DESCRIBINGLesson Plan

By Sanj Saigal

Lesson ObjectivesDescribing is an essential e l e m e n t o f t h e E n g l i s h language., so much so that it is featured in nearly every English exam. This lesson will help you to become familiar with the adjectives used to describe p e o p l e , p e r s o n a l i t y a n d buildings.

Prac t i ce the g rammar structures “to be” and “to have”. Find out the relevance of a “comma” and how it is used to separate adjectives.

Find out how voice tones are applied to adjectives, and how they can be used as a form of expression.

Focus on pronunciation using the latest recording

software so that you can practice outside the class environment.

Get a perspective on how adjectives are used in a formal environment and how the

ability to describe can help you at work.

This lesson is supported with resource links in the form of both video and website links, enabling you to study either before or after your class.

This class is taught via Skype with a qualified TEFL native speaking English teacher.

Become familiar with describing photos and with

the associated sentence constructions used in English exams.Explore some of the fascinating idioms

related to this topic and learn how to apply them to

describing personality, character and appearance.

This lesson has a high level of interaction, you will find a script that has been used to focus on expression and voice tones.

DESCRIBING

An Interactive lesson which focuses on adjectives used to describe people, personality and buildings.

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“ The following adjectives are used in both formal and informal structures”.Sanj Saigal

Describing height

He or she or it’s contracted form he’s or she’s tall, short, average height.

Describing build

He or she or they are ( he’s, she’s or they're) slim, skinny, thin, fat, overweight, plump, chubby, muscular, athletic.

Describing age

He, she, they (are or is) old, older, young, younger, elderly, middle aged, teenager, in his or in there 20s, 30,s 40s, etc. We can also say that there are approaching middle age or that they look older or younger in comparison.

Describing the appearance of a face

He, she, they have or had a round, plump, square, wrinkled, worn, freckled, tanned, pale skinned face.

Describing eyes

He, she or they have large or big, small, bright, speckled eyes. ( blue, green, brown dark, light)

Describing Hair

He, she or they have or had no hair, short, black, highlights, straight, curly spiky, wavy, thin, thick, shoulder length.

“ We use these adjectives in formal settings such as describing clients in a work environment or socially to describe people or friends”.

DescribingAppearanceBy Sanj Saigal

Adjectives

Hair

Build

Eyes

Skin type

Height

DESCRIBING

As an example we could say that she appears to be tall, tanned in complexion, that she has dark eyes, an athletic build with black curly shoulder length hair. We could also say that she is pretty, beautiful or attractive.

DESCRIBE What do you look like?What does your boss look like?Describe one of your relatives...

APPEARANCE

Describing Personality

The following adjectives are used to describe someones personality:

• Affectionate• Aggressive• Bossy• Intelligent• Talkative• Quick tempered• Impulsive• Reliable• Creative

There are many more. The following questions are designed to get you to talk.

1. Describe your personality ( I am..)

2. Describe your bosses personality ( she is he is.......)

3. Describe a relatives personality.4. Compare how your personality

has changed. ( I used to be but now I am...., I was... I am....).

5. Do you think that personality is related to our mood?

DescribingLocationBy Sanj Saigal

PLACEI live in ....... I grew up in..........I am working in........I used to live in........I am living in...........I work in............

TownCityRural locationCoastal locationIndustrial areaHistoric locationAgricultural Town or CitySuburbMountainous regionTouristic area

Questions:

1. Where did you grow up?

2. Describe the location where you work.

3. Describe the location where you live in.

LOCATION

To describe location we often use the following:

NorthEast

South West

e.g.. I live in the North of Italy.

In the centre of.....On the coastNear the seaIn the mountainsNear or close to.......

DESCRIBE YOUR CITYFantasticAmazingBeautifulCrowdedModernUnusual

We use adjectives to describe how we feel and so we can stress the adjective to tell the audience how we feel about something.

e.g.” I live in a fantastic touristic fishing village which is full of history”.

Stressing adjectives is particularly important in relation to the way we describe.

“ Very useful for those students who need to describe for a work or exam environment”Sanj Saigal

Personality“ There are certain adjectives used to describe a personality”.

ConversationQuestions

Work1. Where do you work?2. How long have you worked there?3. How many people are you responsible for?4. What tasks do you do on a day to day basis?5. Describe the location where you work.6. What is the difference between your last job and the job that you do now?7. Describe why you like your job.8. Why is your personality suited to your job?9. What skills do you need to do your job?10.What qualifications do you need to do your job?

Sport1. What is your favourite sport?2. Why do you like it?3. What sport do you do in your spare time?4. Do you think that people choose a sport based on their personality?5. Describe the location that you do your sport.6. Describe the equipment that you use to do your sport.7. Do you participate with others or do you do your sport alone?8. How often do you do your sport?9. Is your sport popular?

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Link

Press the link

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LinkThe video link gives you an indication of the type of questions that you are asked in an exam. It also helps you to identify with adjectives.

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1. Where do you think this photo was taken. Why?

2. How do buses compare in terms of design in your country compared to the bus featured in the photo above.

3. Is it popular to travel by bus in your country?4. Do you have bus lanes in your country?5. Have you ever travelled in a bus like the one

shown in the photo above?

LinkA video that defines the use of comparatives and superlatives used when we describe. 5:18 mins

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Describe where you think that this photo was taken.

Vocabulary to describe a building:

• Beachfront• Brick built• Abandoned• Condemned• Covered• Derelict• Furnished• High rise• Open plan• Detached• Joined• Independent• Terraced• Semi detached• Spacious• Tiny• Large• Massive• Average• Bungalow• Modern• Traditional• old• New

1. What type of house do you live in?2. Describe the size of the bedrooms.3. Have you lived in a larger or smaller house in the

past?4. Describe the average type of house in your country.5. Describe the type of house you think your boss lives

in.6. Describe your dream house.7. If you could have the same job that you do but in a

different location, where would it be?

Describe A building

Idioms

“ behind the times” Someone who has old fashioned ideas, not up to date, has an old perspective, traditional.

“ Dressed to kill” someone wearing clothing that is designed to attract attention.

“Jack of all trades” Someone who can do alot of different things but is not good at any one of them.

“ Live wire” Someone who is energetic and full of enthusiasm.

“Pen pusher” Someone who is not hands on or completes administrative tasks. They usually lack physical experience.

“Poker face” Some one who displays no facial expressions.

A small collection of idioms used in both formal or formal situations.

Listen to the text and answer the questions.The weather was near perfect. My boss Mark had just walked down the aisle with his new bride Cloe. They had got married in a traditional setting in a rural location just North of the Capital. It took over 2 hours by train to get there, and I was really worried that I would be late because there were some rail delays that morning.

Mark was a really shy person, he was tall, thin and had a receeding hair line although he would never admit it!. He has always been very ambitious and had climbed the corporate ladder to the position of Divisional manager in record time.

I have a really good working relationship with Mark and I suppose that’s why I was invited.

The wedding lasted for about two hours and then the reception was held at a different location in Town.

The town had a small community and it felt that they were all present at the wedding. The event was lavish and had over 400 guests. Cloe looked amazing, she is so attractive and they have both known each other since they were at University. She is ambitious, patient and very hard working. I haven’t known her long but on the occasions that we have met she always gave me the impression that she loved her job.

Cloe is an account manager in the City, she speaks 3 languages and has a background in economics. I felt very

privileged to have been invited . I returned home the next day and I was told that I would receive photos via e mail at the end of the week.

I hope that they both have a fantastic honeymoon and enjoy their lives together. Marriage isn’t so common these days, those values at this time should be considered very special.

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By Sanj Saigal

If you enjoyed this lesson plan, please find the time to leave a comment on Facebook.Thank you

The weddingQuestionsBy Sanj Saigal

1. Where did the wedding take place?

2. How would you describe Cloe?3. How would you describe Mark?4. In the article how would you

describe the relationship between Mark and the author.

5. Describe the town that the marriage took place in.

6. What age do people usually get married in your country?

7. Do you think that marriage maintains the same values as it did for your parents?

8. Is it expensive to get married in your country?

“ Cloe married Mark on the 23rd of August 2013”

“ Did you enjoy this lesson plan?”