CONVERSATION WORKSHOPJANUARY 2013By

Margo Hernandez

VOCABULARY LESSON

Treat Hostess Party Lover of Get you started with Big drinkers Spotted Dishes A must

DIFFICULT WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS Treat vs. Treat I will treat myself . I eat treats on weekends Host vs. Hostess The host was a gentleman. The hostess was very pretty. Cheap vs. Inexpensive The cheap watch broke within a week. The restaurant was crowded, but inexpensive . Dishes vs. Dishes I have lots of dishes to wash after Thanksgiving. I served many different dishes at the Christmas

dinner. Show vs. show you My mom and I are going to see a show at the

theatre today. I will show you how to drive on the highway. Party vs. my party of We are going to my friend’s party today. Our family will be a party of 12.

READDINING AT A RESTAURANT

Well, I love going out to restaurants to eat. One of the best experiences I've had recently was at a place here in Los Angeles called Il Fornaio. It's an Italian restaurant in a very nice part of Beverly Hills. I don't go there very often--I can't really afford it, but every once in a while I'll treat myself.

The last time I went, I walked in with a friend and I was greeted by the hostess. She asked how many people were in my party, and I said, "Just two." "Right this way! I'll show you to your table" she said. She was very polite. When we reached our table by the window, she asked us, "Is this all right?" We said, "Of course!," and then she handed us the menus, along with the wine list. The place setting with the silverware was very complete. There were two forks (one for the salad course, one for the main course), a spoon, a knife, a dinner plate, a dessert spoon on top, a wine glass and a water glass, a cup and saucer for coffee, and a bread basket. I was already getting hungry!

"Your waiter will be with you shortly," the hostess said. So we looked over the menus‚ Also many choices, especially for a lover of Italian food like me.

The waiter came up to the table a few minutes later and said, "Good evening. My name is Giorgio, and I'll be your waiter this evening. Is there anything I can get you started with -a cocktail, a glass of wine?" Well, my friend and I are not exactly big drinkers, so we just ordered a couple of iced teas. "Would you like a few minutes to look at the menu?" he said. We nodded our heads, and he went off to get our drinks. As I was looking at the appetizers, I spotted one of my favorite dishes-crab cakes! I told my friend that the crab cakes were a must. Just then the waiter returned to our table, with our drinks on a large tray. Now, I was ready to order.

LISTENINGDINING AT A RESTAURANT

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=1849600# Well, I love going out to restaurants to eat. One of the best experiences I've

had recently was at a place here in Los Angeles called Il Fornaio. It's an Italian restaurant in a very nice part of Beverly Hills. I don't go there very often--I can't really afford it, but every once in a while I'll treat myself.

The last time I went, I walked in with a friend and I was greeted by the hostess. She asked how many people were in my party, and I said, "Just two." "Right this way! I'll show you to your table" she said. She was very polite. When we reached our table by the window, she asked us, "Is this all right?" We said, "Of course!," and then she handed us the menus, along with the wine list. The place setting with the silverware was very complete. There were two forks (one for the salad course, one for the main course), a spoon, a knife, a dinner plate, a dessert spoon on top, a wine glass and a water glass, a cup and saucer for coffee, and a bread basket. I was already getting hungry!

"Your waiter will be with you shortly," the hostess said. So we looked over the menus‚ Also many choices, especially for a lover of Italian food like me.

The waiter came up to the table a few minutes later and said, "Good evening. My name is Giorgio, and I'll be your waiter this evening. Is there anything I can get you started with -a cocktail, a glass of wine?" Well, my friend and I are not exactly big drinkers, so we just ordered a couple of iced teas. "Would you like a few minutes to look at the menu?" he said. We nodded our heads, and he went off to get our drinks.

As I was looking at the appetizers, I spotted one of my favorite dishes-crab cakes! I told my friend that the crab cakes were a must. Just then the waiter returned to our table, with our drinks on a large tray. Now, I was ready to order.

WRITING

Write about a time you went to a restaurant . How did your waiter/waitress help you? Was your meal expensive or inexpensive? How did your food taste, delicious, old, or

perfect? Was it hot, cold, or perfect? What is your favorite food? Was your meal expensive or inexpensive? Was there anything that you would change

about your experience?

SPEAKING

This is a simple game that you all will use to begin a conversation in English. SAMPLE: • Look at the picture below of this famous person. • Talk about physical features of this person such as, "He's American," "He's black," "He's a sport player," "He plays golf." •Guess the name of the person.. Tiger Woods. •You all will take turns describing people, place and things to each other.

SPEAKING You all will take turns describing

picture, place or things to each other.

Look at the pictures below. Talk about physical features of

these picture(s). Guess the name of the picture(s).

Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4

THANK YOU

Next Conversation Workshop will be February 12, 2013, 1 PM – 2PM or 6 PM – 7

PM

Margo HernandezMargo.hernandez@nisd.net

210-397-8982