Latest episode
Introduction to the Course
01:18||Season 1, Ep. 0The first two modules are quite low level and the second two are a little higher. The lessons include questions so the students have to listen for the answer, and each also includes transcript so students can listen and read at the same time. Transcripts are available to download here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QaJkHDwYNZZTpPfkqd7WwVr_auEP2SuU/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115620839191766234029&rtpof=true&sd=true The story throughout the four modules is one of Terry who leaves China to study for his masters degree in the UK. He meets people, new friends, shopkeepers, police, ticket sellers, he goes on holiday to France, his family visit from China and he has lots of interactions with people. Each conversation is short and only one or two target vocabulary in each set so the learner will understand most of what’s said but will find a few new pieces of language there. It was important for us, creating this course that we use modern day English throughout. This means idioms and language people actually use in day to day settings, not textbook English which is outdated. Features· common conversations· modern language· colloquialisms· idiomatic language· full transcripts· new vocabulary· 108 useful conversations
More episodes
View all episodes
1. Basic Greetings 1. Greeting a stranger
00:43||Season 1, Ep. 1Basic Greetings1. Greeting a stranger Terry has moved into his new flat and as he is leaving to go to college, he meets a woman who is carrying grocery bags into the building. She is a lot older than him and is wearing quite old-fashioned clothes. He needs to show her respect when he speaks to her. How does Dawn introduce herself? Terry: Good morning Dawn: Good morning Terry: Do you live here too? Dawn: Yes, I live at number four. Terry: Oh, that’s next to my flat. Dawn: Really! Well I’m sure we’ll meet each other often. I’m Dawn Lewis by the way. Terry: I’m Terry. It’s lovely to meet you. Dawn: It’s nice to meet you too. When you’re talking to an older person, you need to use quite formal language until you are friends with them. Use Mr or Mrs and their surname if you know it. Formal ways of greeting a stranger include· Hello· Good morning· Good afternoon· Good evening (Good night is only for saying goodbye at night)· How do you do (very formal)· Pleased to meet you (formal)2. Basic Greetings 2. Greeting an older person/someone in authority
00:51||Season 1, Ep. 2Basic Greetings2. Greeting an older person/someone in authority Terry met Dawn Lewis last week and now he sees her again, this time leaving the house to walk to the bus stop. He thinks she really needs to buy some new clothes and tidy up her hair. Terry is a nice guy so he decides to talk to her. Listen to how he addresses her. Terry: Good afternoon Mrs Lewis Dawn: Hello Terry, how are you. Terry: Very well thank you. Dawn: Are you comfortable in the flat? Terry: Yes, thank you. It’s a very quiet area. Dawn: Yes, it’s very peaceful around here. Terry: I’m on my way to college now. Dawn: OK, well, have a nice day Terry. Terry: You too Mrs Lewis. Dawn: Please call me Dawn Terry: Alright. See you soon Dawn. Terry calls Dawn, ‘Mrs Lewis’ until she invites him to become less formal. You must wait for your neighbour or boss or other person in a position of authority to invite you to use their first name. Do not use it automatically as this might show disrespect. Ways of saying you are going somewhere· I’m on my way to college· I’m off to college now· I’m going to college· I’m leaving for college3. Basic Greetings 3. Greeting an old friend
00:48||Season 1, Ep. 3Basic Greetings3. Greeting an old friend Sian and Terry have bumped into each other at a Christmas party. They used to go to school together but have not seen each other for ages. Sian is a cheerful person, who likes to go out to pubs and restaurants and sometimes has parties at her house. She wants to know what Terry is doing now. Terry is quite excited. Listen and find out why. Sian: How are you doing Terry? Terry: I'm made up. Sian: Really! Why’s that? Terry: I’ve started a new college. Sian: What so good about it? Terry: I’m top of my class! Sian: Wow that’s brilliant! Terry: Yeah, I’m doing well. Sian: That’s great. Terry: Well, good luck with staying at the top. Sian: Thanks a lot. I’m made up = Modern slang for I’m really excited/happy There are many ways of saying hello to an old friend.· Hey! Long time no see = colloquial (informal) way of speaking· Hi,· How’s things going?· What’s new?· What’s been going on in your life? Ways of expressing excitement at someone’s good news.· Wow!· That’s exciting/fantastic/brilliant· Really?· I’m so pleased for you.4. Talking about the weather 4. Looks like rain
00:46||Season 1, Ep. 4Talking about the weather4. Looks like rain Terry sometimes sees his neighbour Dawn, as he is leaving his house. Dawn likes to talk to Terry but all she ever talks about is the weather. Terry thinks that it’s the only thing she can actually talk about. Does she have any interests other than the weather Terry wonders! What are the different opinions of Terry and Dawn about what the weather will be like today? Terry: The sky looks dark today. Dawn: Yeah, it looks like rain. Terry: Do you think so? Dawn: Yes, I can feel it in the air? Terry: The forecast was for sun all day. Dawn: I know but you wait and see. Terry: Yes, you’re usually right! Dawn: Yes I am aren’t I! Talking about the weather· Looks like rain = it looks as if it is about to rain· Do you think so? = are you sure?· Can feel it in the air = sense the rain is on the way· Wait and see = be patient and you see I am correct· The weather forecast = to forecast (v) and a forecast (n), to predict the future.5. Talking about the weather 5. Drizzle
00:51||Season 1, Ep. 5Talking about the weather5. Drizzle It’s the winter now and Terry is fed up of the British weather. It’s Saturday morning and Terry’s chatting to Dawn on the landing by the door to their flats. Dawn still has only one subject of conversation – the weather – and thanks to his frequent chats with Dawn, Terry is also getting pretty good at talking about the weather! Is the rain going to be a problem or not? Listen and find out. Terry: I was hoping for a nice day today. Dawn: Me too but you know how it is in the winter. Terry: Yes, it rains almost every day. Dawn: It’s only drizzle though. Terry: That’s true but it lasts all day. Dawn: Do you have an umbrella? Terry: Yes I do. Dawn: So you’ll be fine. Terry: As long as it stays as drizzle. Drizzle = light rain, a fine mist, moisture in the air.You know how it is = I’m sure you are familiar with thisAs long as… = provided that… Do you have an umbrellaHave you got an umbrellaBrolly = colloquial for umbrella Drizzle· Fine mist· Spitting· Sprinkling· Mizzle Other weatherSnow· A flurry of snow· A big dump of snow· A sprinkling of snow· Snow drifts· Sleet (snow and rain mixed)6. Offering help 6. Carrying bags
00:59||Season 1, Ep. 6Offering help6. Carrying bags Terry is at the railway station and is walking over the bridge to the platform. He’s on the way to Birmingham for the weekend to see some friends. What does he see in front of him? It’s a very pretty girl struggling with her huge bag. Although Terry is not very tall, he is quite strong, and he runs towards the girl to offer some help. Listen to the conversation and find out where the pretty girl is travelling to. Terry: Excuse me. Would you like some help with your bag? Sarah: Oh yes, thank a lot. Terry: Gosh, this is very heavy isn’t it. Sarah: Yes, sorry! Terry: That’s OK. Here we are, now we’re on the platform. Sarah: Thanks again for helping me. Terry: You’re welcome. Sarah: And just in time, here comes my train. Terry: You’re going to Birmingham! Sarah: Yes I am. Terry: Me too! Here you go, here you are = something you say to the other person when you have finished doing something for them. Normally after hearing this, we say Thank you. Ways you can offer someone help· Let me help you· Would you like some help· I can help you if you like· Let me give you a hand