CommunicationWorkshop.docx

Unit 23 Lesson 1Living in a Community
Before the lesson: Preview tasks
Task 1. Consolidate the words and phrases we’ve learnt:
社区(n.)__________两星期(n.)_____________ 青少年时期(n.)__________
裁缝(n.)______ 阳台(n.)______ 退休的(adj.)__________水槽(n.)___________
bother sb.________ walking stick_______ be driven to___________
in a flash___________ blow out__________ hit sb. over the head ____________
take things further_________ get rid of_______ get to do something____________
Task 2. Read the article and answer the questions:
1). Is it true that we cannot avoid conflict in our life?

2). Are there any ways to help deal with conflicts? Can you give some examples?

3). Where may conflict occur?

During the lesson:
Reading:
Characters
James McKay
McKay is usually a(n) ________ person.
Keith Smith
Smith, who lives _____ the McKays, is a keen_____ and a _______. He watered his plants and cleaned his fish tanks on his _________
Conflict
Cause
The McKays were bothered by the falling _______ from Smith watering his plants and cleaning his fish tanks and by the _______ of fish for the last _________.
Process
On Saturday evening, it was McKay’s _______. Smith emptied one of his larger tanks over his balcony and made the McKays and the 4. _____________ wet through.McKay went up and _____ Smith over the 5. _______ and then he was jailed.
Results
★Smith has promised to __________.
★Grandpa left the police station and many ____________ sang “Happy Birthday” to
him. He said this is the most _________birthday ever.

Writing:
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am ________.I feel bad to trouble you but I am afraid I have to write you the letter about ________________________________.
The reason for my dissatisfaction is that __________________. In the first place, _____________________. In addition, ______________________. Under these circumstances, I find it _______ to __________________.
I would appreciate it very much if you could __________________. Thank you for your consideration and I will be looking forward to your reply.
Best wishes!
Yours sincerely,
Laurene
Theme-based Reading I: 《Relationship Conflict》
(当我们与他人发生冲突时，正确处理问题并借此成长不失为一种更加高明的处世哲学。)
It’s clear that, for anyone of us, relationship conflict occurs in our life, no matter how much we have in common. That’s because disagreement and differences cannot be avoided.
Instead of seeing conflict as a threat to a relationship, what if we saw conflict as an opportunity and a sign of growth in a relationship?
This requires understanding that conflict cannot be avoided in a relationship. So what should we focus on when we try to deal with it?
★Remember not to sweat the small stuff. Do not make something a battle unless it’s truly important. Realise that not every disagreement needs to be an argument.
★Practice acceptance. If you find yourself in the midst of a conflict, try to remember that the other person is coming into the situation with a totally different background and set of experiences. You have not been in this person’s shoes, so it may help to try to put yourself in them.
★Exercise patience. It’s hard to remember this in the heat of the moment. But stop to take a few deep breaths and take a break and revisit the discussion when tensions are not as high.
★ Lower your expectations. In other words, you should keep in mind that you may have different expectations. The best way to clarify this is to ask what another’s expectations are.
★Focus on the behaviour of the person and not their personal characteristics. Personal attacks can be far more damaging and long-lasting. Talk about what behaviour upset you instead of what is “wrong” with someone’s personality.
★ Clarify what the person meant by their action, instead of what you thought their action meant. Most of the time, your partner is not trying to hurt you on purpose.
★Keep in mind your objective is to solve the problem, rather than win the fight. Remember that it’s better to be happy than right!
★ Leave it in the past. If you make the decision to leave the conflict in the past, do your best to do that, rather than bring it up again in future conflicts.

Theme-based Reading II
How to solve roommate conflicts
语篇导读：同室相处难免会有矛盾，遇到这种情况时，该如何解决？
Sharing a place with a roommate can give you some of the best things in life, and it can be rewarding by providing you with memories that can last for a long time. With your roommate, you can discover a friend and learn more about different things and culture.
However, just like other relationships and arrangements, rooming with someone can also offer you lots of challenges. Roommate conflicts are inevitable (不可避免的), and it is best that you should be ready for this.
Sooner or later, conflict will happen. But remember, this is a natural occurrence when it comes to relationships and sharing a room with another person. Reasons for bad roommate relationships vary (有所不同) — they can be about petty things or can grow into serious issues. Whatever the source of conflict is, it is important to address it immediately.
If you are facing an inevitable conflict, then it’s recommended that you deal with it calmly. It is never a good step to attack it in an angry manner. It is best that you approach the problem and talk to your roommate when you are already calmer. Here are some tricks to keep in mind when you learn how to solve roommate conflicts.
＊Breathe and approach the subject in a calmer manner.
＊Control your speaking voice, and deliver your side in a slow and soft manner.
＊Respect the side of others while trying to state your side.
＊Learn to admit mistakes if you are wrong.
＊Choose the best time and place to solve the problem.
＊Try to talk in private, and never involve other people.
Roommate conflicts are not contests — it’s all about building a compromise(妥协). It is best to find a common ground where you can talk and settle differences.