How to be Likable

How to Be More Likeable

Look at the picture

Read the questions

Think about the topic

Pre-Reading Questions

Do you think it is easy to make friends?  Why or why not?

Why do you think some people have difficulty making friends?

What are some good ways to “connect” with others naturally?

What characteristics do you like in a good friend?

Predict:  What five things do you think would make a person more likeable?

Read and Pronounce

Read the following text to your tutor. He / She will listen and correct your pronunciation.

How to be Friendly:  5 Tips to Be More Likeable

Does it take longer for you to make friends?

Too long sometimes?

Like maybe in the past, when you’ve switched jobs or transferred colleges or cities, people just didn’t seem to engage you or try to make friends.

And even with the few who did engage you first, things didn’t take off. You just got the feeling everyone wished you’d lighten up.

This is an excerpt.  Read the full text here.

Source:  Conversation Skills Core

Author:  Dean J

Read the text aloud to your tutor. Your tutor will listen and provide you with feedback.

Speaking Instructions

Here are the author’s 5 tips for being more likeable.

Do you agree or disagree with them?

1. Take the Initiative.  Don’t Wait for Them.

2. Give Balanced Self-disclosure

3. Speak about a Wide Variety of Topics

4. Be Kind and Complimentary

5. Know Your Strength and Build Self-Confidence

Talk with your tutor about this topic.

Use the expressions and vocabulary you learned.

Use the related resources below to learn more.

Learning and Practice 

Read the vocabulary words on the right.

Do you know what they mean?  Can you guess from the context?

Practice pronunciation with your tutor.  Try to use the words in sentences.

Talk about a friendly person that you know.

Use some of today’s vocabulary words as you tell about that person.

Vocabulary Words and Expressions

outgoing

boost

awkward

inadequate

vibe

pitfall

tackle

culprit

spontaneous

backfire

genuine(ly)

spectacular

overwhelming

anxious

delve

paralyze

(take the) initiative

high stakes

the flip side

rule of thumb

Phrasal Verbs

take off

hold back

lighten up

comment on

pull (it) off

warm up (to)