Mentor English: Good Looking! Forward! And up!
| This is an entry in the series on role models and mentors. It will be a week of talking about the people we respect and admire!
This entry is available as a Adobe Acrobat file for printing or use in a class. This entry includes a listening exercises. You can dowload the MP3 or play it using the button below. (MP3) |
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We’re talking this week about the people who inspire us. And, a little bit, we’re talking about reaching our goals. These are both things that we can say using the verb ‘to look.’
That’s right, today we’re going to talk about two phrasal verbs starting with ‘look.’
Before You Listen to the Recording
Are there any role models in your life? What about people who you really respect? Even if it’s a person you don’t know, think of some people who inspire you: from Michael Jordan to Lance Armstrong, from your parents to your English teacher. . . it can be anyone you want. Remember the names that you think of.
Now, think of some goals in your life: anything you’re waiting for. For me, it’s becoming a father. For you it might be speaking perfect English, or getting a better job. Remember this, too.
Now start the recording.
After You’ve Listened to the Recording
How will you use these phrasal verbs? Who are the people you look up to? What are the events that you’re looking forward to?
I’m interested to hear about it!
Vocabulary
Look up to: Children, normally, are smaller than their parents. And so, when they look at their parents, they’re looking up. We use the same idea of ‘looking up’ to describe someone who we really respect, like children respect their parents. I look up to Lance Armstrong for all the things he’s had to overcome. A person you look up to is a person who inspires you, a person you’d like to emulate.
Look forward to: Imagine a child a day or two before Christmas. All he can think about—or talk about—is Christmas. It’s like every cell in his body is waiting for Christmas to finally come! He is looking forward to Christmas. To ‘look forward to’ something means to be waiting for it. . . but in a very positive way. It’s almost like saying “I can’t wait for. . .”
