By watching this video lesson, you will learn the three steps you need to speak fluently in English about events.

LESSON NOTES

Step 1 | “Setting.Time Period”

1. Explanation: First, you need to describe when the event happened. Remember that this needs to be a thorough explanation. In other words, by the end of this part, the person listening to you should be able to visualize the exact time period.
2. Events
   Drum corps competition
   College Graduation dinner
   Event for the Korean teachers
3. Examples:
   1. Childhood (specific) – At camp meeting, On Sunday, After the Pathfinder parade
   2. College (specific) – Saturday afternoon, Around 2 pm, Before the commencement service that evening
   3. In Korea (specific) – In 2013?, When I was studying Korean, at night after our classes
4. Idioms
   1. A race against time (Idiom) – Said of trying to accomplish something critical in a short time frame
      • Example 1 | It was a race against time to find a cure for the disease.
      • Example 2 | They are in a race against time.
      • Example 3 | He said it’s a race against time to get the building finished before the winter season starts.
      • Childhood time | It was a race against time to find the right drum routine for the competition.
   2. All the time in the world (Idiom) – An unlimited amount of time
      • Example 1 | He made me feel as if I had all the time in the world to watch the movie.
      • Example 2 | Don’t worry. We have all the time in the world.
      • Example 3 | The teacher gave the students all the time in the world to finish their projects.
      • College time | It felt like we had all the time in the world to eat lunch because we got to the room early.
   3. Bad time (Idiom) – An inconvenient moment or an unfortunate experience
      • Example 1 | Sorry, you called at a bad time.
      • Example 2 | This is a bad time.
      • Example 3 | That call came at a bad time.
      • In Korea time | My friend wanted to attend my dinner too, but it was a bad time because she had a previous engagement.

Step 2 | “3 Main Event Details”

1. Explanation: Second, you need to describe the 3 most important aspects of the event. Remember that these details need to be specifically about the event. In other words, instead of general details, you need to give details specifically about the event (and not other similar events).
2. Examples:
   1. Drum corps competition (camp meeting) – Pathfinder groups from New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Hundreds of people. Great beats
   2. Graduation dinner – Family and friends came from all over. Great food. Lots of gifts
   3. Event for the Korean teachers – Big auditorium. Talent show/program. Gifts&Food
3. Words
   1. Monumental – great in importance, extent, or size; very great
      • Example 1 | We saw many monumental sculptures.
      • Example 2 | This is a monumental task.
      • Example 3 | I think this may be a monumental waste of time.
      • Drum corps | The drum corps competition was a monumental event.
   2. Remarkable – Worthy of attention, exceptional, interesting, or excellent
      • Example 1 | That was a remarkable achievement.
      • Example 2 | It was a remarkable sight.
      • Example 3 | He was a remarkable man.
      • Graduation dinner | The food at the graduation dinner was remarkable.
   3. World-class – Ranking among the world’s best; outstanding
      • Example 1 | They have a world-class orchestra.
      • Example 2 | He’s a world-class athlete.
      • Example 3 | I have always wanted to be a world-class swimmer.
      • Event for the Korean teachers | We all wanted to put on a world-class event for our teachers.

Step 3 | “Explain how it changed/affected you”

1. Explanation: Finally, you need to explain how they changed or affected you. Remember that this needs to be a clear description of how the event changed you. In other words, compare yourself now to how you were before the event.
2. Examples
   1. Drum corps competition (camp meeting) – Fell in love with rhythm
   2. Graduation dinner – Got closer to my church family
   3. Event for the Korean teachers – Showed me the power of teamwork & recognizing people’s gifts
3. Idioms
   1. To turn over a new leaf – To make a fresh start, change one’s conduct or attitude for the better
      • Example 1 | He promised the teacher he would turn over a new leaf and behave himself in class.
      • Example 2 | The little girl turned over a new leaf and decided to study hard.
      • Example 3 | It’s time for you to turn over a new leaf.
      • Drum corps | He turned over a new leaf after he won the drum corps competition.
   2. To take shape – To assume a distinct form; develop into something definite or tangible
      • Example 1 | We watched the vase begin to take shape in the potter’s hands.
      • Example 2 | Our ideas are beginning to take shape.
      • Example 3 | The Olympic games are beginning to take shape.
      • Graduation dinner | After the graduation dinner, I realized that all my life plans were going to take shape.
   3. To have a change of heart – It means you change your opinion or the way feel about something
      • Example 1 | She was going to sell her house, but she had a change of heart.
      • Example 2 | He had a change of heart after he talked to his wife.
      • Example 3 | I had a change of heart at the last minute and decided to give him the money.
      • Event for the Korean teachers | One of the teachers was going to transfer to another school, but she had a change of heart after the event.