TEACHER’S NOTES
ESL / EFL RESOURCES Softening Complaints
Activity Type Introduction
Pairwork speaking In this pairwork speaking activity, students learn how to soften
activity complaints.
Procedure
Language Focus
Write the following on the board:
Complaining
Excuse me, but ... is incredibly slow!
Aim
Ask the class to suggest noun phrases that could complete the
To soften complaints sentence.
using 'not very + positive
adjective' and 'rather + Example: Excuse me, but this computer is incredibly slow.
negative adjective'.
Explain how complaints can be softened by using 'not very +
positive adjective' (e.g. not very fast) or 'rather + negative
Preparation adjective' (e.g. rather slow)
Make one copy of the
Examples: Excuse me, but this computer is not very fast.
cards for each pair of
Excuse me, but this computer is rather slow.
students and cut as
indicated. Keep the white Next, split the class into pairs (A and B).
and grey cards separate.
Give Student A a set of white cards (strong adverb and adjective
combinations) and Student B a set of grey cards (positive and
Level negative adjectives).
Pre-intermediate
Review the adverbs and adjectives on the cards.
Time Tell the students to shuffle their set of cards and place them face
down in a pile in front of them.
25 minutes
Student B takes the top nine cards from his/her pile and places
them face up on the table in a three by three square.
Student A takes the top card from his/her pile and makes a
complaint using the vocabulary on the card.
If Student B has an adjective in their square that can be used to
soften the complaint, they say the softened complaint and turn
the card over.
Student A then takes another card and the process is repeated.
When Student B has three cards turned over in a row (vertically,
horizontally or diagonally), the students change roles.
Have the students play several rounds to practice the language.
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COMPLAINING
ESL / EFL RESOURCES Softening Complaints
incredibly slow extremely rude extremely expensive incredibly greedy
deeply offensive totally useless unbearably hot absolutely freezing
absolutely disgusting incredibly boring downright lazy absolutely filthy
absolutely horrible unbelievably stupid incredibly ignorant absolutely terrifying
fast impolite costly hungry
insulting helpful cool cold
nice interesting hardworking dirty
good intelligent knowledgeable frightening
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