This lesson suits intermediate learners. After listening, test your knowledge with our quiz.
Learning notes
Language objective:
Learn how to encourage someone and make them feel good and motivated.
Different phrases to use when we want to encourage someone:
- I think it’s worth a shot.
- What do you have to lose?
- You’ve got this.
- Just give it your best shot!
- Take it one step at a time!
- You’re stronger than you think.
- I’m behind you 100 per cent.
Colloquial expressions:
The sky is the limit is a phrase we use when we want to say anything is possible.
It’s worth a shot means that it’s a good idea to try something, even if we aren’t sure it will work. It’s like saying, “Give it a try and see what happens!”
Take it one step at a time means to go slowly and not try to do everything at once.
You've got this means you can do it!
Give it your best shot is means "Try your very best!"
I'm behind you 100 percent means that you will encourage someone and will help them to do their best.
Vocabulary:
Encouragement is the action of giving someone, support, confidence, or hope.
A full marathon is a 42 km race.
Transcript:
(Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript)
SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia.
Hey, it's Josipa here! Just like many of you during this time of the year, I'm thinking of improving my health with a new hobby.
I’m looking for something that’ll get me moving without having to go for a run or spend time in a gym. While talking with my friend Claire about it, I remembered something – I used to have a great time roller skating as a kid.
Claire thinks it’s a great idea, but I get it. You are probably thinking I’m too old for it, and guess what? I said the same thing to her.
Claire
Well, I think it’s worth a shot. What do you have to lose?
Josipa
Did you notice what Claire just did? She gave me encouragement.
Encouragement is like a friendly push that helps us to feel excited and confident that we can overcome any challenges and reach our goals.
When we encourage someone, we share positive energy, making them feel good and motivated.
So, when Claire said,
It’s worth a shot!Claire
She meant that it’s a good idea to try something new, even if we aren’t sure it will work. It’s like saying, “Give it a try and see what happens!”
What do you have to lose?Claire
We can say, “What do you have to lose?” when we think that it isn’t a problem to try something we are not sure about because nothing bad will happen if it doesn’t work out.
For example, if your friend is thinking about starting to learn English, you could say, “Try listening to an What do you have to lose?"
Now, Claire is a great friend, not only to me but also to Allan. Let me share how she encouraged him when he was scared about running a full marathon.
A full marathon is a long race. Really long, like 42.2 kilometres long.
Allan
The marathon is tomorrow and I’m so nervous. What if I can’t finish it?
Claire
Take it one step at a time. It’s OK to be nervous about it, but you’ve got this.
Allan
Yeah, but what if I get too tired or something goes wrong?
Claire
Allan, everyone feels tired during a marathon, but you can do it. Just give it your best shot!
Allan
OK. You’re right. I’ve worked hard. I believe in myself. The sky’s the limit!
Claire
There you go! You’re stronger than you think, and I’m behind you 100 per cent.
You know what, we could all use a friend like Claire in our lives.
Having a friend who encourages you is like having a secret weapon. They help you face problems with a positive attitude, making everything a bit easier and more enjoyable.
So, let’s practise how to be that friend using English.
Claire first said,
Take it one step at a time.Claire
“Take it one step at a time” means to go slowly and not to try to do everything at once. It's like saying, "Do a little bit, and then do a little more when you're ready."
The saying "Take it one step at a time" is not just for running races. We can use this saying for many situations when someone is doing a big project or learning something new.
You’ve got this.Claire
“You've got this" is a phrase we use to encourage people. It means you can do it!
For example, when my grandma was trying to send her first text message, I told her, "Go, Grandma! You've got this! Even if you accidentally send emojis to the whole family, it'll be the cutest message ever!
Do you remember how Claire encouraged Allan when he worried about getting too tired or something going wrong?
She said,
Give it your best shot!Claire
"Give it your best shot" is another way of saying, "Try your very best!"
So, if your child is a little scared about learning how to ride a bike, you could say, "Give it your best shot! You can do it!" because you believe they can do it, and you think they will have fun trying!
Allan then said,
The sky’s the limit!Allan
“The sky’s the limit” is a phrase we use when we want to say that anything is possible.
It’s like saying, “You can do whatever you want.” You can use it to remind people that they really can achieve whatever they want – and maybe even more.
Claire
There you go! You’re stronger than you think, and I’m behind you 100 per cent.
If you want to encourage someone in something that they are already doing, you can say,
There you go!Claire
In different situations, this phrase can mean two things. It can be used as encouragement or praise when someone has done something well, like saying 'good job'!
You can also use it when we are offering something to someone. So, if you’ve made a special meal or a special cake, for example, and people are waiting for you before they start eating, you can say ‘There you go, go for it’!
Claire also said,
I’m behind you 100 per cent.Claire
"I'm behind you 100 percent" is like saying, "I support you completely." It means you are there to support someone and will encourage and help them to do their best.
I could say, “I’m behind you 100 per cent in your efforts to understand more and speak better English. After all, we are learning this together, right?
A big thank you to our educational consultant, Professor Lynda Yates, and our guest Mujeeb Muneeb.
Paul Nicholson and Lily O'Sullivan voiced the characters of Allan and Claire.
