Dating Language - Speaking Lesson

The Epic 4 movies
TEFL Full Width | Dating English – Polite Requests & Small Talk
🎯 Full Width | B1/B2 Speaking

💬 Dating English – Polite Requests & Small Talk

Learn natural phrases for compliments, polite requests, and changing the subject
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Step 1: Prediction – What will you learn?

Think about a first date or a casual conversation. What phrases do you need to give a compliment, ask politely, or change the subject?

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Step 2: Key vocabulary & phrases

🔊 Click the audio button to hear pronunciation. Click Show definition to see the meaning or context.

"I love your hair. That's gorgeous."
"Have you come far?"
"What is it that you do?"
"I'd really appreciate it."
"Would you mind putting your phone away?"
"Let's not talk about work."
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Step 3: Before you watch – Discuss

1. What compliment does one person give to another?
2. What small‑talk question do they ask about the journey?
3. How does someone politely ask for a favour?
4. What phrase does someone use to change the subject away from work?
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Step 4: Watch the video

📌 Listen for the phrases above. Pay attention to tone and politeness.

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Step 5: Answer the questions (after watching)

1. What compliment does one person give to another?
2. What small‑talk question do they ask about the journey?
3. How does someone politely ask for a favour?
4. What phrase does someone use to change the subject away from work?
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Step 6: Grammar discovery – Polite requests

🔍 Look at these sentences from the video:

  • "Could you tell me more about your work?" (not in the clip, but typical polite request)
  • "Would you mind putting your phone away?"
  • "I'd really appreciate it if you could..."

❓ Discovery questions (discuss with a partner):

  • Which words make a request more polite? (could, would, appreciate)
  • What is the difference between "I want" and "I'd like"? ("I'd like" is more polite)
  • How do you ask for permission politely? ("Could I...", "May I...")
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Step 7: Pronunciation focus – /aɪ/ sound (as in "like", "nice", "smile")

🎯 Target sound: /aɪ/ – a diphthong that starts with "ah" and moves to "ee". Common in dating phrases like "I", "like", "nice", "smile".

Listen and repeat. Click 🔊 to hear each word.

I /aɪ/
like /laɪk/
nice /naɪs/
smile /smaɪl/
appreciate /əˈpriː.ʃi.eɪt/

💡 Tip: Open your mouth wide for the first part, then close slightly for the second. Practice: "I like your smile. That's nice."

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Step 8: Controlled practice – Complete the polite requests

1. __________ you tell me what time the movie starts? (polite modal)
2. I __________ like to order the steak, please. (polite form of "want")
3. __________ you mind closing the window? (polite request)
4. I'd really __________ it if you could help me. (show gratitude)
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Step 9: Freer practice – Speak & record

🎙️ Speaking prompt: Use a polite request from today's lesson in a dating or social situation. For example: ask someone to put away their phone, or ask for a recommendation. Record your sentence.

💡 Examples:
• "Would you mind telling me more about your hobby?"
• "I'd really appreciate it if you could suggest a good restaurant."
• "Could you tell me what you like to do in your free time?"

You said:

🎯 Bonus challenge: Include a word with the /aɪ/ sound (I, like, nice, smile, appreciate, mind, kind).

#DatingEnglish #PoliteRequests #SmallTalk #LearnEnglish #TEFL
📚 TEFL Full Width | Polite Requests & Small Talk | Pronunciation /aɪ/ | Dating English
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