Lesson 4: Donations
They’re struggling to make ends meet after the flood last month.

I can talk about donations.

INTRODUCE

Talking about your plans to donate is a good way to encourage others to do the same.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

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

    1. A worthy cause is an activity or organization that deserves attention or help from people because it’s doing something good.

     

    Q: Which picture shows a worthy cause? Why?

    A

    B

     

    2. To pay it forward means to do something nice for someone because someone else did something nice for you.

     

    Q: Which set of pictures shows someone paying it forward? Why?

    A

    B

     

    3. If you struggle to make ends meet, you have trouble earning enough money for your needs.

     

    Q: Which picture shows people who are struggling to make ends meet? Why?

    A

    B

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends with /s/ and the next word starts with a consonant sound, they are often linked together.
Phrase Example

ends meet

/ end-smeet /

Tina and Ed are struggling to make / end-smeet /.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

It’s Charlie’s last day in Peru, and he still has a lot of Peruvian money left.

Charlie:

Come on, Zack, take it. It’s too much trouble for me to exchange these soles back to yen again.

Zack:

Thanks, but no thanks, man. I can’t accept your money. Why don’t you just get your girlfriend a gift?

Charlie:

Uh, I don’t know… I… I’m actually thinking about breaking up with her when I get back to Japan.

Zack:

Aw, man. Sorry about that! Hmm… Maybe you should just give your extra soles to a charity or something.

Charlie:

But where? How?

Zack:

I know there’s an orphanage a few blocks from here. I heard they’re struggling to make ends meet after the flood last month.

Charlie:

Oh, yeah, I think I passed by that place a couple of days ago! Well, people have been really kind to me here. I guess donating to a worthy cause is a good way to pay it forward. Thanks for your suggestion, man!

TRIVIA

Many English speakers use the word man in casual conversation. It doesn’t really have any meaning, but it can be used to show emotions like disappointment, surprise, or excitement. It’s used by both men and women equally.

 

O Man, I really thought they’d win. (disappointment)

O Oh, man, I can’t believe she did that! (surprise)

O Man, I can’t wait for our trip! (excitement)

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

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

struggle to make ends meet
pay it forward
a worthy cause
  1. I’m _____, but I’ll still donate a few dollars to my favorite charity.
  2. I want to help homeless animals in local shelters. I think that’s _____.
  3. I heard that that group is asking for more donations this month because they’re _____.
  4. You don’t have to pay me back. Just _____ by helping someone else.

STEP B EXERCISE

Describe the situations using the pictures and words.

ex. donate books / pay it forward

→ She’s donating books to pay it forward.

1. clean up the park / a worthy cause

2. the local animal shelter / struggle to make ends meet

3. donate her old toys / pay it forward

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your friend are on vacation abroad. You heard about a charity in the area and wanted to make a donation. Tell your friend about the charity and encourage him/her to donate too.

Today's Expressions

  • a worthy cause
  • pay it forward
  • make ends meet

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

DONATING TO CHARITIES
2

MAKING ENDS MEET
3

PAYING IT FORWARD
1

DONATING TO CHARITIES

  1. What charities do you know?
  2. Have you ever donated to them?
  3. Would you consider volunteering for a charity?
  4. Which is better to donate, money or things?

2MAKING ENDS MEET

  1. Do you ever have trouble making ends meet?
  2. Do you sometimes spend money on expensive things? If so, when? If not, why not?
  3. Do you monitor your spending?
  4. If you didn’t have a lot of money to spend, what would you prioritize (ex. food, rent)?

3PAYING IT FORWARD

  1. Have you ever experienced an act of kindness from a stranger?
  2. Have you ever paid it forward?
  3. Would you spend money on a stranger?
  4. Do you think the world would be a much better place if everyone paid it forward?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about donations.

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