Lesson 6: Long-Distance Relationships
She was worried that her boyfriend would cheat on her.

I can listen to and understand someone talking about long-distance relationships.

INTRODUCE

Thanks to technology and increased globalization, long-distance relationships are becoming more and more common.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.

    1. To be open with someone means to talk to someone about your feelings.

     

    You have to be open with your boyfriend and let him know how you feel.

     

    Q: Are you open with your parents?

     

     

    2. To cheat on someone means to be unfaithful to someone by having an affair.

     

    He said he would never cheat on her.

     

    Q: Why is it bad to cheat on someone?

     

     

    3. To make it work means to fix something (like a relationship).

     

    We have some problems, but I think that if we try hard enough, we can make it work.

     

    Q: Should you always try hard to make a relationship work?

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When the letter t appears between two vowel sounds, it is often pronounced as /d/.
Phrase Example

cheat on

/ cheedon /

She wouldn’t / cheedon / her boyfriend.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Mami is chatting with Kelsie while she clears out her desk at work.

TRIVIA

There are several idioms related to long-distance relationships. One is out of sight, out of mind, which means you will easily forget someone who you don’t see much anymore. Another idiom is absence makes the heart grow fonder, which means being apart from someone you love makes you love the person even more.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Complete the sentences using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

be open with someone
cheat on someone
make it work

1. Janice cried when her boyfriend _____.

2. Lori wants to end her relationship with Adam, but Adam wants to try to _____.

3. If he wants their relationship to last, he has to _____.

STEP B EXERCISE

Are the underlined expressions used correctly? If not, change the sentences.

  1. Alice is cheating on her boyfriend. She’s not seeing anyone except him.
  2. George values honesty in a relationship. He wants to be open with his girlfriend.
  3. It’s hard to be in a long-distance relationship, but you should try your best to make it work.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You’re watching your favorite variety show, which is doing a segment on long-distance relationships today. Listen to the segment. Then, call your friend and talk about the show.

Today's Expressions

  • be open with someone
  • cheat on someone
  • make it work

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS
2

LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS
3

BEING OPEN
1

LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS

  1. What are some good ways to keep long-distance relationships healthy?
  2. Do you know anyone who has a successful long-distance relationship?
  3. Do you think being in a long-distance relationship is worth it?
  4. Does technology help make long-distance relationships work?

2LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS

  1. What are some common problems that people have in long-distance relationships?
  2. Is language always a huge problem in long-distance relationships?
  3. Do cultural differences cause problems in long-distance relationships?
  4. Do you think jealousy is common in long-distance relationships?

3BEING OPEN

  1. Are you open with everyone in your family?
  2. Are you open with your friends?
  3. Are you open with your coworkers/classmates?
  4. Can you be open with someone you just met?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand someone talking about long-distance relationships.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK