Why bother?

The language used is:

• to ...
• in order to ...
• so ...
• so that ...

Worksheet A is for pre-intermediate students and worksheet B is for intermediate students. Worksheet A asks learners to use only the infinitives of purpose in the communicative activity. Worksheet B asks them to use a variety of forms and add their own questions. A good pre-intermediate class could use this worksheet also. The form itself is used in a free way, making it suitable for a class who are practising after more controlled work.

Preparation

Before the class, prepare enough photocopies of the worksheet for each learner to have a copy.

Procedure

• You will need to explain the question Why bother? which is used to mean why fight against troubles or problems, why make an effort, etc.
• Ask the learners Why learn English? They will have lots of answers. Try to elicit some examples of the target language, e.g. So that I can get a better job.
• If you are using worksheet A, give each student a copy and tell them to ask each other the questions and complete the worksheet. They should ask a different person each question.
• If you are using worksheet B, give each student a copy and tell them to add three more questions. Then they ask each other the questions and complete the worksheet. 
• Monitor as the students work and try to make notes of any errors of form.
• Elicit any interesting answers in open class.
• Put up some examples of errors you heard while monitoring (though don't say who made the error) and see if the students can correct them.

Note: Learners may notice the abbreviated form of the questions, i.e. no auxiliary and no subject. Acknowledge their concerns and tell them this is a form we can use when talking generally.