French waiter

This famous clip by the Monthy Pythons can help us with our English in several ways.

Self-study activity:
Watch the video and note down the instructions the water gives viewers when he wants them to follow him. The language he uses can be useful in real life situations when we want to show someone how to get somewhere.

At the end of the video he comes up with some impolite language because we don't seem to react the way he was expecting. The swear word he uses (the famous f-word) is also part of English, and although we might disapprove of its use, we are likely to hear it at some stage. Again, note down the swear words you can hear at the end.



Self-study activity:
The video also allows us to develop our oral skills, especially at an intermediate level. Get together with an English speaking friend or record yourself while answering the questions the French waiter talks about:

Where (what specific place -a house, a hospital) were you born? Is the building still standing?
Do you remember any advice your parents gave you when you were little?
What made you choose your profession (i.e., why are you a teacher, a doctor, a shop assistant)?
What's your philosophy in life?

Key:
come with me; come on; this way; come on, don't be shy!; mind the stairs, all right?; come along; over here; nearly there now
fuck off! fuck you!