Lesson 60: Unit 199 - Names
In this lesson we look at the topic of personal names — their meaning, naming traditions and related vocabulary in English at B1 level.
About this lesson
In this lesson you will explore the topic of names in English — what a personal name is, why it matters and how to talk about it. You will learn key vocabulary related to names, nicknames, titles and naming traditions. Through reading an authentic text and discussion questions, you will develop your speaking and comprehension skills. The lesson combines grammatical analysis, vocabulary and interactive exercises to prepare you to express opinions on this topic freely and confidently.
40 minutes
What you'll learn
- Understand and use vocabulary related to names, nicknames and titles in English.
- Read and understand an authentic B1-level text about the meaning of names.
- Express an opinion about the traditions of naming children.
- Answer questions about personal names and their meaning in English.
- Distinguish between formal and informal ways of referring to people.
- Recognise and correctly use words such as 'nickname', 'maiden name' and 'title'.
Lesson vocabulary
- name A name is a label for a human, thing, place, or product.
- label A name is a label used to distinguish one thing from another.
- distinguish Names are used to distinguish one person from another.
- personal name A personal name identifies a specific unique and identifiable individual person.
- symbolic Dolphins also use symbolic names, as has been shown by recent research.
- clarify There is no other information to clarify which dolphin is being referred to.
- nickname Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?
- maiden name Do women keep their maiden name after marriage in your country?
- title What are some titles you can think of, for example Mr., Mrs., or Professor?
- responsibility Choosing a name is a big responsibility.
- trendy Trendy names can be fun now, but think about the long run.
- sophisticated Don't give your kids older, more sophisticated names as babies just so they sound better as adults.
- destiny Your baby's name is the single most important influence on the development of your child's personality and destiny.
- unique The use of personal names is not unique to humans.
- unisex Have you ever known a boy that has a girl's name? Are there unisex names?
In other languages: Български