Contents
=> Introduction: “He Doesn’t Know I’m Alive”
=> Teen Advice Column: Text
=> Contemporary Vocabulary
=> Discussion Questions
=> Gap-Fill Exercise
=> In the Next Issues

———————————————————————-Introduction: “He Doesn’t Know I’m Alive”
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In this issue we go all-teen! We have teen texts, popular teen lingo, and grammar exercises that teens can’t resist!

The genius behind this theme issue is John Harrington. A gig thanks to John for creating these materials.

About John Harrington
John Harrington is the Senior English Language Fellow in Rostov-Na-Donu, Russia. He’s taught English in Russia (almost 5 years), Slovenia (5 years), Hungary (2 years), and Estonia (1 year). In the past he was, among other things, Vice President of a financial analysis firm. (Just typing the words “financial analysis firm” makes me irritable). John has a wonderful wife and son in Rostov. And he has the good sense to enjoy Turkish music and be a friend of Kevin’s.

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“Teen Advice Text Column: Text”
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Introduction: Krista, a 14-year-old American high school girl, has written to an Internet website in which teenagers seek advice from one another about their problems and interests. She posed this question:

“I like this guy, but he doesn’t know I’m alive. What should I do?”
– Krista, Age 14

Responses:

“Handle talking to him like any regular conversation. Just be natural and talk. Then get his telephone number and talk with him on the phone. Include him in your regular activities and invite him to places. That’ll give him an idea that you’re interested in him. Then when you feel really comfortable with him, let him know your true feelings. No doubt he’s going to be equally interested in you by then. Just go for it. You have nothing to lose by trying. If you sit on your bottom you probably won’t ever attract him.”
–Geoff, Age 15

“Make yourself known to him. Have conversations with him, let him see you around, and get comfortable talking with him. Be a little flirty, but above all, be yourself! He’s not likely to fail to notice you.”
–Sarah, Age 16

“The best way to let someone know you are alive is to talk to him, but I sense that this might be a problem for you. Are you too shy to try this? If so, don’t worry–everyone is shy at times. But if you want to talk to him, then do it. It can be difficult finding the courage to do so, but be confident in yourself and do it.
–Shaun, Age 16

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Contemporary Vocabulary
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be yourself (colloquial) - behave toward others in ways that are normal for you; don’t say or do things that are not true to your beliefs or feelings
doesn’t know I’m alive (idiom) - someone who has never seemed to notice you or show any interest in you
flirty - adjective form of the verb flirt - to behave toward a member of the opposite sex in a way that attracts attention
go for it (idiom) - used to encourage someone to try to do something they might be unsure about (because of fear, nervousness, shyness, etc.)
handle (v) - deal with
pose (v) - to present or create
see you around (idiom) - see you in different activities or locations
sense (v) - have a feeling that something exists, but without any proof
sit on your bottom (idiom) - do nothing to achieve an objective

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Discussion Questions
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1. What do you think about the advice that Geoff (a boy), Sarah (a girl), and Shaun (a boy) gave to Krista (a girl)? Do you think their advice was good or bad?

2. If you are a girl, would you be comfortable asking a boy for his telephone number?

3. The advice that Geoff, Sarah, and Shaun gave to Krista might be more useful in the United States than in Russia. Why might this be true?

4. What advice would you give to Krista?

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Gap-Fill Exercise
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Use the terms listed above to complete the following sentences. Use the plural form or past tense of the term, if necessary.

1. I don’t like going to parties because my boyfriend often ____________ with other girls.

2. Sveta didn’t say anything, but I could ____________ how unhappy she was.

3. It was a very difficult situation, but Dima ____________ it very well.

4. Don’t behave differently than you really are in order to get people to like you. If you just _______________ you’ll find that a lot of people will like you.

5. Don’t hesitate to ask Maria to go to the cinema with you.

_______________. Maybe she’ll agree and if she doesn’t, eventually you’ll discover another girl that you like as much or more than Maria.

6. I really like Natasha, but she ______________.

7. The student ____________ a question about grammar to her teacher.

8. My cousin’s really lazy. He doesn’t have a job, but he just _____________________ and does nothing.

9. Who’s that new girl? I don’t know, but I’ve _________________ several places.

Suggested Answers:

1. flirts
2. sense
3. handled
4. be yourself
5. Go for it!
6. doesn’t know I’m alive
7. posed
8. sits on his bottom
9. seen her around

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In the Next Issues
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March 15:
Painted Dogs of Africa: facts about a startlingly cool animal

March 30:
Absolutely True April Fools Stuff

Copyright 2005 Kevin McCaughey & I.M. Poosheesty