Learning Vocabulary - Congratulations & Commiserations
Learning Vocabulary - Congratulations & Commiserations
In this week's Premier Skills English Podcast, Jack and Rich host their fourth World Cup podcast. They give you two roleplays where you have the chance to learn the language you need to congratulate someone when they win something or do something well. They also give you the chance to learn the words and phrases you need to commiserate with someone when their team loses or something bad happens. Your task is to congratulate fans from teams around the world if their team has done well in the World Cup, or commiserate with them if their team has done badly or didn't qualify for the World Cup. As always, we also have a new football phrase for you to guess at the end of the podcast. Enjoy!
Transcript
Introduction:
Rich: People take things the wrong way sometimes, you know.
Jack: What do you mean?
Rich: Well, you know that I live in Spain.
Jack: Yes.
Rich: And Spain didn’t do very well in the World Cup.
Jack: Yes.
Rich: And England have done a bit better.
Jack: Have you had problems being sympathetic?
Rich: I try my best but it’s difficult.
Jack: What do you say?
Rich: Unlucky about Spain’s result against Russia.
Jack: That sounds a bit sarcastic.
Rich: I’ve also said it’s only a game. There’s no point in getting upset about it. There’s always the next World Cup.
Jack: That does sound a bit mean.
Rich: I’ve also said ‘why don’t you support England?
Jack: I think you need a bit of help with this.
Welcome:
Rich: Hello my name’s Rich
Jack: and I’m Jack
Rich: and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast
Jack: Where we talk about football and help you with your English.
Jack: What’s happening this week, Rich?
Rich: In this week’s podcast, we have our fourth and final World Cup podcast.
Jack: That’s right. During the World Cup in Russia, all our podcasts have been connected to the World Cup in some way and are all part of our World Cup Community programme.
Rich: What’s our World Cup Community programme?
Jack: It’s a four-week programme of activities connected to the World Cup that will help you with your English. You can sign-up now for free on the Premier Skills English website. You need to click the tab on the homepage that says ‘live’ to join the programme.
Rich: It will be great to see you there and discuss the World Cup as well as practising English together.
Jack: In this podcast, we are going to focus on vocabulary and more specifically we are going to focus on the language of congratulations and commiserations.
Rich: What’s the language of congratulations and commiserations?
Jack: You know, when someone does something well or when their football team wins ... we congratulate them, we tell them well done that is brilliant.
Rich: And commiserations?
Jack: That’s the opposite. It’s something you’ve been having problems with in Spain. What do we say when something sad has happened?
Rich: Without sounding sarcastic, stupid or mean.
Jack: Exactly. You need to be sympathetic.
Rich: But more about that in the next section. Don’t forget to listen to the end of the podcast because we have a new football phrase for you to guess - connected to the World Cup of course.
Topic Focus
Jack: In this section, we are going to do two roleplays. In the first roleplay, Rich is going to congratulate me on the team I support winning.
Rich: And in the second roleplay, I’m going to commiserate with Jack about his team losing.
Jack: Your first task is to listen to the two conversations and answer this question:
Rich: In each roleplay, who does Jack support?
Jack: Roleplay one.
Rich: You must be really happy this morning! Well done!
Jack: Yes, it was a great night, everyone was partying until the early hours of the morning. I don’t think many people have gone to bed.
Rich: It’s really good news and I was delighted to hear that Philippe Coutinho got the winning goal. He’s a great player and really deserves it you know.
Jack: Well done to all the players, you know. It was a team performance. The manager deserves a lot of the credit, too. He’s done a brilliant job.
Rich: They’ve won the World Cup six times now. Six times! Congratulations! Good job! Brilliant stuff!
Jack: Thanks. It means a lot to everyone. Right, I need to get back to the party! See you later!
Rich: See you!
Jack: Roleplay two.
Rich: You must be feeling a bit down this morning. I’m sorry about the match last night.
Jack: That’s alright. I think we did really well to get to the final though.
Rich: Exactly. It’s always good to look at the positives and it’s the first final you’ve been in since 1966!
Jack: It’s a bit of a downer though. If only we’d scored that penalty. I really didn’t think Kane would miss you know.
Rich: You were so close, you must be feeling awful. I don’t really know what to say.
Jack: That’s alright. It’s not your fault. Brazil were just too good I suppose.
Rich: You know, if you need cheering up, we can go out later if you like.
Jack: Thanks and thanks for calling. I’m sure I’ll get over it soon.
Rich: Just give us a call if you need anything.
Jack: Cheers. I will.
Language Focus
Rich: In the last section, we imagined that Brazil had beaten England in the World Cup Final. Jack was a Brazil fan in the first conversation and an England fan in the second conversation.
Jack: In the first conversation, I was really happy and Rich called me to congratulate me on Brazil winning the World Cup.
Rich: And there were some specific words and phrases I used to do this. The most common phrase to congratulate someone is to say ‘congratulations!’.
Jack: But, there are some other expressions we can use. ‘Well done!’ is another common way to congratulate someone.
Rich: Saying ‘good or brilliant job’ s another informal way of congratulating someone or ‘brilliant or good stuff’ is another although this more informal.
Jack: We can also use ‘must be’ to congratulate someone indirectly. We might say something like ‘you must be really happy this morning’ and both people know what you are talking about here.
Rich: If someone has worked hard for something we often use the word ‘deserve’ and say things like ‘you really deserve it’ which means you worked really hard for it and it’s right that you get it.
Jack: Another common expression to use when you hear something positive is ‘that’s really good news’ when someone tells you something or if you already know you could say ‘it’s really good news about …’
Rich: So if we meet and I say, ‘did you hear? I got the job’
Jack: I could say: That’s really good news.
Rich: But if Jack already knew that I had found a new job, he could say ….
Jack: It’s really good news about your job.
Rich: And, if you want to be a bit more formal you can say something like ‘I was delighted or thrilled to hear that …’ or ‘I’m really pleased for you’
Jack: Let’s move on to the second roleplay.
Rich: In this conversation, Jack was really sad about England losing and I called him to commiserate with him or to offer my condolences.
Jack: Again there were some specific words and phrases Rich used to do this. The most common phrase to commiserate with someone is to say ‘I’m sorry about’.
Rich: I told Jack that I was sorry about last night’s match to show him that I care and to be sympathetic. There are other expressions we can use too.
Jack: We can use the expression ‘you must be feeling …’ Rich said ‘you must be feeling down’ and ‘you must be feeling awful’ in the conversation to show sympathy.
Rich: I also said ‘I don’t know what to say’ which is a common expression in these circumstances.
Jack: And another common thing for people to do is to offer help. Rich said ‘if you need cheering up, we can go out later’ and ‘if you need anything just give us a call’. These types of expressions and actions are often helpful in sad situations.
Rich: We have some activities and more examples to help you with the language of congratulations and commiserations on the podcast page on the Premier Skills English website.
Task
Rich: Right, this week’s task is to write messages of congratulations and commiserations to fans of teams at the World Cup.
Jack: We want you to write messages of congratulations to the teams and fans who have won their quarter-final or semi-final matches.
Rich: We want you to write messages of commiserations to the teams and fans who have lost their quarter-final or semi-final matches.
Jack: Start your comments with: Dear England fans or Dear Sweden fans or whatever country you’re congratulating or commiserating with.
Rich: Write your answers in the comments section below.
Football Phrase
Rich: Have you got a football phrase for us this week?
Jack: Yes, I have, but first, last week’s football phrase. The phrase was knockout stages. This is the part of a football or other competition where there are no second chances. It’s one team against the other. The winner goes through to the next round and the loser goes home because they have been knocked out.
Rich: Well done to everyone who got this right. We’re recording in advance so we’re not sure who did, but I’m sure our regulars all got that one right.
Jack: This week’s World Cup football phrase is ****** ****. This award is given to the player who scores the most goals at the World Cup. At the moment, England’s Harry Kane is in the lead to win this award.
Rich: Right, that’s all we have time for this week! Don’t forget to write your answers to our questions and make a guess at our football phrase in the comments below.
Jack: And hit the live tab on the homepage to join our World Cup Community programme.
Rich: If you have enjoyed this podcast or found it useful, leave us a rating or review and that will help other people find us.
Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football!
Vocabulary
How much did you understand?
In the podcast, Rich and Jack used some words and phrases that might be new for you. Do you know the words in bold?
People take things the wrong way sometimes.
That sounds a bit sarcastic.
The manager deserves a lot of credit.
If you need cheering up, we can go out later.
There were a few tricky words in the podcast. Do you know what they all mean? Try the activity below, then, listen to the podcast again to hear how we used the words.
Activity 1
Language
Congratulations!
In this week's podcast, Jack and Rich used lots of words and phrases connected to congratulating people on successes and commiserating with people if they have bad news. In the first roleplay, Jack and Rich looked at the language of congratulations. Look at these examples from the podcast:
You must be really happy this morning!
It's really good news and I was delighted to hear that Coutinho got the winner. He deserves it.
Congratulations! Good job! Brilliant stuff!
Do you know any other words or phrases to congratulate people?
Commiserations!
In the second roleplay, Jack and Rich looked at the language of congratulations. Look at these examples from the podcast:
You must be feeling a bit down this morning.
I'm sorry about the match last night.
Just give us a call if you need anything.
Do you know any other phrases to commiserate with people if they are unsuccessful or have bad news?
If you would like to learn more phrases connected to congratulations and commiserations, try the exercise below.
Activity 2
Task
Congratulating and commiserating:
Your task this week is to write some messages of congratulations and commiserations to football fans at the World Cup in Russia. We want you to:
- write messages of congratulations to the teams and fans who have won their quarter-final or semi-final matches
- write messages of commiserations to the teams and fans who have lost their quarter-final or semi-final matches
- start your comments with: Dear England fans or Dear Brazil fans or whatever country you’re congratulating or commiserating with
- write your answers in the comments section below.
Quiz
Please login to take this quiz.
Comment
What do you think?
In this World Cup podcast, Rich and Jack spoke about congratulations and commiserations.
Which teams do you think deserved to reach the final? Which teams didn't deserve to get knocked out?
Which team are you supporting in Russia?
Remember to write your guess at this week's football phrase and complete the task about congratulations and commiserations!
Leave a comment
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Comentários
10/07/2019
points
I thought Ireland deserved to reach the final.
It's also Japan didn't deserved to get knocked out.
I was supported Brazil n Ireland n Japan.
I didn't know these wards that "commiseration, deserve n sarcastic.
Commiseration mean an expression of sympathy with another's grief.
10/07/2019 03:03
Manchester City
309
I thought Ireland deserved to reach the final.
It's also Japan didn't deserved to get knocked out.
I was supported Brazil n Ireland n Japan.
I didn't know these wards that "commiseration, deserve n sarcastic.
Commiseration mean an expression of sympathy with another's grief.
03/09/2018
points
The team that deserved to reach the final was Colombia.
Dear England fans, congratulations for you win.
Dear Colombia fans, we must be feeling a bit downhearted.
I'm supporting Colombia.
03/09/2018 03:04
Tottenham Hotspur
256
The team that deserved to reach the final was Colombia.
Dear England fans, congratulations for you win.
Dear Colombia fans, we must be feeling a bit downhearted.
I'm supporting Colombia.
01/09/2018
points
Although the World Cup has already passed, I believe that Colombia should not be knocked out.
01/09/2018 17:43
Arsenal
534
Although the World Cup has already passed, I believe that Colombia should not be knocked out.
13/08/2018
points
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
1. They must have arrived Colombia, Mexico and Germany. Germany and Mexico had a strong knockout that they did not deserve although they lowered their level and performance a bit.
2. To Colombia and Denmark.
13/08/2018 02:02
Manchester United
672
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
1. They must have arrived Colombia, Mexico and Germany. Germany and Mexico had a strong knockout that they did not deserve although they lowered their level and performance a bit.
2. To Colombia and Denmark.
11/08/2018
points
1. I think Colombia, deserved to reach the final. England team deserved to get knocked out.
2. I'm supporting my home country team Colombia and Croatia.
Task:
-Dear Belgium fans you must be gutted.
-Dear Croatian fans you must be absolutely proud of the performance of your team.
11/08/2018 21:14
Liverpool
695
1. I think Colombia, deserved to reach the final. England team deserved to get knocked out.
2. I'm supporting my home country team Colombia and Croatia.
Task:
-Dear Belgium fans you must be gutted.
-Dear Croatian fans you must be absolutely proud of the performance of your team.
11/08/2018
points
There are quite a few new words
11/08/2018 05:01
Arsenal
644
There are quite a few new words
11/08/2018
points
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
1. I think he deserved Belgium and France, although they were in the same key groups, I think both had an extraordinary level.
2.I think Mexico and Colombia did not deserve to leave, both teams could demonstrate more level, but unfortunately they were eliminated
3. Support to my great country of the heart Colombia!
PHRASE OF THE WEEK
1.The phrase is the "Golden Boot"
------
Very good questionnaire, I can not find the time to finish this great course!
11/08/2018 03:03
Manchester United
512
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
1. I think he deserved Belgium and France, although they were in the same key groups, I think both had an extraordinary level.
2.I think Mexico and Colombia did not deserve to leave, both teams could demonstrate more level, but unfortunately they were eliminated
3. Support to my great country of the heart Colombia!
PHRASE OF THE WEEK
1.The phrase is the "Golden Boot"
------
Very good questionnaire, I can not find the time to finish this great course!
11/08/2018
points
- For me, the teams that deserved to reach the final should have been Colombia and Japan or Denmark.
- I'm supporting Colombia.
- I think the week's football phrase is "Golden Boot".
11/08/2018 02:22
Liverpool
829
- For me, the teams that deserved to reach the final should have been Colombia and Japan or Denmark.
- I'm supporting Colombia.
- I think the week's football phrase is "Golden Boot".
10/08/2018
points
For me, the teams that I would like to see are Colmbia and Brazil.
I would have liked that neither Germany nor Mexico had left they would have been one of the finalists.
I support Colombia hopefully win the world cup.
10/08/2018 21:54
Arsenal
732
For me, the teams that I would like to see are Colmbia and Brazil.
I would have liked that neither Germany nor Mexico had left they would have been one of the finalists.
I support Colombia hopefully win the world cup.
10/08/2018
points
Colombia and Japan should have been in the final.
10/08/2018 05:36
Liverpool
471
Colombia and Japan should have been in the final.
10/08/2018
points
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
1. They must have arrived Colombia, Mexico and Germany. Germany and Mexico had a strong knockout that they did not deserve although they lowered their level and performance a bit.
2. To Colombia and Denmark.
10/08/2018 04:56
Manchester United
796
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
1. They must have arrived Colombia, Mexico and Germany. Germany and Mexico had a strong knockout that they did not deserve although they lowered their level and performance a bit.
2. To Colombia and Denmark.
10/08/2018
points
Colombia and Croatia should have been in the final.
10/08/2018 04:14
Wolverhampton Wanderers
693
Colombia and Croatia should have been in the final.
10/08/2018
points
excellent test
10/08/2018 03:00
Manchester City
513
excellent test
10/08/2018
points
The team that deserved to reach the final was Colombia.
Dear England fans, congratuliations for you win.
Dear Colombia fans, we must be feeling a bit downhearted.
I'm supporting Colombia.
10/08/2018 00:14
Chelsea
761
The team that deserved to reach the final was Colombia.
Dear England fans, congratuliations for you win.
Dear Colombia fans, we must be feeling a bit downhearted.
I'm supporting Colombia.
09/08/2018
points
Colombia and Japan should have been in the final.
09/08/2018 04:21
Newcastle United
462
Colombia and Japan should have been in the final.
09/08/2018
points
1. I think Colombia deserved to reach the final. England team deserved to get knocked out.
2. I'm supporting Colombian team.
Task:
-Dear England fans you must be gutted.
-Dear Croatian fans you must be absolutely delighted with the performance of your team.
09/08/2018 03:15
Liverpool
754
1. I think Colombia deserved to reach the final. England team deserved to get knocked out.
2. I'm supporting Colombian team.
Task:
-Dear England fans you must be gutted.
-Dear Croatian fans you must be absolutely delighted with the performance of your team.
09/08/2018
points
good test
09/08/2018 02:19
Chelsea
310
good test
09/08/2018
points
I think Colombia has done good stuff, so it deserves to be in the final.
I am supporting Colombia National team
09/08/2018 01:48
Manchester City
619
I think Colombia has done good stuff, so it deserves to be in the final.
I am supporting Colombia National team
08/08/2018
points
1. I think I deserved to reach the final Colombia, Croatia, Mexico, France, Portugal. I do not think he deserved to reach the final England.
2. To all the Latin American teams, especially Colombia.
08/08/2018 05:07
Manchester United
732
1. I think I deserved to reach the final Colombia, Croatia, Mexico, France, Portugal. I do not think he deserved to reach the final England.
2. To all the Latin American teams, especially Colombia.
08/08/2018
points
I think Colombia could win the cup but it needs a lot more level if it wants to get there and I'm supporting this team.
08/08/2018 02:54
Arsenal
833
I think Colombia could win the cup but it needs a lot more level if it wants to get there and I'm supporting this team.
08/08/2018
points
good quiz
08/08/2018 01:45
Liverpool
658
good quiz
08/08/2018
points
-I think that of the countries that deserve to reach the final is Germany, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil.
08/08/2018 01:37
Manchester United
622
-I think that of the countries that deserve to reach the final is Germany, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil.
07/08/2018
points
Good test
07/08/2018 22:37
Liverpool
654
Good test
07/08/2018
points
Good Test
07/08/2018 04:49
Manchester City
268
Good Test
07/08/2018
points
It was very interesting I learned a lot.
07/08/2018 03:49
Manchester United
352
It was very interesting I learned a lot.
07/08/2018
points
very excellent this lesson
07/08/2018 03:47
Manchester City
641
very excellent this lesson
07/08/2018
points
good quiz
07/08/2018 03:31
Stoke City
741
good quiz
07/08/2018
points
good quiz
07/08/2018 02:34
Arsenal
375
good quiz
07/08/2018
points
1) I think that Colombia deserved to reach the final because they gave all their effort and I miss more to demonstrate but things happened and they did not get what they deserved for their effort and passion
2) As I say Colombia since they tried hard and deserved more but the situation did not allow it
3) To Colombia
- Bye thanks for everything!
07/08/2018 02:23
Chelsea
778
1) I think that Colombia deserved to reach the final because they gave all their effort and I miss more to demonstrate but things happened and they did not get what they deserved for their effort and passion
2) As I say Colombia since they tried hard and deserved more but the situation did not allow it
3) To Colombia
- Bye thanks for everything!
07/08/2018
points
super interesting information
07/08/2018 02:04
Manchester City
348
super interesting information
07/08/2018
points
good test
07/08/2018 01:43
Chelsea
442
good test
07/08/2018
points
good quiz
07/08/2018 00:15
Arsenal
636
good quiz
06/08/2018
points
1. Dear France fans, congratulations for winning the world cup
2. I'm sorry for the Croatia fans who gave their voices for the team and made a good job in the world cup
06/08/2018 07:26
Manchester City
343
1. Dear France fans, congratulations for winning the world cup
2. I'm sorry for the Croatia fans who gave their voices for the team and made a good job in the world cup
06/08/2018
points
Good test
06/08/2018 04:51
Chelsea
624
Good test
06/08/2018
points
good test
06/08/2018 02:45
Manchester United
567
good test
06/08/2018
points
Good test
06/08/2018 02:08
Manchester United
725
Good test
06/08/2018
points
Good quiz
06/08/2018 02:02
Chelsea
362
Good quiz
06/08/2018
points
Good test.
06/08/2018 01:09
Arsenal
571
Good test.
05/08/2018
points
I think Colombia could win the cup but it needs a lot more level if it wants to get there and I'm supporting this team.
05/08/2018 20:47
Manchester United
439
I think Colombia could win the cup but it needs a lot more level if it wants to get there and I'm supporting this team.
05/08/2018
points
Hello
The team that deserved to reach the final was Colombia.
Dear England fans, congratuliations for you win.
Dear Colombia fans, we must be feeling a bit downhearted..
I'm supporting Colombia.
05/08/2018 20:35
Chelsea
635
Hello
The team that deserved to reach the final was Colombia.
Dear England fans, congratuliations for you win.
Dear Colombia fans, we must be feeling a bit downhearted..
I'm supporting Colombia.
05/08/2018
points
I think all the teams deserved to reach the final. I think Colombia didn't deserve to get knocked out.
I'm supporting my country team Colombia.
05/08/2018 19:48
Liverpool
570
I think all the teams deserved to reach the final. I think Colombia didn't deserve to get knocked out.
I'm supporting my country team Colombia.
05/08/2018
points
The world cup is over.
05/08/2018 18:31
Chelsea
796
The world cup is over.
05/08/2018
points
I think all the teams deserved to reach the final. I think Colombia didn't deserve to get knocked out.
I'm supporting my country team Colombia
05/08/2018 17:32
Chelsea
660
I think all the teams deserved to reach the final. I think Colombia didn't deserve to get knocked out.
I'm supporting my country team Colombia
05/08/2018
points
I was supporting my dear national team, Colombia
05/08/2018 17:18
Manchester City
48
I was supporting my dear national team, Colombia
05/08/2018
points
I learned too much
05/08/2018 17:11
Crystal Palace
687
I learned too much
05/08/2018
points
There were a few words new to me
05/08/2018 15:24
Manchester United
707
There were a few words new to me
05/08/2018
points
I think France and Croatia deserved it.
I was suppoting Colombia.
05/08/2018 05:17
Manchester City
881
I think France and Croatia deserved it.
I was suppoting Colombia.
05/08/2018
points
It was interesting
05/08/2018 05:08
Manchester City
302
It was interesting
05/08/2018
points
There were a few words new to me
05/08/2018 04:31
Chelsea
430
There were a few words new to me
05/08/2018
points
Most of the sentences were new to me, that well always have the opportunity to improve myself and learn.
05/08/2018 03:32
Chelsea
889
Most of the sentences were new to me, that well always have the opportunity to improve myself and learn.