The Objectives of the Discussion

Warming-up.

T: Then in order to be a success today we badly need to find out if we are in the right frame of mind for today’s discussion. You see cards with pairs of phrases in front of you. Read them and choose the one that corresponds to your today’s mood. If neither of them does, try to express it in your own way.

Phrases(determining one’s mood)

1. The sky is the limit.	1. Easier said than done
2. I’m ready to give a helping hand.	2. Who will help me?
3. I prefer to stand out in a crowd.	3. I’m like others
4. It’s my turn.	4. Why me/
5. I can do it!	5. I’d rather not do it
6. I dare to take a risk!	6. It’s too risky!
7. I’m a leader!	7. Don’t ask me!
8. The more difficult, the more interesting.	8. It’s too difficult for me!
9. I can make a difference!	9. It’s not in my line.
10. It’s up to me!	10. I don’t take responsibility for it!
11. Everything is possible!	11. I doubt a bit.
12. I won’t let you down!	12. I’m a failure!

T:Have you made up your mind yet? Will you be so kind as to share your choices with us?

(Students’ answers)

T: Well, I see most of you are quite self-confident, and those who doubt a bit, don’t worry, be happy, I’m sure our today’s talk will blow over all your doubts. Ok? So, keep the phrases with you, we’ll need them soon.

Famous and successful (Slide)

T: Now, friends, look at the screen! There’re some portraits on it. Do you know who all these people are?

P: I’m not sure who is the next to Marilyn Monroe.

T: Does anyone know?

P: It’s Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to set foot on top of Mount Everest.

P: Does anyone know happen to know the name of the woman next to napoleon?

P: I know. It’s Gabrielle Chanel, the French fashion designer. She created the little black dress, the perfect red lipstick and the world’s best –selling fragrance Chanel № 5.

P: If I’m not mistaken it’s our famous countryman Tadeush Kostushko next to Thomas Edison.

T: Right you are. Which of these people in your view could have said the following: At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be a Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since? (Slide)

P: It might be someone wealthy and ambitious. Is it Bill Gates?

T: I’m afraid, it’s not.

P: Albert Einstein?

T: No, these are not his words.

P: I guess the words could have belonged to an eccentric person. I’d say, Salvador Dali.

T: Absolutely. You’ve guessed! And do you have any idea what the man talking to a little girl does?

P: He might be a doctor.

P: A president.

P: A writer.

P: Could he be a teacher?

T: Yes, right. He’s a wonderful teacher Shalva Amonashvili who is adored by his little students.

T: Now look again at the phrases you’ve chosen before and try to apply them to some facts you know about these people.

P: My phrase can be directly applied to Mother Theresa, who dedicated all her life to those who needed for help and support.

P: I believe to do something for the first time one needs not to be afraid to set difficult tasks in life. I speak about Yuri Gagarin or people who are inventors like Thomas Edison.

P: I think about Michael Jordan. It’s not just his basketball skill that have made him popular; it’s his courage and determination to say I can do it! In spite of all failures he’s experienced in his life.

P: Definitely, Napoleon could have said I’m a leader and achieved practically everything he had dreamed of.

P: It goes without saying such women as Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana stood out in a crowd. Their talents and personalities were unique.

T: Could your phrase be applied to any of these people?

P: I guess it’s natural to doubt before you start something unusual. What really matters is to get over it.

T: I absolutely agree with all of you. It appears that you and they are similar-minded people. Amazing!

Setting the topic

T:Do you think all these people have something in common? Ok, I’ll reveal my secret: if you guess it right, it’ll be the topic of our today’s discussion.

P: Well, all of them are famous.

P: They all made a big breakthrough in various fields.

P: They deserve admiration for their achievements.

P: They realized their talent, fulfilled their potential.

P: I think they are all out of the ordinary people.

P: They are rich.

P: I can’t agree. It seems to be not so important about them.

T: Do you have your own version?

P: They all made something outstanding what people greatly appreciate.

P: Probably, they were successful in their lives.

T: It’s absolutely true. These people probably knew or know the secrets of success. Let’s formulate the topic of our discussion.

P: Success.

P: Successful people.

P: Secrets of success.

T: Good. Any other ideas?

P: How to be successful.

T: Right you are. How to be successful. Would you like to be successful? Is the topic relevant? Or probably you’re too young or too old for it?

P: I think success is something we are all keen to have in our lives.

P: Each beautiful thing we see: a vase, a book, a painting or impressive music is somebody’s success.

P: People achieve success by various means. So it could be a good chance to figure out the shortest way to it.

The Objectives of the Discussion

T:Good. As usual in the beginning we define our objectives. Ladies and gentlemen, which aspects of the topic are essential for you? Split yourselves in groups of four and come up with your ideas. I need an assistant to put them into a chart:

P: What is success?

P: What part does luck play in success?

P: How should we measure success?

P: Is there any universal recipe for success?

P: Can money buy success?

P: What to do with success when you’re already on the top?

P: Are men and women equally successful in life?

P: Does a family, friends, education make for success?

P: Are there any disadvantages of being successful?

P: Are there any age limitation to success?

P: What should we do if we fail?

II Oral practice.

A sketch

T: And now I offer you to role play the following situation. Let’s imagine that one of your groupmates isn’t self-confident in his relations with girls.

P: Looking at Karina. Wanna go out with her?

P: I have no chance.

P: Cheer up! Do something strange and unusual and she will notice you. For example, stir your ears like me.

P: Waste of time! I can do nothing of the kind.

P: Guys, what are you talking about?

P: We discuss how to be successful with girls.

T: It’s easy to find out. Let’s ask them. P (girl) -we were wondering what kind of boy you would go out with.

P (girl): I don’t like those who show off to much, a boy should be interesting to talk to, kind and generous, I think.

T: I’m sure, boys, you stand a good chance of success here. Now have a look at our chart. It seems to be a good ground for discussion, doesn’t it?