Learn English with Shark Tale

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Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons

Shark Tale

A Different Way to Help

Resist an unsuitable expectation and respond practically to a customer’s problem.

B1–B2 English target60-minute lesson target

13+ target with careful screening of dark shrimp jokes, predation and toilet humour; not an approved teen cut yet.

Created by , British English teacher.

Squeaky Shrimp

Lenny is expected to behave like the other sharks, but he does not want to eat the shrimp.

Watch for: How does Lenny avoid doing what his father expects?

Original source

Clip A quiz: 6 questions

Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.

1. What does Lenny’s father expect him to do?
2. Which comparison increases the pressure on Lenny?
3. What kind of excuse does Lenny offer?
4. What does the shrimp talk about to seek sympathy?
5. What does Lenny eventually do with the shrimp?
6. Who is asked to help change Lenny’s behaviour?

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB2 · An outcome independent of either alternative
“whether you like it or not”

Clip 1, quotation excerpt

Whether you like it or not presents both possible attitudes and says the outcome will happen in either case. If you like it would instead make liking a condition.

New practice based on the quote: Which new condition preserves the outcome even in the unfavourable case?

Useful English

That is not something I want to do.

You say: Decline a competition you do not enjoy.

One possible response

That competition is not something I want to do.

There must be another way.

You say: Ask for another way to help the team.

One possible response

There must be another way for me to help.

Keep talking: 3 questions

Speak before opening the help or example. With a partner, ask a follow-up. On your own, say your answer aloud.

  1. What is the difference between an excuse and a clear refusal?

    Help me start

    An excuse…; a refusal…

    Show an example

    An excuse avoids the reason, while a refusal can state it clearly.

  2. Which expectations are useful in a team?

    Help me start

    It is useful to expect…

    Show an example

    It is useful to expect everyone to explain what they can do.

  3. Refuse one task and offer another.

    Help me start

    I cannot… but I can…

    Show an example

    I cannot perform on stage, but I can help with the lights.

Whale Washing

Oscar’s work at the whale wash involves dealing with awkward practical problems and customers.

Watch for: How does he respond when the service goes wrong?

Original source

Clip B quiz: 6 questions

Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.

1. What service is Oscar working in?
2. Where does part of his cleaning work take place?
3. What makes the work suddenly risky?
4. Why does a fellow worker need Oscar’s attention?
5. What does the customer complain about?
6. What kind of response does Oscar offer?

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB2 · Could with a base verb, not a modal perfect
“I could have this job and look like you”

Clip 2, quotation excerpt

Have this job uses lexical have followed by its object. Could have does not introduce a past perfect unless followed by a past participle, as in could have looked.

Which comparison correctly distinguishes the spoken phrase from “I could have looked like you”?

Useful English

I’m sorry about that; let me help.

You say: Respond to a customer with the wrong drink.

One possible response

I’m sorry about that; let me bring the right drink.

Here is what I can offer.

You say: Offer to replace a damaged notebook.

One possible response

Here is what I can offer: a replacement notebook.

Keep talking: 3 questions

Speak before opening the help or example. With a partner, ask a follow-up. On your own, say your answer aloud.

  1. Does Oscar respond to the immediate problem or avoid it?

    Help me start

    He… when…

    Show an example

    He tries to respond quickly when a colleague is at risk.

  2. What makes an apology useful?

    Help me start

    It helps when…

    Show an example

    It helps when the speaker also offers a practical solution.

  3. Respond to a simple customer complaint.

    Help me start

    I’m sorry…; I can…

    Show an example

    I’m sorry the notebook is damaged. I can replace it today.

Mastery: use your English

Apply language and ideas from both clips in new situations.

Mastery: 6 questions

Use the English in a new situation. Choose one answer for each question.

1. Decline a task while offering a useful alternative.
2. A customer receives the wrong item. Acknowledge and act.
3. Ask about an expectation rather than assuming it.
4. Offer an alternative without promising an unavailable service.
5. Complete: We need to ___ the complaint before closing.
6. State a boundary directly rather than disguising it as a practical obstacle.

Put it all together: speaking

Use English from both clips. Start with the two short questions, then take a private role each. On your own, practise both roles.

  1. What links Lenny’s refusal and Oscar’s service response?

    Help me start

    Both need to…

    Show an example

    Both need to respond to what another person expects.

  2. What can you offer when you cannot do exactly what is requested?

    Help me start

    Offer a…

    Show an example

    Offer a realistic alternative with a clear limit.

  3. Can you reach a workable outcome together using the two private role cards?

    Private Role A

    You run a school equipment desk. A borrowed microphone is faulty. You have a working speaker but only a wired microphone, which needs a nearby power point. Find out the customer’s real need.

    Private Role B

    You need sound for an outdoor talk in twenty minutes. You cannot use the far wall because the audience must remain near the entrance. Explain the constraints and ask what can work.

    Open only your own role card. Share its information by speaking, without showing the card.

    Help me start

    Discover the missing information; explain your constraint; respond to your partner; agree on a practical next step. Use language from both clips.

    Check your conversation

    • Complete the practical goal on both role cards.
    • Use at least three target items naturally, including language from each clip.
    • Ask a relevant follow-up and respond to information you did not know.
    • End with a clear agreement, next step or summary.
    Show an example

    A: I’m sorry the microphone failed. What do you need it for? B: An outdoor talk near the entrance. A: I can offer a wired microphone, but it needs power. B: There is a socket by the covered area. Could we move there? A: Yes, let’s test it first.

    Try again: The entrance has no power point. Negotiate a shorter talk at a different safe location.

1–2 minGrammar masteryB2 · A preposition in a relative clause
“the fish we're looking for.”

Clip 2, quotation excerpt

For can end this defining relative clause. In formal wording, move it before which, not before that.

Which formal noun phrase preserves the original defining relative clause?

Original teaching activities: Hibiscus Teach. Film and television clips belong to their respective owners.