Lesson 3: Fights
What a jerk!

I can read and understand a post about friends who are fighting.

INTRODUCE

Many people like to write about their friendship troubles on social media. By reading their posts, you can keep up with what’s going on.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

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

    1. To stab someone in the back means to betray or hurt a person who trusted you.

     

    Jack stabbed Kim in the back when he told everyone the secret she had shared with him.

     

    Q: How would you feel if a friend stabbed you in the back?

     

     

    2. When a person does something behind someone’s back, it means that he/she is doing it without the other person’s knowledge.

     

    Oliver pretended to be nice to Tommy, but he called him “Big Nose” behind his back.

     

    Q: What do you think of people who make fun of others behind their backs?

     

     

    3. A jerk refers to a person who is not well-liked because he/she treats other people badly.

     

    I ended my date early last night because the guy turned out to be a jerk.

     

    Q: Do you know anyone who is a jerk?

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends in a consonant sound and the next word starts with an /h/, the /h/ is often dropped and the two words are connected.
Phrase Example

stab him

/ sta-bim /

Don’t / sta-bim / in the back. He’s your best friend.

behind her back

/ bih-hayn-der bak /

Stop talking / bih-hayn-der bak /!

UNDERSTAND

READING

Kelsie just uploaded a new post on her social media page.

Kelsie Williams – feeling angry

2 minutes ago – Ontario, Canada

 

You’ll never believe what I just found out: One of my closest friends has been dating Charlie, my ex-boyfriend, behind my back.

She knows I still have feelings for him. How many times did she offer me a shoulder to cry on? How many times did she tell me that Charlie wasn’t worth my time, that I could do so much better? I thought she said those things to make me feel better, but actually, it was so she could steal him for herself!

What’s worse is that I found this out from an old coworker. My “friend” didn’t even have the guts to tell me about it. What a jerk!

I’m not looking forward to going back to Japan anymore… I’m supposed to meet her for coffee the day after I get back. How do you face someone who stabbed you in the back???

To all the girls out there, remember that a good friend today can be your frenemy tomorrow.

TRIVIA

A portmanteau is a word that combines the sounds and meanings of two words into one. For example, frenemy is a portmanteau of friend and enemy. A frenemy is someone who pretends to be your friend but actually sees you as an enemy. Other examples of portmanteaus are brunch (breakfast + lunch = a late morning meal eaten in place of both breakfast and lunch), and hangry (hungry + angry = a bad mood caused by hunger).

frenemy
brunch
hangry

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Follow the instructions in parentheses using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

stab someone in the back
behind someone’s back
a jerk

1.

Tutor: What do you think about Jerry?

Student: (Say that you think he’s someone who treats people badly.)

 

2.

Tutor: What happened?

Student: (Say that Jenna betrayed you.)

 

3.

Tutor: Can’t you forgive Jim?

Student: (Say that you can’t forgive Jim because he met with your clients without your knowledge.)

STEP B EXERCISE

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

a jerk
stab someone in the back
behind someone’s back

1. Freddie can’t believe that his best friend betrayed him.

 

2. Tasha took money from Sachiko’s purse without her knowledge.

3. Andrew is always yelling at everyone. What an awful person!

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You were browsing your social media feed when you came across a new post by your friend Justin. Read his post. Then, talk about it with your other friend.

Today's Expressions

  • stab someone in the back
  • behind someone’s back
  • a jerk

Justin Idaho – truly angry (not just hangry)

30 minutes ago – Ontario, Canada

 

A few weeks ago, my boss announced that they were looking for a new assistant area manager. I told my coworker E that I was really interested in the promotion, and he encouraged me to go for it. He even offered to write me a letter of recommendation, which I thought was really nice.

Well, it turns out that he was totally trying to sabotage me. He did write a letter to my boss, but it was about how I should definitely NOT be an assistant area manager. I also found out that he was stealing some of my ideas and taking credit for them behind my back! He totally stabbed me in the back. What’s worse is that he’s now the new assistant area manager.

I can’t believe I ever considered this jerk a friend! I had a feeling that he was a frenemy, and I should have trusted my gut.

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

FIGHTING WITH FRIENDS
2

FRENEMIES
3

POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
1

FIGHTING WITH FRIENDS

  1. Is it common for friends to fight?
  2. What are some common reasons why friends fight?
  3. Do you think fights can bring friends closer?
  4. Is there a difference between how girls and boys fight with their friends (ex. gossip, fist fights)?

2FRENEMIES

  1. Have you ever had a frenemy?
  2. Why do some people become frenemies instead of openly saying that they dislike someone?
  3. How should you deal with a frenemy?
  4. Is it possible for a frenemy to become a true friend?

3POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

  1. Do you think carefully before you post things on social media?
  2. What kind of things should people not post about on social media?
  3. Can social media posts ruin friendships?
  4. What do you think about friends who fight on social media?

FEEDBACK

I can read and understand a post about friends who are fighting.

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