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Conversation Advance · Module 4 · Unit 17

Maintaining Friendships

Pre C1 Advanced

Learning Objectives

Today, you will explore friends vs. family support and discover useful words and expressions for everyday situations.

Discussion

Direction: Answer these questions.
  1. Who do you turn to first when you have a problem?
  2. Do you think friends or family are better at giving advice?
  3. Have you ever had to choose between a friend and family member?

New Words & Expressions

Direction: Listen and repeat these words with your teacher.

  • Perspective

    noun

    /pərˈspɛktɪv/

    Meaning:A particular attitude or way of regarding something.

    I need a fresh perspective on this situation.

    Real Life Tip:

    Friends often provide an outside view that family might lack.

  • Expectation

    noun

    /ˌɛkspekˈteɪʃən/

    Meaning:A strong belief that something will happen.

    Family often has a high expectation of me.

    Real Life Tip:

    Used to describe family pressure.

  • Back up

    phrasal verb

    /bæk ʌp/

    Meaning:To give support or help to someone.

    I know my friends will back me up if I need them.

    Real Life Tip:

    Very common for showing loyalty.

  • Lean on

    phrasal verb

    /liːn ɒn/

    Meaning:To depend on someone for emotional support.

    It is okay to lean on your friends during hard times.

    Real Life Tip:

    Implies emotional reliance.

  • In the same boat

    idiom

    /ɪn ðə seɪm boʊt/

    Meaning:To be in the same difficult situation as someone else.

    We are both stressed about work; we are in the same boat.

    Real Life Tip:

    Creates immediate empathy.

  • Ride or die

    slang

    /raɪd ɔːr daɪ/

    Meaning:Someone who will support you no matter what.

    She is my ride or die friend.

    Real Life Tip:

    Refers to the highest level of loyalty.

Conversation

Direction:

  • Listen carefully as your teacher reads the conversation aloud.
  • Role-play the conversation with your teacher
Kevin and Jennifer discuss who they rely on for support, friends or family.
  • Kevin
    I really had to lean on my parents about the new apartment.
  • Jennifer
    That makes sense. Family has a different perspective.
  • Kevin
    Yeah, but my friends are the ones who back me up emotionally.

Q&A

Direction: Answer the questions based on the conversation.
  1. Why did Kevin lean on his parents?
  2. What does Jennifer mean by saying her friends are in the same boat?
  3. What do they conclude about support from friends and family?

Exercise

Direction: Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence, then read it aloud. Each question gives you 5 Points.

  1. What does to back someone up mean?

  2. What is a perspective?

  3. It is okay to ____ on others.

  4. We are in the same ____.

  5. first / who / turn / to / you / do

  6. friends / family / support / versus

Ask Your Teacher

Direction: Ask your teacher these questions.
  1. How do you handle family expectations when they conflict with your choices?
  2. Why might we lean on friends for certain issues and family for others?
  3. When is having a ride or die friend most critical?

Your Time To Speak

Direction: Answer using the language you have learned in this lesson. Talk about yourself!
  1. How do I explain my needs to family without conflict?
  2. Can a friend provide the same support as family?
  3. What if my family does not back me up?
  4. Is it normal to prefer my friends perspectives?
  5. How do I balance family expectations and my own life?
  6. What do I do if I am in the same boat as a struggling friend?
  7. Are there limits to how much I should lean on someone?
  8. How do I maintain my identity with family expectations?
  9. Should I tell my friends about my family issues?
  10. What defines a ride or die relationship?
Jennifer
I feel the same. My friends feel like they are in the same boat.
  • Kevin
    Exactly. They understand my current life expectations better.
  • Jennifer
    True. I guess I have a ride or die group of friends.
  • Kevin
    That is so important. We need both types of support.
  • Jennifer
    Agreed. Family for the long term, friends for the daily.