Fun Facts to know about some of our superstitious beliefs." Read more… 

 

Questions to discuss with your English teacher

1. What impression did Diane Duyser think appeared on her toasted cheese sandwich in 1994?

2. What did baseball great Wade Boggs eat before every game?

3. What is thought to being good luck when hung over a door way?

4. At what age do people become less superstitious?

5. What is a common superstition for pilots?

 

Irregular Verbs

Present Past Participle
Burn Burnt Burnt
See Saw Seen
Understand Understood Understood

CLASS 4: Grammar Review

English grammar review

English grammar review

It's + adjective + to

We use the grammatical construction it's + adjective + to to describe a verb, putting emphasis on the adjective. We can also use this construction with it's good luck to and it's bad luck to, which is very useful when talking about superstitions.

 

Examples:

  • It's good luck to see two magpies.
  • It's bad luck to walk under a ladder.
  • It's unusual to see a shooting star.
  • It's easy to believe in superstitions.
     
  • It's ridiculous to think that Friday 13th is an unlucky day.
 

Writing Practice


Improve your English writing skills by choosing one of the following essay questions, and sending it to us for correction.

 

  • Intermediate essay question
    Are you a superstitious person? Discuss two common superstitions in your country.

 

  • Advanced essay question 
    Do you think superstitions are less common now than they used to be 100 years ago? Discuss the reasons superstitions are so widely believed and talk about how that has changed over time.


We will reply within 48 hours with the corrected text, clearly marking your mistakes, and a feedback sheet, which you can use to improve your future written work.

 

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Improve your English speaking skills


See our other English conversation lessons, to improve your grammar and vocabulary, and practice your reading and listening skills.

 

And don't forget to book your online English conversation classes with one of our native English-speaking teachers to put into practice what you’ve learned in this lesson.

 

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Practicar inglés avanzado con Greg Pioli

Gregory Stephen Pioli

Owner of OLA Online Language Academy

★Degree in French (University of Kent at Canterbury)
★DELE Superior (Spanish) (Instituto Cervantes, Leeds)
★TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) (i-to-i.com)

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