ESL Podcast - Previous Episodes

Slow dialog: 0:59 Explanations: 3:16 Fast dialog: 14:32 Some people collect stamps. Other people collect CDs. I collect movies. I’m a film buff and I have a collection of my favorite movies of all time. I usually buy a movie when it comes out on DVD, even if I’ve seen it already on the big screen. I have a high definition TV and I like watching movies in the comfort of my own home. I prefer the widescreen editions and the DVDs with a lot of bonus features. I pride myself on finding every Easter egg on every DVD I own. My friends think I’m crazy. Even if I already own a movie, I’ll buy it again if there’s a special edition or box set with extra bloopers or deleted scenes. Even when I’m on vacation, I look for DVDs. Last year, I was traveling abroad and I bought some DVDs. When I got home, though, I found out that I couldn’t play them in my DVD player because they had a different region code than the one we use in the U.S. I also bought a bootleg DVD on the street and the quality was terrible. I really learned my lesson on that trip! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: American cities: Las Vegas, Google and privacy on the Internet, red tape, to catch lightening in a bottle, pronouncing ordinal numbers Words: privacy personal data to compile to protect to leak users harsh allegations legalized gambling casino glamorous chapel red tape to catch lightning in a bottle thunder

Slow dialog: 1:33 Explanations: 3:16 Fast dialog: 15:43 Veronica: I’m finishing up for the day. Do you want to walk out together? Bogdan: Yeah, that would be great, if you don’t mind waiting until I’ve finished sending this email. I’m letting Tom know that I got another account. That makes four new customers this week. Veronica: Congratulations, but isn’t that rubbing Tom’s nose in it? Bogdan: Don’t worry about Tom. He’s been getting new clients left and right. For the past six months, he’s been gloating about his big commissions. I’m just turning the tables, that’s all. Veronica: Tom doesn’t seem like the type to be smug about his successes. Bogdan: He doesn’t flaunt it, but he lets people know in subtle ways. Don’t worry. I’m going to put him in his place. Veronica: This is just too much testosterone for me. Why don’t you guys just go outside, duke it out, and get it over with. Bogdan: What would be the fun in that? This is just a little friendly rivalry. Nobody takes it seriously. Veronica: If you say so. I know not to get in the way when there are big egos involved. Bogdan: You just don’t understand guys. Veronica: You got that right. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:37 Explanations: 3:50 Fast dialog: 16:04 I had a little time between appointments and stopped at a fast food restaurant to get some lunch. The idea was to save time by using the drive-thru, but it didn’t work out that way. Order-taker: Welcome to McDenny’s. May I take your order? Daniel: Yes. I’d like a cheeseburger, an order of French fries, and a large soda. Order-taker: I’m sorry, sir. Can you speak up and speak directly into the microphone? I can barely hear you. Daniel: Oh, okay. I want to order one cheeseburger, one order of fries, and a large soda. Order-taker: That’s four hamburgers, an order of French fries, and a sundae. Would you like anything else? Daniel: No, I mean, yes. That order isn’t right. I wanted one cheeseburger, one order of fries, and a soda. Order-taker: No problem, sir. There’s no need to shout. I can add those to your order. That’s four hamburgers, one cheeseburger, two orders of French fries, a sundae, and a soda. Your total comes to $18.95. Please pull up to the next window. Daniel: Wait! Hello, hello. There’s been a mix-up. Hello! Order-taker: Please pull up to the next window, sir. There are cars behind you and you’re holding up the line. Daniel: But you don’t understand. My order is all wrong. I don’t want five burgers! Order-taker: Well, sir, if you’ve changed your mind, just tell me your new order. There are other customers waiting. Daniel: Forget it. Cancel my order. I’ve lost my appetite! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Fourth of July, Preamble to the US Constitution, Schoolhouse Rock, will versus shall, to come off Words: preamble founders to be in effect to be on display to set (words) to music union justice domestic tranquility welfare liberty posterity to establish will shall YouTube.com video of Schoolhouse Rock: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q_TXJRZ4CFc

Slow dialog: 1:43 Explanations: 3:52 Fast dialog: 17:03 I was telling my friend, Gina, a joke. I began it by saying, “An Irishman, an Englishman, and a Frenchman walk into this bar, and…” Suddenly, Gina grabbed my arm and shook her head. I turned around and our coworker, Colin, was standing right behind me. Eileen: Oh, hi Colin. I didn’t see you standing there. Colin: I guess you didn’t. Eileen: I was just telling Gina a joke... Colin: Yes, I know. I heard. I can’t believe you’re telling off-color jokes, especially at work. Eileen: I’m really sorry. Please don’t be offended. I didn’t intend to insult you. I know that you’re from Ireland. It was just a joke. Colin: It may be just a joke to you, but it’s getting a little old to me. I already have a tough time fitting in as an outsider in this company, and I’m really tired of being the butt of jokes around here. Besides, ethnic jokes reinforce stereotypes. Eileen: Please don’t be angry. Colin: I’m trying not to be oversensitive. I enjoy a good joke as much as anyone, but this isn’t the first time this has happened. The other day, someone drew a picture of me dressed as a leprechaun and put it in the break room. That wasn’t funny, and neither is this. Eileen: You’re right. We’re all being a little insensitive. As far as I’m concerned, it won’t happen again. Colin: I accept your apology and I’ll take you at your word. Eileen: Can we shake and be friends again? Colin: Yeah, sure. I guess so. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:12 Explanations: 2:51 Fast dialog: 13:47 Mei: Let’s go on an all-inclusive vacation to a resort in Jamaica! Guy: I’d like to go to Jamaica, but I don’t know about going to an all-inclusive resort. Mei: It saves so much time in planning. With these vacation packages, all of our lodging is included and we don’t have to pay extra for anything. For one fixed price, we get unlimited food and drinks, and all of the activities and entertainment we want. Guy: It sounds a little too predictable to me. You know that when I travel, I like to go off the beaten track. The fun is in going out of the tourist areas to find the real character of a place. Mei: I know, but a resort has its pluses. If we pick a good resort, we’ll know that everything will be first rate. There won’t be any problems with substandard amenities or service. Guy: That may all be true, but I’m still not convinced. I’d rather keep looking until we find a good compromise that will have the predictability you want and the spontaneity that I want. Mei: Okay, but we agree on Jamaica, right? Guy: Yeah, that’s right. It’s Jamaica or bust! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Ask an American: Interpreters, pronouncing years and punctuation marks, school leavers and drop outs Words: interpreter to bring in parent-teacher conferences work habits to follow directions needs progress to border on disservice support academics the last thing on one’s mind filler punctuation marks school leavers/drop outs

Slow dialog: 1:34 Explanations: 3:15 Fast dialog: 15:42 Jayna: I have an idea for creating buzz about our new product. Maksym: What is it? Jayna: I think we should use viral marketing. We can spread information about the product quickly and among the most likely customers. Maksym: I really don’t understand it. How would we do viral marketing? Jayna: Well, the key is to get plugged into a few people who have large social networks already, such as bloggers and other people with popular websites. We get them talking about the product on their websites and people who visit those sites will tell their friends about it, and they will in turn tell their friends, and so on. If we use these existing social networks, news about our product will spread very quickly. Maksym: What about the cost? Jayna: That’s just it. It’s very low-cost because it works through word of mouth. Maksym: That sounds promising. Why don’t you put together a short presentation about it to present at the department meeting on Friday? Jayna: Great. I’ll get working on it right away. I think it’s going to transform the way we reach our customers. Maksym: I appreciate you enthusiasm, but let’s see how it goes over with the rest of the department on Friday. Jayna: Sure thing. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 0:48 Explanations: 2:02 Fast dialog: 9:45 Mina: I’d better be going. See you later. Oliver: It might be awhile before we run into each other again. Mina: Why is that? Oliver: I’m going to Puerto Rico for three months starting next Tuesday. I got a job there for the summer. Mina: I didn’t know that. That’s great! I’ve never been to Puerto Rico, but I’ve heard it’s nice. Have a good trip. It’s a shame we didn’t have more time to catch up. Is your girlfriend going with you? Oliver: Yeah, she is. She got a job there, too, so we won’t have to be apart for three months. Mina: That’s good. It’s too bad I won’t get to see her before you two leave. Give her my best. Oliver: I will. Oh, I’d better get going or I’ll be late. Mina: It was good seeing you. Oliver: You, too. Stay in touch. Mina: I will. Let’s get together when you get back from Puerto Rico. Oliver: I’d like that. Bye. Mina: Bye. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: State and county fairs, Stan Lee and Spider-Man, Miss versus Mrs. versu Ms., to be in bloom, in order to Words: fair to display agriculture livestock blue ribbon rides Ferris wheel county to be held fairgrounds tractors comic book publishing house to marvel to be in bloom in order to

Slow dialog: 1:06 Explanations: 3:03 Fast dialog: 15:05 Atsushi: I don’t mind telling you that I’m really nervous about meeting your parents. Scarlet: You look like you’re going to face the firing squad. It’s not going to be that bad. Atsushi: I wish I could believe that. I’m going to try to make a good first impression, but I don’t think they’re going to like the fact that I’m a professional musician. Scarlet: I’ve already told them about you, so there won’t be any surprises. Atsushi: It doesn’t help that your last boyfriend was a straight-laced college student. Couldn’t you have dated a convict before me? I’d look pretty good to your parents in comparison. Scarlet: How do you know I didn’t? You don’t know everything about me. Atsushi: Very funny. Maybe we should postpone this visit with your parents for a little while. Scarlet: No! Atsushi: I’m just putting it out there. Scarlet: We’ve put off this visit for months and my parents are really starting to wonder if you really exist. Let’s not blow this visit out of proportion. They’re only my parents. Atsushi: I know, but they may also be my in-laws soon. Scarlet: I know, but it’s not like our whole relationship is riding on this visit. I’ll still like you no matter what. And plus, my parents know I have good taste in men. Atsushi: At least I know that’s true! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:17 Explanations: 3:32 Fast dialog: 16:00 One of the things I like to do on the weekends is go to garage sales. I’m a bargain hunter and collector, so garage sales are good places for me. I look in the newspapers or just follow homemade signs to find the sales in my neighborhood. Whether it’s because people are doing spring cleaning or getting ready to move, there are always plenty of sales in my area. After going to a lot of garage sales, I’ve learned a few things about getting what I want at the price I want. Bargaining on price is par for the course at any garage sale. If you don’t want to get ripped off, you’ll try to get the sellers to lower their price. I’m an early bird and I usually get to the sales before other people to get the best items. But to get the best prices, be sure to go back right before the sale ends. Most people are desperate to sell so that they don’t have to store those things again or to lug them to a charity office to give them away. That’s when people are ready to slash their prices. It’s true that there is a lot of junk and knickknacks at garage sales. But one person’s trash is another person’s treasure! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Airport X-ray machines, Guinness Book of World Records, to be under siege, to run like butter, girlfriends, to trade up Words: checkpoint to scan pat-down metal detector privacy strip search wand to go off reference books brewery to compile hit trivia to run like better girlfriend to trade up

Slow dialog: 1:32 Explanations: 3:42 Fast dialog: 18:45 Heather: What’s the matter? You look terrible. Paul: Haven’t you seen the paper? The stock market went down a lot yesterday. The NASDAQ is down 100 points and the Dow is down 30! My portfolio is in big trouble. Heather: I knew you had some stock options in this company, but I didn’t know you were so heavily invested in the market. Paul: I’m invested in the bond market, in derivatives, and I have shares in a lot of companies that took a nosedive yesterday. Heather: I’m sure you have a good stockbroker who has made sure that your portfolio is diversified and you have different kinds of securities. Paul: That’s my problem. I don’t have a stockbroker. I decided to invest on my own and to go for less secure stocks hoping for a better return. I thought I could tell the difference between a bear and a bull market as well as the brokers. I guess I was wrong. Heather: The drop in stock prices won’t last. I’m sure the market will rebound. Just don’t panic and sell everything. The old saying, “buy low, sell high,” is still a good idea, I think. Paul: I know, I know. I won’t do anything stupid—that is, I won’t do anything even more stupid. I’ll wait to see what happens before taking any action. Heather: That’s a good idea. Come on. I’ll buy you lunch. Paul: Thanks. Now that I’m poor, I won’t say ‘no’ to your charity. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse