Lesson 4: Toys
I think they’re making a comeback now in Japan.

I can talk about toys.

INTRODUCE

As children, we spent a lot of time playing with toys. Looking back at how much we loved those toys can be fun!

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. To make a comeback means to return to one’s previous popularity.

     

    Lace dresses and cropped jeans are making a comeback this year.

     

     

    2. If an item is made of something, it means it was created using that material.

     

    I want to buy a new office desk. The one I’m using now isn’t very nice. It’s made of plastic.

     

     

    3. The phrase new and improved is used to describe something that was made better than its previous version.

     

    Chillz released their new and improved soda. They say it tastes better and has less sugar than before.

     

    II. Describe the following toys using the expressions above.

    robots

    dolls

    cooking toys

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When two words are connected by and, the word and is often pronounced as /n/.
Phrase Example

new and improved

/ new’n improved /

Have you tried their / new’n improved / soap?

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Kenta is shopping with Thomas, one of the local staff in Belgium.

Thomas:

Kenta, what are you looking at?

Kenta:

Check these out! These toys are all made of wood. Aren’t they cool?

Thomas:

Yeah, they’re pretty common here. Old-fashioned toy shops like this sell a lot of vintage toys. Some of the toys here are probably older than us. (laughs)

Kenta:

Yeah, I can see that! Oh, and look! What do you call these in English? We call them kendama in Japanese.

Thomas:

I think they’re called cup-in-ball.

Kenta:

Oh, okay! You know, I think they’re making a comeback now in Japan. Recently, I’ve been seeing a lot of children playing with them. Some kids have the old-fashioned wooden ones, but I’ve also seen ones made of plastic or metal that light up when you get the ball in the cup.

Thomas:

Whoa! Those are the new and improved ones, I guess. (laughs)

Kenta:

Yeah, I guess so. (laughs) Oh, hey, look at these teddy bears! They’re really cute. I think I’ll actually get one.

Thomas:

A teddy bear? Really? (laughs) You sure you wouldn’t rather have the cup-in-ball?

Kenta:

Well, it’s not for me. I just found out that my wife is expecting. I’m going to be a dad!

Thomas:

No way! Congrats, Kenta! I’m happy for you.

TRIVIA

The phrase be expecting means to be pregnant. Other similar phrases include have a bun in the oven and be eating for two.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Fill in the blanks using the pictures and the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

make a comeback
made of something
new and improved

1.

Tutor: I don’t like that lotion. It’s kind of greasy.

Student: That was the old formula. This is the _____ version. You should try it!

 

2.

Tutor: These jogger pants were really popular in the ’80s.

Student: They’re actually _____. I’ve been seeing quite a lot of younger people wearing them.

 

3.

Tutor: Those Russian dolls are so cute. Are they plastic?

Student: No, they’re _____, I think.

STEP B EXERCISE

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

make a comeback
made of something
new and improved
  1. Ripped jeans are starting to be popular again. A lot of people are wearing them these days.
  2. Did you try these chips? They say they’ve remade them, but I think they taste the same.
  3. No, no, the original ones were wood, not plastic.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your best friend, Lizzy, is expecting. She’s having a baby shower next week, so you and your other friend need to buy a gift. Decide with him/her what toy to buy.

Today's Expressions

  • make a comeback
  • made of something
  • new and improved

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

PLAYING WITH TOYS
2

GOOD AND BAD TOYS
3

COMEBACKS
1

PLAYING WITH TOYS

  1. Until what age did you play with toys?
  2. How different are today's toys compared with the toys you used to play with?
  3. What toys from your childhood would you give to a child today?
  4. What do you think of adults who collect toys?

2GOOD AND BAD TOYS

  1. What kind of toys are good for children?
  2. What kind of toys are bad for children (ex. toy guns, small balls)?
  3. Do you think modern toys are better than traditional toys?
  4. Should parents always follow the age recommendations for toys?

3COMEBACKS

  1. What musical group would you like to make a comeback?
  2. What fashion style do you hope never makes a comeback?
  3. Do you get excited when things from your childhood make a comeback?
  4. Why do you think some things make a comeback?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about toys.

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