Group Work- 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 Work- 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 rest of class. The teacher judges the skit based on language, grammar use, originality, and acting ability. Be creative and have fun!  

Group Work- Discussion

Have a discussion about the things that staff could compliment their guest 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 they work? How often? What for?

Whole Class- 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 down town 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

           incredible warm.

Work Sheet 1- Compliments

Write the correct word on the line that will complete the sentence.

delicious                tasted                           superb                 those

get                          audience                      new                      floral

hair cut                   coat

1. Nice _______________. It looks very warm. Is it _________?

2.  What a beautiful _________ arrangement. Are _________ lilies?

3. That’s a great looking ___________. Did you ________ it at Pro Hair

     Stylist?

4. That was ____________. Was that a hint of garlic and onions I _______?

5. Your presentation was _____________, Ms. Parks. The entire _________

     was spell bound.

Work Sheet 2- Compliments

Match the appropriate responses with the questions. Put the correct number of the question or statement on the line.

1. That was a terrific game you played                ____ Thank you sir. I

     Mr. Lawson.                                                                 appreciate you saying

                                                                                           so.

2. I really like that new suit of yours.                     ____ Why thank you, but it

    Where did you buy it?                                                  was nothing really.

3. Your presentation to the managers                 ____ Thanks. I guess all those

     was excellent. Great job.                                            private lessons are

                                                                                           finally paying off.

4. Your new hair-do looks great Ms.                    ____ I don’t really know, my

     Smith. It really suits you.                                             wife got it for me for my

                                                                                           birthday.

5. Chef, that was the best tasting                         ____ How kind of you to say

     apple pie I have ever tasted.                                      so.

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