Gok, Speak Up in Class

Gok

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Source:: Speak Up
Language Level: Pre-intermediate
Standard: British accent

Based on the article http://englishtips-self-taught.blogspot.com/2011/03/gok.html

GOK – Speak Up – Issue 280

GETTING STARTED.

TASK 1. Speaking. With your partner(s) discuss these questions.

a) Do you like fashion? Why (not)?

b) Who is your favourite designer? Why?

c) Do you like shopping? Why? (not)?

d) Do you think top models are a good example for young women? Why (not)?

e) Why are top models very thin, in your opinion?

TASK 2. Vocabulary. Check the vocabulary in the Glossary. Choose 5 or 6 expressions and test your partner(s).

LISTENING

TASK 3. Prediction. Before you listen, discuss these questions with your partner(s). What are the correct answers? If you don’t know, guess.

1. Gok is

a. a designer

b.a model

c. a fashion guru

2. Gok tells women to

a. go on a diet

b. accept their bodies

c. have plastic surgery

3. Gok has

a. presented TV shows

b. written books

c. presented TV shows and written books

TASK 4. Listening for Specific Information. Listen (without reading) to all of the recording and answer the questions from TASK 3:

Check your answers before completing the reading TASKS.

READING

TASK 5. Prediction #2. Before you read all of the article, discuss the possible answers to these questions with your partner(s). Make some notes.

a)    What type of women does Gok photograph?

b)    What kind of clothes do his “models” wear??

c)    What is the secret of Gok’s success?

d)    Where did Gok study his profession ?

e)    What is Gok’s promise to women?

f)    How is this possible?

TASK 6: Reading for Specific and Detailed Information: Read all of the text and answer the questions to TASK 5.

K.E.T. EXAM PRACTICE

(Paper 1: Reading and Writing Paper, PART 7)

TASK 7.

Complete this short letter..

Write ONE word for each space (41 to 50)

Dear Paula

I hope you are well.

I am reading an article about British fashion guru Gok. Do you know  (41) _______?  He (42) ________ born (43) ______ Leicester (44) ______1974.

He is very famous and has a programme (45) _____  TV. Have you see (46) _____? When he (47) ______ young he spent a lot (48) ______ time watching television and reading magazines about fashion.

His family had a restaurant and while he was at university he sometimes worked

(49)   _____ .

Now he only goes (50) _____  very expensive restaurants to eat!

Take care and see you soon

Mary

 

SPEAKING

TASK 8. What do you think? Discuss these questions with your partner(s).

1. Have you watched Gok’s programme? Why (not)?
2. Would you like to watch his programme? Why (not)?
3. Do you think he can really make all women beautiful? Why (not)?
4. Do you think he is an interesting person? Why (not)?
5. Do you think people spend too much money on clothes and cosmetics?
6. Do you think people pay too much attention to models and fashion?
7. What’s your opinion on the fashion industry in general?

JIMMY CHOO

http://www.jimmychoo.com/collections/carnival-nights/icat/carnivalnightsuk/?10CMSlink=homerw

Source: Speak Up
Speaker: Justin Ratcliffe
Language level: Pre-intermediate

JIMMY CHOO

Jimmy Choo is famous throughout   the world for high fashion shoes. He makes handmade couture shoes   for the rich and famous. His clients include stars like Jennifer Lopes and Cherly Cole. Would you like a pair of Jimmy Choo’s?  Customers must make an appointment at his workshop at 18 Connaught Street in Paddington, London. Prices begin at around €800.

THE REAL THING

Of course, you could visit one of the many Jimmy Choo boutiques around the world. You can find shoes in these shops at tower prices. But these aren’t genuine Jimmy Choo’s. The name on the front of the shop is certainly Jimmy Choo, but he sold his part of Jimmy Choo Limited in 2001.

DI AND I

Choo started his business in 1986. “Princess Diana helped me a lot,” he remembers. “Everyone noticed the evening shoes I made for her.” One person who noticed was Vogue accessories editor Tamara Mellon.

Mellon convinced Choo to design a line of ready-to-wear shoes. Then her father, multi-millionaire Tom Yardye, provided finance. Mellon transferred production to a factory in Italy, and opened the first Jimmy Choo boutique.

AN EARLY START

Choo was born in Penang, Malaysia in 1961. He made his first pair of shoes for his mother when he was 12. He explains “My father was an artisan, who taught me how to make shoes. “He believes in the importance of passing on his knowledge to new generations. One of his most successful apprentices was his wife’s niece Sandra Choi. She is now chief designer of Jimmy Choo Limited. Choo sold the company in 2001 because he didn’t agree with plans to expand the ready-to-wear business. Sandra accepted a position at the new company. Jimmy Choo considered this a betrayal. He still doesn’t talk to either Sandra or Tamara Mellon.

EDUCATION

Jimmy Choo still believes in teaching. He is Ambassador for Footwear Education at the London College of Fashion Students regularly work with him at his workshop. And he’s setting up a shoemaking institute in Malaysia.

Finally, what shoes does the world’s greatest shoe designer wear? “I wear slippers at home. But I have three-inch-heels for going to clubs. English people are all taller than me. 

http://www.jimmychoo.com/