Conversation Activities for Giving Compliments

 

Activities                         

Lesson Plans          Work Sheets

 

Group Activity- Compliments, Appropriate Responses

One student makes a typical compliment that a guest or staff may receive. Other students
give a response. The teacher decides which student gave the best response based on
language, grammar use, and pronunciation. The person with the best response gets a point.
The student with the most points wins. Have the students give several compliments. 

 

Group Activity- Compliments, A Skit

Divide the class into groups of 2 or 3. Students work together to develop a skit that is grammatically correct about guests complimenting staff for something. Staff should be very humble, but the guests should continue to lavish compliments on the staff. Once the skit is developed, students present it to the teacher and the rest of class. The teacher judges the skit based on language, grammar use, originality, and acting ability. Be creative and have fun! 

 

Discussion- Compliments

Have a discussion about the things that staff could compliment their guests on. Do they ever compliment guests? Give an description of one compliment given. Do they mean it or are they just being polite? How often do they compliment guests? Does complimenting guest lead to bigger tips? The group could also discuss compliments they get from guests. What are they for? Give a specific instance. What would they like to be complimented for, but aren’t. Do their supervisors compliment their work? How often? What for? 

 

Whole Class Activity- First To Know

Put the list of compliments (in bold) on the board. The teacher reads the response. Students listen to the response and decide what the compliment is. The first student who identifies the compliment races to the board and circles the complaint and puts their initials in the circle. The student with the most initials wins. 

New Tie 
Thanks, My kids bought it for me for Father’s Day. It really does go great with this shirt. 

Spaghetti Dinner 
That was delicious. The tomatoes used in the sauce must have been very fresh, right off the vine. 

Hair Cut 
Thank you. It cost me a small fortune, but I think well worth it. The new Italian stylist at the>
beauty salon downtown really knows hair. 

Painting  
Thanks, I’m glad you like it. It took about three weeks to complete. It seemed to take forever
to get the colors blended just right and the brush strokes perfect. 

Nose Job  
Thanks, I like it too. I think it completely changes the whole look of my face. It was worth all
the pain and suffering. 

Use of a foreign language 
I really appreciate that. I have studied for the last 10 years, but I think I still I have a way to
go to be fluent. 

T-bone Steak 
I’m glad you liked it. The secret is to first sauté thinly sliced garlic and onions in olive oil and
butter and then marinate the meat in the sauce at least two hours before cooking. 

New Coat  
Thanks a lot. It’s made from genuine leather and lined with rabbit fur. It’s incredibly warm.