Topic: Online dating

Level: intermediate Equipment: handouts (texts from the Trend UK article), cards, questionnaires, overhead. Time: 40 minutes

Aims: - to develop speaking skills; - to develop reading for scanning; - to have practice in filling in a questionnaire. Objectives: By the end of the lesson students will be able to discuss advantages and disadvantages of Internet dates

5 min Warm up: Have you ever considered the idea of getting acquainted via the Internet? You can try to find a person you need. But what are the most important qualities in your prospective partner? Look through the pool from the I-net site. Let’s vote. What is of the top priority for you? Whole class

What do you think is the most important quality in a potential partner?  Personality  Good body  Sense of humour  Intelligence  Career  Nice eyes

5-7min Pre-reading: Now look at these photos and try to match these people with the words they wrote about themselves. Let’s check-up your answers. What conclusion can we make? Sometimes people lie when describing themselves and so you can’t believe in all their words. And this is a great disadvantage. But, no doubt, there are a lot of advantages in such way of getting acquainted. Can you think out some of them? Whole class

1.A very beautiful and passionate woman. I adore jewels and handsome men. 2. Slim, quite young and lively woman. I dream of romantic relationship with a strong and energetic person. 3. Divorced. I’ve got two lovely children. We hope to find a tender father and a loving husband. 4. A handsome, energetic man is able to make you happy. I hope you are 18. I’ll give you all the stars from the sky. 5. I’m solid, strong, handsome! You are 20, blond, slim and beautiful. I’ll drive you mad! You are sure to understand that I’m a person you dream of. 6. I hope you are a born cook. I like to eat ! I’m not very rich, but I want you to love me.

A very beautiful and passionate woman. I adore jewels and handsome men. Slim, quite young and lively woman. I dream of romantic relationship with a strong and energetic person. Divorced. I’ve got two lovely children. We hope to find a tender father and a loving husband. A handsome, energetic man is able to make you happy. I hope you are 18. I’ll give you all the stars from the sky. I’m solid, strong, handsome! You are 20, blond, slim and beautiful. I’ll drive you mad! You are sure to understand that I’m a person you dream of. I hope you are a born cook. I like to eat ! I’m not very rich, but I want you to love me.

10 min While-reading: Now you are going to read an article about advantages and disadvantages of this idea. While reading you should complete the chart. This group should write out all the advantages and that group- all the disadvantages. Let’s exchange the information. Can you think out some more pros and cons? Group work

AdvantagesDisadvantages 123…123… Meeting online

AdvantagesDisadvantages 1. Shy people can find it easier to chat through a keyboard than face to face because the fear of rejection is reduced 2. There’s just so much choice 3. You can list all your likes, dislikes and then find exactly what you want. 1. Stereotyped as the domain of the sad and lonely 2. Many scams exist. Internet daters need to be cautious 3. You don’t know what you’re going to get from online romance. I-net acquaintance

5-7min Post-reading: After having considered all the facts for and against you decided to register on the match site. You should fill in a questionnaire. Fill in the gaps with your personal information. Pass me you questionnaires. Let’s exchange. And now your task is to guess whose questionnaire you got. Can you characterize this person? Individual work

5-7’ min Let’s think out recommendations for people to avoid these problems. Write them on the sheets of paper, read aloud and pin to the spider web on the blackboard. Individual work