1 It is not easy to understand some instructions.
1) What is a British boy David explaining to a Russian girl Kate? (listening for the main idea)
2) Read the conversation between David and Kate and find out:
How Kate checks that she has understood.
How Kate asks for more focused' explanation
What words David uses to give another explanation.
Kate: How can I take this medicine?
David: Put the medicine from one bag into a cup and fill it with very hot water. Stir until dissolved and sweeten if you prefer.
Kate: I understand about the cup and water but could you explain the next thing you said?
David: Uh ... You put the medicine in the hot water and mix it into the water till you see it has disappeared.
Kate: Oh, I see. And can you explain how to sweeten the medicine?
David: You may make your medicine sweeter will sugar for example.
Kate: Does that mean I can put honey in it?
David: Yes, you may.
CULTURE NOTE
It is not impolite in English to ask for more information about something someone tells you. It also shows that you are trying to understand and that you are interested in what the other person is saying.
3) What are some other ways to ask for more focused explanation and to check that you have understood?
ASKING FOR MORE FOCUSED EXPLANATION
I understand this, but could you explain (the next/first thing you said)?
I got what you said about the first part, but I didn’t get the next part.
Я это понял, но могли бы вы объяснить, что вы сказали в начале?
Я понял первую часть, но не понял вторую.
CHECKING THAT YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD
If I’ve understood right, ...
Do you mean that ...?
Does that mean/Do you mean ...?
Did you mean ...?
In other words ... (Right?)
I am not sure when (how/where) I should put salt in it.
Если я понял правильно ...
Вы имеете в виду, что ...?
Это значит ...? Вы имеете в виду „.?
Вы имели в виду ...?
Другими словами ... (Правильно?)
Я не уверен, когда (как/где) мне следует положить соль.
4) Replace the phrases in the dialogue by those that fit from above. Act out the conversation.
1) What is a British boy David explaining to a Russian girl Kate? (listening for the main idea)
2) Read the conversation between David and Kate and find out:
How Kate checks that she has understood.
How Kate asks for more focused' explanation
What words David uses to give another explanation.
Kate: How can I take this medicine?
David: Put the medicine from one bag into a cup and fill it with very hot water. Stir until dissolved and sweeten if you prefer.
Kate: I understand about the cup and water but could you explain the next thing you said?
David: Uh ... You put the medicine in the hot water and mix it into the water till you see it has disappeared.
Kate: Oh, I see. And can you explain how to sweeten the medicine?
David: You may make your medicine sweeter will sugar for example.
Kate: Does that mean I can put honey in it?
David: Yes, you may.
CULTURE NOTE
It is not impolite in English to ask for more information about something someone tells you. It also shows that you are trying to understand and that you are interested in what the other person is saying.
3) What are some other ways to ask for more focused explanation and to check that you have understood?
ASKING FOR MORE FOCUSED EXPLANATION
I understand this, but could you explain (the next/first thing you said)?
I got what you said about the first part, but I didn’t get the next part.
Я это понял, но могли бы вы объяснить, что вы сказали в начале?
Я понял первую часть, но не понял вторую.
CHECKING THAT YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD
If I’ve understood right, ...
Do you mean that ...?
Does that mean/Do you mean ...?
Did you mean ...?
In other words ... (Right?)
I am not sure when (how/where) I should put salt in it.
Если я понял правильно ...
Вы имеете в виду, что ...?
Это значит ...? Вы имеете в виду „.?
Вы имели в виду ...?
Другими словами ... (Правильно?)
Я не уверен, когда (как/где) мне следует положить соль.
4) Replace the phrases in the dialogue by those that fit from above. Act out the conversation.