EMA - Adding the Extra Detail
B2 / C1 - Live Online Class - 45 minutes
Adding the Extra Detail
Connect your ideas smoothly when you talk about the people, places, and things in your life.
🔗
The Story Connector
Every person, place, or thing has a story attached. Today you'll learn the connector words that pull that story right into your sentence.
Phase 1 - Warm-Up - 5 min
Describe This Person
You have 10 seconds. Go!
"Describe this person to a friend who's never met them. Go!"
Before"She has a laptop. She's in a coffee shop. She looks busy."
After 🔗"She's the woman who's always working from that coffee shop on the corner."
Today, you're going to connect your ideas like that - smoothly, the way a fluent speaker does.
Phase 2 - Input - 8 min
The Story Connector
These little words pull the extra story right into your sentence.
| Connector | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| who | people | a friend who always has your back |
| that | people/things - casual | the guy that sits next to me |
| which | things + comments | the report, which was late |
| where | places | a place where they know your name |
| whose | ownership | a coworker whose desk is next to mine |
Real-life sound bites
Friends - "Who's that?" "Oh, that's Sarah, the friend who just moved here."
Coworkers - "Have you met the new guy?" "Yeah, he's the one whose desk is by the window."
Making plans - "Where should we meet?" "Let's go to that cafe where they know my order."
One tag, or an extra tag?
Ask yourself: does it change WHO we're talking about, or is it just a bonus comment?
Defines who"My sister who lives in Miami is a doctor." (sounds like I have more than one sister)
Just a comment"My sister, who lives in Miami, is a doctor." (just one sister, extra comment)
Sound Map - same sound, different job
who /huː/"a friend who called me"
whose /huːz/"a coworker whose desk..."
who's /huːz/"who's that?"
Phase 3 - Controlled Practice - Part A - 6 min
Connector Chain
Breakout Rooms - groups of 3
Go around your group. Each person picks a photo and adds ONE sentence using a connector. You can't repeat a connector your teammate just used. If you hesitate more than 3 seconds, the chain passes to the next person. Keep the chain going - your group with the longest chain wins!
Beginner
Starters + a word bank are shown on screen next to the photos: who - that - which - where - whose. Chain goal: 4.
Intermediate
Photos only, no starters. Chain goal: 6.
Advanced
No photos - use real people and places from your own life. At least 1 sentence must be an "extra tag" comment (with a comma). Chain goal: 8+.
Phase 3 - Controlled Practice - Part B - pick the rounds that fit your class time
Match & Combine Sprint
Think fast! Go with your gut - don't overthink it. Six rounds, six skills - use them all, or pick 2-3 for today's class.
Beginner - 120 seconds - chart visible
02:00
Tap a sentence starter on the left, then tap its ending on the right.
0 / 10 matched
Finish the sentence out loud (or type your idea), then reveal a model answer to compare.
Which one is correct or sounds the most natural? Tap your answer.
Press "Start Flash Round" to begin
Phase 4 - Free Practice - 8 min
Fluency Sprint
Breakout Rooms, pairs - Partner A goes first, then switch
You're at a work happy hour. Someone asks you: "So, tell me about yourself - who are the people in your life?" Keep talking for the FULL time. Don't stop!
Beginner
1 minute. Starter card provided. Goal: use 3 different connectors.
Intermediate
2 minutes. Prompt only, no starters. Goal: use 5 connectors, including 1 comment clause.
Advanced
3 minutes. Open prompt. Goal: use 6+ connectors, including 1 comment clause and 1 reduced clause. No repeating a connector twice in a row.
01:00
Tick off each connector you hear your partner use:
No stopping, no correcting yourself mid-sentence - just keep going! Give your partner feedback after their time is up.
Phase 5 - Closing - 5 min
Show What You've Got
Beginner
Pick the right connector for this photo:
Intermediate
"That's the coworker ___ always brings snacks to the office."
who / that
Advanced
On the spot: produce one full sentence describing a real person in your life - out loud, right now.
This week, I'm going to use...
Phase 6 - Feedback - 4 min
Let's Hear It
What's the best sentence you built today?
The group's favorite sentence:
- One thing that went well today
- One thing to sharpen next time
Everyone leaves with their "this week I'll use..." sentence. See you next class!
Cambia tu mentalidad. Habla ingles. - English Mind Academy
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