Living English (10): What's the matter?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
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Sarah finds out Anne’s secret mission.
SARAH: I’m sorry about my brother.
ANNE: Not at all. You have a lovely family. Everyone seems so happy.
ANNE: breaks down in tears. SARAH goes to her, concerned.
SARAH: Anne! What’s the matter?
ANNE: There’s something I haven’t told you.
SARAH: What is it?
ANNE: When I met your brother, I was thinking about my brother, David. I haven’t seen him in
two years.
SARAH: How come?
ANNE: He’s missing. One reason I came to Australia is to find him.
SARAH: I’m so sorry. Have you had any luck?
ANNE: Not yet. I’ve hired a private investigator.
SARAH: Goodness! Do you think he’ll find him?
ANNE: Perhaps. I don’t know. It’s been a long time since David last called.
SARAH: What do you think’s happened to him? Have you any idea?
ANNE: I really don’t know. I can’t help thinking the worst.
SARAH: I’m sure he’s alright. If something bad had happened, you would have heard.
ANNE: I guess so. I suppose you’re right.
But ANNE doesn’t look convinced.
Vocabulary :
secret (adj): that people don't know about
mission (n): the purpose for which a person or group is sent somewhere
concerned (adj): worried (He is very concerned about his health).
guess (v): give an answer you hope is right but you are not sure (Can you guess who wrote this song?)
Episode Note
1. Apologizing: Practice 1
Living English (9): The most beautiful city
Thursday, June 16, 2011
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Living English: Episode 9
They have lunch and talk about differences.
STEVE: So Anne, have you been to an Australian home before?
ANNE: No, never. It's a beautiful home Sarah. So big! The rooms are much bigger than at
home. There's more space here.
STEVE: Do you live in a house?
MARK: No Steve – she lives in an igloo.
ANNE: Actually, no. We live in an apartment. Most people do. Singapore is much busier than Adelaide, and more crowded.
STEVE: Yeah, and more exciting. It's so boring here.
SARAH: It's quieter. Some people like that.
ANNE: I don't think it's boring.
MARK: Adelaide is a very beautiful city. It's a better place to live than anywhere else I've been.
SARAH: But you haven't been anywhere. (to ANNE) Mark hates travelling. I love it.
MARK: I just don't see the point of it.
ANNE: What about you Steve? Do you like to travel?
STEVE: Yes. Yeah, I've been to Kula Lumpur, and to Bali. Bali's great!
LOUISE: I've been to the zoo!
They laugh. ANNE smiles
ANNE: You're lucky. I haven't been to the zoo. I'd love to go to the zoo.
STEVE: I'll take you!
There are raised eyebrows at the table.
Vocabulary :
space (n): (no plural) room
igloo (n): a house built by the Inuit (Eskimos) made from blocks of hard snow.
Episode Note
1. Comparing Two Things: Exercises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
2. Liking / Not Likings: Exercises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
3. Would Like To: Exercise 1.
Living English (8): This Is My Brother
Monday, March 7, 2011
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Living English is a 42-part series that looks at the English language used in everyday situations such as checking into a hotel or describing people.
This is my brother
Scroll down the page, press the button "play", and watch episode 8 . You can do an exercise to check your understanding of the simple present by clicking on the link below.ANNE goes to SARAH’s house for lunch.
ANNE arrives in a taxi.
ANNE arrives in a taxi.
TAXI-DRIVER Here we are.
ANNE How much is that?
TAXI-DRIVER That’ll be seventeen-fifty thanks love.
She gives him twenty dollars
ANNE Keep the change.
TAXI-DRIVER Thankyou. Have a nice day.
ANNE walks towards the house and knocks.
The door is opened by a little girl (LOUISE).
ANNE Hello. I’m Anne.
Louise turns and runs.
LOUISE Mummy!
SARAH comes to the door.
SARAH Come in Anne!
ANNE What a beautiful house!
SARAH It’s been a lot of work, but we’re getting there. This is the bathroom. This is my
daughter’s bedroom. And here’s the kitchen.
Louise is in the kitchen ‘helping’.
SARAH Anne’s here. You’ve met my daughter Louise.
ANNE Hello Louise.
LOUISE I’m helping.
ANNE Yes, I see…
SARAH And my husband Mark.
ANNE Hello again.
Mark pretends to have a pain in the back.
ANNE How much is that?
TAXI-DRIVER That’ll be seventeen-fifty thanks love.
She gives him twenty dollars
ANNE Keep the change.
TAXI-DRIVER Thankyou. Have a nice day.
ANNE walks towards the house and knocks.
The door is opened by a little girl (LOUISE).
ANNE Hello. I’m Anne.
Louise turns and runs.
LOUISE Mummy!
SARAH comes to the door.
SARAH Come in Anne!
ANNE What a beautiful house!
SARAH It’s been a lot of work, but we’re getting there. This is the bathroom. This is my
daughter’s bedroom. And here’s the kitchen.
Louise is in the kitchen ‘helping’.
SARAH Anne’s here. You’ve met my daughter Louise.
ANNE Hello Louise.
LOUISE I’m helping.
ANNE Yes, I see…
SARAH And my husband Mark.
ANNE Hello again.
Mark pretends to have a pain in the back.
ANNE Ooh! Sorry about my heavy bag.
MARK Just kidding.
SARAH But you haven’t met my little brother. This is Steve.
STEVE I was going to pick you up this morning. You wouldn’t let me.
ANNE I’m sorry. I like to find my own way around.
STEVE No worries. Maybe another time.
ANNE Yes, maybe
SARAH Come on. Let’s go outside.
Vocabulary :
change (n): (no plural) the money that you get back after you pay your bill
toward(s) (prep): in the direction of
pretend (v): try to make something appear to be true (He pretended not to hear.)
pain (n): something that hurts you
back (adj): farthest away from the front (The tallest pupils sit in the back row.)
earlier in time; belonging to the past
back numbers of the magazine.
back (adv): behind
kid (v): (informal) joke [kidded, kidding] (He's only kidding.)
pick up (v): come and get someone at a certain place and time (I'll pick you up at your house at 7:30.)
Episode Note
1. Paying
2. Rooms
3. Possessive Adjective (Practice)
4. Relations & Family (Practice)
MARK Just kidding.
SARAH But you haven’t met my little brother. This is Steve.
STEVE I was going to pick you up this morning. You wouldn’t let me.
ANNE I’m sorry. I like to find my own way around.
STEVE No worries. Maybe another time.
ANNE Yes, maybe
SARAH Come on. Let’s go outside.
Vocabulary :
change (n): (no plural) the money that you get back after you pay your bill
toward(s) (prep): in the direction of
pretend (v): try to make something appear to be true (He pretended not to hear.)
pain (n): something that hurts you
back (adj): farthest away from the front (The tallest pupils sit in the back row.)
earlier in time; belonging to the past
back numbers of the magazine.
back (adv): behind
kid (v): (informal) joke [kidded, kidding] (He's only kidding.)
pick up (v): come and get someone at a certain place and time (I'll pick you up at your house at 7:30.)
Episode Note
1. Paying
2. Rooms
3. Possessive Adjective (Practice)
4. Relations & Family (Practice)
Living English (7): Come to Lunch
Sunday, February 27, 2011
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Living English is a 42-part series that looks at the English language used in everyday situations such as checking into a hotel or describing people.
Come to lunch
Scroll down the page, press the button "play", and watch episode 5 . You can do an exercise to check your understanding of the grammar lessons by clicking on the link below.
SARAH invites ANNE to meet her family.
SARAH and ANNE taste a sample of wine.
ANNE Mmm. It’s very smooth. Good flavour too.
SARAH It sells well in restaurants here. I think these’ll sell well in Singapore.
ANNE The samples you sent me were very popular with our staff. You seem to understand
our tastes in Singapore.
SARAH Thankyou. It’s my job to know what my clients like.
ANNE seems distracted. SARAH observes her for a moment.
SARAH and ANNE taste a sample of wine.
ANNE Mmm. It’s very smooth. Good flavour too.
SARAH It sells well in restaurants here. I think these’ll sell well in Singapore.
ANNE The samples you sent me were very popular with our staff. You seem to understand
our tastes in Singapore.
SARAH Thankyou. It’s my job to know what my clients like.
ANNE seems distracted. SARAH observes her for a moment.
SARAH So, are you enjoying the city?
ANNE (unconvincingly)
It’s very nice.
SARAH What are you going to do tomorrow?
ANNE I don’t know. I’ll probably stay in the hotel and relax.
SARAH Why don’t you come to lunch with us at home?
ANNE Oh thankyou, but you have your family.
SARAH Yes, and they want to meet you. We’re going to have roast chicken – traditional
Aussie food.
ANNE Sounds good. Alright, I’ll come.
SARAH Great.
ANNE What time?
SARAH We eat at about one-o-clock. So about twelve-thirty? I’ll show you the house.
ANNE Okay. Thankyou
SARAH I’ll get my brother to pick you up.
ANNE No that’s okay. I’ll get a taxi.
SARAH Alright then. That’s settled!
Vocabulary :
smooth (adj): not rough on the surface; not bumpy (We had a smooth ride)
ANNE (unconvincingly)
It’s very nice.
SARAH What are you going to do tomorrow?
ANNE I don’t know. I’ll probably stay in the hotel and relax.
SARAH Why don’t you come to lunch with us at home?
ANNE Oh thankyou, but you have your family.
SARAH Yes, and they want to meet you. We’re going to have roast chicken – traditional
Aussie food.
ANNE Sounds good. Alright, I’ll come.
SARAH Great.
ANNE What time?
SARAH We eat at about one-o-clock. So about twelve-thirty? I’ll show you the house.
ANNE Okay. Thankyou
SARAH I’ll get my brother to pick you up.
ANNE No that’s okay. I’ll get a taxi.
SARAH Alright then. That’s settled!
Vocabulary :
smooth (adj): not rough on the surface; not bumpy (We had a smooth ride)
flavor (n): (Brit flavour) taste
taste (n): (no plural) one of the senses; the ability to feel or recognize something in your mouth
distract (v): take your mind off what you are doing
observe (v): watch carefully
roast (n): a large piece of roasted meat
unconvincingly (adv): In an unconvincing manner (he argued unconvincingly).
Episode Note
1. Going To (Practice)
2. Will (Practice)
3.Suggestions (Practice)
4. Days
5. Prepositions of Time (Practice)
taste (n): (no plural) one of the senses; the ability to feel or recognize something in your mouth
distract (v): take your mind off what you are doing
observe (v): watch carefully
roast (n): a large piece of roasted meat
unconvincingly (adv): In an unconvincing manner (he argued unconvincingly).
Episode Note
1. Going To (Practice)
2. Will (Practice)
3.Suggestions (Practice)
4. Days
5. Prepositions of Time (Practice)
Living English (6): He Didn't Write
Sunday, February 20, 2011
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Living English is a 42-part series that looks at the English language used in everyday situations such as checking into a hotel or describing people.
Episode 6: He Didn't Write
Scroll down the page, press the button "play", and watch episode 6 . You can do an exercise to check your understanding of the simple present by clicking on the link below.
ANNE My brother, David, worked in the family business too. But he didn’t like it. He wanted to
try something different.
JOHN So what happened?
ANNE My parents agreed. They let him come to Australia to study.
JOHN Where did he go?
ANNE He came here, to Adelaide. He studied computer science. We thought he was happy.
JOHN And then what happened?
ANNE I don’t know. He wrote every week, and then the letters stopped.
JOHN Do you know where he lived?
ANNE He stayed with an Australian family. He was a boarder. Here’s the address.
She passes JOHN a piece of paper.
JOHN Did you phone them?
ANNE Yes, of course. He left there a year ago. They don’t know where he went.
JOHN Does he have a mobile phone?
ANNE I don’t know. He did, but he doesn’t answer it now.
JOHN Don’t worry Ms Lee. I’ll find your brother. I’m on the case.
He shakes her hand and she leaves. JOHN looks at the photo. Now he looks worried.
try something different.
JOHN So what happened?
ANNE My parents agreed. They let him come to Australia to study.
JOHN Where did he go?
ANNE He came here, to Adelaide. He studied computer science. We thought he was happy.
JOHN And then what happened?
ANNE I don’t know. He wrote every week, and then the letters stopped.
JOHN Do you know where he lived?
ANNE He stayed with an Australian family. He was a boarder. Here’s the address.
She passes JOHN a piece of paper.
JOHN Did you phone them?
ANNE Yes, of course. He left there a year ago. They don’t know where he went.
JOHN Does he have a mobile phone?
ANNE I don’t know. He did, but he doesn’t answer it now.
JOHN Don’t worry Ms Lee. I’ll find your brother. I’m on the case.
He shakes her hand and she leaves. JOHN looks at the photo. Now he looks worried.
Vocabulary :
agree (v): think that an opinion or plan is correct
boarder (n): a person staying at a boarding house
case (n): the way things are. E.g: If that is the case, maybe I was wrong.
case (n): the way things are. E.g: If that is the case, maybe I was wrong.
Living English (5): Are You Married?
Saturday, January 29, 2011
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Living English is a 42-part series that looks at the English language used in everyday situations such as checking into a hotel or describing people.
ANNE describes her brother to the private investigator.
ANNE Can you help me?
JOHN Well I’ll try. Now tell me about your brother Ms Lee. How old is he?
ANNE He’s twenty-three.
JOHN Well that would make him your younger brother. What’s his name?
ANNE David.
JOHN And what does he do?
ANNE He’s a student. Or – he was a student. I don’t know where he is.
JOHN (looks at the photo)
Hmmm. How tall is he?
ANNE About a hundred and seventy-five centimetres.
JOHN Hmmm. And does he speak English?
ANNE Yes. He speaks English and Chinese. Mr Barbour – can you find him?
JOHN I’ll certainly try. Now, tell me a little about yourself Miss Lee. Where are you from?
ANNE I come from Singapore. I’m Singaporean.
JOHN Right, and how old are you?
ANNE I’m twenty-five.
JOHN What do you do?
ANNE I import wine. I’m a businesswoman. I work in my family’s business.
JOHN And are you married?
ANNE No, I’m single.
JOHN And..er..do you have a boyfriend?
ANNE Pardon?
JOHN Oh sorry. We private detectives are a naturally curious bunch. Ms Lee, perhaps you’d
better tell the whole story.
ANNE It all started two years ago...
Vocabulary :
businesswoman (n): a woman who is in business.
naturally (adv): from nature
curious (adj): eager to learn (A curious pupil reads more than just schoolbooks.)
wanting to know something
bunch (n): fruit that grows in a group (a bunch of grapes. a bunch of bananas.)
a group of things of the same kind that are fastened together
whole (adj): all of something (a whole week.)
in one piece; not broken (The plate fell, but it's still whole.)
whole (n): all of something
Episode Note
How to Read a Book You Don't Like to Read
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
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Sooner or later each one of us will have to read a book we don’t want to read. Sometimes we are reluctant to read a given for no other reason than it is an obligation to read it. To make reading such a book bearable, Jim Trelease suggests the leaning-pine tree approach. To get more insights about this approach, watch this video.
Download Word by Word Picture Dictionay
Monday, January 17, 2011
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Pictures are very important in learning foreing languages. Sometimes some words can be explained only by pictures. Therefore, picture dictionaries save much time and effort.
Try this picture dictionary, Word by Word Picture Dictionary.
This dictionary is very easy to use. The pictures are classified according to topics.
Living English (4): Second on the Left
Living English is a 42-part series that looks at the English language used in everyday situations such as checking into a hotel or describing people.
ANNE is looking for JOHN’s office. A WOMAN is waiting at a bus stop. ANNE approaches her.
ANNE Excuse me.
WOMAN Yes?
ANNE Could you tell me how to get to Mitchell Street?
WOMAN Yes. You’re going the wrong way. You need to go straight along here, past the silver
balls, turn left, and it’s the second on the right, opposite the Town Hall.
ANNE Thankyou very much.
WOMAN You’re welcome.
ANNE follows the directions. She approaches a shopkeeper.
ANNE Excuse me.
SHOPKEEPER Yes?
ANNE I’m looking for number 23. Barbour’s Private Investigator.
SHOPKEEPER Over there. Next to the trees.
ANNE Oh. Thankyou
SHOPKEEPER Good luck. You’ll need it.
ANNE Excuse me.
WOMAN Yes?
ANNE Could you tell me how to get to Mitchell Street?
WOMAN Yes. You’re going the wrong way. You need to go straight along here, past the silver
balls, turn left, and it’s the second on the right, opposite the Town Hall.
ANNE Thankyou very much.
WOMAN You’re welcome.
ANNE follows the directions. She approaches a shopkeeper.
ANNE Excuse me.
SHOPKEEPER Yes?
ANNE I’m looking for number 23. Barbour’s Private Investigator.
SHOPKEEPER Over there. Next to the trees.
ANNE Oh. Thankyou
SHOPKEEPER Good luck. You’ll need it.
ANNE enters the building and goes up the stairs. She knocks at the door.
JOHN Come in!
ANNE enters and looks around.
JOHN (to ANNE) Sorry.
(to phone) Yes, any time…yes usual rates. Must go now. Right. Goodbye. Julia. Bye.
He hangs up and leaps to shake ANNE’s hand.
ANNE Mr Barbour?
JOHN John. Private investigator. You must be Ms Lee. Please sit down.
She does so, hesitantly.
JOHN Now - what can I do for you Ms Lee?
She puts the photo of DAVID on his desk.
ANNE Could you find him for me?
JOHN Come in!
ANNE enters and looks around.
JOHN (to ANNE) Sorry.
(to phone) Yes, any time…yes usual rates. Must go now. Right. Goodbye. Julia. Bye.
He hangs up and leaps to shake ANNE’s hand.
ANNE Mr Barbour?
JOHN John. Private investigator. You must be Ms Lee. Please sit down.
She does so, hesitantly.
JOHN Now - what can I do for you Ms Lee?
She puts the photo of DAVID on his desk.
ANNE Could you find him for me?
Vocabulary :
- approach (v): come near someone or something
- silver (adj): made of silver, silver jewelry.the color of silver, silver paper.
- silver (n): a shiny, white metal that is used for coins, jewelry and other things.
- follow (v): go after
Living English (3): What time is it?
Living English is a 42-part series that looks at the English language used in everyday situations such as checking into a hotel or describing people.
An episode will be posted each week. Scroll down the page, press the button "play", and watch episode 3 . You can do an exercise to check your understanding of the simple present by clicking on the link below.John Barbour, the privatedetective, answers the phone.In her hotel room, Anne rings a number.
JOHN: Hello, Barbour’s Private Investigation. John Barbour speaking.
ANNE: Hello. Can you find missing people?
JOHN: Sometimes we can. Have you lost somebody?
ANN: Yes.
JOHN: Perhaps you’d like to tell me about it?
ANN: Can I make an appointment please?
JOHN: When would you like to come in?
ANNE: Is tomorrow okay?
JOHN: Let’s see… Yes, I can see you at ten o’clock. Will that suit you?
ANNE: Okay, thankyou. (consults business card) 23 Mitchell Street – is that right?
JOHN: That’s right. Second floor.
ANNE: Okay. See you then. Goodbye.
JOHN: Goodbye.
He puts down the phone and celebrates.
In her hotel room, Anne puts the phone down, and rings again.
CLERK: Hello?
ANNE: Hello. Reception? What time is it please?
CLERK: It’s five o’clock.
ANNE: And what time do you serve dinner?
CLERK: The restaurant opens in an hour, and dinner is served between six and nine pm.
ANNE: And breakfast?
CLERK: Breakfast is served between seven and nine thirty am ma’am.
ANNE: Thankyou.
CLERK: You’re welcome.
Anne puts the phone down, then notices the photo by her bed and picks it up again. There is a tear in her eye.
Vocabulary :
ring (v): call someone on the phone
private (adj): personal; not for everyone to know
detective (n): someone whose job is to investigate crimes, etc
appointment (n): a meeting that you fix in advance
suit (v): be what you like or what you want: Does this car suit you or would you like to see something else?
Episode Note:
1. Making An Appointment (Practice)
2. Can (Practice)
3. Will and 'll: Use negative form (Practice)
4. The Time (Practice)
5. Preposition with Time (Practice)
Living English (2): Enjoy Your Stay
Living English is a 42-part series that looks at the English language used in everyday situations such as checking into a hotel or describing people. An episode will be posted each week. Scroll down the page, press the button "play", and watch episode2 . You can do an exercise to check your understanding of the simple present by clicking on the link below.
Episode 2. Enjoy Your Stay
Sarah and Mark take Anne to her hotel. She checks in.
ANNE: Thank you very much for picking me up.
SARAH: You’re very welcome. Will you be alright here?
ANNE: Thanks. I’ll be fine. And thankyou Mark, for helping with my heavy bags.
MARK: Don’t mention it.
SARAH: Alright then. Nice to meet you finally. I’ll ring you tomorrow.
ANNE: Nice to meet you too.
SARAH: Goodbye.
CLERK: Good morning. Would you like to check in?
ANNE: Yes please.
CLERK: And your name?
ANNE: Anne Lee.
CLERK: Ah yes. Could you just fill this out please?
How long will you be staying?
ANNE: Two weeks.
CLERK: Are you here on business?
ANNE: Mainly business.
CLERK: Will you need a hire car?
ANNE: No thankyou.
CLERK: And will you need a map of the city?
ANNE: Maybe later.
CLERK: Will you want a newspaper in the morning?
ANNE: No thankyou.
CLERK: OK. And how will you be paying Ms Lee?
ANNE: Credit card.
CLERK: Thankyou. Here’s your key. It’s room 309. Enjoy your stay Ms Lee.
ANNE: Thankyou. I hope I will.
Vocabulary :
check in/into (v): register at a hotel
pick up (v): come and get someone at a certain place and time
I'll pick you up at your house at 7:30.
mention (v): say something about
You never mentioned that you were going to quit your job.
fill in, fill out (v): give information on a printed page, card, form, etc
on business (~): the reason why someone is someplace is because he/she has business there
hire (v): give work to someone
Episode Note
1. Saying Thankyou
2. Saying Goodbye
3. The Future Tense (Practice)
4. Paying
5. Formal Titles
Living English (1): Pleased to Meet You
Living English is a 42-part series that looks at the English language used in everyday situations such as checking into a hotel or describing people. An episode will be posted each week. Scroll down the page, press the button "play", and watch episode1 .
Living English: Episode 1_Pleased to meet you
Episode 1. Pleased to meet you
Anne, a wine dealer from Singapore, arrives at Adelaide Airport and meets her local buyer, Sarah.
Anne walks out with the other passengers...
ANNE Excuse me...Anne walks out with the other passengers...
SARAH Anne Lee?
ANNE Yes. Hello
SARAH I’m Sarah Taylor. I’m your new local buyer. Pleased to meet you.
(they shake hands)
ANNE It’s very kind of you to meet me.
SARAH Oh. Sorry. This is my husband, Mark.
MARK Good morning. How are you?
ANNE Very well thankyou.
MARK How was your flight?
SARAH Let’s get your bags.
The three watch as the bags go around. Anne points.
ANNE That’s mine there! The red one.
MARK It’s heavy!
ANNE Sorry.
SARAH Don’t worry. Mark’s strong – aren’t you dear?
MARK No worries.
SARAH
Come on. Let’s go to the hotel.
They leave the airport.
Vocabulary
dealer (n): someone who buys and sells something
buyer (n): someone whose work is to buy for a department store, a company, etc.
local (adj): in or of a certain place
shake hands (ph.v): hold someone's hand as a greeting and move it up and down
flight (n): a trip on an airplane
buyer (n): someone whose work is to buy for a department store, a company, etc.
local (adj): in or of a certain place
shake hands (ph.v): hold someone's hand as a greeting and move it up and down
flight (n): a trip on an airplane
Episode Note
1 Greetings (Practice and check your answers)
2. Introductions (Practice)
3. Simple Sentences (Practice)
4. Personal Pronouns (Practice)
5. THAT and THIS (Practice)
6. Adjectives (Practice)
