English as a Second Language Podcast
Angielski ze świata
English as a Second Language Podcast
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English Cafe #332
Topics: Famous Americans: Michael Jordan; the Quakers; tag questions; the derivation of “okay”; to learn versus to study
Words:
draft
fan
slam dunk
to leap
MVP
to be inducted
to endorse
to be traced back to
to persecute
to swear
to generalize
worship
okay / ok
to learn
to study
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762 - Eating a Family Dinner
Join the fun at a big family dinner in this episode.
Slow dialogue: 1:04
Explanations: 3:16
Fast dialogue: 16:24My roommate, Jim, invited me over to his house for a family meal. I’m an only child, so I’m not used to a big family dinner. I felt like a fish out of water.
...Jim’s mother: Sit down, everybody. Dinner’s ready.
Phil: Thank you for having me over, Mrs. Moreno.
Jim’s mother: Don’t mention it. Just sit down and eat. Jim, pass the potatoes, and Dana, don’t hog the peas. Hand them both to Phil.
Phil: Thank you, Mrs. Moreno, but I’ve already taken a helping of each dish.
Jim’s mother: Then you need to have seconds. You’re too skinny. Eat up!
Phil: This food is really good, but I don’t think I have the appetite for more. My plate is already overloaded.
Jim’s mother: All right, no more potatoes or peas, but you need more ham. Laura, serve Phil some more ham, and Jason, round up some more rolls.
Phil: No, no, please. I really couldn’t eat more than what’s already on my plate.
Jim’s mother: Don’t be ridiculous. I know you’re saving room for dessert. There’s an apple pie, a strawberry shortcake, a cheesecake, and some ice cream.
...I now know why Jim only comes home for meals every once in a while. Eating like this more than once a week would give anybody a coronary!
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
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761 - Animals in a Zoo
Are zoos are a good idea or a bad one? Don’t feed the animals while you listen to this episode trying to answer that question.
Slow dialogue: 0:59
Explanations: 2:39
Fast dialogue: 16:18Deborah: I can’t wait to see the elephants at the zoo. I wish I could see them in their natural habitat, but a zoo is the next best thing.
Zach: I don’t want to go to a place where animals are kept in captivity. How would you like it if you were locked in a cage and gawked at all day?
Deborah: The animals in zoos are lucky. They have a nice, safe place to live away from predators, and their handlers make sure they never go hungry. Zoos preserve endangered species.
Zach: If you think it’s so nice living in zoos, I’d like to see you switch places with a lion or a monkey for a month and see how you like it.
Deborah: Animals aren’t people. They don’t have the same wants and needs.
Zach: That’s what you think. One day, the animals aren’t going to take it anymore. They’ll rise up and break their shackles.
Deborah: And will you be their ringleader?
Zach: No, I’ll be their cheering section. It’s about time animals get some respect.
Deborah: Have you seen Planet of the Apes?! I’ll reserve a cage for you!
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
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English Cafe #331
Topics: Ask an American: Online money management; don’t worry versus don’t bother; not only; to move/get past a feeling; pronouncing wool versus wall
Words:
to calculate
to allocate
to withdraw
to accrue interest
infographic
personal finances
to pay off
to partner
legitimate
savvy
connected
don’t worry
don’t bother
not only
to move/get past a feeling
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760 - Paycheck Deductions
The only two things we can be certain of in this life are death and taxes. Learn about one of them in this episode.
Slow dialogue: 1:11
Explanations: 3:12
Fast dialogue: 17:32Bill: It’s about time! I’ve been waiting for my first paycheck and now it’s finally here. I’m ready to party this weekend! Whoa!
Carol: What’s the matter?
Bill: What happened to all my money? The amount of this check is a lot less than I expected it to be.
Carol: Yeah, my first paycheck was an eye-opener for me, too. Look at the pay stub and you’ll see all of the deductions. After federal income taxes, state income taxes, and FICA, you’re not left with a lot of money.
Bill: You’re right, but what’s FICA?
Carol: Those are taxes for Social Security and Medicare. Did you sign up for a retirement plan? If you did, those retirement contributions are deducted, too.
Bill: Thank God, I didn’t. But you know what? That still doesn’t account for all of the deductions.
Carol: Let me take a look. Oh, it looks like your wages are being garnished.
Bill: They’re garnishing my wages? What for?
Carol: Uh, do you have to pay child support or something like that?
Bill: Oh, yeah, I guess I do. I’d forgotten about that. I guess I’d better change my weekend plans.
Carol: I guess so.
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
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759 - Worrying About Your Children
Will your children grow up to be responsible adults or the kind of people you don’t want living next to you? Learn how to worry about this and more in this episode.
Slow dialogue: 1:01
Explanations: 3:05
Fast dialogue: 16:10Pavel: I’m really worried about Hanna. She’s been hanging around with that girl Carla, and Carla runs with the wrong crowd.
Hillary: Hanna is rebelling a little. That’s natural at her age. When I was her age, I thought I knew more than my parents or any adult, and that I should be able to make all of my own decisions.
Pavel: I’m not talking about being stricter on her, but she’s become so secretive. I’m really worried that she might get exposed to things that should be off-limits at her age.
Hillary: There’s no way we can keep her from seeing her friends short of locking her in her room. We have to trust her and let her come to us if she runs into problems. We raised her right and she can handle herself.
Pavel: I wish I had your confidence. She’s a girl, remember? All kinds of things can happen to girls.
Hillary: We’ve talked to her a lot about those things and what we feel are right and wrong. A lot of things can happen to boys, too, or don’t you remember? Hanna takes after you and she has your brains and resourcefulness. Like father, like daughter, so stop worrying so much,
Pavel: Do you really think she’ll be okay?
Hillary: Yes, I do. Take comfort in knowing that she’s just exactly like you. When she has a daughter of her own, she’ll stay up nights worrying, just like you.
Pavel: That’s small comfort!
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
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English Cafe #330
Topics: American Authors: Toni Morrison; Homeboy/Homegirl Industries and Father Greg Boyle; screw versus bolt versus nut; to kidnap versus to abduct; to sharpen (one’s) axe
Words:
African American experience
to long
social convention
homeboy
gang
priest
gang intervention
rival
budget
counseling
domestic violence
tattoo
screw
bolt
nut
to kidnap
to abduct
to sharpen (one’s) axe
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758 - Showing Off a New Purchase
If you’ve got it, you might as well let everyone see it. That’s the philosophy of the people in this dialogue, but you can decide whether you agree or not.
Slow dialogue: 1:08
Explanations: 2:51
Fast dialogue: 15:58Monica: Wow, check you out! When did you buy a new car?
Kevin: This isn’t just any new car. It’s a Ferrari.
Monica: I can see that. It must have set you back a few.
Kevin: Yeah, but it was worth it. You should see the looks I get riding around in this baby. My brother is green with envy.
Monica: Then you’ve been showing it off around town.
Kevin: No, I’ve just been showing it off to a few friends and family members. There’s no sense owning a fine machine like this and not bragging a little, right?
Monica: Especially since your brother has been gloating about his new boat, you mean.
Kevin: There is that. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I think a new Ferrari trumps a measly new boat, don’t you?
Monica: Do you and your brother always whip it out like this?
Kevin: Like what? I’m just sharing my new toy with my brother. I’m sure he’s just as happy for me as I was for him when he bought his new boat.
Monica: Truer words were never spoken.
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
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757 - Getting Political Support
Politicians don’t get their money for nothing or their votes for free. Learn all about the world of getting political support in this episode.
Slow dialogue: 1:21
Explanations: 2:55
Fast dialogue: 16:14Helen: Okay, your schedule today is very busy. First, you’re meeting with a group of constituents concerned about the environment. Then, you’re speaking to a group of factory workers. At noon, you’ll be having lunch with a group of high-power donors.
Mikhail: When I signed on as a candidate, I had no idea I’d have to pander to every group out there to gain their support.
Helen: Don’t think of it as pandering. Think of it as rallying the troops. People in this state need a leader and you’re their great white hope.
Mikhail: I decided to run because I wanted to be a voice of reason in the partisan bickering. I didn’t sign on to be a poster boy for my political party.
Helen: You can make a difference when you get elected, but first things first: you need to get elected. Ready to go?
Mikhail: What happened to the good old days when all you had to do was a little gerrymandering to get elected?
Helen: I’m glad you brought that up. Your meeting with the committee on redistricting is this afternoon at 2:00.
Mikhail: I’m sorry I asked!
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
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English Cafe #329
Topics: American Presidents: Jimmy Carter; The Lost Ship of the Desert Legend; phrases used to ask for status updates; to start off for; likely versus probable
Words:
peanut
board
name recognition
stagflation
to be taken hostage
inept
accord
diplomat
legend
desert
ship
treasure
to start off for
likely
probable
