1. To have a discussion that elicits expressions of surprise at unexpectedly meeting someone you know;  

2. To increase the familiarity and use of such expressions; 

3. To translate the visual information from the video clip into the appropriate language; 

4. To use the audio information in the corresponding exercises;

5. To reinforce productively the language that has been learned.

●  Think of the following questions and try to answer them.

1) What do you say in English when you unexpectedly run into someone you know? 

2) Are there any differences between native English-speaking cultures and Chinese culture when expressing surprise at unexpectedly running into someone you know?

3) How would you act out these differences?

* Suggested answers:

1) I can say, “What a surprise meeting you here!” or, “Fancy meeting you here!”

2) Yes. People hug each other in native English-speaking cultures, whereas here in China, we shake hands with each other in such situations. One thing is sure: there is more touching in the former than in the latter.

3) I’d have to try it out to know.

●  The following sentences can be used to express surprise at unexpectedly meeting someone you know. Each of them will be spoken twice. As you listen, complete each sentence with the missing words. 

1) What a surprise meeting you here!

2) Fancy meeting you here!

3) Never thought I’d see you here!

4) Where’ve you been hiding yourself ?

5) What have you been up to? 

6) Certainly didn’t expect I’d run into you here! 

7) Certainly had no idea I’d meet you here!

学习用英语表达意外遇见某人的惊讶时，应注意中英文化表达形式的差异和相似之处。在汉语文化表达形式中还会出现地域特色。在你的当地语言里意外遇上某人时是怎样表达的？你是否会这么说： “你/您怎么来了？ ” “没想到在这里遇上你/您！ ” 第二句的表达是否非常接近英语表达惊讶当中的“Certainly didn’t expect / had no idea I’d run into you here!”纵观本单元所提供的有用表达句型，不难看出其中存在不少中英文化表达形式的差异。在理解或翻译时，应注意其语言的功能(function)和实意(notion)，例如， “Where’ve you been hiding yourself?” 应理解或翻译为:“好久不见，你从哪里冒出来的？”

● Useful Language from the Video Episode

●  Read the following incomplete sentences before you watch the video clip. Then, pay attention to the related scenes during the clip, completing the statements appropriately as you watch. 

1) It is spring time, and the flowers are blossoming everywhere. 

2) There is a wooden bridge across the little pond.

3) Michael is reading a map on the bridge. 

4) Shelley is walking her bicycle towards the bridge. 

5) Shelley and Michael are sitting on a bench talking, each holding a bottle of water. 

6) Michael stands up and points to the restaurant. 

● A. Watch the video and then decide whether each of the following statements is true (T) or false (F).

1) Shelley and Michael happen to run into each other. (T)

2) They haven’t seen each other for a long time. (T)

3) They are traveling to a historic town on their bikes. (T)

4) Shelley is learning Chinese language and culture while she’s in China. (F)

5) Michael is writing a book on Chinese food. (F)

● B. Now watch the video again and then complete the following conversation. 

Michael: Hi Shelley. What a surprise meeting you here! 

Shelley: Fancy meeting you here! What are you doing in this place? 

Michael:  I’m exploring this historic town on my bike. 

Shelley: Cool. You look great! 

Michael: You too. I didn’t know you got a mountain bike. 

Shelley: Yeah, I did. So maybe we could go cycling together. 

Michael: You’re on. 

Shelley: I haven’t seen you for such a long time. Where’ve you been hiding yourself? 

Michael: Oh, I’ve been busy. I’ve been studying Chinese. 

Shelley: Have you? Good for you! To learn a foreign language is to learn its culture. 

Michael: You bet. That’s why I’m here. 

Shelley: It’s lunch time. How about trying out some local food for lunch? 

Michael: That’s what I was going to suggest. How about that restaurant by the river? 

Shelley: Sure, let’s give it a try. 

● C. After you watch the video a third time, complete the following third-person account of the conversation.

      Shelley and Michael happen to run into each other on a bridge in a historic town. Both of them express surprise at unexpectedly meeting up with each other. At that moment, they are exploring the historic town on their bicycles. Actually, Shelley and Michael have not seen each other for a long time. Michael has been keeping busy learning Chinese, a foreign language for him. Both of them are very much interested in Chinese culture, and, of course, Chinese food.

1) Watch the video again, with a female student doing Shelley’s voice. 

2) Watch the video once more, with a male student doing Michael’s voice.

3) Watch the video one last time, with a male student and a female student doing both of the voices for the whole conversation.

● 1. Familiarize yourself with these other expressions similar to those in the video clip just watched. Then try to use them in dramatized situations in which you unexpectedly happen to meet up with people you know.

— What are you doing in this part of town?

— Been keeping busy?

— How neat! (= How cool!)

— Shouldn’t you be in school?

— Shouldn’t you be at work?

* Suggested answers:

A: Hey, what a surprise meeting you here, Shelley! 

B: Hi, Michael. Yeah, fancy meeting you here, too! What are you doing in this part of the country? 

A: I’m attending an internal conference. And what are you doing here? 

B: Well, I am touring the town. 

● 2. Are you familiar with the following expression? Look it up in the dictionary if not, and then make up some situations where you can use it.

It’s a small world.

* Suggested answers:

The expression “It’s a small world” can be used in the situation in which you meet a friend of yours unexpectedly in New York whom you just met yesterday in Beijing.

● A. You will continue to watch a video clip. Below are suggested steps for the learning activity:

  ▪ Watch the video clip without reading the script for the first time;

  ▪ Read the script while listening;

  ▪ Watch it again without reading the script;

  ▪ Act out the beginning part of the video.

Carter: No way (不会吧) ! What are… What are you doing here? 

Alex: Hey! Um, just reading. I — I’ve — I go to NYU (纽约大学)  now. 

Carter: No way!

Alex: Yeah. 

Carter: You did it! That’s… That’s awesome (真了不起) . 

Alex: Yeah, yeah. What about you? 

Carter: I’m renting an apartment in TriBeca (纽约市曼哈顿下城一小区) . 

Alex: Oh, yeah?

Carter: No way (不会吧) ! What are… What are you doing here? 

Alex: Hey! Um, just reading. I — I’ve — I go to NYU (纽约大学)  now. 

Carter: No way!

Alex: Yeah. 

Carter: You did it! That’s… That’s awesome (真了不起) . 

Alex: Yeah, yeah. What about you? 

Carter: I’m renting an apartment in TriBeca (纽约市曼哈顿下城一小区) . 

Alex: Oh, yeah?

Alex: My, you sure can pound (震动)  back the caffeine, huh? Is that why your leg is shaking like that?

Carter: I think it is. Yeah.

Alex: You’re not wearing your wedding band (婚戒) . 

Carter: Oh. Yeah. I’m now officially the first person in my high school class to get divorced (离婚) . 

Alex: Oh, I’m sorry.

Carter: No, it’s ok. When I think about it honestly, it was pretty much coming since our second date. How’s… How are you? How’s school going? 

Alex: It’s pretty good. It’s pretty good. I mean, you know, it’s, it’s, uh… it’s hard to meet new people as a transfer (转校生) . Everybody’s got their own little cliques (小圈子)  and they’re not sure if they want to admit one more. But, uh, my creative writing classes are really great. 

Carter: Oh, yeah, creative writing?

Alex: Yeah. I’ve just, uh… I’ve always been interested in stories and escaping into other people’s lives. I guess ’cause mine always seems so boring. I’m cursed with (受……之苦)  a functional (务实的)  family. But writing isn’t exactly practical. So I think I might double major (修双学位)  in business.

Carter: Oh, no. Don’t do that. Stick with (坚持)  the creative writing. 

Alex: Strange, you know, sometimes you seem sort of bummed out (灰心丧气) about your career, but you’re so successful. 

Carter: No, I’m not bummed. Uh… God, my career is pretty much what I have in my life. 

● B. Play the role of Carter and Alex, using the functional and notional language you have just learned.