Topics: American Presidents – Barack Obama; Famous Songs – “Anchors Aweigh”; diffidence versus timidity versus shyness; receipt versus reception; no problem versus not at all versus no big deal  Words: community organizer healthcare  candidate  rising star  biracial  campaign slogan  grassroots  polarized  affordable  anchor  ashore  foam  diffidence timidity  shyness  receipt  reception  no problem  not at all  no big deal

Topics: American Presidents – Barack Obama; Famous Songs – “Anchors Aweigh”; diffidence versus timidity versus shyness; receipt versus reception; no problem versus not at all versus no big deal Words: community organizer healthcare candidate rising star biracial campaign slogan grassroots polarized affordable anchor ashore foam diffidence timidity shyness receipt reception no problem not at all no big deal

English Cafe 552

Let’s not talk about the topic of today’s episode right now. So, how’s your day going? Slow dialog: 1:25 Explanations:  4:00 Fast dialog: 18:29 Lila:  Why aren’t you dating?  I have so many friends who would love to go out with you. George:  Let’s change the subject.  Talking about my love life isn’t very interesting. Lila:  But really, you’re not getting any younger and… George:  Moving on!  Have you seen any good movies lately? Lila:  Listen, all of your friends are settling down and you don’t want to go through life alone and lonely… George:  That reminds me, didn’t you say that you were going to get another dog so that Rover isn’t lonely when you’re not home? Lila:  Forget about my dog.  You remember Rachel, don’t you?  She just broke up with her boyfriend and she’d be perfect for you. George:  Speaking of Rachel, how is her mother?  Wasn’t she in the hospital? Lila:  If Rachel isn’t your type, how about Amina?  She has great legs and I know you’re a leg man. George:  And now for something completely different…How is your diet coming along?  Have you lost any weight yet? Lila:  I don’t really want to talk about my weight.   George:  But I think you’re having trouble shedding those pounds, right?  I have lots of suggestions on what you can do. Lila:  Anyway, as I said before, I don’t really want to talk about my diet… George:  You need to cut out sweets if you want to lose weight. Are you eating too many sweets?   Lila:  That’s none of your business! George:  My sentiments exactly! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Let’s not talk about the topic of today’s episode right now. So, how’s your day going? Slow dialog: 1:25 Explanations: 4:00 Fast dialog: 18:29 Lila: Why aren’t you dating? I have so many friends who would love to go out with you. George: Let’s change the subject. Talking about my love life isn’t very interesting. Lila: But really, you’re not getting any younger and… George: Moving on! Have you seen any good movies lately? Lila: Listen, all of your friends are settling down and you don’t want to go through life alone and lonely… George: That reminds me, didn’t you say that you were going to get another dog so that Rover isn’t lonely when you’re not home? Lila: Forget about my dog. You remember Rachel, don’t you? She just broke up with her boyfriend and she’d be perfect for you. George: Speaking of Rachel, how is her mother? Wasn’t she in the hospital? Lila: If Rachel isn’t your type, how about Amina? She has great legs and I know you’re a leg man. George: And now for something completely different…How is your diet coming along? Have you lost any weight yet? Lila: I don’t really want to talk about my weight. George: But I think you’re having trouble shedding those pounds, right? I have lots of suggestions on what you can do. Lila: Anyway, as I said before, I don’t really want to talk about my diet… George: You need to cut out sweets if you want to lose weight. Are you eating too many sweets? Lila: That’s none of your business! George: My sentiments exactly! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1,150 - Avoiding Topics in Conversation

Topics: Movies – Die Hard; American Authors – Emma Lazarus; in front of versus ahead of versus before; as if versus as though versus as for; to take stock  Words: to be separated to give (something) another try  to freshen up  hostage  safe  cowboy  to be descend from to be well received  to dedicate  to persecute  to huddle  to yearn  in front of  ahead of  before  as if  as though  as for  to take stock

Topics: Movies – Die Hard; American Authors – Emma Lazarus; in front of versus ahead of versus before; as if versus as though versus as for; to take stock Words: to be separated to give (something) another try to freshen up hostage safe cowboy to be descend from to be well received to dedicate to persecute to huddle to yearn in front of ahead of before as if as though as for to take stock

English Cafe #517

Topics: Famous Americans – Muhammad Ali; The Golden Gate Bridge; valuable versus invaluable; north/south versus northern/southern; common ground and universal experience  Words: to take up professionally agile  to reign  nationalist  social activist  to be drafted  to indict  bridge  strait  fog  precaution dizziness  valuable  invaluable  north / south  northern / southern common ground  universal

Topics: Famous Americans – Muhammad Ali; The Golden Gate Bridge; valuable versus invaluable; north/south versus northern/southern; common ground and universal experience Words: to take up professionally agile to reign nationalist social activist to be drafted to indict bridge strait fog precaution dizziness valuable invaluable north / south northern / southern common ground universal

English Cafe #490

Topics: Famous Americans – Charles Schultz and Peanuts; The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve; to be pleased to versus to be happy to versus it’s (one’s) pleasure to; to sit versus to seat; willy-nilly Words: cartoon  freelance  folks  memoir  tomboy  national park  national preserve  glacier  mine  to designate  volcano  to be pleased to  to be happy to  It’s (one’s) pleasure to  to sit  to seat  willy-nilly

Topics: Famous Americans – Charles Schultz and Peanuts; The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve; to be pleased to versus to be happy to versus it’s (one’s) pleasure to; to sit versus to seat; willy-nilly Words: cartoon freelance folks memoir tomboy national park national preserve glacier mine to designate volcano to be pleased to to be happy to It’s (one’s) pleasure to to sit to seat willy-nilly

English Cafe #450

Do you ever go to the supermarket without finding what you’re looking for? Learn more about it in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:11 Explanations: 3:17 Fast dialog: 16:18 Stocker:  Can I help you find something? Meg:  Yes, I’m looking for coffee. Stocker:  That’s on aisle 3.  Let me show you where it is. Meg:  Thanks.  Hmm, I don’t see the Jitters brand that I normally buy. Stocker:  It looks like we’re out of stock.  We should get another shipment next week.   Meg:  Okay, I’ll check back.  I’m also looking for the Fructose brand soda, but I didn’t see it in the soda aisle.   Stocker:  I’m afraid that’s been discontinued.  Their parent company no longer makes soda.   Meg:  Really?  I love Fructose soda.  How about the Mushy brand bread?  I didn’t see it when I checked the bread aisle. Stocker:  We no longer stock the Mushy brand.  There were so quality control issues at the company, so we’ve pulled all of their products from the shelves.  Can I help you find anything else? Meg:  No, I guess I’ll just have to try some new brands.  Oh, yes, do you carry Worm organic apples? Stocker:  We normally do, but they’re out of season right now.  We won’t have any until early summer. Meg:  All of this shopping and I have nothing to show for it.  I guess I’m going home empty-handed. Stocker:  We do have chocolate cakes and cookies on sale.   Meg:  I’m there! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Do you ever go to the supermarket without finding what you’re looking for? Learn more about it in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:11 Explanations: 3:17 Fast dialog: 16:18 Stocker: Can I help you find something? Meg: Yes, I’m looking for coffee. Stocker: That’s on aisle 3. Let me show you where it is. Meg: Thanks. Hmm, I don’t see the Jitters brand that I normally buy. Stocker: It looks like we’re out of stock. We should get another shipment next week. Meg: Okay, I’ll check back. I’m also looking for the Fructose brand soda, but I didn’t see it in the soda aisle. Stocker: I’m afraid that’s been discontinued. Their parent company no longer makes soda. Meg: Really? I love Fructose soda. How about the Mushy brand bread? I didn’t see it when I checked the bread aisle. Stocker: We no longer stock the Mushy brand. There were so quality control issues at the company, so we’ve pulled all of their products from the shelves. Can I help you find anything else? Meg: No, I guess I’ll just have to try some new brands. Oh, yes, do you carry Worm organic apples? Stocker: We normally do, but they’re out of season right now. We won’t have any until early summer. Meg: All of this shopping and I have nothing to show for it. I guess I’m going home empty-handed. Stocker: We do have chocolate cakes and cookies on sale. Meg: I’m there! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

875 - Shopping at the Supermarket

Take a look in the mirror and see if you recognize yourself in these descriptions of the beautiful people. Slow dialog: 1:30 Explanations: 3:18 Fast dialog: 17:55 Pamela:  You know that your tongue is hanging out of your mouth, right? David:  That’s because I’ve never seen so many beautiful women in one place before.  Why have I never been to this beach before?  Look at her!  She’s a hottie! Pamela:  Isn’t that what you said about that woman over there?   David:  No, I said she’s a babe.  Look at the way she sways when she walks.   Pamela:  Stop ogling her or her boyfriend or husband is going to come over here. David:  I’m not ogling.  I’m admiring the perfection of the female body.   Pamela:  You’re undressing her with your eyes.  Avert your gaze before you regret it.  Oh, wow! David:  What?   Pamela:  Check out that guy over there.  Hello, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome! David:  That pretty boy over there?  He’s too into himself.  Look at the way he’s posing so every woman on this beach can get a look at him.  He’s nothing but an exhibitionist. Pamela:  And the women you’ve been ogling in the teeny tiny bikinis?  David:  Those women?  They’re just showing off what God gave them! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Take a look in the mirror and see if you recognize yourself in these descriptions of the beautiful people. Slow dialog: 1:30 Explanations: 3:18 Fast dialog: 17:55 Pamela: You know that your tongue is hanging out of your mouth, right? David: That’s because I’ve never seen so many beautiful women in one place before. Why have I never been to this beach before? Look at her! She’s a hottie! Pamela: Isn’t that what you said about that woman over there? David: No, I said she’s a babe. Look at the way she sways when she walks. Pamela: Stop ogling her or her boyfriend or husband is going to come over here. David: I’m not ogling. I’m admiring the perfection of the female body. Pamela: You’re undressing her with your eyes. Avert your gaze before you regret it. Oh, wow! David: What? Pamela: Check out that guy over there. Hello, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome! David: That pretty boy over there? He’s too into himself. Look at the way he’s posing so every woman on this beach can get a look at him. He’s nothing but an exhibitionist. Pamela: And the women you’ve been ogling in the teeny tiny bikinis? David: Those women? They’re just showing off what God gave them! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

867 - Talking About Attractive Men and Women

Lights!  Camera!  Action!  We’re off to the movies.  Learn how to talk about seeing a good film in this episode. Slow dialogue: 0:57 Explanations: 2:37 Fast dialogue: 15:35 Martin:  What did you think of that movie? Joanna:  It was okay, but I’m not really into big-budget movies with a lot of special effects and big-name stars. Martin:  Oh, you’re a film snob.  I bet you only watch indie films made on a shoestring budget with low production values. Joanna:  No, that’s not true.  I just don’t like crowd-pleasers that are predictable.  I like movies that stretch the imagination and have some artistic value. Martin:  You mean you like those weird movies with no plot and a lot of strange characters.  They’re artsy, but leave you totally confused. Joanna:  I don’t mind some ambiguity, if that’s what you mean.   Martin:  Well, I’m going to see the new Spiderboy movie next week.  I don’t suppose you want to come? Joanna:  Spiderboy?  I’ve been looking forward to seeing that movie. Martin:  But it’s a big-budget blockbuster. Joanna:  I can’t watch artsy films all the time.  Variety is the spice of life, don’t you think? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Lights! Camera! Action! We’re off to the movies. Learn how to talk about seeing a good film in this episode. Slow dialogue: 0:57 Explanations: 2:37 Fast dialogue: 15:35 Martin: What did you think of that movie? Joanna: It was okay, but I’m not really into big-budget movies with a lot of special effects and big-name stars. Martin: Oh, you’re a film snob. I bet you only watch indie films made on a shoestring budget with low production values. Joanna: No, that’s not true. I just don’t like crowd-pleasers that are predictable. I like movies that stretch the imagination and have some artistic value. Martin: You mean you like those weird movies with no plot and a lot of strange characters. They’re artsy, but leave you totally confused. Joanna: I don’t mind some ambiguity, if that’s what you mean. Martin: Well, I’m going to see the new Spiderboy movie next week. I don’t suppose you want to come? Joanna: Spiderboy? I’ve been looking forward to seeing that movie. Martin: But it’s a big-budget blockbuster. Joanna: I can’t watch artsy films all the time. Variety is the spice of life, don’t you think? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

802 - Talking About Movies

If you can’t read this, then put on your glasses and listen to this episode on having bad eyes. Slow dialogue: 1:07 Explanations: 2:45 Fast dialogue: 15:19 Sue:  This medication I’m taking is messing with my vision.  Everything is blurry.   Hamed:  That’s a good reason for you to stay home from work today.   Sue:  I can’t.  I have to give a presentation this afternoon and I can’t flake out on my coworkers. Hamed:  What good are you to them if you’re blind as a bat?   Sue:  Everybody else will have crystal clear vision, so all I have to do is to put in an appearance.  Things may not be as sharp as I’d like them to be, but I can still make out people and objects – as long as they’re really big. Hamed:  I don’t think your coworkers are going to want you to blindside them today with your strange behavior.  You’re going to do more harm than good. Sue:  I can see well enough.  I only see double if I move my head like this.  Whoa… Hamed:  At this point, I don’t care if you have X-ray vision.  That medication is affecting more than your vision.  It’s impairing your better judgment! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

If you can’t read this, then put on your glasses and listen to this episode on having bad eyes. Slow dialogue: 1:07 Explanations: 2:45 Fast dialogue: 15:19 Sue: This medication I’m taking is messing with my vision. Everything is blurry. Hamed: That’s a good reason for you to stay home from work today. Sue: I can’t. I have to give a presentation this afternoon and I can’t flake out on my coworkers. Hamed: What good are you to them if you’re blind as a bat? Sue: Everybody else will have crystal clear vision, so all I have to do is to put in an appearance. Things may not be as sharp as I’d like them to be, but I can still make out people and objects – as long as they’re really big. Hamed: I don’t think your coworkers are going to want you to blindside them today with your strange behavior. You’re going to do more harm than good. Sue: I can see well enough. I only see double if I move my head like this. Whoa… Hamed: At this point, I don’t care if you have X-ray vision. That medication is affecting more than your vision. It’s impairing your better judgment! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

600 - Talking About Sight

Learn how to take and leave phone messages in this podcast. Slow dialog:  0:57 Explanations:  3:42 Fast dialog:  21:10 I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home.  As soon as I walked in the door, though, the phone rang.   Paolo:  Hello. Evelyn:  Hi, could I speak to Tony? Paolo:  He’s not here right now.  Can I take a message? Evelyn:  Do you know when he’ll be back?   Paolo:  No, I don’t. Evelyn:  Okay.  I’ll call back later.  Thanks.  …… Ten minutes later, the phone rang again. Paolo:  Hello. Pam:  Hi, is Tony there? Paolo:  No, he’s out. Pam:  Could I leave a message? Paolo:  Sure.  Give me a second to get something to write with…Okay, I’m ready. Pam:  Could you tell him that Pam called and ask him to call me back as soon as he can. Paolo:  Does he have your number? Pam:  He should, but I’d better give it to you.  It’s 279-555-6347. Paolo:  Okay, I’ll tell him. Pam:  Thanks. ….. As soon as I put down the receiver, the phone rang again.  I couldn’t believe it. Paolo:  Hello. Susan:  Hi, is this Tony? Paolo:  No, I’m his roommate, Paolo.  Tony’s not here right now. Susan:  I need to get a hold of him.  Do you have his cell number? Paolo:  Uh, yeah, I do, but I’m not sure he wants me to give it out. Susan:  Oh, I’m sure he’d want me to have it.   Paolo:  I tell you what.  Why don’t I take your number and have him call you back? Susan:  I really need to get a hold of him right away. Paolo:  I’ll give him your message as soon as he gets home. Susan:  Fine.  This is Susan and my number is 742-555-3655.  Please make sure he gets it.  It’s important.  Bye. Paolo:  Bye. As soon as she hung up, I took the phone off the hook for the rest of the night.  I’d had enough of being Tony’s answering service for one night! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Learn how to take and leave phone messages in this podcast. Slow dialog: 0:57 Explanations: 3:42 Fast dialog: 21:10 I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home. As soon as I walked in the door, though, the phone rang. Paolo: Hello. Evelyn: Hi, could I speak to Tony? Paolo: He’s not here right now. Can I take a message? Evelyn: Do you know when he’ll be back? Paolo: No, I don’t. Evelyn: Okay. I’ll call back later. Thanks. …… Ten minutes later, the phone rang again. Paolo: Hello. Pam: Hi, is Tony there? Paolo: No, he’s out. Pam: Could I leave a message? Paolo: Sure. Give me a second to get something to write with…Okay, I’m ready. Pam: Could you tell him that Pam called and ask him to call me back as soon as he can. Paolo: Does he have your number? Pam: He should, but I’d better give it to you. It’s 279-555-6347. Paolo: Okay, I’ll tell him. Pam: Thanks. ….. As soon as I put down the receiver, the phone rang again. I couldn’t believe it. Paolo: Hello. Susan: Hi, is this Tony? Paolo: No, I’m his roommate, Paolo. Tony’s not here right now. Susan: I need to get a hold of him. Do you have his cell number? Paolo: Uh, yeah, I do, but I’m not sure he wants me to give it out. Susan: Oh, I’m sure he’d want me to have it. Paolo: I tell you what. Why don’t I take your number and have him call you back? Susan: I really need to get a hold of him right away. Paolo: I’ll give him your message as soon as he gets home. Susan: Fine. This is Susan and my number is 742-555-3655. Please make sure he gets it. It’s important. Bye. Paolo: Bye. As soon as she hung up, I took the phone off the hook for the rest of the night. I’d had enough of being Tony’s answering service for one night! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

190 - Taking a Phone Message

Speak English with ESLPod.com is for anyone who wants to learn or improve their English listening and speaking.  These daily and cultural English lessons are brought to you by Dr. Lucy Tse and  Dr. Jeff McQuillan, former professors of applied linguistics and education. Join more than 15 million people in 189 countries who have learned English with ESLPod.com. If you are an English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) speaker, then this podcast is for you!

Learn how to ask for clarification in English in this podcast. Slow dialog: 0:54 Explanations: 2:29 Fast dialog:  12:46 I was negotiating a contract with a new business partner, and we had a meeting to clarify the terms. Bill:  If I understand the terms correctly, the length of the contract would be one year with a one-year option.  Is that correct? Ms. Samuels:  Do you mean the contract for equipment rental or the one for training? Bill:  I was under the impression that both contracts had the same terms. Ms. Samuels:  Yes and no.  Let me see if I can clarify that.  The terms are the same except that the contract for training has a clause that allows for the cancellation after the first six months. Bill:  Could you elaborate on that? Ms. Samuels:  Sure.  What I mean is that either side could cancel the training contract after the six months as long as it’s in writing.   Bill:  Let me see if I have that right.  This contract is for six months of training, but if it isn’t cancelled, continues for another six months.  Is that right?   Ms. Samuels:  Yes, that’s right.   Bill:  Okay, that’s clear enough.  Let’s move on to the other terms . . . Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Learn how to ask for clarification in English in this podcast. Slow dialog: 0:54 Explanations: 2:29 Fast dialog: 12:46 I was negotiating a contract with a new business partner, and we had a meeting to clarify the terms. Bill: If I understand the terms correctly, the length of the contract would be one year with a one-year option. Is that correct? Ms. Samuels: Do you mean the contract for equipment rental or the one for training? Bill: I was under the impression that both contracts had the same terms. Ms. Samuels: Yes and no. Let me see if I can clarify that. The terms are the same except that the contract for training has a clause that allows for the cancellation after the first six months. Bill: Could you elaborate on that? Ms. Samuels: Sure. What I mean is that either side could cancel the training contract after the six months as long as it’s in writing. Bill: Let me see if I have that right. This contract is for six months of training, but if it isn’t cancelled, continues for another six months. Is that right? Ms. Samuels: Yes, that’s right. Bill: Okay, that’s clear enough. Let’s move on to the other terms . . . Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

124 - Asking for Clarification in a Business Meeting

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Speak English with <a href="http://ESLPod.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ESLPod.com</a> is for anyone who wants to learn or improve their English listening and speaking. These daily and cultural English lessons are brought to you by Dr. Lucy Tse and Dr. Jeff McQuillan, former professors of applied linguistics and education. Join more than 15 million people in 189 countries who have learned English with <a href="http://ESLPod.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ESLPod.com</a>. If you are an English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) speaker, then this podcast is for you!

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