FULL English Class 02 | Learn Words, Expressions, Thought Organization, & More

By watching this video lesson, you will learn how to speak more fluently in English about challenges. You will gain more confidence, learn proper sentence structures from the corrected sentences, and much more.

3 Vocabulary Words

1. Obstacle
   • Meaning: Something that blocks you so that movement, going forward, or action is prevented or made more difficult.
   • Sentence 1: Money seems to be an obstacle for many people.
   • Sentence 2: When you encounter an obstacle, meditate and ask a more mature person for guidance.
   • Sentence 3: Two large obstacles when beginning your own business are time and money.
2. Decision-making
   • Meaning: The process of making choices.
   • Sentence 1: She plays no part in daily decision-making at work.
   • Sentence 2: For children to feel empowered, they must be part of the family decision-making process.
   • Sentence 3: The bank gave decision-making authority to individual businesses, allowing them to better cater to their customers.
3. Mindset
   • Meaning: A person’s way of thinking and their opinions.
   • Sentence 1: Having a fixed mindset and being inflexible are detrimental to one’s personal growth.
   • Sentence 2: Yuri changed her mindset after years of being close-minded.
   • Sentence 3: It’s extraordinary how hard it is to change the mindset of the public and the press.

3 Expressions

1. Grasping at straws
   • Meaning: To make a desperate attempt at saving
   • Sentence 1: The boss could see him grasping at straws to save his job.
   • Sentence 2: I knew my mother was dying, but I was grasping at straws to save her life.
   • Sentence 3: I tried to lie my way out of the situation but everyone knew I was wrong and only grasping at straws.
2. Last resort
   • Meaning: the only option left
   • Sentence 1: I really wanted to attend the conference but ended up missing my flight which was my last resort.
   • Sentence 2: Experts say warning labels are a last resort when a hazard can’t be designed out of a product.
   • Sentence 3: As a last resort, teachers could always open an online classroom with their internet provider or school.
3. Back against the wall
   • Meaning: To have very serious problems that limit the ways in which you can act.
   • Sentence 1: He owes money to everyone – he really has his back against the wall now.
   • Sentence 2: We knew that with so little time and money left to finish the project we had our backs against the wall.
   • Sentence 3: With her back against the wall, Sharon quickly answered the frantic phone call.

10 Conversation Questions

1. What is the most difficult thing you have faced this year?
2. What do you do when faced with a challenge at work?
3. Who do you consult with when faced with a challenging decision?
4. What challenges can you foresee for the future? How will you handle them?
5. What limiting beliefs are preventing you from beating the challenges you face?
6. What was the biggest challenge you faced growing up?
7. Who has had the greatest impact on your life? How has their impact challenged your personal growth?
8. Other than money, what have you gained from challenging situations at work?
9. What are some positive aspects of the knowledge you have gained after facing a challenge?
10. Have you ever been disappointed in yourself for failing a challenge?