CONVERSATION CLASS #1

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

WARM UP: APPEARANCES

Talk for no more than 1 minute. Say your name, welcome sts, mention the topic and give instructions for the first
activity.

1- Discuss in pairs and write down your answers.

1. How old am I? 4. Am I a quiet or active person?

2. Am I an introverted or an extroverted person? 5. What do I like doing in my free time?
3. Am I an early bird or a night owl? 6. Am I responsible or irresponsible?

2- First, share your answers with the other pair and mention how you reached that conclusion. Are there any
similarities? Now, share your answers with the teacher. Who has more correct answers?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS - PICTURES

3- Pictures: Look at the pictures and decide who you would like to meet and why. (the images are at the end)

4- Group discussion: How do people make their initial judgments? What things do people pay attention to? What do
they look or listen for? Make a list.

How long does it take to form an opinion about someone?

5- Video watching: watch the video and check if your ideas were right. Add any other idea that you consider important.

https://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/FirstImpressions.htm (man)

http://time.com/5374799/best-first-impression-experts/ (woman, no subtitles)

Research evidence: people form their opinion of someone in the first 3 – 7 seconds. Do you agree with that?

6- Describe the pictures.

Where are they? (in a job interview) Who will get the job? Why?
Relate the sentences to each character.
He / she is sitting up straight.
He / she is slouching in his / her chair.
He / she is wearing smart clothes.
He / she is wearing untidy clothes.
He / she is smiling.
He / she is frowning.
He / she is making eye contact.
He / she is avoiding eye contact.
His / her face, hair and hands are clean.
ABOUT YOU

Do you think first impressions are always right? What do you think people think of you when they meet you for the first
time? Do you give a positive or negative impression? Take down notes.

Useful language:
I agree/disagree.
I think that…
In my opinion, I believe (that)
I think people see me as…(a friendly/ quiet/ talkative/ interesting/ boring person).

5- Do you remember the first time you met each other? Write down what you thought about your partner. Was your
first impression right? Did it change? How?

6- Describe your partner. Write two or three sentences and then share.

7- Introduce yourself. Use the following information to help you:

Name – age – nationality – occupation – personality - likes/dislikes – hobbies – family – aspirations/dreams

8- Write down your first impression of the class.