Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons
How to Train Your Dragon
Maybe We’ve Got This Wrong.
Explain an observation, reconsider an assumption and disagree with a reason.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Meet Toothless
In this story, the selected scene focuses on meet toothless.
Watch for: How does Hiccup try to change Astrid’s reaction?
Clip A quiz · 6 questions
Answer about this clip only. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB1 · Let with an object and bare infinitive
“just let me show you”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Let me show gives me as the person performing the showing. After let + object, use a bare infinitive. Allow + object uses a to-infinitive in new practice.
Useful English
Please give me a chance to explain.
I thought that too, until I saw…
Keep talking · 3 questions
Say your answer before opening the support. Take turns with a partner, or speak aloud on your own.
How can someone help a frightened person feel safer?
Support and one possible answer
They can speak…
They can speak calmly, give space and explain what is happening.
When has a demonstration helped you understand something?
Support and one possible answer
I understood when…
I understood a new app when someone showed me one complete example.
Ask someone to check an assumption before judging.
Support and one possible answer
Before we decide…
Before we decide, could we look at what actually happened?
A different explanation
In this story, the selected scene focuses on a different explanation.
Watch for: What new explanation does Hiccup offer?
Clip B quiz · 6 questions
Answer about this clip only. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB1 · Future passive and participant roles
“If they don't bring enough food back, they'll be eaten themselves.”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
They’ll be eaten makes the dragons the possible victims. A future passive uses will + be + past participle; themselves emphasises that the raiders could become food.
Useful English
The evidence suggests a different explanation.
Would you reconsider if you knew more?
Keep talking · 3 questions
Say your answer before opening the support. Take turns with a partner, or speak aloud on your own.
Why is an admission useful in a disagreement?
Support and one possible answer
It shows…
It shows that you can recognise your own mistake while still explaining another point.
What is the difference between a guess and evidence?
Support and one possible answer
A guess… Evidence…
A guess is a possible explanation. Evidence is information that can support or challenge it.
Politely ask someone to reconsider a decision.
Support and one possible answer
Would you reconsider if…?
Would you reconsider if we could show that the plan is safer than you thought?
Mastery: use your English
Apply language from both clips to new situations.
Mastery · 6 questions
Use the English in new situations. Choose one answer for each question.
Put it all together — speaking
Use English from both clips. For the last conversation, take a role each. On your own, practise both roles.
How does Hiccup try to change two different people's views?
Support and one possible answer
Explanation, demonstration and…
He uses explanation and demonstration, but the listeners have different concerns.
What makes someone more willing to reconsider?
Support and one possible answer
Feeling heard and seeing…
Feeling heard and seeing a specific new detail can help.
Can you resolve a mistaken accusation in a group project?
Role A
You are blamed for not doing your part of a project. You finished it but forgot to send the message. Explain and offer the saved file as evidence.
Role B
You thought the work was missing. Listen, ask one checking question and agree on a better update routine.
Support
Admit any mistake; offer evidence; ask for a revised decision.
Check your conversation
- Complete the communication goal on both role cards.
- Use language from both clips naturally, with at least three target items overall.
- Ask a relevant question and respond to your partner, rather than delivering two unrelated speeches.
- Finish with a clear decision, next step or summary; repeat one part after feedback.
One possible conversation, after your attempt
A: I should have told you earlier. My section is finished. B: When did you save it? A: Yesterday; here is the file history. B: That changes things. Let us send a short update after each task.
I should have sent an update. The file history shows the work was completed, so could we reconsider the plan?
Try again: After feedback, repeat the most difficult exchange. Improve one language point and one communication point; do not memorise the example.
1–2 minGrammar masteryB2 · Should have or must have?
“I should have told you before now.”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
Should have can judge an earlier action as advisable. Must have instead makes a strong deduction about what happened.