2026-05-29 Handling Unexpected Situations — When Plans Go Sideways

*Go sideways: 物事は計画通りに進まない

Lesson Plan

• Lesson Topic: Handling Unexpected Situations
• What we’ll do: I’ll share a few stories of things going wrong — a lost suitcase, a wrong order at a restaurant, a sudden change of plans — and we’ll practice the English we’d actually use in those moments. We’ll roleplay a few mishaps together and compare how we’d handle them here in Japan versus overseas.
• Key Phrases: I’m afraid there’s been a mix-up / Excuse me, there seems to be a problem with… / Would it be possible to…? / Could you tell me what my options are? / That’s not quite what I ordered.
• What to bring: Just yourself and a story of a time something didn’t go to plan.
• See you Friday!

今回のレッスンでは、旅行や日常で「予想外のこと」が起きたときに使える英語を一緒に練習します。スーツケースが届かない、注文が違っていた、急に予定が変わった――そんな場面で、落ち着いて、丁寧に伝えるためのフレーズを取り上げます。ロールプレイを通して、実際にお店やホテルで話すような感覚で英語を口に出してみましょう。金曜日にお会いできるのを楽しみにしています。

Optional At-Home Activities

1. Think of one time something unexpected happened to you while traveling. Try to tell the story in English in two minutes — out loud, in front of a mirror or while walking.
2. Watch a short YouTube clip of an airline customer service interaction (search: “polite complaint English airport”) and notice one phrase the customer uses.

YOU CAN STOP READING NOW. Everything on page 2 is for me.