Conversation Gambits - Eric Keller, Sylvia T Warner 1988
39. Taking things into Consideration
2. Linking Gambits
Nobody is perfect, and few of usare really good at anything. We usually have difficulties to take into consideration
First, write down some of your achievements in the left hand column, and the difficulties you had in the right-hand column
For example, perhaps you got a good mark in English. but you didn't have much time to spend working at home.
Achievement |
Difficulty |
1. |
|
2. |
|
3. |
|
4. |
|
5. |
Work in pairs with your own ideas and with the ideas below. Ask your partner what his achievements are, and compliment him/her taking into account their difficulties.
For example:
Student 1: How good is your English?
Student 2: Well, I can understand the news on TV.
Student 1: That’s excellent, bearing in mind you've only been learning for a couple of months.
Student 2: Thank you very much.
Ideas to help
Achievement |
Difficulty |
6. I passed my driving test |
The test was held at the rush-hour |
7. I got to the class on time. |
There was snow on the roads |
8. I finished my course at the University |
I ve got 3 young children. |
9. I invited Bill. |
He was very rude to me last week. |
10. Sheila s just got a job. |
She has written over a hundred letters |
11 ... |
... |
Bearing in mind ...
Considering ...
If you remember ...
Allowing for the fact that ...
When you consider that ...
Responding to a compliment
Oh, thank you very much.
That’s very kind of you.
Do you really think so?