Lesson 6: Good and Bad Points
The best thing about this neighborhood is the people.

I can listen to and understand the good and bad points of a community.

INTRODUCE

Talking about the pros and cons of living in a neighborhood can help someone who is interested in moving or visiting there.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. Use on the bright side to say something good about a generally bad situation.

     

    The neighborhood is noisy and expensive, but on the bright side, we have a beautiful view of the bridge.

     

     

    2. Use one downside of something to say something negative about a thing or situation.

     

    One downside of having pets is that you always have to clean up their mess.

     

     

    3. Use the best thing about something to say your favorite part of a thing or situation.

     

    The best thing about living in Okinawa is the beaches.

     

    II. Describe your city using the expressions above.

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends in /t/ and the next word starts with a consonant sound, the /t/ is usually weakened into a stop.
Phrase Example

bright side

/ brahyʔ sahyd /

It’s raining hard, but on the / brahyʔ sahyd /, we can relax at home.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Kelsie just moved to a new neighborhood in Tokyo. After getting settled, she left Yuko a voicemail.

TRIVIA

Did you know that the term PET bottle is Japanese English? The proper English term is plastic bottle. The acronym PET actually comes from the chemical name polyethylene terephthalate. Many native speakers might think a PET bottle is a bottle for cats and dogs when they first come to Japan!

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

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

on the bright side
one downside of something
the best thing about something
Tutor:

So do you like your new neighborhood?

Student:

Yeah! _____ it is that it’s quiet.

Tutor:

Yeah, it’s quiet. But it’s also far from clubs. You used to love clubbing!

Student:

That’s true. _____ living here is that I have to travel for almost an hour to get to the clubs.

Tutor:

Really? That’s too bad.

Student:

Yeah, I’m a little sad about that. But _____, I’m saving a lot of money now!

STEP B EXERCISE

Choose which of the two neighborhoods you want to move to. Then, explain your choice using the expressions in the box and the information below. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

on the bright side
one downside of something
the best thing about something

Susukino (Sapporo)

Kourijima (Okinawa)

  • many restaurants and entertainment places (theater, karaoke)
  • noisy and crowded

  • ocean view
  • separate from mainland
  • 90-min drive from the capital

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your friend are fans of Vanderlust, an online celebrity. He just uploaded a new video to his social media account. Listen to the video. Then, call your friend to talk about it.

Today's Expressions

  • on the bright side
  • one downside of something
  • the best thing about something

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

NEIGHBORHOODS
2

GARBAGE AND RECYCLING
3

MOVING TO A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD
1

NEIGHBORHOODS

  1. What’s your ideal neighborhood?
  2. What’s one downside of your current neighborhood?
  3. What are the good and bad points of your neighborhood for children who live there?
  4. What are the good and bad points of your neighborhood for the elderly who live there?

2GARBAGE AND RECYCLING

  1. Do you follow the garbage sorting rules in your area?
  2. What are the good and bad points of garbage sorting where you live?
  3. Do you do anything to reduce your garbage?
  4. What materials can you recycle in your area?

3MOVING TO A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD

  1. What are the pros and cons of moving to a new neighborhood?
  2. If you moved, what would you miss about your current neighborhood?
  3. Do you immediately make friends when moving to a new neighborhood?
  4. Who do you ask about the rules in your community (ex. neighbors, landlord)?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand the good and bad points of a community.

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