Auto Repairs – Video Lesson
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Pre-Listening (5-7 minutes)
Share these questions with students and tell them to listen for answers during the interview:
- Why does Aubrey prefer going to a dealership for repairs?
- What are the advantages of using an independent repair shop?
- What is Aubrey’s opinion on mobile repair services?
Vocabulary and Expressions From the Video
1. dealership (noun): a place where cars are sold and repaired.
– We bought our car from a dealership near our house.
– The dealership has a great waiting room with free snacks.
2. diagnose (verb): to find out what is wrong or causing a problem.
– The mechanic will diagnose the issue with your car.
– Doctors need to diagnose illnesses quickly to help patients.
3. reputable (adjective): trusted, having a good reputation.
– It’s important to find a reputable mechanic for car repairs.
– My friend recommended a reputable shop that fixes electronics.
4. accessible (adjective): easy to reach or use.
– Mobile car repair services make repairs more accessible to everyone.
– The library is accessible by bus and has wheelchair ramps.
5. shuttle (noun): a vehicle that regularly takes people from one place to another.
– The dealership provides a free shuttle to take customers home.
– The airport shuttle arrives every 20 minutes.
Listen and Read: Listen and answer the questions.
Transcript:
Randall: In this video, Aubrey, let’s talk about auto repairs, something that I think none of us enjoy at all. And if you have a car problem, what do you generally do and why?
Aubrey: Now, I will be 100% honest. I don’t know how my car works.
Randall: Okay.
Aubrey: I’ve been told this isn’t the most economical approach. I just go straight back to the dealership that I bought it from. I know the prices are more expensive, but I just go there; I know them, they have a good waiting room, they have Wi-Fi, they have snacks, and I just hope they don’t upcharge me too much.
Randall: Yeah. And I think you just mentioned one of the keys is that you know them already. I mean, perhaps that’s where you bought the car, and so you’re trusting that there’s already a relationship that they will be fair to you in, you know, diagnosing the problem and fixing it and giving you at least a reasonable price.
Aubrey: Another benefit to dealerships is a lot of them will also have a shuttle service.
Randall: Oh . . .
Aubrey: So if you drop your car off at the dealership, they have someone that can drive you home or to work as long as it’s within a specified distance
Randall: Right.
Aubrey: . . . and then you don’t have to worry about a second person giving you a ride or staying at the dealership.
Randall: Yeah. And so let me ask you, what about some type of independent repair shop like Bob’s Mechanic, you know that works down the street? Would you consider something like that versus going to the dealership and why or why not?
Aubrey: I have been told by people who know more about cars than I do that that is a better way to go if you find someone reputable.
Aubrey: Okay.
Randall: But it’s that step that’s the hard step is you have to find the right person who knows what they’re doing who isn’t going to lie to you.
Randall: Yeah, yeah. And perhaps you can leverage your friendships with others who already are using a particular repair shop.
Aubrey: Exactly
Randall: You know them and you trust them. And the last one is, what about mobile repairs? You know, mechanics that maybe they have all of their gear, all of their equipment in a van of some sort, and they can drive to you.
Aubrey: I don’t know a lot about that service, but it sounds like something that I wish there was more of . . .
Randall: Yeah.
Aubrey: . . . because not only is it convenient, but it would make things more accessible to people who maybe don’t have access to get a ride somewhere, or maybe their car isn’t working at all. Maybe there’s some reason why they can’t easily leave their house.
Randall: Right.
Aubrey: So that would be a much more accessible way to get this done.
Randall: Or maybe they’re stranded some, you know,
Aubrey: Exactly.
Randall: [on] some highway and they need someone to come out. Yeah, I think those are good ideas. Well, thank you, Aubrey, for sharing some of those tips.
Discussion Questions
Intermediate Level
- What are some reasons Aubrey chooses a dealership over other repair options?
- If your car broke down, who would you trust to fix it? Why?
- What do you think are the benefits and challenges of mobile repair services?
Advanced Level
- Aubrey says it’s hard to find a reputable independent mechanic. How could someone build trust with a new repair shop?
- Do you think mobile repair services could become more popular in the future? Why or why not?
- Imagine you’re starting a car repair business. How would you make your service more appealing than a dealership or other options?
Post-Listening Classroom Activities
Intermediate Level
- Small Group Discussions:
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 people). Assign each group one question to discuss for 5-7 minutes. Then, have groups share their ideas with the class.
- Role Play:
- Students role-play as car owners and mechanics. One person explains a car problem, and the others recommend options like a dealership, an independent mechanic, or a mobile service.
- Pros and Cons Chart:
- On a board or shared document, have groups list the pros and cons of dealerships, independent mechanics, and mobile repair services based on the discussion.
Advanced Level
- Debate:
- Divide the class into two teams. One team argues that dealerships are the best option for car repairs, while the other argues that independent or mobile services are better.
- Problem Solving:
- In small groups, students brainstorm ways to improve trust between car owners and independent mechanics. Each group presents their best ideas.
- Future Trends:
- Groups discuss the future of car repair services and how technology, like mobile repairs or online reviews, could change the industry.
ChatGPT was used collaboratively to prepare some of the activities for this lesson.