Learning Unit 8:

A source of inspiration
Conversation 2 Script

You will find different expressions and connectors in the sample.

You will find different questions you can include in your own conversation.

John Hi Nicole!
Nicole Oh! Hi John. Sorry for turning up so late
John Don´t worry about it! This is a beautiful cafeteria!
Nicole Thanks for inviting me over. How are you?
John Fine! I called you because I wanted to show you my project. It´s about the most
inspirational person in my life.
Nicole That´s interesting! So tell me, how did you choose that person? Is that his picture?
John Yes, this is Nelson Mandela´s picture. He fought against the apartheid system of South
Africa and tried to create an equal and fairer society. For that reason, he paid with an
interminably long jail sentence.
Nicole Hmmm… I see what you mean… Mandela was a great leader who changed the system in his
country with self-sacrifice. Tell me, what happened after serving sentence?
John Despite the injustice of going to jail for trying to overthrow apartheid, Nelson Mandela
did not become revengeful. He left a legacy of forgiveness and reconciliation, not only for his
people but also for the world.
Nicole Good point! It seems to me that it is easy to forgive a stranger, but how difficult it is to
forgive an enemy. Nelson Mandela forgave the Apartheid government and gave us a lesson. Based
on that, I could say that he focused on the needs of others, not his own. How do you feel about
this story?
John Well, in the beginning, it was hard for me to understand how a person can be humble and
a great leader at the same time. I grew up in a city where sometimes people don´t treat
everybody in the same way. I used to see people buying expensive things and others with nothing
or almost nothing in their pockets. Things have changed for the better, now I am conscious of
the fact that I want to help others and be part of a world where all of us have the same value.
Nicole Yeah, I agree with you there. So, from what you say, I can see that Mandela really had an
impact on the way you see the world.
John Absolutely! What about you? Do you have someone or something that inspires you to be a
better person?
Nicole That´s an interesting question! In my experience, I´ve learned a lot from Anne Frank,
who wrote a diary describing her life when she had to live hidden in a secret annexe during the
Second World War.
John Oh… It´s so sad that she had such a frightening experience. What made you feel inspired
by her?
Nicole She had to live in a confined space with many people and they couldn´t escape from that
place. Despite those challenges, she brought a message of courage and hope in the face of
adversity that has reached millions. Here you can see her picture!
John Thanks for sharing this story with me. All in all, I must say that she had a positive view of
life. How did her story change the way you see the world?
Nicole Well, I have a strict schedule I follow every day. I usually plan my week ahead and I love
setting my own goals in advance. I have difficulties with trying to control everything, but life is
not easy to control, you know.
John That´s true! It´s evident that from Anne´s experience, we learned that we can´t control
adversity. Life can´t be completely planned!
Nicole Definitely! I feel that I need to deal with the unpredictable. What I love the most about
Anne is that she taught me that we should never take simple things for granted.
John I´d go along with that. I believe that it´s necessary to make the best of things during
difficult times and try to keep people upbeat when they are sad. I could never imagine myself in
that situation and how I would react.
Nicole I see what you mean, if I had to live confined or hiding from people, I would remember
Anne and how she kept a good spirit even in that situation.
John You are right! After listening to these stories, I feel even more inspired than yesterday.
In brief, being inspired by people makes you wonder if there should be a better world and what
can we do to make that dream come true.
Nicole We should never give up! Oh… it´s time to go to the library, I have to continue my
Literature homework. See you soon!
John See you soon Nicole! Bye!