Hibiscus Teach · Series
The Good Doctor
Personal Reasons, Respectful Support
Explain a personal reason, acknowledge the effect of your words and ask what kind of support another person wants.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Hear his own reason
In this programme, the selected scene focuses on hear his own reason.
Watch for: What reasons does Shaun give in his own words?
Clip A quiz · 6 questions
Answer about this clip only. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB2 · Neither versus not both with two referents
“Neither one had the chance to become an adult.”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Neither one denies the chance for each of the two earlier referents. Not both would only reject universal coverage and could leave one with the chance. Either one could mean either member individually.
Useful English
I’d like to explain why this matters to me.
Please hear my answer before deciding.
Keep talking · 3 questions
Say your answer before opening the support. Take turns with a partner, or speak aloud on your own.
What makes a motivation answer personal without being too private?
Support and one possible answer
Choose a relevant…
Choose a relevant experience or value without sharing details you prefer to keep private.
Why should a person be heard directly?
Support and one possible answer
Others may assume…
Others may assume motives that are not the person's own explanation.
Give a short motivation for learning a skill.
Support and one possible answer
I want to… because…
I want to improve my English because I would like to work confidently with international colleagues.
An apology with a personal reason
Shaun and Lea revisit a hurtful comment. He tries to explain his feelings more personally and asks before offering a hug.
Watch for: How does he move from correcting his words to offering support?
Clip B quiz · 6 questions
Answer about this clip only. Choose one answer for each question.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteC1 · An adjective complement describing the object’s effect
“I find it comforting.”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
Comforting is an adjective complement after find + object. It evaluates the experience referred to by it, hearing the voice. Find is the finite verb; comforting does not create a present progressive with it.
Useful English
Original practice phrases.
I am sorry my comment hurt you.
Acknowledge the effect before explaining your intention.
Would you like a hug, or would another kind of support help?
Offer support while allowing the other person to choose.
Keep talking · 3 questions
Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.
What makes a reassuring explanation feel personal rather than generic?
Support and one possible answer
Name a specific… and explain…
Name a specific action or quality and explain its effect on you. Avoid claiming that everybody would feel the same way.
Why ask before offering physical comfort?
Support and one possible answer
The other person may…
The other person may prefer another kind of support. Asking leaves the choice with them.
Repair a fictional comment that sounded dismissive.
Support and one possible answer
Acknowledge the effect, give one short explanation and ask what would help.
I am sorry my comment sounded dismissive. I was trying to be brief, but I did not recognise the work you had done. Would you like me to listen now?
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 do the two scenes use a personal explanation?
Support and one possible answer
In A…; in B…
In A Shaun explains his reason for choosing surgery through his own experience. In B he explains what Lea means to him. In both cases, a specific account helps a listener understand his perspective.
What can an explanation add to an apology, and what can it fail to do?
Support and one possible answer
An explanation can… but it cannot…
An explanation can make an intention clearer, but it cannot erase the effect of hurtful words. The listener still needs space to respond.
Repair a misunderstanding with a fictional colleague and agree a better next step.
Role A
You gave a reply that sounded dismissive. Acknowledge its effect, give one brief explanation and offer a choice of support.
Role B
Explain how the reply affected you. Choose the support you want and ask for one practical next step.
Support
Acknowledge the effect, explain briefly, ask what would help and listen to the answer.
Check your conversation
- Acknowledge the effect before explaining the intention.
- Give a specific personal reason without generalising about a group.
- Ask for the other person's preference and respond to it.
One possible conversation, after your attempt
I am sorry my short reply sounded dismissive. I was worried about the deadline, but I should have recognised your effort. Would you like me to listen to your idea now, or would another time be better?
Try again: Repeat once. Improve one question and one response.
1–2 minGrammar masteryB2 · Judging an earlier choice
“they should have had children of their own”
From this lesson’s clip, quotation excerpt
Should have + past participle judges a past situation or choice. It does not impose a new present obligation.