Hibiscus Teach · Series
The Blacklist
Before I Agree, What Does This Involve?
Clarify responsibilities, explain a conflict and refocus a conversation on an actionable next step.
Adults: criminal-organisation context and divided loyalties. The transfer scene is fiction, not advice about inheritance, finance or law.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
S7E18: Red Chooses a Successor
Red tells Liz that he intends to transfer substantial responsibilities and assets to her.
Watch for: Why does she resist what he presents as a gift?
Clip A quiz: 6 questions
Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB2 · A preposition linked to a later predicate
“assets of which to a great degree you'll be in control”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Of which restores the relationship be in control of the assets. To a great degree is an inserted degree phrase; it does not turn the assets into the controlling agents.
Useful English
Before I agree, I need to understand the responsibilities.
You say: Ask what duties come with an offer.
One possible response
Before I agree, what duties would come with the role?
That would conflict with my existing role.
You say: Explain a conflict with current commitments.
One possible response
That would conflict with my current commitments.
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.
Why is the offer more than a financial gift?
Help me start
It includes…
Show an example
It includes decisions and responsibilities that the recipient has not accepted.
What would you clarify before taking over a project?
Help me start
I would ask…
Show an example
I would ask who depends on it and what authority I would have.
Decline a responsibility while explaining the conflict.
Help me start
Thank; explain; avoid a false promise.
Show an example
Thank you for considering me, but that would conflict with my current role.
S10E15: The Hat Trick
Cooper asks Red for new cases while Red initially responds with an unrelated personal tangent.
Watch for: How does Cooper bring the conversation back to the urgent need?
Clip B quiz: 6 questions
Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteC1 · A tough adjective complement ending in of
“You're a hard man to get ahold of these days.”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
The man is the understood object of get ahold of. Someone else would try to contact him. Hard describes that task, rather than making him the person who finds it difficult to contact others.
Useful English
The immediate issue is that we need results.
You say: Refocus a discussion on a deadline.
One possible response
The immediate issue is that we need a decision today.
Can we turn that into a concrete next step?
You say: Ask for a practical next step.
One possible response
Can we turn that suggestion into a concrete next step?
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.
Which reply successfully refocuses the discussion?
Help me start
The useful reply names…
Show an example
The useful reply names the immediate need rather than following the tangent.
How do you interrupt a tangent politely?
Help me start
I could say…
Show an example
That is interesting, but we still need to agree the deadline.
Turn a vague promise into a next step.
Help me start
Ask who, what or when.
Show an example
Which case should the team start on, and when will the details arrive?
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.
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.
What do both clips show about unclear commitments?
Help me start
An offer needs…
Show an example
An offer needs defined responsibilities, and a request needs a specific response.
What three questions should precede a handover?
Help me start
Scope; authority; timing.
Show an example
What will I do, what may I decide and when does the handover happen?
Can you reach a workable outcome together using the two private role cards?
Private Role A
You want a colleague to take over an event. You can retain the budget decisions, but need someone to handle the programme. This division has not yet been explained.
Private Role B
You can coordinate speakers but cannot authorise spending. You also need the final speaker list by Thursday. Ask about the role before accepting it.
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: Could you take over the event? B: What would that involve? I cannot authorise spending. A: I can retain that responsibility; I need you to coordinate speakers. B: That is possible if I have the list by Thursday.
Try again: The speaker list is delayed until Friday. Renegotiate the handover without accepting authority you do not have.
1–2 minGrammar masteryB2 · Earlier hopes and a present result
“Believe me, it's not what I had hoped for or what I had planned for.”
From this lesson’s clip, quotation excerpt
Had hoped and had planned place those expectations before the later outcome. The present is describes the outcome now.