It Must Be Love...

Task 1:
Read the sentences below about dating customs for British teenagers. Some
are traditional ideas and some are still true now. Discuss with your partner:
(a) Which of these customs do you think are old-fashioned ideas and
which are still used now?
(b) Are any of these customs also true for Poland? If not, what are the
differences?

It is always the male who asks the The male should always pay any bills
female for the date. on the date (food, drink, tickets etc).

Young people often ask their friends to Dating people from other social
ask for a date on their behalf. classes is often considered wrong.

A first date might simply be sitting in a A boy should ask permission from the
bus stop or park and talking. father of the girl he wishes to date.

Some religions do not allow dating. It is normal for a couple to have met
Parents choose a husband or wife for each other before (e.g. at school, at a
their child when they are old enough. sports club) before going on a date.

Task 2:
Write a definition next to the word or phrase.
1. to fancy (v) ________________________________________

2. to chat up (pv) ________________________________________

3. blind date ________________________________________

4. arranged marriage ______________________________________________________

5. equality (n) ______________________________________________________

6. social class (n) ______________________________________________________

7. to go out with (pv) ______________________________________________________

8. long distance relationship _______________________________________________

Task 3:
With your partner, discuss five other differences in dating customs for
teenagers now compared with when your parents or grandparents were in
their teens.

Topic: Dating Customs Level: Upper-Intermediate

 It Must Be Love...
Level: Class Size: Age: Time:
Upper-intermediate Any Teenagers 35 mins approx
Main Aim: Assumptions: Possible Problems
To introduce topic of modern and Students have some knowledge of Students are too shy to talk
old-fashioned dating customs current customs. about subject.
Syllabus Links: Syllabus Fit: Cultural Links:
Dating (English File Upper- Leads in to exercises in EF 1A Dating customs
Intermediate File 1A) concerning ‘speeddating’.
Materials Needed:
Student Worksheets, Dictionaries
Timing: Procedure: Sub-Aims:
Draw on the board a stickman. Write underneath his name (make
one up). Introduce him to the class. Now draw a stickwoman and
name her. Tell the class that on Monday they went to the cinema,
00:00- To introduce context of
on Tuesday to a restaurant and on Wednesday to the theatre.
02:00 lesson
Write the letter ‘D’ on the board and ask for a word which
describes what the couple are doing. If the students are
struggling, give them other letters until they get it.

Give the students the list of customs. Tell them that these are
customs which have been or are true for teenagers who are To extend knowledge on
dating in England. Ask them to discuss in pairs which customs are relevant customs. To check
02:00- still used and also any differences in Polish customs. Go round, and revise language
12:00 monitor and prompt where necessary. Most of the language here already known connected
should be accessible. with dating.
Once the students have done this in pairs, discuss as a class. You
can add extra information where necessary.

Direct the group’s attention to Task 2. Here is a list of phrases

12:00- which are connected to the customs they have just discussed. Ask
To input new vocabulary
25:00 them to work in pairs to try to define what the phrases mean. If
they need help, tell them which custom the phrase relates to.

Ask the pairs to use some of the words they have learnt and any
extra knowledge they have to think of other differences in dating To check understanding
25:00-
customs compared to when their parents or grandparents were and use vocabulary in a
35:00
teenagers. Get them to share any interesting ideas or ideas which free-speaking activity
might prompt discussion with the rest of the class.

At this point you can introduce the idea of Speeddating as a new

35:00
dating concept and use the relevant activities from English File As per File 1A in textbook
onwards
Upper-Intermediate 1A

Suggestions for Definitions (Task 2)

- to fancy = to think someone is attractive
- to chat up = to say nice things to someone to persuade them to date you
- blind date = a date where you have never met the person before
- arranged marriage = where someone else chooses your wife or husband
- equality = the idea that men and women should be treated the same
- social class = your position in society
- to go out with = to date
- long distance relationship = to date someone who lives in a different city or country

Topic: Dating Customs Level: Upper-Intermediate