ESL Podcast - Previous Episodes

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse Audio Index: Slow dialog: 0:47 Explanations: 3:05 Fast dialog: 17:31 I’ve shared a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with my roommate for two years. He was moving to Austin and I posted a “roommate wanted” ad in the local newspaper. I got a few calls, a couple from some very weird people. Finally, I got a call from Andrew. He seemed normal on the phone and we agreed he would stop by today to see the apartment. When he got there, I showed him around. The apartment has a pretty large living room with a large couch and TV. It doesn’t have a dining room, but it does have an eat-in kitchen. My room is the master bedroom with a connecting bathroom. My roommate’s room was the guest room with the bathroom in the hall. I told Andrew that he could to use any of the furniture that my roommate was leaving behind. He was taking his bed and dresser, but he planned to leave his desk in the bedroom. I also told him that he could use any of the appliances—the refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. Andrew said he liked the place and we agreed on the rent and to split the utilities. It was settled. He would move in next month. What a relief I didn’t have to talk to any more weird people!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse Audio Index: Slow dialog: 0:51 Explanations: 2:48 Fast dialog: 14:01 When I was little, we had a family pet. His name was Jupiter and he was a kitten. I wanted a cat more than anything else and finally, my parents gave in and said that we could have one. We went to the pound and saw dozens of cats of different breeds. We went from cage to cage until we saw a little kitten at the back of one of cages. He looked scared, but when I picked him up, he wouldn’t stop licking my hand and I knew he was the one we would bring home. When we got Jupiter home, I played with him all day. What I noticed when I played with him was that I would sneeze a lot and I started getting hives on my arm. My nose would also be runny and my eyes would water. I tried to hide these symptoms from my mother, but she noticed them eventually and told me that I was allergic to cats! Even worse, we couldn’t keep Jupiter! That was a tragic day in my young life. I thought I would never recover. Then, a lucky thing happened. Our neighbor down the street was willing to adopt Jupiter and I was able to visit him all the time, as long as I didn’t get too close. In the end, it wasn’t such a terrible tragedy after all.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse Audio Index: Slow dialog: 1:00 Explanations: 2:23 Fast dialog: 13:05 Shawn: What’s the matter? You look like you’re about to blow your lid. Rick: Yeah, let’s just say I’m not happy. Shawn: That’s putting it lightly. What’s up? Rick: My friend Steve was supposed to come by here after work to give me a ride home. I lent him my car so he could take his girlfriend out for the day. I’ve been waiting 45 minutes and he’s a no-show. I should have known better than to count on a flake like him. Shawn: Maybe something came up. Have you tried calling him on his cell phone? Rick: Yeah, I have and there’s no answer. I can’t believe he’s left me high and dry. Shawn: Tell you what. I’m almost done with my report. If you can wait another 15 minutes, I’ll give you a lift home. Rick: Really? That would be great. Shawn: It’s no big deal. But, I definitely don’t want to be there when you find Steve.

Today's topics: Stealing art, Religions in the US, "Walk the Line," I've had versus I had had, Jump across the pond, "She's a complete knockout!" Words: Archeological dig Artifact Curator To be on trail Getty Museum (Los Angeles) Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) To doctor Catholic Protestant Baptist

Today's topics: Three Strikes, Groundhog Day, Lost and CSI, Regards and Cheers, Amazing versus Awesome, "On the heels of..." Words: Take away Woodchuck Shadow Marooned Plane crash Victim Fingerprint Toast

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse Audio Index: Slow dialog: 1:02 Explanations: 2:50 Fast dialog: 15:11 My company decided that it was time to remodel our offices and I was put in charge of getting bids from contractors. The trouble was, I had heard horror stories from friends who did remodeling and I was worried about finding a company that would get the job done on time and under budget. No doubt there are many honest contractors, but some of the people I talked to had experiences with shady companies. Some of them weren’t on the level about being able to meet deadlines and some tried to get away with murder when they billed for a job. It was important that I found a company that was on the up and up. I got bids from six companies and checked all of their references. In the end, I picked a company that had done work for one of the biggest companies in the city. They seemed to be the best and our company hired them. I have my fingers crossed that everything will go smoothly.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse Audio Index: Slow dialog: 1:03 Explanations: 3:16 Fast dialog: 19:37 I got two tickets to a show at the last minute and I tried to find someone to go with me. First, I called Amanda. The phone rang and rang and then her answering machine picked up. “Hi, I’m not in right now. Leave me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” Amanda wasn’t home or she was screening her calls. I didn’t want to leave a message and decided to try Celia. The phone rang about six times and then I heard, “This is the voicemail for Celia. Leave me a message after the long beep. Or, you can try my cell phone at 213-555-1212. Have a nice day.” By this time, I was starting to feel discouraged. I didn’t want to go to the show by myself, so I tried one last time. I called Leslie at work. “Hello, you’ve reached the office of Leslie Munroe. I am in a meeting or with a client. I’m sorry to miss your call. Please stay on the line and leave a detailed message. I will return your call as soon as I can. Thank you for calling.” I decided to leave a message. Leslie called me right back and we made plans for the show. We had a great time.

Special thanks to Dr. Lucy Tse for her help on this podcast. Today's topics: Coretta Scott King, Super Bowls and Pizza, "We will rock you" by Queen, You bet versus I bet, Gonna, woulda, coulda, Speaking of which Words: Advocate Widow/widower Delivery Seattle Seahawks Pittsburgh Steelers Plant Chicken wings Halftime show Buddy Playin' Disgrace Chorus Take on the world

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse Audio Index: Slow dialog: 1:01 Explanations: 3:03 Fast dialog: 15:07 It’s that time of year again. It’s award show season. No, I’m not talking about the Nobel Prizes. I’m talking about the entertainment awards. This is the time of year when the TV shows and movies are nominated as the best of the year. Celebrities get together at an award ceremony and the winners are announced. My favorites are the Emmy Awards for television, the Academy Awards for the movies, and the Grammy Awards for records. But, I’m up for almost any award show—the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards, even the People’s Choice Awards. For some people, the best part of watching the award shows is the pre-show. The celebrities arrive on the red carpet and are interviewed. Sometimes what they are wearing, made by the top designers and jewelers, gets more attention than anything they say. But, it’s still fun to see all of the celebrities all in one place, and you never know what will come out of their mouths when they win—or better yet—when they lose.

Thanks to Dr. Lucy Tse for her work on this podcast. Today's topics: Lunar New Year, British English, Quincenera, Schools in the US, Well, Good, and Bad, Effect versus Affect, Maybe versus Perhaps. Words: Sweet 16 Latino Dropout Grade School Tuition Kindergarten Diploma Tracking Electives

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse Audio Index: Slow dialog: 1:13 Explanations: 2:41 Fast dialog: 14:12 Edmundo: What are you doing? Ruth: Oh, I’m packing. My lease is up at the end of the month and I’m moving to Vancouver for six months while my boyfriend is finishing his degree at the university. Edmundo: Oh, wow, are you moving yourself or are you using a moving company? Ruth: I’m renting a U-Haul and doing it myself. I’m putting some of my furniture in storage since we plan to move back here after he graduates. Edmundo: Can I help? Do you need me to forward your mail? Ruth: Thanks for the offer. I’ve submitted a change-of-address form to the post office so I hope my mail will get forwarded automatically. One thing I have to remember to do is to shut off the utilities—gas, electricity, and phone—but I’ll have two more weeks to do that. Edmundo: Well, good luck in Vancouver. I don’t envy you. I hate moving. Let me know if you need any help with those boxes. Ruth: Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.

Audio Index: 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…

Topics: Charles Dickens, Night, Dr. Phil, Sundance Film Festival, Donald Trump, Very vs. Really, Pretty vs. Quite Words: Bleak House Fleet Street Press Follow-up Indie Studio To sue Real estate magnate Apprentice Biography Topics and material prepared in part by Dr. Lucy Tse

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse Audio Index: Slow dialog: 0:54 Explanations: 2:18 Fast dialog: 15:35 Abby: Hey, what are you listening to? Bill: Right now I’m listening to the Foo Fighters’ latest album. There are some really good tracks on this CD, including their new single. Abby: Let me see your iPod for a minute. It looks like you’ve got a ton of good stuff loaded up. I like Gwen Stephanie, too, and what’s this? Shakira? I had no idea you were a fan of hers. Bill: I think she’s a really talented singer and songwriter. And, well, she’s hot, too. Abby: Yeah, I bet. Let’s see. You’ve got some great jazz and blues standards here, too. Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday. This one is a live recording, and these are compilations. You’ve got their greatest hits and some bootleg stuff, too. I never knew you were such a jazz buff. Bill: Yeah, I like all kinds of music. Now, where are you going with my iPod? Abby: I thought I’d just borrow it for a little while. Bill: Yeah, right. Hand it over. I’ve got to download my favorite podcast.

Todays topics: Television in the US, Spelling Bees in Schools, Policy versus Politics, Pronunciation in Minnesota Words in today's podcast: station channel network ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, WB PBS (public television) non-profit Masterpiece Theater contest Topics and material prepared in part by Dr. Lucy Tse