Hibiscus Teach · Vids
Meet my family: Stuart Little and Babe
Practise introducing people and talking about family.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Watch each clip, then try its activities.
The films and cartoons use natural English. Focus on the task and the pictures; you do not need to understand every word. Use English captions when the source provides them. Definitions, examples and model answers are original teaching material; vocabulary may describe a scene without being spoken in it.
Useful language
Use This is + a name or person: This is my brother. Use my for your family and your for another person’s family. Ask What’s your name? Answer My name’s Ana or I’m Ana.
Say it now: Speak for 30 seconds. Introduce two people in your family or an imaginary family.
Example answer
This is my sister, Eva. This is my dad, Leo. We live together.
Solo: change one detail. Tutor: ask one simple question about the answer.
Stuart Little: a new brother
George comes home. Listen for the names and the word brother.
Selected extract: 0:35 to 1:10. Press play after loading. Source: Movieclips.
Watch and check: 3 questions
Choose one answer for each question, then read the feedback. Replay the extract if you need to.
Answer key and explanations
- B. George George calls to his mum and dad when he comes home.
- A. Stuart His parents introduce Stuart as his new brother.
- C. A mouse George says Stuart looks like a mouse. Stuart agrees.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Look like before a noun
“you look somewhat like a mouse”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Look like + noun compares appearance with a thing or person. Look + adjective describes an appearance. Somewhat makes the similarity less complete.
Speaking: use the language
Speak for 30 to 45 seconds. Use the words above. A short, clear answer is enough.
Introduce Stuart to a friend. Say his name and his place in the family.
Model answer
This is Stuart. He is a mouse. He is George’s new brother.
Your answer can be different.
Solo: introduce George next. Tutor: How might George feel about his new brother?
Babe: what is your name?
The dog asks the little pig about his name. Listen for Babe and mum.
Selected extract: 0:43 to 1:14. Press play after loading. Source: Movieclips.
Watch and check: 3 questions
Choose one answer for each question, then read the feedback. Replay the extract if you need to.
Answer key and explanations
- A. Babe He explains that his mum called him and the other young pigs Babe.
- B. His mum Babe says that he wants his mum.
- C. brothers and sisters She asks what his mother called him and his brothers and sisters.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · A wh-question with did and a base verb
“What did your mother call you to tell you apart from your brothers and sisters?”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
What asks for the name she used. Did marks the past, while call stays in the base form. Your mother is the person doing the naming.
Speaking: use the language
Speak for 30 to 45 seconds. Use the words above. A short, clear answer is enough.
Imagine you meet Babe. Introduce yourself and ask his name.
Model answer
Hello. I’m Alex. What’s your name? It’s nice to meet you.
Your answer can be different.
Solo: answer as Babe. Tutor: What can you say to make a new person feel welcome?
Listen, repeat and use
Listen once, then repeat. Replace a word or name to make each sentence true for you.
This is my brother.
Introduce someone in your family.
What’s your name?
Ask someone their name.
My name’s Anna.
Give your name.
Welcome to our home.
Help a new person feel welcome.
Check what you can use
Mastery quiz: 6 questions
Choose one answer for each question, then read the feedback. Replay the extract if you need to.
Answer key and explanations
- B. This is my sister. Use This is before one person.
- A. What’s your name? What’s is the short form of What is.
- C. I’m Tom. I’m + name is a natural answer.
- A. family Family includes people such as parents and sisters.
- B. This is my brother. My shows that you are talking about your own family.
- C. Welcome to our home. This is a friendly way to welcome someone.
Final speaking challenge
Return to one speaking task. Say your answer again without reading the model. Use two useful phrases from this lesson.
Solo: record 30 to 45 seconds, then listen for the phrases you used. Tutor: ask one follow-up question and help the learner say the answer again.
1–2 minGrammar masteryA2 · Purpose or reason
“What did your mother call you to tell you apart from your brothers and sisters?”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
To tell you apart expresses purpose: in order to distinguish you. Because would introduce a reason instead.