ESL Podcast - Previous Episodes

Slow dialog: 1:09 Explanations: 3:14 Fast dialog: 14:47 Travis: I don’t know how we’re going to keep our free sports program going without more funding. As it is, we’re strapped and I don’t know how we’re going to continue. Megumi: I know you’ve been resistant in the past, but what about corporate sponsorship? I’m sure we can find some businesses that want to support us. Travis: I know you’re trying to help, but I’m not willing to sell out. Megumi: It’s not selling out to have sponsors. Some businesses really want to keep public programs like ours free and available to the public. Being a benefactor is their way of helping us do that. In exchange, those companies get more exposure and enhance their public image. It’s a win-win for everyone. Travis: Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to get on a high horse about sponsorship, but I don’t want product placement, business signage, and outright advertising at our games. It sends the wrong message to the kids in the program. Megumi: I don’t think it’s an all-or-nothing idea. You can limit the kinds of sponsorship you accept. Just don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. You know, it may be our only option. Travis: Okay, okay. I’ll look into it. You may be right. If it’s a choice between canceling our programs and getting sponsorship, then I may have to live with it. Megumi: Good. Let’s keep an open mind and I’m sure we’ll find something that will work. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:20 Explanations: 3:32 Fast dialog: 12:54 I don’t like cats. That’s not really true. I like cats, but they don’t like me. Last week, my friend Sara asked me to babysit her cat for two days while she was out of town. Normally, I would have said no, but she was in a jam, so I said okay. As I said, cats don’t like me. When I got home from work, I couldn’t find her. I was sure she was hiding from me. I looked all over the house. I started with the bedrooms, looking in the closets and under the bed. I looked in the bathroom and even behind the shower curtain. I went downstairs and searched the basement. No cat. Next, I looked all over the living room, checking under the couch and behind the TV. I also looked in the pantry and then the laundry room, thinking that the cat must be hiding behind the washer or dryer. Still, no cat. Finally, I looked in the kitchen. There was the cat. She was sitting on the counter. Somehow she had managed to open a box of cookies and there she sat eating them all. When the cat saw me, she started mewing. I don’t speak the language of cats, but I could have sworn that she was asking me for some milk! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Ask an American: Roswell, New Mexico holiday versus vacation, arbitrator versus referee versus umpire, Ay, caramba! Words: aliens Army base to cover up to carry out UFO flying saucer hospitality top to endure conclusive holiday vacation arbitrator referee umpire Ay, caramba!

Slow dialog: 1:28 Explanations: 3:25 Fast dialog: 14:34 Ralph: I have a reservation for a car. Clerk: What is the last name on the reservation? Ralph: It’s Furcal. Clerk: Just one moment. I have a reservation for Ralph Furcal, picking up today and returning on the 19th. Ralph: Yes, that’s right. I reserved an economy car. Clerk: We do have an economy car reserved for you, but for $3.00 more per day, you can upgrade to a mid-sized car. And, for only $5.00 more per day, you can upgrade to a convertible. Would you like to take advantage of either of these offers? Ralph: No, thanks. I’ll stick to the economy car. Clerk: That’s fine. If you’ll just sign here and initial here, here, and here, please. Would you like to purchase insurance for the car? Ralph: No, thanks. Clerk: Okay, then just sign here to decline the insurance. Be sure to return the car with a full gas tank or you’ll be charged $3.00 per gallon. Remember also that you are not allowed additional drivers unless they are over the age of 25. Ralph: Okay, I’ll do that. Clerk: Here is your contract. Your car is in parking space number W34. Just show your paperwork to the employee at the gate as you exit the parking lot. Do you need a local map? Ralph: Yes, I’d like one. Thanks. Clerk: Here you are. Have a good stay in our city. Ralph: Thanks. I appreciate it. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:05 Explanations: 3:27 Fast dialog: 16:32 Michael: Mom, I don’t need a new coat. I like my old trench coat. It’s comfortable, and I can use it as a raincoat and an overcoat. So what do I need a new coat for? Lisa: If you’re going to visit your aunt in Maine, you’ll need something warmer than a trench coat. This parka is nice. Michael: I’m not wearing a parka. If I’m not warm enough, I’ll wear my denim jacket under my trench coat. Lisa: That’s ridiculous. You can’t wear a jacket and a coat each time you go outside. Look, this down coat will keep you nice and warm. It has a high collar, a hood, and thick cuffs, and it’s very roomy so you’ll be very comfortable in it. Michael: It’s too long. I don’t need a knee-length coat. Lisa: Yes, you do. You’ve never been in really cold weather and when you get there, you’ll be thankful to have something so warm. Now, we also need to buy you a blazer. Michael: A blazer? What for? Lisa: Your aunt is probably going to take you to some nice places and I don’t want you to look like a bum. See? This one is nice and fitted. Michael: It’s trimmed with flowers! Lisa: Those aren’t flowers. They’re paisleys. You’ll look very nice in it. Michael: Please, Mom, don’t make me wear that. I’m begging you. Lisa: You’ll look like a nice young man in this coat and blazer. Michael: I’ll be the laughing stock of the entire State of Maine. Lisa: No you won’t. Now, we need to buy you some new underwear. Michael: Mom! Shhh! Not so loud. This is so embarrassing! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Famous Americans: Yo Yo Ma Popular books in the US, pronouncing contractions, to figure out versus it figures, there will be no versus there will not be, if you will Words: self-deprivation hip label sacrifice ethically to rubberneck to take up prodigy conductor overwhelming to figure out It figures! if you will

Slow dialog: 1:32 Explanations: 3:39 Fast dialog: 14:08 Barry: Where are you going? Jane: I’m checking up on Rudy. I gave him a task an hour ago and I want to make sure he’s doing it right. Barry: You’re not micromanaging again, are you? Jane: Of course, not. I’m only going to observe his work and make sure that he’s following the detailed instructions I gave him. Barry: That sounds like micromanaging. If you’re always looking over their shoulders, how are you ever going to develop trust with your employees? Jane: My employees will earn my trust by being meticulous with their work. Good employees don’t mind me monitoring their progress. Barry: That may be true, but I heard Rudy and Jena talking and they said they’re feeling a little resentful that you don’t have more faith in their ability. They feel like you’re treating them as though they’re incompetent. Jane: I am not. You’re making me sound like a control freak. Barry: I just call them like I see them. Micromanaging is a bad tactic and I can see why your employees are disgruntled. Jane: I resent that. I have a very good working relationship with my employees. Barry: I’m sure you do. I was just trying to help. I’m really not trying to butt in. Jane: Fine. You manage your staff the way you think best and I’ll manage mine. Barry: Fine by me. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:15 Explanations: 2:58 Fast dialog: 12:41 Wei: What’s wrong? You look like you’re in pain. Jason: My stomach is acting up again. Wei: It’s all of this stress. I don’t know how anyone can cope with the pressures you’re under. Jason: It’s nothing. I’ll just take a pill for my stomach. Wei: That won’t solve the problem. Look at you. You look worn out. Are you losing sleep, too? Jason: I have had trouble sleeping. Wei: It’s no wonder. At home, you have the demands of raising two kids on your own, and at work, you’re in a dog-eat-dog environment everyday. Jason: I have to admit that my nerves are shot, but what can I do? Wei: Maybe we can work something out. To start, how about if I watch your kids for a few hours this weekend so you can get some rest? Jason: I couldn’t ask you to do that. You have to take care of your own kids. Wei: So, what’s two more? Jason: If you really don’t mind, I’ll take you up on that. I could really use a breather. Wei: It’s set, then. Here, take one of these pills. If it doesn’t kill you, it’ll make you stronger. Jason: Thanks! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: How to become a teacher in the US, steps in ordering food in a restaurant, to walk the walk and talk the talk, constraint versus restraint, monkey business, on a regular basis Words: reciprocal credential postbaccalaureate practicum basic skills host/hostess server split charge diner to walk the walk and talk the talk constraint restraint monkey business on a regular basis

Slow dialog: 1:33 Explanations: 3:23 Fast dialog: 13:33 Isaac: Can you keep it down in there? I’m trying to write a song. Brittany: You are? What kind of song? Isaac: It’s none of your business. Brittany: Come on. Tell me. Isaac: It’s for Melanie. Brittany: Oh, it’s a love song. That’s so romantic. Are you going to serenade her? Isaac: Maybe. Now leave me alone so I can write. Brittany: Don’t kick me out. Maybe I can help. Let me hear what you have so far. Isaac: Oh, all right. Here are the lyrics. There’re pretty rough. Can you think of something that rhymes with flower? Brittany: Hmm...let me see. They’re not bad, not too sappy. Let’s hear the melody...That’s nice. The chorus is catchy. Are you going to sing it a cappella? Isaac: I was going to ask Jimmy to play the guitar to accompany me, so I can make a recording of it. Brittany: Let me do it. I can play the guitar. Isaac: No way. You won’t take it seriously. Brittany: I will. I promise. I’ll make little kissing noises in the background and it’ll move her to tears. Isaac: Forget it! What was I thinking telling you about it?! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:27 Explanations: 3:43 Fast dialog: 14:33 William: This is a very special dinner. It’s not everyday that I have my bosses over for dinner. It has to be perfect. Martha: I know. Why do you think I took out our best china? Instead of worrying, why don’t you help me set the table? William: Right. I should make myself useful. Is this the best tablecloth we have? Martha: Yes, it is. It’s very fine linen. William: Oh, right, right. Okay, we need six table settings. That means we need dinner plates, salad plates, bread plates, coffee cups, and saucers. Where are the saucers? Martha: All of the dinnerware is over there. Be careful! William: I know, I know. Where’s the silverware? We’re missing the silverware! Martha: No, we’re not. All of the silverware is in this drawer. Put the dinner and salad forks on the left and the dessert fork above the plate, like this. The tines should be facing up. The knife and spoon go on the right. William: I know that. I was just looking for the steak knives. Martha: We don’t need those tonight. Here, take these wine glasses and put them on the table. William: What else? What else? Martha: Nothing. You need to take a deep breath and calm down, or you’ll be in bad shape by the time the dinner starts. William: It’s too late. I’m already a ball of nerves! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Cities: Tucscon, Arizona (Interview with Dr. Lucy Tse) Harper’s Index, to get a kick out of something, to commute, to not stand for something, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” Words: landmark border canyon reservation to fry desert crops cactus needle snowbirds retired cowboy to get a kick out of (something) to commute to not stand for (something)

Slow dialog: 1:34 Explanations: 3:38 Fast dialog: 17:11 Dear Sam, I am writing to follow up on our phone conversation re: the upcoming meeting. We’ve made good headway in our planning, having settled many of the arrangements, e.g., the date, time, and venue. However, we still need to decide on the agenda, i.e., who will speak, in what order, and for what length of time. Fortunately, we have free rein to set up the meeting as we see fit, so it’s just a matter of hammering out the details before we can invite the participants, book the meeting room, etc. I suggest that we call a second meeting and invite some of the people who will be involved in the meeting: Adam, Lin, Toshi, Cecelia, et al. With everyone there, we should be able to come to a decision about the remaining issues. If this is in line with your thinking, I’ll send out an email ASAP. Let me know what you think. Luis P.S. We also need to start planning the annual meeting, but we can wait until this one is wrapped up before we start on that. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:16 Explanations: 3:20 Fast dialog: 14:39 I arrived at the park a little early for our neighborhood baseball game and I needed to kill some time. I decided to take a walk along one of the trails so I could look at the scenery. Suddenly, I came across a woman sitting under a tree. Octavi: What a beautiful day to be at the park! Irene: Oh, hi. Yes, it’s a nice day, isn’t it? Octavi: You look comfortable sitting on the grass in the shade reading. Irene: It’s a quiet spot away from the playground. Octavi: Do you come here often? Irene: Not too often. I come here every so often on the weekends. Octavi: This is a great spot for a picnic. I saw a lot of people on the other side near the fountain, but this is much more peaceful. Irene: Yeah, that’s why I like it here. Were you looking for the baseball field? It’s on the other side of the park. Octavi: Yes, I know. I was just warming up with a little walk around the park. We have a baseball game starting in a half hour. Irene: I saw some people practicing when I walked past the field earlier. I haven’t seen a baseball game in ages. Octavi: Why don’t you come and watch? It should be a good game. Irene: Maybe I will. Thanks for the invitation. Octavi: No problem. Take care. Irene: You, too. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Route 66, playground games for children, on time versus in time, counting seconds using Mississippi, to knock yourself out Words allergies a frog in your throat route interstate prosperous to get your kicks to celebrate to be “it” playground to freeze chalk footwork in time on time to knock yourself out