Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons
Moana
Ask, Guide, Let Me Try
Check what someone wants, offer advice without taking over and explain a practical skill in clear steps.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Listening without deciding for someone
Moana tells Grandma Tala she will follow the expected path. Tala accepts what Moana says, leaving space for another question.
Watch for: Does Tala tell Moana which answer she must choose?
Clip A quiz · 6 questions
Answer about this clip only. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB1 · Future reference after when
“When I die, I'm going to come back as one of these.”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
When I die refers to a future moment despite the present form die. Going to in the main clause expresses the speaker’s expectation or intention.
Useful English
Original practice phrases.
You said that was what you wanted. Is it still?
Check a stated preference without treating it as permanent.
Would you like advice, or would you like me to listen?
Let the person choose the support they need.
Keep talking · 3 questions
Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.
What is the difference between accepting a choice and not caring?
Support and one possible answer
Accepting a choice can mean… while…
Accepting a choice can mean respecting the person while still being ready to listen and discuss the options.
Help an undecided friend without selecting an answer for them.
Support and one possible answer
What matters most…? Would you like…?
What matters most to you about this choice? Would you like to compare the options together?
When would you want advice, and when would you want a demonstration?
Support and one possible answer
For a decision… For a new skill…
For a decision I may need questions about my goal. For a new skill I may need a clear demonstration and a chance to try.
Learning to navigate
In this story, the selected scene focuses on learning to navigate.
Watch for: How does Moana move from passenger to learner?
Clip B quiz · 6 questions
Answer about this clip only. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB2 · Embedded question word order
“It's seeing where you're going in your mind”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
Where you’re going is embedded after seeing. It uses statement order, subject before auxiliary, although a direct question would be Where are you going?
Useful English
Could you show me the first step?
Let me check that I understand.
Keep talking · 3 questions
Say your answer before opening the support. Take turns with a partner, or speak aloud on your own.
What helps you learn a practical skill?
Support and one possible answer
Seeing… then trying…
Seeing a clear example and then trying it myself helps me.
What can you say before trying a difficult task alone?
Support and one possible answer
Let me check…
Let me check the steps first. Then I would like to try it.
Give a beginner three steps for a familiar activity.
Support and one possible answer
First… Next… Finally…
First, open the file. Next, choose your picture. Finally, save your work.
Mastery: use your English
Use language from both clips in new situations.
Mastery · 6 questions
Use language from both clips in a new situation.
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 the kind of guidance differ in the two clips?
Support and one possible answer
Tala…; Maui…
Tala invites Moana to think about what she wants. Maui demonstrates a method. The goal helps decide which kind of support is useful.
What can go wrong if a helper takes over too soon?
Support and one possible answer
The learner may…
The learner may follow a plan they did not choose or lose a chance to practise a new skill.
Teach a visitor to use a camera without taking over.
Role A
Help a visitor use a simple camera. Ask the goal before demonstrating, then let the visitor try.
Role B
Explain what you want to photograph. Ask one checking question and request an independent attempt.
Support
Ask the goal, explain three steps, check understanding and offer a first attempt.
Check your conversation
- Ask what the learner wants.
- Use clear sequencing and check understanding.
- Offer a try and a retry without taking over.
One possible conversation, after your attempt
What would you like to photograph? First, switch the camera on. Next, frame the picture. Finally, press the button. What is the first step? Would you like to try now?
Try again: Repeat once. Improve one question and one response.
1–2 minGrammar masteryB2 · No obligation versus an unnecessary completed action
“I don't have to tell him anything.”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Don’t have to removes an obligation without saying whether she tells him. In new practice about a past conversation, needn’t have told him would normally imply that telling actually happened unnecessarily.