http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4705556
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:40
Explanations: 3:38
Fast dialog: 14:20
===============
I read an article in the newspaper this morning about a man who had been on the lam for 12 years. He was wanted by the police because they believed he had committed a murder. But before the man could go to trial, he bolted and left the country. He has been on the "Most Wanted" list in this state ever since.
How did he get away? The police had confiscated his passport, but he wore a disguise and became a stowaway on a ship heading for China. While on the boat, he kept out of sight and was holed up in the cargo section of the ship the entire time. No one even had an inkling that he was on the ship! When the ship arrived in China, he got off and immediately assumed a new identity. At first, he didn't have any identification and he had to go underground, but eventually, he made enough money to buy a passport on the black market.
How did he get caught? He tried to reenter the United States and the security officers at the airport saw that his passport was forged. He was nabbed right away and he'll be going to trial soon. That is, unless he escapes!
===============
- to be on the lam (to be on the run) : to be hidden from the police
- to bolt : to leave a place very quickly , to escape , to run away
- to confiscate sth : to take away sth from sb in order to punish them
- to keep out of sight : to hide in order no one can see
- to be holed up : to stay hidden in small place in certain time
- to go underground : to hide from police , to live in a place that everytihng is unofficial
- to nab sb : to arrest sb
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Saturday, 26 December 2009
ESL Podcast 332 – Profit and Loss
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4685870
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:17
Explanations: 3:17
Fast dialog: 14:36
===========================
Dolores: Manuel in accounting is supposed to help me with this report, but he called in sick today! I can't believe my luck. He's supposed to be training me in and he's left me holding the bag.
Anton: Let me see if I can help.
Dolores: I'm supposed to use the information from this profit and loss statement to make some projections about the company's future performance for our report, but I'm not sure what I'm doing. I need to plug in some numbers here, but I can't make heads or tails of this.
Anton: Well, if you look at the top of the statement, you'll see the top line, which shows the revenue the company brought in in the third quarter of this year. Is that what you need?
Dolores: Yes, I think so, but I also need to know our net income.
Anton: Here is the bottom line. That takes into account all of the revenue and expenses during the third quarter.
Dolores: That's great, but I also need to know the gross profits and operating expenses.
Anton: Those are in this column. See?
Dolores: I guess all the information is here. I just needed to know where to look. Thanks. I couldn't have figured it out without you.
Anton: It's not that complicated. Hopefully, Manuel will be back tomorrow.
Dolores: Manuel? Who needs him!
===========================
- to call in sick : to call telephone and tell you're sick so not be able to work
- to train sb in : to help sb learn things that is needed for the job or position
- to hold the bag : to be responsible for sth when the owner of that job doesn't do their work
- projection (n): a forecast
- to plug in sth : to put number into a formula or filling the blank
- to make heads or tails of sth : to be able to understand sth
- to take (sth) into account : to consider / include sth
- to figure out : to be able to understand
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:17
Explanations: 3:17
Fast dialog: 14:36
===========================
Dolores: Manuel in accounting is supposed to help me with this report, but he called in sick today! I can't believe my luck. He's supposed to be training me in and he's left me holding the bag.
Anton: Let me see if I can help.
Dolores: I'm supposed to use the information from this profit and loss statement to make some projections about the company's future performance for our report, but I'm not sure what I'm doing. I need to plug in some numbers here, but I can't make heads or tails of this.
Anton: Well, if you look at the top of the statement, you'll see the top line, which shows the revenue the company brought in in the third quarter of this year. Is that what you need?
Dolores: Yes, I think so, but I also need to know our net income.
Anton: Here is the bottom line. That takes into account all of the revenue and expenses during the third quarter.
Dolores: That's great, but I also need to know the gross profits and operating expenses.
Anton: Those are in this column. See?
Dolores: I guess all the information is here. I just needed to know where to look. Thanks. I couldn't have figured it out without you.
Anton: It's not that complicated. Hopefully, Manuel will be back tomorrow.
Dolores: Manuel? Who needs him!
===========================
- to call in sick : to call telephone and tell you're sick so not be able to work
- to train sb in : to help sb learn things that is needed for the job or position
- to hold the bag : to be responsible for sth when the owner of that job doesn't do their work
- projection (n): a forecast
- to plug in sth : to put number into a formula or filling the blank
- to make heads or tails of sth : to be able to understand sth
- to take (sth) into account : to consider / include sth
- to figure out : to be able to understand
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Friday, 25 December 2009
ESL Podcast 329 – Being Persuasive
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4636655
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:19
Explanations: 3:18
Fast dialog: 14:07
=================
Sylvia: How would you like to take my sister, Donna, to the movies this weekend? You'd be doing me a favor.
Joon: Why? What's wrong with her?
Sylvia: Nothing is wrong with her! She just broke up with her boyfriend of four years and she's down in the dumps. She's shy, so I thought I'd try to set her up on a date.
Joon: Off the top of my head, I can think of a dozen things I'd rather do than to take out anyone's little sister, including yours, no offense.
Sylvia: You don't know what you're missing. She may be shy, but she's very pretty and witty. If you met her, you wouldn't need me to persuade you.
Joon: I don't know. I'm not convinced. Whenever someone sets me up on a blind date, they always tell me how great the woman is. She never lives up to the hype.
Sylvia: I'm not going to twist your arm, but if you're on the fence, I have two free movie tickets to that new movie you want to see, just to sweeten the pot.
Joon: You do? Well, why didn't you say so earlier?
Sylvia: I'm glad I could tempt you. Here's her number. I'll tell her to expect your call. Be nice.
Joon: I'm always nice. Don't worry. I'll show her a good time.
Sylvia: Not too good!
===============
- a favor : sth you're asking sb else to do for you
- to be down into dumps : to feel upset/sad
- off the top of my head : a phrase to show you're saying sth without thinking about it very much
- no offense : say to sb before you're telling to them sth they don't like
- to be convinced : to believe sth
- to live up to sth: to meet the expectation of sth
- to be on the fence : not sure, to be undecided
- to tempt sb : to try to make do what you want to do (by giving sth for them)
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:19
Explanations: 3:18
Fast dialog: 14:07
=================
Sylvia: How would you like to take my sister, Donna, to the movies this weekend? You'd be doing me a favor.
Joon: Why? What's wrong with her?
Sylvia: Nothing is wrong with her! She just broke up with her boyfriend of four years and she's down in the dumps. She's shy, so I thought I'd try to set her up on a date.
Joon: Off the top of my head, I can think of a dozen things I'd rather do than to take out anyone's little sister, including yours, no offense.
Sylvia: You don't know what you're missing. She may be shy, but she's very pretty and witty. If you met her, you wouldn't need me to persuade you.
Joon: I don't know. I'm not convinced. Whenever someone sets me up on a blind date, they always tell me how great the woman is. She never lives up to the hype.
Sylvia: I'm not going to twist your arm, but if you're on the fence, I have two free movie tickets to that new movie you want to see, just to sweeten the pot.
Joon: You do? Well, why didn't you say so earlier?
Sylvia: I'm glad I could tempt you. Here's her number. I'll tell her to expect your call. Be nice.
Joon: I'm always nice. Don't worry. I'll show her a good time.
Sylvia: Not too good!
===============
- a favor : sth you're asking sb else to do for you
- to be down into dumps : to feel upset/sad
- off the top of my head : a phrase to show you're saying sth without thinking about it very much
- no offense : say to sb before you're telling to them sth they don't like
- to be convinced : to believe sth
- to live up to sth: to meet the expectation of sth
- to be on the fence : not sure, to be undecided
- to tempt sb : to try to make do what you want to do (by giving sth for them)
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Thursday, 24 December 2009
ESL Podcast 328 – Dishonesty at Work
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4626812
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:28
Explanations: 4:08
Fast dialog: 14:35
==================
Amina: Have you heard the latest news?
Shane: No, what is it?
Amina: Charlie was fired last Friday after the company found out that he had been cooking the books for over six months and had embezzled more than $50,000.
Shane: Charlie? I don't believe it! He is the most upstanding person I know. I can imagine him stretching the truth now and then, but he's the last person I would think of as being truly dishonest. I would never think to question his integrity.
Amina: It wasn't greed that made him do it. His wife has been ill and he couldn't pay the medical bills. I think he had the best of intentions in trying to get his wife the healthcare she needed, but it was only a matter of time before he got caught, no matter how well he covered his tracks.
Shane: Well, I know he's a bad liar and he's not known to make mistakes, so I'm not surprised that someone caught on pretty quickly when there were irregularities in the accounting. What I don't understand is, if he was having financial problems, why didn't he tell anybody? Some of us may have helped.
Amina: I don't know. Maybe he felt desperate and just didn't know what to do. I'm sure his wife being sick has been difficult for him. I don't think the company is going to press charges, though, under the circumstances.
Shane: I'm glad to hear that. That's the last thing he needs. It's clear that he showed poor judgment, but he's not a criminal.
Amina: That's the general consensus. I'm thinking of taking up a collection to help him out. Do you think the company would mind?
Shane: Considering he was fired, I'd keep it a secret from management, but I think it's a great idea.
=====================
- to embezzle : to steal money from company where you work
- to stretch the truth : to tell a small lie, not a big one
- greed (n): a wanting to have more money,power
- it's only the matter of time (for good/bad thing) : it will happen eventually
- to cover your track : to hide sth wrong you had done
- to catch on : to find out the truth
- to press charge : to bring the issue to the court
- to take up a collection : to ask people to give money for a certain people or project
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:28
Explanations: 4:08
Fast dialog: 14:35
==================
Amina: Have you heard the latest news?
Shane: No, what is it?
Amina: Charlie was fired last Friday after the company found out that he had been cooking the books for over six months and had embezzled more than $50,000.
Shane: Charlie? I don't believe it! He is the most upstanding person I know. I can imagine him stretching the truth now and then, but he's the last person I would think of as being truly dishonest. I would never think to question his integrity.
Amina: It wasn't greed that made him do it. His wife has been ill and he couldn't pay the medical bills. I think he had the best of intentions in trying to get his wife the healthcare she needed, but it was only a matter of time before he got caught, no matter how well he covered his tracks.
Shane: Well, I know he's a bad liar and he's not known to make mistakes, so I'm not surprised that someone caught on pretty quickly when there were irregularities in the accounting. What I don't understand is, if he was having financial problems, why didn't he tell anybody? Some of us may have helped.
Amina: I don't know. Maybe he felt desperate and just didn't know what to do. I'm sure his wife being sick has been difficult for him. I don't think the company is going to press charges, though, under the circumstances.
Shane: I'm glad to hear that. That's the last thing he needs. It's clear that he showed poor judgment, but he's not a criminal.
Amina: That's the general consensus. I'm thinking of taking up a collection to help him out. Do you think the company would mind?
Shane: Considering he was fired, I'd keep it a secret from management, but I think it's a great idea.
=====================
- to embezzle : to steal money from company where you work
- to stretch the truth : to tell a small lie, not a big one
- greed (n): a wanting to have more money,power
- it's only the matter of time (for good/bad thing) : it will happen eventually
- to cover your track : to hide sth wrong you had done
- to catch on : to find out the truth
- to press charge : to bring the issue to the court
- to take up a collection : to ask people to give money for a certain people or project
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
ESL Podcast 326 – Finding the Right Wine
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4607126
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:18
Explanations: 3:25
Fast dialog: 16:03
================
Antonio: Why are we stopping here?
Melanie: We can't go to the dinner party empty-handed. We need to bring a bottle of wine.
Antonio: I don't know anything about wines. You'll need to pick a bottle.
Melanie: I don't know much about wines, either. I just know we need a good table wine. Do you think we should get a bottle of white, red, or rosé?
Antonio: I don't know.
Melanie: The label on this one says that it's fruity and not too tart. This other one says that it's full-bodied, but I think we want a light-bodied one, right?
Antonio: I have no idea.
Melanie: The label on this one says that it's from a California vineyard. Is that good or bad?
Antonio: I don't know. Stop asking me. Here's a corkscrew. Why don't you take out the cork and we'll have a taste?
Melanie: That's very funny. You're not helping me at all.
Antonio: I say we just bring them a six-pack. I know I'd rather have beer than wine any day.
Melanie: Stop fooling around. We need to pick out a bottle of wine.
Antonio: I have an idea. Let's bring them a bottle of champagne. You can't go wrong with champagne.
Melanie: Champagne? It's not a special occasion.
Antonio: We'll tell them that being invited for dinner in their home is a special occasion for us. They'll be happy to hear that.
Melanie: I don't know about that.
Antonio: Trust me. Grab a bottle and let's go. We're late!
====================
- to be empty-handed : not to have anything
- a table wine: inexpensive wine that you bring to a meal
- that's very funny : it's not funny
- you can't go wrong with sth : it's sure that you're right
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:18
Explanations: 3:25
Fast dialog: 16:03
================
Antonio: Why are we stopping here?
Melanie: We can't go to the dinner party empty-handed. We need to bring a bottle of wine.
Antonio: I don't know anything about wines. You'll need to pick a bottle.
Melanie: I don't know much about wines, either. I just know we need a good table wine. Do you think we should get a bottle of white, red, or rosé?
Antonio: I don't know.
Melanie: The label on this one says that it's fruity and not too tart. This other one says that it's full-bodied, but I think we want a light-bodied one, right?
Antonio: I have no idea.
Melanie: The label on this one says that it's from a California vineyard. Is that good or bad?
Antonio: I don't know. Stop asking me. Here's a corkscrew. Why don't you take out the cork and we'll have a taste?
Melanie: That's very funny. You're not helping me at all.
Antonio: I say we just bring them a six-pack. I know I'd rather have beer than wine any day.
Melanie: Stop fooling around. We need to pick out a bottle of wine.
Antonio: I have an idea. Let's bring them a bottle of champagne. You can't go wrong with champagne.
Melanie: Champagne? It's not a special occasion.
Antonio: We'll tell them that being invited for dinner in their home is a special occasion for us. They'll be happy to hear that.
Melanie: I don't know about that.
Antonio: Trust me. Grab a bottle and let's go. We're late!
====================
- to be empty-handed : not to have anything
- a table wine: inexpensive wine that you bring to a meal
- that's very funny : it's not funny
- you can't go wrong with sth : it's sure that you're right
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Saturday, 19 December 2009
ESL Podcast 324 – Corporate Sponsorship
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4557911
Audio Index:
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.
=======================
- to be strapped : don't have enough money
- to be resistant : not want to do sth
- to sell out : to change believe or stop doing sth in order to get money
- benefactor : sponsor
- exposure : visibility , attention
- to get on a high horse : to speak as you have higher education or you're smater
- outright : complete / direct / clear
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
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.
=======================
- to be strapped : don't have enough money
- to be resistant : not want to do sth
- to sell out : to change believe or stop doing sth in order to get money
- benefactor : sponsor
- exposure : visibility , attention
- to get on a high horse : to speak as you have higher education or you're smater
- outright : complete / direct / clear
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Thursday, 17 December 2009
ESL Podcast 320 – Micromanaging the Staff
Audio Index:
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.
- to check up on sb: to review sb's progress
- to micromanage
- to earn trust
- meticulous (adj): very detailed , very careful
- to feel/be resentful : to be unhappy about sth that isn't correct, fair
- to have faith in sth : to trust sth
- control freak : a person who wants to control everyone all time
- tactic ~ strategy : a way of doing sth
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4498853
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.
- to check up on sb: to review sb's progress
- to micromanage
- to earn trust
- meticulous (adj): very detailed , very careful
- to feel/be resentful : to be unhappy about sth that isn't correct, fair
- to have faith in sth : to trust sth
- control freak : a person who wants to control everyone all time
- tactic ~ strategy : a way of doing sth
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4498853
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
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