Do you have great friends?

Duration: 50 minutes.

Let’s take a look at today’s lesson

In today’s lesson we will discuss the topic of friendship and I will teach you some vocabulary about the subject.

Lesson Key: (V) = Vocabulary. (U) = Understanding. (R) = Reading.

A friend is someone who…

A friend is someone who understands you, and if they don’t, they try to. They want to know what you’re all about and what you need.
A friend is somebody who is there for you when they can be, but also sets boundaries when they need to. Many things make someone a good friend, and the definition of what makes a true friendship differs from person to person.

Quick questions to warm-up.

What do you like to do with your friends?
What are some things you like most about your friends?
Do you have any childhood friendships that are still strong today?
Do you have any long distance friends? How do you keep in touch?
Do you make friends easily?
Have you made a friend on the Internet? How did you meet that friend?

In the video below are some qualities that make someone a friend that you’ll want to keep in your life for a long time.

Video Transcript: I’m 97 years old, and I wrote to my friend Cathy every day for 70 years.

Transcript for the video.

0:02 I’m 97 years old and I wrote to my

0:07 friend Cathy every day for 7 to 7 years

0:16 we decided to burn all the letters once

0:19 we had replied to them so that they

0:22 could never ever fall into other hands

0:30 we met when we were 10 at school there

0:35 was an immediate rapport between us and

0:38 we were hardly ever parted until the

0:43 Second World War and one night I woke up

0:47 with her parents were shaking me in the

0:49 morning they said where’s Cathy she

0:52 eloped she’d gone to Cornwall they were

0:56 furious, they didn’t like Harry because

1:01 he was a pacifist I suppose and an

1:04 atheist

1:05 we never saw much of each other again in

1:09 all our lives but we wrote to each other

1:13 every day and we told each other

1:16 everything, don’t ask me she

1:24 always gave the right advice I think she

1:27 saved my marriage was just with her

1:30 words

1:40 I miss writing to her every day I shall

1:46 always miss her there’s no one like her

1:58 no none

Now let’s have a look, at some vocabulary and idioms about friends.

Expression	Type	Definition	Example
A shoulder to cry on	Idiom	Someone who listens and gives comfort when you’re upset.	When I broke up with my partner, Sam was a real shoulder to cry on.
Through thick and thin	Idiom	To stay loyal and supportive no matter what happens.	We’ve been friends through thick and thin since school.
Mate	Word	A casual word for a friend (commonly used in British/Australian English).	Hey mate, want to grab a coffee later?
Buddy	Word	Informal, friendly term for a close friend.	Thanks for helping me move, buddy!
Pal	Word	Another informal word for a friend; warm and gender-neutral.	We’ve been pals since childhood.

Idiom: A shoulder to cry on.

Lisa was having a really hard time. She had lost her job, and her parents were getting divorced. She felt alone and didn’t know what to do. Then she remembered something her grandmother used to say: “Always have a shoulder to cry on.”

So, Lisa called her old friend Sarah. Sarah was happy to listen and be there for her. For the first time in weeks, Lisa felt a little better. Now they talk every day. Lisa learned that sometimes, just having someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, can make all the difference.

Let’s talk about our friends!
I have written some examples of answers in simple and advanced English.

Can you give any suggestions for making new friends when you start a new job.

Simple English: Some ways to make new friends at a new job include being friendly, introducing yourself, asking questions, and joining company events or clubs.

Advanced English: Building relationships with colleagues is an important aspect of job satisfaction and can even impact career success. Some strategies for making new friends in a work setting include taking the initiative to introduce yourself, showing interest in others, and actively engaging in workplace social activities. Seeking out opportunities to collaborate on projects, joining company clubs or committees, and attending work-related events are all ways to build rapport with colleagues and establish connections that can last beyond the workplace. Additionally, taking time to understand and appreciate cultural differences among colleagues can help foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

What qualities are most important in a friend?

Simple English: Honesty, kindness, and reliability are the most important qualities in a friend.

Advanced English: The most important qualities in a friend can vary depending on personal values and cultural norms, but some universal qualities include honesty, kindness, and reliability. Honesty is essential because it creates trust and openness in the relationship, while kindness fosters a sense of caring and support. Reliability is also essential because it creates a sense of dependability and consistency in the friendship. Other significant qualities might include a sense of humour, shared interests, and a willingness to listen and empathize. Ultimately, the qualities that are most significant in a friend will depend on the individual and what they value most in a relationship.

Can you give any suggestions for making new friends when you start a new job or move to a new neighbourhood?
How are your friendships different now than they were when you were a child?
Do you have any suggestions for keeping good friends?
Why do some friendships fall apart? (Think of various possible reasons.)
An English proverb says, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Do you agree or disagree? Please explain.
What qualities are most important in a friend?
Do you have all of these qualities?