Uploaded July 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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[ To download a free worksheet (+KEY, +Script) just click here: drive.google.com/file/d/0ByC3QwWZuGXdWjBRaXhuV243R1U/view?usp=sharing ]

A number of students are talking about the problems they have with English. Incredibly they do manage to understand each other... :-) A hilarious little sketch with huge potential both for the classroom and for presentations.
Taken from the series 'The Sketch Show UK"
Level: B2 -- C1 Topics: Language / Language Learning / Education / Learning difficulties

EXTENSION

Post-Listening: Watch What about you? What would you say is your greatest problem with the language? Walk around the class and share your problem (+ an example) with at least three other people.

Homework: [ Students write their problem (+ an example) on a post-it note and they give it to the teacher. The teacher distributes the notes at random to the various students. Each student has to write an e-mail suggesting ways for how their classmate can overcome their problem. Next time the post-it notes along with the e-mails can be put up on the wall and the students can walk around voting for which e-mail they think gives the best advice. ]

[A big ‘Thank You’ to my colleague Joanna Charalampous for suggesting these two activities after using the clip with her class. :-) ]


[NB: I do not own the copyright to this video clip. I have uploaded it here for educational purposes].

SCRIPT

B: Hey! Aren't we all on the same English course?
A: Oh yeah! How's it going?
B: Eer -- not bad. Except that I sometimes have trouble with my grammar, isn't it? * I mean, sometimes I perfect, but other times I don't, won't they? *
R: You see, I'm alright with my grammar. My problem is spilling. I can't spill to save my loaf... *
A: Yeah?
R: Yeah... After all I have a spell chock on my compluter. *
A: Well, you know, look at it this way 'You can lead a horse to the water, but you can't eat it too' -- you know what I'm saying? *
R: No, no, not really...
B: I... I think that she sometimes has trouble mixing metaphors, aren't she?
A: Yeah... Sorry guys I'm always crying over spilled chickens before they're hatched... *
P: It's alright for you all; I've got a very small vocabulary. *
G: What's that like?
P: It's alright for you all; I've got a very small vocabulary. *
G: That's ok; I've got problem with my emPHAsis... *
A: Your emPHAsis?!?
G: Yes, my emPHAsis on different parts of the senTENces... * In my job that can cause a lot of awkWARDness... *
R: What do you do?
G: I'm a speech theRApist. *
R: A peach therapist that can't spike properly. * I'm surprised your boss hasn't sucked you... *
P: It's alright for you all; I've got a very small vocabulary. *
G: Can I make a SUggestion? Why don't you purCHAse a dictioNAry? You'll save yourself a lot of embarrassment. * (she nods)
B: I tell you what -- why don't we try studying together, isn't it? How doesn't it next week sound, didn't we? How does it next week sound, didn't we?
R: Grave idea!
G: FaBUlous! *
A: Yeah, you give them an inch, it's worth two in the bush! *
P: It's alright for you all; I've got..... *
All: Shut up!!
B: ...isn't it? *