Idioms & Expressions:
strutting like a peacock (a phrase that means someone is behaving in an excessively arrogant way after they’ve accomplished something)
The players were strutting around like peacocks for a few months after winning the championship.
pride comes before the fall (an expression that means that arrogant or overconfident people will usually fail at some point)
second nature (noun; refers to having learned something extremely well)
After months of practice, shooting a basketball became second nature to him.
master (verb; to master something means that you have become an expert at it)
She mastered the task of driving a car through the snow after a few months of living in Alaska.
have it down to a science (an expression that means someone has found the most efficient way to do something)
I have my morning commute down to a science – I can get from my home to the office in 20 minutes.
the bane of my existence (noun; something in your life that greatly stresses or challenges you)
Calculus is a very hard subject for me. It’s the bane of my existence.
burning the midnight oil (to stay up late working on something)
I have an exam tomorrow morning so I’m going to be burning the midnight oil tonight.
up to your eyeballs in _____ (an expression that means someone is dealing with a lot of something; generally a negative connotation)
I am up to my eyeballs in homework tonight.
it’s not rocket science (an expression used to signify that something is not difficult to understand)
Don’t worry about learning your grammar; it’s not rocket science.
Part I: Group Discussion
- Do you like mirrors? Why?
I guess so. I think I look at myself whenever there’s a reflective surface around, but I think everyone does that. So I don’t think I look at myself in the mirror any more or less often than most people do.
- Do you buy any mirrors?
Not at all (I think this is a pretty silly question). I think you only need to buy a mirror when you’re furnishing a new home, which probably isn’t that often.
- Do you think a mirror is useful for decoration?
They’re not necessary, but I think they’re good to have in your house. If you have one in your bathroom then you should be all set.
- When you shop for clothes, is the mirror important? Why?
Of course! You have to see what you look like in the clothing you’re trying on.
Part II: Individual Presentations
Describe a degree you would like to do or a course you would like to take. Please say:
What is it?
When and where would you like to study?
Why would you like to do it?
At some point I would like to take an immersive Spanish or Mandarin course. There are programs where you can sign up to move to a Spanish or Mandarin-speaking city and study the language for a few weeks or months. You have to sign a pledge that you will not use your native language the entire time you’re there, which I think is the best way to learn something. I would like to do this within the next few years – I just need to pick a language first.
Part III: Class Discussion
- Do you think people need good teachers?
Of course. It’s hard to learn anything without a good teacher. A teacher should be empathetic and patient and have good knowledge of the material.
- How would you describe teaching?
I think it’s a difficult job that requires a diverse skill set, but with enough practice it can become second nature and pretty easy.
- Do you think Math and Sports teachers should have similar qualities?
Sort of — but sports (PE teachers) need to be more energetic and have different knowledge (of sports and games) than a math teacher, who must have detailed knowledge of mathematical theorems and principles.
