Congratulating
Warm-Up
BRAINSTORM
In English, we say “congrats” a lot!
What are some reasons for congratulating people?
Brainstorm with your classmates:
Let’s Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to congratulate people in different ways. You will also learn how to respond to praise. Let’s begin!
Congratulations on... (+ noun)
• your new baby
• your graduation
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Congratulations on/for... (+ action)
• getting your citizenship
• graduating
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Dialogues
Read the dialogues out loud with a partner.
Dialogue 1
GRADUATION
A: Congratulations for graduating with honors!
B: Thank you so much!
A: We got you a little something.
B: Aw. You’re so sweet. Thanks again.
Dialogue 2
WEDDING
A: I heard you got married last week.
B: Yes. It was a small wedding.
A: Congratulations to both of you!
B: Thanks. We’re really happy.
Dialogue 3
NEW HOME
A: I hear congratulations are in order.
B: Oh? For what?
A: Didn’t you buy a new home?
B: Oh, yes, we did.
A: Congrats!
Dialogue 4
NEW BABY
A: Our daughter had her baby last night!
B: Congratulations! Boy or girl?
A: Girl. Sonja Lou.
B: Aw. Please congratulate the new parents for me.
A: I will. Thanks!
Useful Expressions
Listen to your teacher say these common expressions.
Then recite them together as a class.
A. Saying “Congratulations”
• Congratulations!
• Congrats! (informal)
• You did it!
• Great/Good/Nice job/work on... + noun/action.
• Good for you. (informal)
• Well done!
• I’m/We’re so proud of you for... + action.
• Please accept our congratulations. (written/formal)
• Please congratulate her/him for us.
• Let me be the first to congratulate you.
• I hear congratulations are in order.
• I heard the big news! Congrats!
• Yay. It’s about time!
• Woo-hoo!
• Kudos!
• Kudos on... + noun/action. (informal)
B. Responding to “Congratulations”
• Thank you!
• Thank you so much.
• Aw, thanks!
• Thanks. I appreciate it.
• Thanks. We’ll tell her/him.
Spelling / Pronunciation Tips:
WRITE IT WITH A “T”
The word “congratulations” is commonly misspelled with a “d” instead of a “t” because this is how we often pronounce it. Think “t” for “top of the world.” You’ll practice writing this word a lot in this lesson!
SAY IT WITH A “D”
The /t/ in “congratulations” is often pronounced like a /d/. The primary stress is on the fourth syllable (and the secondary stress is on the second syllable):
/con grad u LA tions/. The short form, “congrats,”
is pronounced with the /t/ sound: /con GRATS/.
C. Responding Modestly
• Thanks, but it’s no big deal.
• Oh, thanks. It’s nothing big.
• Oh, it’s nothing special.
• You’re sweet. I don’t deserve all of this praise.
• Aw. You’re too kind.
B. An Award
A: I got the academic award, Mom!
B: I’m so of you. Congratulations, dear.
A: , Mom.
A. A Win
A: I came in first!
B: !
A: Thanks! It was a close race.
Writing & Speaking Practice
Complete the dialogues. Then practice them with a partner.
C. An Engagement
A: I hear are in order.
B: [shows ring] Thanks. I’m so excited.
A: Please Manny for us too.
D. A Promotion
A: Did you get a promotion?
B: Yes. I’m the manager now.
A: ! (informal)
B: Oh, thanks. It’s nothing . My role hasn’t really changed.
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Listening Practice
1.
Congratulations!
2.
Congrats!
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You did it!
4.
We’re so proud.
5.
Thank you!
6.
It’s no big deal.
A. Syllables & Stress
Listen to the recording. Divide the syllables with lines.
Circle the stressed syllables.
B. Choose the Correct Response
Listen to the recording.
Circle the best response to each question or statement.
1. a) For what?
b) You did it!
c) Aw, thanks!
2. a) Thanks. I’m so excited.
b) Congrats!
c) We’re so proud of you.
3. a) No problem.
b) I hear congratulations are in order.
c) Yes, I actually finished the race!
4. a) Kudos!
b) For what?
c) Oh, thanks. It’s just a few flowers.
5. a) Thanks, Dad.
b) You did it!
c) You’re welcome.
7.
Woo-hoo!
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It’s about time!
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For what?
6. a) Good job.
b) No, thank you.
c) Thanks. I’ll tell him you stopped by.
7. a) Woo-hoo! Nice work.
b) It’s no big deal.
c) I hear congratulations are in order.
8. a) I will. Thanks.
b) Thanks, but I don’t have a job yet.
c) You did it! Congrats.
9. a) I knew you could do it. Congrats!
b) I’ll tell him.
c) For what?
Review
Task 1
WORDS & EXPRESSIONS
A. Saying Congratulations
List as many words and expressions as you can for saying congratulations.
B. Responding
Now list some responses.
Review cont.
Task 3
A NEW JOB
Work with a partner. Role-play a dialogue between two neighbors.
One neighbor got a new job. The other person also has something to celebrate. Decide what it is.
After you practice your role-play, switch roles.
Then perform it for your class.
Your classmates will have to answer the following:
• Why are congratulations in order at the beginning of the dialogue?
• How does the first receiver of the congratulatory remarks respond?
• Why does the first receiver say “Congrats to you, too.”?
Task 2
COMPLETE THE DIALOGUE
Complete the dialogue between two neighbors and perform it for your teacher with a partner.
A: on your car.
B: ! It was a gift for my graduation.
A: Oh, you graduated this month? !
B: Thanks. But it’s no big . It’s just high school.
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Criteria Achieved Achieved with Help Needs Improvement
spells and pronounces congratulations correctly
uses a variety of expressions for congratulating
(formal and informal)
responds appropriately to congratulatory remarks
speaks clearly with correct intonation when congratulating and responding
Date Level Assessed by Role-Play Scenario Skill
Saying and Responding
to Congratulations Speaking
Speaking Assessment Tool
Notes
Student / Group:
Can I... Yes (very well) Yes (with help) Not yet
say and spell congratulations properly?
use many different expressions to say congratulations?
respond to congratulatory remarks in a variety of ways?
use correct intonation when
congratulating others and responding?
Learner Reflection
CONGRATULATING
Add check marks () to show what you've learned in this lesson.
My Notes
Name: Date:
