A Love Story - Teachers notes

Preparation
Print out enough copies of the students handout for each student and enough copies of the
pictures for students to work in pairs.

Step 1: Guess the Story

Give each pair a set of pictures and have them guess the order of the story. Tell them this is
the story of a relationship, you have to put it in order you might want to put some simple
sequencers on the board: First, and then, afterwards, in the end etc.

When theyve finished choose a pair to tell their version of the story to the class, ask other
groups if their version is different.

Step 2: Listening
Tell students that you are going to tell them the real story and they have to listen and put their
pictures in the correct order. Read the story.

Step 3: Reading
Give out the handout but fold the paper so student cannot see the language focus exercise.
Students read the story and check that they have the pictures in the correct order.

Step 4: Meaning from context

Have students try to guess the meaning of the expressions in bold from the context in pairs.
Then go through the meanings on the board:

love at first sight fall in love when you first see someone
check sb out look at someone to decide if youre attracted to them
pluck up the courage be brave
chat sb up flirt with sb
ask sb out arrange a date
have a lot in common have shared interests
be made for each other a perfect match/couple
fall head over heels in love fall madly/deeply in love with sb
go out with sb be in a relationship
have a row argue
have a thing for sb be attracted to sb
break/split up end a relationship
get back together with sb repair a relationship
get down on one knee kneel on one knee
pop the question propose to sb
tie the knot get married
be in the doghouse with sb your partner is angry at you
worried sick v. worried
on the rocks in trouble, danger

Step 5: Language focus

Students turn the handout over and try to complete the expressions from memory; they
mustnt look at the text.
Students then unfold the paper to check their answers.

Step 6: Retell the story

Students turn the handout over and attempt to retell the story, using all the expressions, using
the pictures as prompts.

Step 7: Personalising
If appropriate, students describe a real relationship from their lives: How did you meet your
wife/husband? etc.

The Story
Work with a partner, look at the words in bold, what do you think they mean?

Tony and Tina met at a party, it was love at first sight, they were both checking each other out
for a while until Tony plucked up the courage to go and talk to Tina. He chatted her up for a
while then at the end of the night he asked for her number. He called her the next day to ask
her out and she said yes. They went out for coffee and discovered that they had so much in
common, they were made for each other! They fell head over heels in love and started going
out with each other straightaway. One night, they had a huge row because Tony thought that
Tina had a thing for his best friend. It was a horrible argument and they broke up but it wasnt
long before they got back together because they just couldnt stay apart.

2 years later Tony got down on one knee and popped the question to Tina, she said yes and 6
months later they tied the knot in front of their friends and family. A few years later Tony was
in the doghouse for a few weeks because he got really drunk with his friends and didnt come
home, Tina was worried sick. For a few days it looked like the marriage might be on the rocks
but she forgave him eventually and they both lived happily ever after.

Language Focus
Over the story and try to remember the missing words from the expressions.

1. It was love ____ first sight

2. They were both c_________ each other out
3. He chatted her _____ for a while.
4. He called her the next day to _____ her out.
5. They had so much in ______________.
6. They were made ______ each ___________.
7. They fell __________ over _________ in love.
8. Tina had a _____________for his best friend.
9. They ____________ up but it wasnt long before they got ___________ together
10. 2 years later Tony got __________ on one knee and ____________ the question to
Tina,
11. 6 months later they _________ the knot in front of their friends and family.
12. Tony was in the ____________ for a few weeks
13. Tina was worried ______________.
14. It looked like the marriage might be on the _____________ but she forgave him.