ESL Podcast - Previous Episodes

Topics: Yelp; Book Review: The Road; advocate versus lawyer versus attorney; any; salmon and count/mass nouns Words: yelp social networking profile review recourse escapism spare apocalypse deserted dog-eat-dog to grip quotation mark advocate lawyer attorney any salmon

Slow dialogue: 1:24 Explanations: 3:05 Fast dialogue: 16:13 Courteney: Which of these vendors do you think we should go with? Dante: I’m really hesitant to make a decision until we’ve pondered the options a little longer. We don’t want to make any rash decisions. Courteney: We’ve sat on this for long enough, don’t you think? I know you’re of two minds about whether we should be switching vendors in the middle of the year, but I think it’s the right move. We had sound reasons for doing this, remember? Dante: Yes, yes, I know that it wasn’t a split-second decision, but whether it’ll really save us money is debatable. Courteney: I have to disagree with you there. We’ve both seen the reports and I don’t think there are any ifs, ands, or buts about it. We’re going to save money. Dante: Okay, I’m willing to make a tentative decision to go with GreatDeal Corp. as our new vendor, as long as that decision isn’t set in stone. We’ll revisit this decision in six months to see if they’re working out. Courteney: I can live with that. Now, can we discuss my raise? Dante: Raise? That’s definitely something I’ll need to ponder a lot more. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:49 Explanations: 3:17 Fast dialogue: 17:43 Nick: Aren’t you done packing yet? We need to leave for the airport in 15 minutes. Mariah: I’m almost done. I just need to finish packing my garment bag. Nick: You’re bringing a garment bag? What for? Mariah: For my dresses, of course. I don’t want them to get wrinkles in them. I have a bag for shoes, belts, handbags, and other accessories; two suitcases for clothes, swimsuits, underwear, and socks; and a carry-on for my makeup and toiletries. Nick: What do you need all that for?! Mariah: I’m preparing for all contingencies. You never know what situation you’ll be in when you travel, and I want to be equipped with anything I’ll need. Nick: I should have expected this when I married a clothes horse. I’m surprised you didn’t bring your entire wardrobe. Mariah: I was thinking about it. I’m sure I can make room. All of my bags are expandable. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Famous Americans: Evel Knievel; Colonial Williamsburg; to devote versus to dedicate; the title “Dr.”; between now and then Words: daredevil stunt to pop a wheelie odd jobs to clear to go south exhibit authentic era living history firearm street theater to devote to dedicate Dr. between now and then

Slow dialogue: 1:23 Explanations: 3:26 Fast dialogue: 19:09 Russell: Why aren’t you eating? Is there something the matter with your food? Nadia: No, the food is fine. Russell: What’s wrong? Nadia: I’m not sure how to put this. I really like going to diners and hole in the walls with you, and I love mom and pop restaurants as much as you do. For me, it’s the food that counts, not the ambiance, but... Russell: I thought you’d love this place. It’s my favorite greasy spoon. Nadia: I do like it. It’s just that when you invited me out for my birthday and said that it would be something really special, I thought you might take me somewhere else. Russell: Is that why you wore that nice new dress? You thought I was taking you to a fancy restaurant, with tablecloths, mood lighting, and snooty waiters. Nadia: Well... Russell: This is much better, don’t you think? We get to sit in this comfortable booth, listen to the jukebox, and watch our food being cooked behind the counter. I can’t think of a better dining experience. Don’t you agree? Nadia: Uh, sure. Russell: And don’t think you’re not getting something special for your birthday. I planned it all ahead of time. Nadia: You did? Really? What is it? Russell: I ordered you a whole pie! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:14 Explanations: 2:57 Fast dialogue: 15:49 Jan: We’re almost done. We just need to get some bathroom supplies for Kimberly. Tim: Okay, here are some towels, a bathmat and a bathroom scale. Don’t forget the cleaning supplies. She’ll need some rubber gloves, disinfectant, bowl cleaner, and a plunger. Jan: All right. We have all that. Where are you going? Tim: She’ll need a soap dish and a toothbrush holder. She’ll need a trashcan, too. Jan: Okay, I think we’re all done. Kimberly is moving into an apartment with college roommates, not starting her own bathroom supply store. Let’s not go overboard. Tim: I just need to get a couple more things. Jan: What? Tim: I’m buying her 10 packages of toilet paper and 20 boxes of Kleenex. She’ll be living on her own for the first time and she’ll need all that. Jan: Ten packages of toilet paper and 20 boxes of Kleenex?! She can shop for herself, you know. You don’t need to buy her a six-month supply. Tim: Clearly you don’t know college students. They’ll go through that in a week! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Famous Songs: Oh! Susanna; whichever versus whatever; tar-and-feather; mutually exclusive Words: smoke old-growth forest salamander settler log cabin banjo true love still nonsensical dialect from memory whichever whatever tar-and-feather mutually exclusive

Slow dialogue: 1:16 Explanations: 3:15 Fast dialogue: 19:00 Alex: Where are you going? Kenya: I’m going to meet my business mentor. Alex: Your business mentor? What do you do with a business mentor? Kenya: Well, my mentor is like an advisor. We meet regularly and I get her feedback and guidance with my ideas on starting a business. Alex: Oh, so you’re her protégé? Kenya: No, I’m not. I simply go to her with my ideas and she helps me hash them out. She’s a successful entrepreneur and I’m there to learn from her experience. Alex: How did you get her to be your mentor? Were you already friends? Kenya: No, I contacted her out of the blue, actually. I’ve read about her company and her many successes, and I wrote her a letter telling her about me and what I hope to accomplish. She agreed to meet with me, and at that first meeting, we really clicked and now we meet once a month. Alex: That’s very generous of her. What does she get out of it? Kenya: I’m not sure, but I think she enjoys giving me pointers and sharing her expertise. I’m very appreciative and she says I remind her a lot of herself when she was my age. I take that as a huge compliment. Alex: You should. If you’re like her, you’ll be a multi-millionaire in no time flat. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:27 Explanations: 2:46 Fast dialogue: 18:32 Sally: Why are wasting your time on your day off watching these daytime talk shows? Jerry: I think they’re entertaining. Sally: You’ve got to be kidding. The only people who are booked as guests on those shows are losers or exhibitionists who want attention. Jerry: No, they’re not. These shows are all about human drama and tragedy, something we can all relate to. Sally: Give me a break! The people who appear on these shows want fame at any cost and the producers of the shows exploit them for ratings. They’re full of salacious details that nobody should talk about in public, and that I certainly don’t want to hear. Jerry: I completely disagree. If you get off your high horse for a minute, you may learn something. Sally: Like what? Jerry: Like how to get rid of an annoying wife and get away with it! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Singing in the Rain; the Federal Reserve; among versus between; of no use Words: musical silent film talking picture leading lady to dub exclusive branch board of directors turbulent to stave off criticism accountability among between of no use

Slow dialogue: 1:28 Explanations: 3:34 Fast dialogue: 19:24 Jamal: Did you feel that? Keisha: Was that an earthquake? Jamal: Yes, I think so. Turn on the news. Newscaster: “Reports are coming in about an earthquake that occurred at 4:35 p.m. in the downtown area. We spoke with a seismologist at the Earthquake Center and learned that the earthquake had a magnitude of 3.2 on the Richter scale. The epicenter was near downtown, along one of the major faults, and the seismologist warns that there will be some aftershocks.” Keisha: Phew! I’m glad the earthquake wasn’t a high-intensity one. I wish they could predict more accurately when those earthquakes are going to happen. Jamal: Yeah, me, too. I’ve looked around the house and don’t see any damage, though. I guess our house won’t be declared a disaster area. Keisha: Don’t be too sure. Considering the mess you’ve made in kitchen, it could easily be called a disaster area. Jamal: In that case, will you be sending aid? I think I’m too tired to do the dishes. Keisha: You won’t be getting any aid from me. If you’re hoping for a relief effort, you’d better ask the UN. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:35 Explanations: 3:28 Fast dialogue: 19:21 Zuly: Hello. Ricardo: Hi, Zuly. How are you? Zuly: Oh, Ricardo, it’s you. I’m doing okay. How are you? Ricardo: I wanted to call and congratulate you on the birth of your new baby. Zuly: Thanks a lot. Carla was born three weeks ago, and she was 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Ricardo: That’s great! How does it feel to be a first-time parent? Zuly: It’s really overwhelming taking care of a newborn. I’m learning everything from scratch, everything from how to breastfeed and bottle-feed, to burping her, to putting her to bed, to using a car seat and a stroller. Ricardo: You sound overwhelmed. I remember when Adam, our first child, was born. There were the feedings in the middle of the night, and all of those diapers! Zuly: Exactly. I’m exhausted all the time. In fact, I find myself dozing off at all hours of the day. Ricardo: I really sympathize with you, but these days will pass quickly, and then you’ll have such great memories. Have you had much sleep? Zuly: Zzzzzzzz! Ricardo: Zuly? Zuly? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus; New York Fashion Week; predict versus forecast; foretell versus remind versus recall; polite phrases used before meals Words: circus acrobat clown ringmaster clean reach collection what’s in/out star-studded invitation-only to sponsor runway to predict to forecast to foretell to remind to recall

Slow dialogue: 1:37 Explanations: 3:07 Fast dialogue: 16:53 Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? It is my great honor to introduce our guest speaker today. Our speaker is actually a person who needs no introduction, since she is well known in our field as one of its great innovators. Edwina Litton has been called a revolutionary thinker by those in our field. That’s because she has strived to bring attention to those issues that we believe are so important. Dr. Litton holds four advanced degrees and has an honorary doctorate from Harward University. In her much-anticipated speech today, she will address what she sees as the future of our field. Without further ado, please join me in welcoming Dr. Edwina Litton. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialogue: 1:39 Explanations: 3:29 Fast dialogue: 18:18 Dad: Where are you going? Eva: Out. Dad: Out where? Eva: Dad, I’m nearly a grown woman. You don’t need to be so overbearing. You give me the third degree every time I leave the house. Dad: As long as you live under my roof, you’ll live by my rules. Now, where are you going? Eva: I’m going over to Damien’s house to hang out. I’ll be home before curfew. Dad: I don’t like that guy, Damien. He’s not good enough for you. He’s a troublemaker. Mark my words: That kid is going nowhere fast. Is this a date? Eva: No, Dad, we’re just going to watch a movie. Dad: Alone? With no supervision? What is this world coming to? Eva: Dad, we’re not kids anymore. We’re both 17. Dad: That’s exactly the right age to get into the most trouble. Eva: What are you doing? Dad: I’m putting on my coat. Eva: Why? Dad: You and Damien need a chaperon. Eva: No way, Dad! I’m not going over to Damien’s with you tagging along as our chaperon. That would be humiliating. Dad: Good, then you’ll stay home. So, what movie should we watch tonight? Eva: Huh! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse