body language and gestures/ functional language review/ cultural training
New Headway Pre-Intermediate Unit 12
Mime to represent the expressions in one of the boxes below. Give five points to the person who guesses first, and then one point to anyone who can think of another way of saying the same thing and/ or other things that could go with the same gesture (for example, the other expressions in the same box). Discuss if those are good gestures for those phrases, then take turns doing the same. To make it difficult to guess, deal the cards out or not look below when it’s your turn to guess.
| Excuse me/ Can I get past? | Oh, what a pity!/ That’s a shame!/ I’m so sorry to hear that! | That’s right./ That’s correct. | Okay./ All right. | |
| Hurry up/ You’re late | Just a minute./ Just a moment./ Just a second./ Hang on./ Just a mo./ Just a sec. | Time’s up./ Stop talking. | Time out./ Let’s take a break. | |
| I haven’t a clue./ I have no idea./ I (really) don’t know. | Good luck! | See you (later/ tomorrow). | Excuse me (waiter!/ can I ask you a question?) | |
| Pardon/ Can you say that again?/ Can you repeat that?/ I’m afraid I didn’t hear you. | Thank you so much!/ Thanks a lot!/ I’m very grateful!/ I’m so grateful! | Congratulations!/ That’s great news!/ I’m so happy for you!/ I’m so happy to hear that! | Here you are./ Here you go. | |
When your teacher stops you, share a gesture you agreed was good and see what the class thinks about it.
Ask about anything above you aren’t sure about, brainstorming suitable gestures and other phrases as a class each time.
Do you know any cultural differences in these kinds of gestures in different countries?
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Related pages
Functional language reviews page
