ESL Podcast - Previous Episodes

Slow dialog: 1:07 Explanations: 2:43 Fast dialog: 16:50 Kurt: Turn that radio down! Gloria: No way! I’m listening to a simulcast of a performance and it’s live. Kurt: Is it on campus radio? Gloria: No, it’s on the public radio station. I finally got good reception after putting this long antenna outside my window and I’m not turning it off now. Kurt: You are so low-tech. I can’t believe you’re still listening to AM/FM radio. You should get satellite radio. You get shows in hundreds of formats, and there are a lot of stations without DJs. And there’s never any static! Gloria: I like listening to the regular broadcast radio. I don’t have to pay for it and I’m happy with the stations we have in this city. You’re just a technology snob. If it’s high-tech, you love it and have to have it. Kurt: It’s true that I know quality when I see it, and I don’t settle for less. What’s wrong with that? Gloria: Nothing, but I don’t have to jump on the bandwagon. Now, be quiet. I’m trying to listen. Kurt: Fine. This is the thanks I get for trying to give you a little good advice. Gloria: Shh! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Ask an American: International students in the US; don’t versus doesn’t; ain’t; you singular versus you plural Words: to get along fake genuine to pig out Buffalo wings buffalo impolite absolutely modest to sell oneself lyrics ain’t Say it ain’s so! you all

Slow dialog: 0:57 Explanations: 2:28 Fast dialog: 12:45 Emiliano: I’m not sure about this video conference today. It’s the next best thing to having a meeting face-to-face, but I’ve never used most of this equipment before. Fatima: It’s a piece of cake. Do you want to do a run-through with me? Emiliano: Do you mind? I’d really like to make sure that I know how to work this webcam and microphone. Fatima: I don’t mind at all. Okay, we have Internet connectivity, so streaming won’t be a problem. The speakers on both computers are turned up. Emiliano: Do you know how to adjust this webcam? Right now, it’s focused on my right ear! Fatima: That’s easy. Just use these buttons to zoom in or out, and you can tilt up or down. Emiliano: Oh, I see. That’s better. Now you can see my entire face. Are you getting audio on your side? Fatima: Yes, you’re coming in loud and clear. I think we’re in business. Emiliano: Well, that wasn’t so hard. Let’s hope it goes this smoothly this afternoon. Fatima: If you have a problem, just give me a call. Emiliano: Thanks. I really appreciate it! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:18 Explanations: 3:06 Fast dialog: 16:40 Angelica: Oh sorry, what was I saying? I lost my train of thought. Yann: You were telling me about the book you’re reading. Angelica: Oh, yeah. I must have had one of those senior moments. Yann: Welcome to the club. That’s what happens when you’re over-the-hill like we are. Angelica: We’re not over the hill! You may be an old geezer, but I still like to think of myself as middle-aged. Isn’t 70 the new 60? Yann: That’s what they say, but I don’t mind aging. I may be a little absent-minded now and then, but I’m not senile. What I can’t stand is being treated like I am. The other day, I sat at a table at a restaurant for 20 minutes while the waitress ignored me. She waited on all of the tables around me first, and when she finally came to take my order, she didn’t even apologize. Angelica: Ageism is everywhere. What I hate is to be talked to like I’m a child. Some people think that if you’ve got gray hair, you’re not all there. I’m as sharp as ever. Yann: I know, but do you know what we’re doing? Angelica: What? Yann: We’re griping. That’s what old people are supposed to do all the time, right? Angelica: You’ve got a point there. Let’s go do something more productive before anyone notices! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: US advertising in other countries; Habitat for Humanity; bad-tempered vs. short-tempered; no pun intended; to be raining cats and dogs Words advertising campaign ill-mannered overseas markets hip nerdy direct comparison to brag to backfire habitat affordable volunteers unskilled mortgage short-tempered no pun intended to be raining cats and dogs

Slow dialog: 1:20 Explanations: 3:00 Fast dialog: 13:50 Kelly: Where is everybody? Man: Excuse me? Were you talking to me? Kelly: Oh, no. I was just talking to myself. Our tour group was supposed to rendezvous here at five o’clock for our return trip to the hotel. But there’s no trace of the bus and I don’t see any other people from my group anywhere. Man: You know, it’s 5:10. Maybe the bus took off already. Kelly: That can’t be! Our tour guide said that we would meet back here at 5-ish. She didn’t say precisely at 5. Man: Maybe that’s what she meant. You know, tour guides usually stick pretty closely to a time schedule. Kelly: Yes, I know, but what am I supposed to do now? I don’t have any way to get back to the hotel. Man: Do you have the number of the tour company? I could lend you my cell phone to call them. Kelly: Let me see. No, I don’t. I feel like such an idiot! Man: Wait a second. Is that your bus over there? Kelly: Where? Oh my gosh, I think it is! I must be on the wrong side of the park. If I make a run for it, I may be able to catch it before it takes off. Thanks a lot for spotting it! Man: No sweat, but you’d better step on it! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:15 Explanations: 3:07 Fast dialog: 15:10 Joann: Oh, are those pictures of your kids? Artem: Yes. These are my three daughters and these are my two sons. Joann: Your sons look so alike. Are they similar in personality, too? Artem: It’s funny you ask that. My wife and I are always saying how different they are from one another, even though they’re the closest in age. Sergey, the younger one, is moody and a little timid, while his older brother, Dennis, is talkative and cheerful all the time. Joann: That’s really interesting. You know, I have an older sister and we’re only a year apart, but we have very different personalities, too. When I was little, I was bad-tempered and I always fought with my brothers and sisters, while my sister was a little angel. She was always patient and generous. I really looked up to her. Artem: It’s hard for me to believe that you were ever bad-tempered. You’re so even-keeled now. Me, on the other hand, I was a selfish and stubborn kid. I’m surprised that my parents put up with me. Joann: I’m sure you’re exaggerating. All kids are a little selfish and stubborn, I think. Good thing most of us grow out of it as we get older. Artem: Well, that may be true, but according to my wife and kids, I’m still the most stubborn person in the world. They may be right. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Earth Day, Dr. Seuss books, pronouncing sin, sing, hit, heat, and hate; about six o’clock vs. around six o’clock; What I wouldn’t give vs. What I would give; I couldn’t care less vs. I could care less Words to observe activist grassroots agenda to model something on something else in the wake of illustrator pen name to rhyme around/about X o’clock X o’clock sharp What I wouldn’t give… I couldn’t care less about…

Slow dialog: 0:53 Explanations: 2:35 Fast dialog: 12:52 Today, I’m going to be giving you a brief overview of the trends that are likely to affect our industry in the next 10 years. It’s difficult to predict the fads that affect how the general public thinks and behaves. However, by looking at recent polls, we have a good idea about one area that is likely to have a dramatic influence on the way we do business down the line. The trend that I’m talking about is the environment. The biggest concern right now across major business industries here and in other parts of the world is about how “going green” will affect company outlook. The growth of environmentally-friendly products has been off the charts in the past five years, and this trend is likely to continue for at least 10 more years. If you’ll look at this chart up here, you’ll see what the major trend reports are forecasting. It’s my opinion that it’s time we sat up and took notice. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:04 Explanations: 3:00 Fast dialog: 16:23 Hostess: Thank you for calling Sakia Restaurant. How may I help you? Randy: I’d like to make a reservation. Hostess: For which day and for what time? Randy: It’s for Friday, the 24th, at 7 o’clock. Hostess: How many will be in the party? Randy: There will be seven of us. Hostess: And the name on the reservation? Randy: Johnson. Hostess: And a phone number where we can reach you? Randy: 310-555-9023. Hostess: Okay. Let me repeat back to you the information I have. This is a reservation for the Friday after next for seven at 7 p.m. Is that correct? Randy: Yes, that’s right. Can we have a table by the window in a non-smoking section? I want to be away from the kitchen, if possible. Hostess: Our restaurant is all non-smoking. We can’t guarantee a window table, but I’ll note your preference. Randy: Okay, that’s fine. What’s the parking situation at the restaurant? Hostess: We have a parking lot behind the restaurant, and we also have valet parking. Do any of the guests have special needs? Randy: I’m glad you asked. I’ll need two high chairs and four booster seats. Hostess: I’m sorry, but did you say two high chairs and four booster seats? Randy: Yes, I did. I’m taking all of my nieces and nephews out to dinner. Hostess: That sounds nice. It should be lively evening. Randy: You’re telling me! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Google Book Search, Clint Eastwood, village vs. neighborhood, to retrieve vs. to recover, cooking vs. cuisine Words: search engine ambitious to scan beta public domain copyright to infringe to err on the side of caution snippets bankable to call the shots village neighborhood to retrieve to recover cuisine

Slow dialog: 0:55 Explanations: 2:55 Fast dialog: 14:34 My girlfriend and I have been going out for a year and I thought it was time to have a heart-to-heart with her. Simon: I have something I want to talk to you about. Can you come over here and sit down for a minute? Paula: Uh oh. Is something wrong? Simon: No, nothing’s wrong. In fact, everything’s right. We’ve been together for a year and I’ve been happier than I’ve ever been. Paula: Me, too. Things are going great. What is this all about? Simon: I want us to move things to the next level. I want us to move in together. Paula: Simon, I love you, but we can’t do that. You know how conservative my parents are. They would never approve. Simon: They like me, don’t they? Paula: It’s not a matter of whether they like you or not. They both adore you as much as I do. But two people moving in together before they’re married goes against their beliefs and mine. Simon: But don’t you want to? Paula: I’m very happy with you, but I want things to go on as they are. We spend so much time together anyway, we’re almost joined at the hip. Simon: Are you saying you want more space? Paula: No! What I’m saying is that I don’t want to rock the boat when things are going so well. Why don’t we hold off on any more talk about moving in together. Simon: I suppose that’s okay—for now. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Slow dialog: 1:33 Explanations: 3:30 Fast dialog: 15:10 Clerk: Can I help you find something? Adrian: Yes. Can you tell me where the non-fiction books are? Clerk: Are you looking for hardbacks or paperbacks? Adrian: I’m not sure. I think hardbacks. Clerk: Well, the non-fiction new releases are at the front of the store. The non-fiction section is behind the fiction shelves on your right. The hardbacks are on the top shelves and the paperbacks on the bottom ones. Is there a specific book I can help you find? Adrian: I’m looking for an old book and I’m not sure of the title. It’s something like, “The Literary Crisis.” Clerk: Do you know the name of the author? Adrian: No, I don’t. I saw it mentioned online and I actually wrote down the ISBN, but I can’t find it now. Clerk: Well, if it’s an old book, it may be out-of-print, but let me look it up in our system. If it was a bestseller at one time, there’s a chance that it’s still in print. Let me check…Okay, here it is. It was published in 1982, and unfortunately, it is out-of-print. You may want to try a used bookstore, like Bookwoman’s down the street. Adrian: Thanks, I’ll give them a try. I’m also looking for a biography. Can you tell me where they are? Clerk: Sure. The biographies are behind the reference section over there. Let me know if you need any more help. Adrian: Thanks. I appreciate it. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Ask an American: Working, quote vs. offer, Something’s Gotta Give Words: role global market FDA clinical research to negotiate obstacles patients jargon multiple geography quote offer gotta to give

Slow dialog: 1:12 Explanations: 3:00 Fast dialog: 17:07 Ling: Ugh! Sam: What’s the matter? Ling: I’m trying to jot down some ideas for the meeting tomorrow but I’m drawing a blank. Sam: When I’ve got a block, I usually step away from it for a while and come back to it later. Then I can look at it with a fresh perspective. Ling: I don’t have time to take a break. I need to come up with something quick or I’ll have to go into that meeting empty-handed. I can’t let Danielle show me up again. At the last meeting, all of the department heads loved her ideas and they’re starting to think she walks on water. Sam: Well, I don’t think it helps to sit around worrying about it. Nothing will come to you if you work yourself up too much. Ling: You’re right. I’m too wound up to think straight. It’s like my brain is in a fog. Sam: Come on. We’ll go take a quick walk. I’m sure that’ll do the trick. If it doesn’t, I’ll help you work on your resume. Ling: Gee, thanks. I’ve known all along that you’re after my job. Sam: Me? After your job? I wouldn’t touch your job with a 10-foot pole. I couldn’t take the pressure. I prefer being a lowly employee and giving you a hard time everyday. Ling: Thanks a lot. Between you and Danielle, my days here are numbered. Sam: Come on. Let’s go before you get even more depressed! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse