lesson 6. first impressions

Lesson 6. First Impressions


Learning ObjectivesAfter this lesson, students will be able to:

Lesson Objectives 1

1. Define what first impression is.2. Restate ways to start a small talk.3. Classify vocabularies related to first impressions.4. Discuss ways on how to make a good impression.5. Identify semantic difference in use and structure of the copular verbs Look, Seem

and Appear.6. Define idiomatic expressions using context clues.7. Distinguish the words with the schwa /ə/ sound and pronounce words.

Warm Up 2

What would you do to create a good impression in these situations:

a) at a job interview; b) when giving a

presentation; c) at a drinks reception as

part of a professional event, such as a conference;

d) at the beginning of a sales negotiation.

e) meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time

f) first day at schoolg) on a first dateh) at a judge court hearingi) at an audition for a TV

commercialj) at a meeting with the

Queen of England.


Introduction 3

What is First Impression?In psychology, a first impression is the event when one person first encounters anotherperson and forms a mental image of that person. Impression accuracy variesdepending on the observer and the target (person, object, scene, etc.) being observed.First impressions are based on a wide range of characteristics: age, race, culture,language, gender, physical appearance, accent, posture, voice, number of peoplepresent, and time allowed to process. The first impressions individuals give to otherscould greatly influence how they are treated and viewed in many contexts of everydaylife.

Are first impressions always

accurate? Why or why not?


Discussion 4

Small talk is the kind of conversation you make when you want to talk to someone but neither of you wants to get

into a very deep or complicated conversation. It’s “small” because you talk about unimportant things, in a way that fills up silences and makes you both feel more comfortable and friendly with each other.

Talking about the weather• Beautiful day, isn't it?• Can you believe all of this rain we've been having?(add more) …

Talking about current events•Did you catch the news today?•Did you hear about that fire on Fourth St?(add more)…

At the office• Looking forward to the weekend?•Have you worked here long?

(add more)…

Out for a walk• How old's your baby?• What's your puppy's name?

(add more)…

At a social event• So, how do you know Justin?• Have you tried the cabbage rolls that Sandy made?(add more)…

Waiting someone• I didn't think it would be so busy today.• The bus must be running late today.(add more)…


Vocabulary Building 5

Match the definition with the words/phrases.

A. to make one’s mind up

B. a done dealC. to get it from

someoneD. to talk nonstopE. to come acrossF. to be blown awayG. attireH. mannerismI. groomingJ. demeanor

1. to talk without pause or interruption2. something that has already been decided and won’t change3. to make a decision4. the impression you get about someone when you meet them – i.e

what you think of their behaviour or appearance 5. when someone makes a big impact on you6. to have a particular character trait like someone, often a parent or

family member 7. clothes, especially fine or formal ones.8. a habitual or characteristic manner, mode, or way of doing

something9. the things that you do to make your appearance clean and neat10.outward behavior or bearing.

Use each of the word/phrase in your own sentence.


Reading Exercise 6

Read the rest of the article by clicking the source below.

Source: How to Make a Good First Impression? – A2Z How to? (wordpress.com)

How to Make a Good First Impression?

Provide a synonym for each word:

key factor

trait

heed

abrupt

entity

slouching

bodily contact

pretense

Develop approachable and friendly body

language.

Avoid fidgeting. Relax.

Be confident in who you are.

Be calm and composed.

Be yourself.


https://a2zhowto.wordpress.com/2016/10/25/how-to-make-a-good-first-impression/

Reading Comprehension 7

Answer the questions below. Free Response1. True or False: • Having enough confidence is in itself a very

attractive trait. • You always need to be smartest or the most

physically appealing person to be confident about yourself.

• The belief that you’re good enough makes you appear annoying to others.

2. What can turn people off?1. When will people look forward to depending on

you?2. What becomes a bore and tiring soon?3. What is the consequence of presenting oneself

falsely?4. Why do you need to use the palm upwards gesture?5. What should you do if you want to convey to

someone that you are a strong, confident, deserving individual

18 things to say to ruin a first impression:Speculate reasons on why the following can ruin a first impression.

1) "It's nice to meet you. And, you are who again?"2) "Um" or "Uh“3) "How much money do you make?"4) "Hope you don't mind that I was late."5) "I couldn't stand my last boss. He was such a jerk."6) "Let me be honest."7. "I can't stand this weather.“8) "No. That can't be possible."9) "Sorry. I got a case of the Mondays."

10) "Do you believe in God?"11) "Who are you voting for this November?"12) "Hun" or "Sweetheart"13) "Congratulations! When are you due?“14) "I...I...I..."15) "Let me tell you about last night..."16) '"I think .../This may be a silly idea .../I'm going to ask a stupid question“17) "A guy walks into a bar...“18) "You don't look like what I expected."

confident


Listening Exercise

Listening 6.1

Supply the correct word/s asked in the parentheses.

First Impressions

1. I mean, she was really (3 words) , and she (4 words) with my studies and also (2words) a university.

2. I actually don't have a (3 words) my best friend, because I (4 words) and I knew him(6 words), so I actually don't have an (3 words).

3. (3 words) she had lots and lots of (1 word), and I didn't, and also she had (3 words)and my hair was very long (3 words) .

4. I am (2 words) when I see people (4 words) , and when I saw her, I just (3 words) her,and it was the same for her.

5. He's from Iran, and his name is [Firos]. He’s (2 words) , but I like him because he’s (1word).

6. The first impression of my best friend was that she was (2 words) and (2 words). I wasreally (2 words) her (3 words).

8


Grammar Bits 9


Look, seem and appear are all copular verbs and can be used in a similar way to indicate the impression

you get from something or somebody. Copular verbs join adjectives (or compounds noun) to subjects.

LOOK / SEEM + AS IF / LIKEAfter look and seem, but not normally after appear we can use an as if / like construction:• It looks as if it's going to rain again.

SEEM / APPEAR + TO + INFINITIVEAfter seem and appear we often use a to + infinitive construction (or a perfect infinitive construction for past events). We cannot use look in this way:• They appear to have run away from home. They cannot be

traced.

We can also use a that-clause after It seems?... and It appears..., but not after look. It looks... has to be followed by an as if / like clause:• It seems that I may have made a mistake in believing you

did this.

Look

to talk about facts and events.

Seemto talk about facts, but also to talk about personal feelings and ideas.

Appear

to talk about facts and events.

Note that appear and look also have non copular uses:• appear = (begin to) be seen - She has appeared in five

Broadway musicals since 2000.

• look = direct your eyes / search - I've looked through all the

drawers and through all my files.

Grammar Exercise 10

Give your first impression and explain. Use look, seem and appear.

1

5

2

6

3

7

4

8


Useful Expressions 12

Use context clues to define each expression.

MAKE/LEAVE AN IMPRESSION ON SOMEONE

“Tom made quite an impressionon the banker.”

FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE THE MOST LASTING.

LOOK A SIGHT

"He looked tired and had a five o'clock shadow."

“Angela is always impeccably dressed - never a hair out of place!”

CUT A DASH

“Wearing his uniform, my grandfather cut a dash on his wedding day.”

NOT/NEVER A HAIR OUT OF PLACE

FIVE O'CLOCK SHADOW

"She looks a sight in that dress!"

“George spent two hours pickingjust the right clothes to wear whenhe met the head of the law firm,

since he knew that firstimpressions are the most lasting.”


Speaking Drill 13

Express Yourself1. When you look at someone, what makes you think they are…

Dangerous Intelligent Not smart GenerousGreedy Kind Crazy

1. What are some good things to ask or not ask to someone you just met?2. What are some ways to overcome being nervous about meeting new people?3. What do you do if you forget the name of someone you've just been introduced to?4. What kind of people do you like to meet?5. Have you ever experienced being completely wrong in your first impression?6. What is the favourite topic for new acquaintances in your country?7. In your country, how do you know if you can trust a person that you meet?8. Are you a person who approaches someone first?9. What is the meaning of “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? 10. Do you try to make a different first impression now than you did in high school?11. Have you ever tried to make a great first impression but completely messed it up?12. In what jobs do people have to make very quick decisions based on first impressions?13. When and where did you meet most of your friends for the first time?14. Do you like to meet new people or do you prefer to hang out with people you already know?15. Have you met someone who you hated right away even though you didn’t know them?


Pronunciation Exercise

Read each word and identify which words have the schwa sound.

14

activity fist drum

dream chef


The schwa /ə/

What it is: A short vowel sound which is the most common in the English language. When spoken, it sounds like ‘uh’. In phonetics, it’s written as an upside down ‘e’: ə. As it is a reduced/unstressed sound, it emphasises a stressed sound even more, as they are usually next to each other.

How to make the sound: Your mouth should be slightly open with the tongue relaxed and in a neutral position. Saying a schwa does not take much effort. The sound is the minimum needed to show that there is a separate syllable.

Examples: difficult: /ˈdifəkəlt/ , physical: /ˈfizik(ə)l/ , medicine: /ˈmedəsən/

sip first chop

effort animal

The End

9

lesson 6. first impressions

Documents