Topic Four (1.4): Do you speak emoji?

Objectives for this topic

  • to identify the meaning of emojis and discuss the advantages of using them;
  • to use the present continuous with a variety of verbs.

Introduction

In this topic, you will learn about different emojis and what a professor thinks about them.

Working through your coursebook

Please work through the following sections in your coursebook, completing all listed exercises: 

  • Do you know what the word ‘emoji’ means? If not, look it up. Read the information box about where the word ‘emoji’ comes from. Do you speak emoji? It is interesting that more people ‘speak’ emoji than English! Why do you think this is?
  • Page 18, Exercise 1 – Let’s learn emoji! Can you explain what each emoji means before you read any of the descriptions? Have a go. Now, match a description a- j with each emoji 1 -10. Was your initial explanation correct?
  • Page 19, Exercise 2 – Match a meaning to each emoji from page 18.
  • Page 19 – Use of English: Present continuous. Read the explanation carefully and make notes. There is further explanation in the Grammar section of this topic.
  • Page 19, Exercise 3 – You are going to practise using the present continuous. Use verbs in the present continuous to say what each emoji means.
  • Page 19, Exercise 4 – Listen to Track 05. It is a radio interview with Professor Rory Jones. What is the professor’s opinion of emojis? What do you think the presenter’s opinion is? Write down your answers. You can listen to the interview more than once if you need to.

LISTEN – Track 05

  • Page 19, Exercise 5 – Listen again. Write down the advantages of using emojis according to Professor Jones.

Review

  • Think about the emojis you, your friends or family use. Answer the questions in Exercise 6, page 19.

 Support activity for this topic

  • Watch this presentation in slide-show mode and read the instructions on the first slide carefully. You will need to click on the blocks one by one and try to guess what could be happening in the picture (using the present continuous tense). Click on the blocks to slowly reveal the picture underneath, then click to find out the correct answer.

Download PRACTISE – What are they doing – reveal the picture (PowerPoint)

Extension activity for this topic

  • In English, we say that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. This is an idiom that is used to say that it is often easier to show something in a picture than to describe it with words.
  • There are now over a thousand emoji pictures that can be used to represent our words. Read the article below to learn more about the UK's fastest-growing language. Remember to complete the preparation task then complete the activities that follow.

COMPLETE – Emojis (British Council) Links to an external site.

Grammar

  • Have a go at the following quiz on the Education Quizzes website. (You can find the login details here.)

REVISE – Continuous Tenses (Education Quizzes) Links to an external site.

  • Now complete this worksheet on the continuous form.

Download DOWNLOAD – Worksheet – Continuous form

  • When you have finished, check your answers here.

Download CHECK – Worksheet – Continuous form - answers

Check your answers

  • If you would like to check your answers to the exercises in this topic, please consult this document Download here. The section with the answers is highlighted in yellow.
  • If you would like to access the audioscript(s) for this topic, please click Download here.