Objectives:

• to practise prediction and extensive listening for specific information

• to practise speaking and giving opinions

Warm up

A) The teacher either brings the photos or writes the following words: shep­herd, rock star, financial dealer, student on the blackboard. The students in the classroom have to answer the question: What lifestyle do you think the people have? The key words will help them.

Key words: creative, boring, busy, dangerous, active, easy, lazy, exciting, free, interesting, peaceful, relaxing, stressful.

Example: I think a shepherd's life is peaceful and relaxing — but maybe it's boring sometimes.

B) The students listen to the information and say which of the people is speak­ing.

Rock star. Being famous isn't easy, you know. I travel a lot — I have concerts in different countries. But my job is creative and, er, exciting, very exciting. I love the concerts, the music, the lights, and the people cheering, know what I mean.

Student. My dad says these are the best days if my life — but I'm not so sure! You know, I've got lots of work to do and there's not much time really. I also play football for school team and we have to do training three nights a week.

Shepherd. I love the animals and I love being outdoors, alone with my thoughts. It's peaceful. And there's no one to tell me what to do. But it's not so good when the weather's bad!

Dealer. I'm very busy, and I don't have time to see my husband and child­ren. Mmmm... and my life is very stressful, I suppose. I mean, I've got respon­sibility for big amounts of money. But I find it very exciting.

Introducing the Topic

Vocabulary

A) Think of the situation below. Use the key words to say how relaxing or stressful they are for you.

Key words: very relaxing, quite relaxing, a little stressful, very stressful

a) studying for an exam

b) lying on a beach

c) waiting for exam results

d) giving a talk to your class in your own language

e) giving a talk to your class in English

f) shopping with a friend

B) Talk about activities you find relaxing or stressful. Example: I find painting and drawing very relaxing...

Listening

Listening Strategies: Prediction

• Before you listen, read the questions carefully

• Try to think of possible answers

• Use your knowledge of the world to help you

A) Try to predict answers to the questions. More than one answer is possible.

1. Which of these people can suffer from a lot of stress?

a) Police officers;

b) students;

c) factory workers;

d) teachers.

2. Which of these factors can cause stress?

a) A lot of free time;

b) problems with people;

c) some social situations;

d) doing sports.

3. What can we do to relax and reduce stress?

a) Organize our work / studies;

b) eat a lot;

c) do exercise;

d) talk to people about problem.

B) Listen and check your prediction.

Presenter. Good afternoon and welcome to Lifestyles. Today we're go­ing to look at stress — what causes it and what we can do to relax and prevent stress. We have in studio Dr Klinsman, an expert on stress.

Doctor. Good morning.

Presenter. Dr Klinsman... er ...what kinds of people actually suffer from stress?

Doctor. Well, anybody can suffer from stress. There are certain jobs that are very stressful, like some jobs in business or the police. But, probably every­one suffers from stress at some time in their life — students, doctors, factory workers — anybody.

Presenter. But what really causes it?

Doctor. There are different factors. One is time and pressures of work and study. At school, for example, students can become very stressful when they have a lot of homework to do and they feel they haven't got time to do it all. Other factors can be social — if you have a problem with your family or friends or at school. And it depends on the person — if you're shy, social occa­sions like parties can be very stressful.

Presenter. And what can you do to stop stress and worry? Because stress is very bad for you, isn't it?

Doctor. Yes, it can cause a lot of health problems. But to answer your question, there are lots of things you can do to reduce stress. You can organize your work or studies. For example, you can make a list and do all the important things first.

You must eat well — have a good diet — and of course do exercises regu­larly. Finally, you can talk to people about your problems — talk to a friend, someone in your family or, if you're studying, talk to a teacher. You can also do relaxing exercises.

Presenter. Will you describe some of these...

C) Now listen again and answer the questions:

1. When do students suffer from stress?

2. What social occasions can be difficult for shy people?

3. What is a good way of organizing work or studies?

4. Who can people talk to about their problems?

5. What exercises can help reduce stress?

D) Work in groups.

Comment on the doctor's words how to relax and prevent stress.

E) Copy the table. Listen to Mark and complete the table.

stressful activities

relaxing activities

Mark. Things I find stressful? Well, I really hate... mm ...doing exams. Mm, I get very nervous the nights before, you know. And I can't sleep, you know what I mean? I'm also shy and I don't like going to parties very much. I prefer meeting people in small groups, you know. Ah, there's another thing — in French lessons I can't stand talking in front of the class, er, I get nervous and make lots of mistakes. Things I find relaxing? Well, mm I like a lot of things. I love talking to my friends. And when I'm tired and want to relax I enjoy lis­tening to music and I also like reading. Ah, and I quite like sitting and doing nothing.

F) Listen again and use the verbs to complete the sentences.

can't stand; love; like; don't like; quite like; prefer; enjoy; hate

1. I really_doing exams. (Hate)

2. I_talking in front of the class. (Can't stand)

3. I_going to parties very much. (Don't like)

4. I_meeting people in small groups. (Prefer)

5. I_listening to music. (Enjoy)

6. I_reading. (Like)

7. I_sitting and doing nothing. (Quite like)

8. I_talking to my friends. (Love)

G) Write sentences about yourself using the verbs from the table. Speaking

Work in groups of four.

A) Take turns to talk about activities you kike and don't like. Talk for as long as you can.

B) Work at the quote: "Happiness is good health and a bad memory". Ingrid Bergman, Swedish film actress, (1913—1982)

The students read the quote. The teacher writes on the board: good, bad, a lot of, not many, much. In groups, the students make two or three sentences using the pattern:

Happiness is... and....

The groups read out their sentences to the class who can vote for the best quote.

Homework

Work out the recommendations how to reduce stress.