In the second half of Module six, emotional intelligence is introduced. The
Video Emotions helps students with understanding the categories of
emotions and the nuances. However, the emotion posters can be very
effective used in a class also. They provide a wonderful stimulus for both class discussions and writing assignments. For discussions, take one poster at a time. First, use it to generate a list of vocabulary words. A wonderful exercise is to do a joint story. The first line of the story is given and the students take turns adding
the rest of the story. Individual writing can then follow this.
The reading poses few problems for this level of student with the addition of the vocabulary words below.
Vocabulary Words for A Reading on Emotions
Emotion =A feeling accompanied by thoughts and physical reactions
Unhook = to be free of
Dissolve = Destroy or eliminate
Empathize = Understand deeply
Adept =Skillful
Authentic = Genuine, sincere
Cluster = Groups
Nuances = The same idea with a small difference
After watching the video on emotions, in small groups, have the students look
at each word in each category making sure they know the difference between each word. In order to teach the various words, it is suggested that the students
role-play different ways of being angry etc. As they role-play different ways, you can point out which of the nuances fit that particular role-play. This helps the students to under stand the nuances and to contextualize the words for themselves. Repeat with each of the categories. An alternative is to use the Emotion posters that have
each of the categories.
Expanded activities:
Play charades with the words.
In pairs, ask native
English speakers to explain the difference
between the groups of words in each category. Report to the
An Activity: A Test of Your Emotional Intelligence
Intermediate to advanced level students have few problems
linguistically with this activity
. However, certain cultures may need more facilitation in naming emotions.
Final Reflection:
This is a good opportunity to teach ESL students appropriate
salutations in informal correspondence.
Grammar and Writing
Re-read the transcript to the video. Find the gerunds in the transcript. In pairs, write the sentence with the gerund on the board and explain to your classmates the grammatical reason for the use of the gerund. If you are not sure, ask your teacher.
The emotion posters provide a wonderful stimulus for both class
discussions and writing assignments. For discussions, take one poster at a time. First, use it to generate a list of vocabulary words. Then while the student can then write an essay, an alternative is to write a community language story. Either the teacher or a student can write as the class adds to the stimulus line. An example of first lines is given below each description.
(The young woman in a blue chair)
Once there was a beautiful daughter who had an interesting problem.
(The woman in pink pants, pointing and laughing)
It wasn’t meant to be funny, but…
(The man wearing a white hat and the woman standing.)
That day, they felt very proud because….
(The woman in white with her hands on her hips.)
She couldn’t believe her eyes.
(The woman with a hat holding a baby.)
When I was only a little baby, someone came into my life who…
(The woman in black with a blue
can on the table in front of her.)
There was a rich woman who lived to eat. But one day…
(Little boy with a finger pointing at him)
If only he had listened to what she said that day!
(Man standing with the red rocking chairs)
The man had come from very
far away and no one knew….
(Woman in yellow looking at something/one)
A woman felt very sad because…
(Young woman in pink crouched in the sand)
Many years ago, there was a very frightening….