Sorry

Functional Language Intermediate Level B1-B2 60 minutes plus practice activities

The art of apologising

I’m sorry

• How to give an apology – the correct steps and useful language.

• How to apologise even when you think you are right.

• How to receive an apology correctly.
• Role play examples.
• Extra practice with vocabulary to describe feelings and synonyms for angry

In this lesson…

How did you apologise?

How did you feel?

Click on icons

Why did you apologise?

When was the last time you apologised to someone?

How did the person respond?

Part 1 – Apologising

Golden Rule Never make excuses or try to shift blame.

Say what you are apologising for

Acknowledge the other person's feelings

Admit you were wrong

Say you are sorry

Ask for forgiveness

Show that you are sorry

How do you apologise?Put these actions in order then compare your order with the order on the next slide

How do you apologise?Now drag the descriptions with the steps

Say you are sorry

Acknowledge the other person's feelings

Ask for forgiveness

Say what you are apologising for

Show that you are sorry

Admit you were wrong

Tell the person what you will do to make sure the situation never happens again and how you will work to rebuild trust.

Ask the person to forgive you and show them that you value your relationship with them. Don't insist on their forgiveness or think that it will happen immediately.

Be sincere when you apologise. Don't add on any excuses or justification for what you did and don't try to make light or diminish what you did.

Show that you are aware of how your actions impacted the person you are apologising to and how you made them feel.

Tell the person that what you did was wrong and show that you are willing to take responsibility for what you did. Don't try to make any excuses.

Tell the person what you are apologising for. This shows the person that you know what you did wrong.

You need to connect for an online meeting. Your PC battery is flat and you don’t have the power cable. There is no app to connect with on your phone. You need to use a device and quick. You decide to borrow your colleagues new tablet. He is at lunch so you don’t bother asking them. You drop in and the screen cracks. You hear your colleague returning from lunch. He says to the people he is with, “Come and have a look at my new tablet. I only got it yesterday.” He walks into the room. Over to you…

How do you apologise?Check your answers and role play the situation according to the steps

Say you are sorry

Acknowledge the other person's feelings

Ask for forgiveness

Say what you are apologising for

Show that you are sorry

Admit you were wrong

Tell the person what you will do to make sure the situation never happens again and how you will work to rebuild trust.

Ask the person to forgive you and show them that you value your relationship with them. Don't insist on their forgiveness or think that it will happen immediately.

Be sincere when you apologise. Don't add on any excuses or justification for what you did and don't try to make light or diminish what you did.

Show that you are aware of how your actions impacted the person you are apologising to and how you made them feel.

Tell the person that what you did was wrong and show that you are willing to take responsibility for what you did. Don't try to make any excuses.

Tell the person what you are apologising for. This shows the person that you know what you did wrong.

How do you apologise?Click on icons and practice the phrases and expressions below. Can you add any more?

Show that you are sorry I feel really awful about it I deeply regret what’s happened. If I could go back in time and change my actions, I would.

Ask for forgiveness Can you find it in you to forgive me? Please accept my apologies. I hope we can move on from this.

Say you are sorry I’m really sorry. I won’t let it happen again. I apologise profusely. I am so sorry.

Acknowledge the other person's feelings I guess you might be pretty upset about this. I can imagine how disappointed you must be. I bet you’re quite angry.

Admit you were wrong I know it was wrong and I’ll admit it I know I shouldn’t have done it. I wish I hadn’t done it.

Say what you are apologising for: I’d like to talk to you about what happened earlier … This isn’t easy but I need to talk to you about something … I’ve done something you may not like…

Role play this situation

Your boss planned a surprise party for a colleague. You accidentally told the colleague about the party.You didn't think your colleague likes surprises.Your boss is quite annoyed with you.

The surprise partyTry using some of the useful language in this situation

Role play this situation

You arrive home late from work.You had a hard day.You stopped at the pub near home for a few drinks with friends.You didn't call your partner to say you were going to be late.They prepared you dinner and it is now ruined.

Late home from workTry using some of the useful language in this situation

How did you feel?

Click on icons

Why did they apologise?

When was the last time someone apologised to you?

How did you feel before they apologised?

Part 2: Being apologised to

• Be sure to listen to the persons' apology and let them speak.
• Listen carefully to see if they understand what they did wrong.
• Make sure they are not trying to shift blame or make excuses for what they did.
• Decide whether you think they are sincere.
• Accept the apology and thank them.
• Tell them how you are feeling.
• Decide whether you're a ready to forgive them. You don't have to forgive immediately, especially if this person has a pattern of bad behaviour. It can take time to trust people again.
• Don't dismiss what they did to make them feel better.

How to accept an apologyRead and comment on these pieces of advice.Do you agree or disagree?

In the next few slides, take the role described.Your teacher will take the other side. Try and resolve the situation

Role play: Biting your tongue Saying sorry even when you don’t believe you are in the wrong

Click on the cup icon to read the situation

You broke a cup that belongs to your work colleague. The cup was a gift from a very good friend. You thought the cup was cheap and ugly.

The cup

Click on the share icon to read the situation

You posted an image of you and friends on social media. You didn't ask them before posting it. Two of them hate the image.You think it's a great picture and you’ve already got 500 likes.

Social media

Click on the book icon to read the situation

You borrowed a book from your sister. You lost the book. It's the third time you have borrowed something from her and lost it. You think someone may be stealing things from you.

The book

Words that mean very angry

http://www.roadtogrammar.com/vocabgym/?37

Feelings

http://www.roadtogrammar.com/feelings/

Extra activities