http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5598111
Slow dialogue: 1:31
Explanations: 3:00
Fast dialogue: 14:13
==========
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for coming to today's seminar. We're going to talk about how to invest your money and how to maximize those holdings.
First, we'll talk about market trends and where to find the best opportunities right now. Getting in on the ground floor and getting the highest appreciation is what we all want. A good investor also knows when to divest, and we'll talk about how to read the warning signs.
Many of you have money in savings, but you want a better rate of return, and you're willing to speculate a little to get it. We'll discuss how to diversify your portfolio to minimize risk while maximizing your return.
Are you ready to make some money? Let's get started!
=================
- to get in on the ground floor: to get involved in at very beginning
- appreciation : an increased value of sth overtime
- to divest # invest : divest = to sell some investment (stock)
- to diversify : to invest into many kind of things (land, stock, start-up company)
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Wednesday 31 March 2010
Tuesday 30 March 2010
ESL Podcast 387 – Describing Talent and Ability
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5588168
Slow dialogue: 1:23
Explanations: 3:07
Fast dialogue: 13:22
===========
Kathy: Thanks for inviting me to see your team. Who's your best player?
Brad: That would be Sarah. She's a natural. No one comes close to her speed and dexterity. She has good instincts and a flair for getting out of difficult situations.
Kathy: She sounds promising. Anyone else I should be keeping an eye on?
Brad: Mollie is a good player, too. In terms of scoring points, she can almost do it in her sleep. She's also very good at being a leader to the other players, and she has a knack for getting along with even the most difficult teammates.
Kathy: As you know, we recruit only first-rate players for the national team, and this year, we hope to be head and shoulders above any of the other teams. The days of making do with mediocre players are over.
Brad: I understand that. We have a game this Saturday. Why don't you come out and judge for yourself? I think you'll be impressed with the talent you see.
Kathy: I'm sure I will. I'll be here on Saturday ready to be dazzled.
============
- a natural at sth : a person has natural ability
- dexterity - adj (about hand) : quickly and skillfully
- to have flair for sth : to be a natural at sth
- to be able to do sth in your sleep : to do easily without much effort
- to be head and shoulder above sth : to be much much better than sth
- to make do : to use what you have even it's not the best
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:23
Explanations: 3:07
Fast dialogue: 13:22
===========
Kathy: Thanks for inviting me to see your team. Who's your best player?
Brad: That would be Sarah. She's a natural. No one comes close to her speed and dexterity. She has good instincts and a flair for getting out of difficult situations.
Kathy: She sounds promising. Anyone else I should be keeping an eye on?
Brad: Mollie is a good player, too. In terms of scoring points, she can almost do it in her sleep. She's also very good at being a leader to the other players, and she has a knack for getting along with even the most difficult teammates.
Kathy: As you know, we recruit only first-rate players for the national team, and this year, we hope to be head and shoulders above any of the other teams. The days of making do with mediocre players are over.
Brad: I understand that. We have a game this Saturday. Why don't you come out and judge for yourself? I think you'll be impressed with the talent you see.
Kathy: I'm sure I will. I'll be here on Saturday ready to be dazzled.
============
- a natural at sth : a person has natural ability
- dexterity - adj (about hand) : quickly and skillfully
- to have flair for sth : to be a natural at sth
- to be able to do sth in your sleep : to do easily without much effort
- to be head and shoulder above sth : to be much much better than sth
- to make do : to use what you have even it's not the best
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Monday 29 March 2010
ESL Podcast 384 – Accepting Credit Cards
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5528510
Slow dialogue: 1:25
Explanations: 4:03
Fast dialogue: 15:30
==========
Danny: Are you sure we should start accepting credit cards from our customers? We've always been a cash-only business.
Katy: I think we need to for the convenience of our customers. It won't be as big a nuisance as you think, with this new cash register.
Danny: The instructions say the merchant has to swipe the cardholder's card at the POS. What's that?
Katy: That stands for point of sale. For us, that's the cash register. All you have to do is take the credit card and swipe it through here, making sure that the magnetic strip is facing you. It's simple.
Danny: Do I have to write down the credit card number, the expiration date, and the security code on the back?
Katy: No, the cash register does that for you automatically. It will save you a lot of time.
Danny: What if the customer goes over his or her credit limit?
Katy: In that case, their card is declined and we tell the customer to call the issuing bank.
Danny: What if a customer disputes the charges?
Katy: The credit card company will investigate, and if we have double-charged a customer or made a mistake, we'll have to do a chargeback. We can do it easily with the cash register. Everything can be done with this machine. It's great.
Danny: What if it doesn't work?
Katy: What if what doesn't work?
Danny: What if the cash register breaks down?
Katy: Um...I guess you'll have to write down all of the information and process it when the machine is working again.
Danny: Not such a timesaver, huh?
Katy: But you only have to do that if it breaks down, and it won't break down...very often.
Danny: We'll see about that!
=============
- nuisance (n): unpleasant things, annoying things
- card holder: the person whose name is on credit card
- to dispute : to say sth wrong, not agree
- to break down : to stop working correctly (a machine)
- we'll see about that : not believe, the truth will be found out in future
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:25
Explanations: 4:03
Fast dialogue: 15:30
==========
Danny: Are you sure we should start accepting credit cards from our customers? We've always been a cash-only business.
Katy: I think we need to for the convenience of our customers. It won't be as big a nuisance as you think, with this new cash register.
Danny: The instructions say the merchant has to swipe the cardholder's card at the POS. What's that?
Katy: That stands for point of sale. For us, that's the cash register. All you have to do is take the credit card and swipe it through here, making sure that the magnetic strip is facing you. It's simple.
Danny: Do I have to write down the credit card number, the expiration date, and the security code on the back?
Katy: No, the cash register does that for you automatically. It will save you a lot of time.
Danny: What if the customer goes over his or her credit limit?
Katy: In that case, their card is declined and we tell the customer to call the issuing bank.
Danny: What if a customer disputes the charges?
Katy: The credit card company will investigate, and if we have double-charged a customer or made a mistake, we'll have to do a chargeback. We can do it easily with the cash register. Everything can be done with this machine. It's great.
Danny: What if it doesn't work?
Katy: What if what doesn't work?
Danny: What if the cash register breaks down?
Katy: Um...I guess you'll have to write down all of the information and process it when the machine is working again.
Danny: Not such a timesaver, huh?
Katy: But you only have to do that if it breaks down, and it won't break down...very often.
Danny: We'll see about that!
=============
- nuisance (n): unpleasant things, annoying things
- card holder: the person whose name is on credit card
- to dispute : to say sth wrong, not agree
- to break down : to stop working correctly (a machine)
- we'll see about that : not believe, the truth will be found out in future
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Sunday 28 March 2010
ESL Podcast 382 – Types of Hotels and Accommodations
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5508624
Slow dialogue: 1:45
Explanations: 3:32
Fast dialogue: 15:35
=================
Jamal: Have you found a place for us to stay in Chicago?
Erin: I'm still exploring the options. Instead of a run-of-the-mill chain hotel, I thought we could do something different.
Jamal: How different?
Erin: I thought we might stay in a cabin near the lake.
Jamal: A cabin? That sounds a little too rustic for me. My days of roughing it in hostels or fleabag motels are over. A cabin sounds like it would be in the same league.
Erin: Oh, I don't know. There are some very nice cabins, and even if they're less than luxurious, I don't mind staying in a modest place. We can't afford an expensive boutique hotel, you know.
Jamal: I know that, but there are a lot of other options. We could stay in a bed and breakfast or a vacation rental. Remember the bed and breakfast we stayed in in Montreal?
Erin: Yeah, that was nice. Okay, you win. I was trying to appeal to your adventurous spirit.
Jamal: My adventurous spirit is still here. It just needs the right inducement.
==============
- run-of-the-mil hotel : original hotel, not special , typical hotel
- cabin : small simple house made of wood
- rustic (adj) : simple and a little to difficult / rough to be in
- league (n): level, standard, quality
- to appeal : to be interesting, to attract sth
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:45
Explanations: 3:32
Fast dialogue: 15:35
=================
Jamal: Have you found a place for us to stay in Chicago?
Erin: I'm still exploring the options. Instead of a run-of-the-mill chain hotel, I thought we could do something different.
Jamal: How different?
Erin: I thought we might stay in a cabin near the lake.
Jamal: A cabin? That sounds a little too rustic for me. My days of roughing it in hostels or fleabag motels are over. A cabin sounds like it would be in the same league.
Erin: Oh, I don't know. There are some very nice cabins, and even if they're less than luxurious, I don't mind staying in a modest place. We can't afford an expensive boutique hotel, you know.
Jamal: I know that, but there are a lot of other options. We could stay in a bed and breakfast or a vacation rental. Remember the bed and breakfast we stayed in in Montreal?
Erin: Yeah, that was nice. Okay, you win. I was trying to appeal to your adventurous spirit.
Jamal: My adventurous spirit is still here. It just needs the right inducement.
==============
- run-of-the-mil hotel : original hotel, not special , typical hotel
- cabin : small simple house made of wood
- rustic (adj) : simple and a little to difficult / rough to be in
- league (n): level, standard, quality
- to appeal : to be interesting, to attract sth
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Saturday 27 March 2010
ESL Podcast 379 – A Routine Procedure
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5478795
Slow dialogue: 1:26
Explanations: 3:07
Fast dialogue: 13:24
============
Julia: Aren't you nervous about your surgery next week?
Hugh: No, it's a routine procedure. I don't even need to be admitted overnight.
Julia: But aren't you going under general anesthesia? It's not the same as local anesthesia, you know.
Hugh: Yes, I know. This is an out-patient procedure. If the doctors don't think I can go home the same day, they'll just keep me under observation.
Julia: All the same, there may be complications.
Hugh: It's supposed to be a low-risk procedure. If there are post-op problems, I'm sure the doctors will take good care of me.
Julia: But what if they release you too early from the hospital. I've heard that these days doctors are under pressure to free up beds as soon as possible.
Hugh: It's true that I may be impaired after the procedure, but my daughter will be there and I trust her judgment. I'm sure she'll make sure I'm fine to go home before I'm discharged.
Julia: But what if...?
Hugh: Don't worry. Nothing bad is going to happen. If it does, you can say, "I told you so."
============
- to be admitted : to be admitted to hospital
- out patient: exam in hospital but don't stay in night (go home before night)
- to keep me under observation : to keep sb in hospital to monitor their health
- all the same : ~ nevertheless, even so
- post-op problem : problems after operation
- to free up : to make available
- to be impaired : to be hurt, to be not at your best
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:26
Explanations: 3:07
Fast dialogue: 13:24
============
Julia: Aren't you nervous about your surgery next week?
Hugh: No, it's a routine procedure. I don't even need to be admitted overnight.
Julia: But aren't you going under general anesthesia? It's not the same as local anesthesia, you know.
Hugh: Yes, I know. This is an out-patient procedure. If the doctors don't think I can go home the same day, they'll just keep me under observation.
Julia: All the same, there may be complications.
Hugh: It's supposed to be a low-risk procedure. If there are post-op problems, I'm sure the doctors will take good care of me.
Julia: But what if they release you too early from the hospital. I've heard that these days doctors are under pressure to free up beds as soon as possible.
Hugh: It's true that I may be impaired after the procedure, but my daughter will be there and I trust her judgment. I'm sure she'll make sure I'm fine to go home before I'm discharged.
Julia: But what if...?
Hugh: Don't worry. Nothing bad is going to happen. If it does, you can say, "I told you so."
============
- to be admitted : to be admitted to hospital
- out patient: exam in hospital but don't stay in night (go home before night)
- to keep me under observation : to keep sb in hospital to monitor their health
- all the same : ~ nevertheless, even so
- post-op problem : problems after operation
- to free up : to make available
- to be impaired : to be hurt, to be not at your best
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Friday 26 March 2010
ESL Podcast 378 – Talking About Time
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5468852
Slow dialogue: 1:15
Explanations: 3:05
Fast dialogue: 12:38
==============
Juanita: What time is it?
Chuck: It's a quarter to 12. Why?
Juanita: At noon, on the dot, I'm supposed to meet James.
Chuck: On the dot? What if you don't get there until a few minutes past four? Will you turn into a pumpkin?
Juanita: Knock it off. I have good reason to be on time. I was supposed to meet him at the movies at 8:30 last Saturday and I didn't turn up until 10 'til 9:00. We missed the first 10 minutes of the movie.
Chuck: That doesn't sound too bad.
Juanita: You don't know the half of it. The week before that, I was supposed to pick him up from work at a quarter after 5:00, and I didn't show up until nearly 20 minutes to six. To add insult to injury, James' boss saw that he was still in the office and gave him an extra assignment to do that night and he didn't finish until well after 10:00.
Chuck: I can see why he's pissed off at you.
Juanita: What time is it now?
Chuck: It's 12:03.
Juanita: Oh my god! I'm late again! What am I going to tell him?
Chuck: Tell him it was all my fault. My incredible charm made you lose track of time.
===============
- quarter to 12: 15m before 12
- quarter after 12: 12:15
- on the dot: exactly that time
- knock it off : stop it
- to turn up : to arrive/show up
- 10 till 9 : 10m before 9
- to add insult to injury : to make it worse
- to lose track of time : to forget about the time
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:15
Explanations: 3:05
Fast dialogue: 12:38
==============
Juanita: What time is it?
Chuck: It's a quarter to 12. Why?
Juanita: At noon, on the dot, I'm supposed to meet James.
Chuck: On the dot? What if you don't get there until a few minutes past four? Will you turn into a pumpkin?
Juanita: Knock it off. I have good reason to be on time. I was supposed to meet him at the movies at 8:30 last Saturday and I didn't turn up until 10 'til 9:00. We missed the first 10 minutes of the movie.
Chuck: That doesn't sound too bad.
Juanita: You don't know the half of it. The week before that, I was supposed to pick him up from work at a quarter after 5:00, and I didn't show up until nearly 20 minutes to six. To add insult to injury, James' boss saw that he was still in the office and gave him an extra assignment to do that night and he didn't finish until well after 10:00.
Chuck: I can see why he's pissed off at you.
Juanita: What time is it now?
Chuck: It's 12:03.
Juanita: Oh my god! I'm late again! What am I going to tell him?
Chuck: Tell him it was all my fault. My incredible charm made you lose track of time.
===============
- quarter to 12: 15m before 12
- quarter after 12: 12:15
- on the dot: exactly that time
- knock it off : stop it
- to turn up : to arrive/show up
- 10 till 9 : 10m before 9
- to add insult to injury : to make it worse
- to lose track of time : to forget about the time
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Wednesday 24 March 2010
ESL Podcast 376 – Asking About Business Hours
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5409194
Slow dialogue: 1:34
Explanations: 3:45
Fast dialogue: 12:04
===============
Store owner: Hello.
Karin: Hello, is this Joe's Shoe Repair?
Store owner: Yes, how can I help you?
Karin: I'm calling to find out your business hours.
Store owner: We're open 24/7.
Karin: Really? You're open 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
Store owner: Yes, we are, more often than not. Of course we close for major holidays.
Karin: Is that all?
Store owner: We also close the first and third Monday and every other Sunday of each month, except the fourth Sunday, when we're always open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., unless we have extended hours.
Karin: Oh, okay. If I brought in a pair of shoes to be fixed today, how quickly can you have them ready?
Store owner: Normally, we can have shoes repaired in three or four days, but not this week.
Karin: Why?
Store owner: We're closed Wednesday through Friday for renovation.
Karin: Okay, what if I brought them in next week?
Store owner: That's no good either. The exterminators are coming in and we're closed Monday through Thursday.
Karin: Are you pulling my leg?
Store owner: Of course not! This is a respectable business. I never joke about business.
Karin: How about the week after next?
Store owner: Sorry, but you're out of luck. The week after next we're closed for vacation.
Karin: When do you actually open 24/7?
Store owner: We're always open 24/7 – with just a few exceptions.
=====================
- extended hours: hours after official hour (5pm)
- renovation : being repaired
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:34
Explanations: 3:45
Fast dialogue: 12:04
===============
Store owner: Hello.
Karin: Hello, is this Joe's Shoe Repair?
Store owner: Yes, how can I help you?
Karin: I'm calling to find out your business hours.
Store owner: We're open 24/7.
Karin: Really? You're open 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
Store owner: Yes, we are, more often than not. Of course we close for major holidays.
Karin: Is that all?
Store owner: We also close the first and third Monday and every other Sunday of each month, except the fourth Sunday, when we're always open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., unless we have extended hours.
Karin: Oh, okay. If I brought in a pair of shoes to be fixed today, how quickly can you have them ready?
Store owner: Normally, we can have shoes repaired in three or four days, but not this week.
Karin: Why?
Store owner: We're closed Wednesday through Friday for renovation.
Karin: Okay, what if I brought them in next week?
Store owner: That's no good either. The exterminators are coming in and we're closed Monday through Thursday.
Karin: Are you pulling my leg?
Store owner: Of course not! This is a respectable business. I never joke about business.
Karin: How about the week after next?
Store owner: Sorry, but you're out of luck. The week after next we're closed for vacation.
Karin: When do you actually open 24/7?
Store owner: We're always open 24/7 – with just a few exceptions.
=====================
- extended hours: hours after official hour (5pm)
- renovation : being repaired
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Tuesday 23 March 2010
ESL Podcast 374 – A Graduation Ceremony
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5389308
Slow dialogue: 1:27
Explanations: 3:30
Fast dialogue: 15:43
============
Rafael: They're playing Pomp and Circumstance and the graduates are filing in. Do you see your daughter? I don't see my son.
April: No, we're too far from the field and everybody is wearing a cap and gown. It's hard to see who's who.
Rafael: Oh, there's the dean and I think that's the commencement speaker behind her. You must be really proud of your daughter. I know I would be if my son were valedictorian.
April: I'm very proud of her, but your son is graduating cum laude, with honors. Those are great accomplishments.
Rafael: It's a proud day for both of us. I just hope that the graduates will keep this a dignified ceremony. I don't want to see any shenanigans.
April: What do you mean?
Rafael: Last year when my other son graduated, a group of rowdy students started singing an offensive song as the graduates went up to get their diplomas.
April: Hey, what's that over there?
Rafael: Where? Oh, that's a beach ball! How dare they throw a beach ball around while the dean is speaking!
April: Don't look now. Those students are doing something strange with their tassels.
Rafael: Shame on them! Shame on every one of them!
===============
- commencement speaker: well-known people who speaks at an graduation ceremony
- valedictorian : student who has highest AVG
- don't look now : look now (about sth bad)
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:27
Explanations: 3:30
Fast dialogue: 15:43
============
Rafael: They're playing Pomp and Circumstance and the graduates are filing in. Do you see your daughter? I don't see my son.
April: No, we're too far from the field and everybody is wearing a cap and gown. It's hard to see who's who.
Rafael: Oh, there's the dean and I think that's the commencement speaker behind her. You must be really proud of your daughter. I know I would be if my son were valedictorian.
April: I'm very proud of her, but your son is graduating cum laude, with honors. Those are great accomplishments.
Rafael: It's a proud day for both of us. I just hope that the graduates will keep this a dignified ceremony. I don't want to see any shenanigans.
April: What do you mean?
Rafael: Last year when my other son graduated, a group of rowdy students started singing an offensive song as the graduates went up to get their diplomas.
April: Hey, what's that over there?
Rafael: Where? Oh, that's a beach ball! How dare they throw a beach ball around while the dean is speaking!
April: Don't look now. Those students are doing something strange with their tassels.
Rafael: Shame on them! Shame on every one of them!
===============
- commencement speaker: well-known people who speaks at an graduation ceremony
- valedictorian : student who has highest AVG
- don't look now : look now (about sth bad)
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Monday 22 March 2010
ESL Podcast 372 – A Bully at Work
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5349536
Slow dialogue: 1:20
Explanations: 4:28
Fast dialogue: 15:36
============
Wanda: I can't take it anymore. I try to put up with Robert, but I've had enough!
Dana: I'm not surprised. That guy is a big bully and it's time somebody stood up to him. What has he done now?
Wanda: This was the last straw. We're both managers and we're supposed to work together, but Robert looks for every opportunity to put me down in front of our employees. This morning, I presented an idea about upgrading our computer equipment and he jumped down my throat.
Dana: What did he do?
Wanda: He said that the idea was stupid and that he couldn't understand how anyone could propose it. He said this in front of everybody. I was too stunned to respond, so I just stood there.
Dana: That's totally inappropriate and unprofessional.
Wanda: He's arrogant to everybody, but especially to me. He always says he's just being honest when he makes a biting remark, but I'm realizing that that's just his excuse to be rude. He treats everyone with contempt. I really don't know what to do.
Dana: I know people like Robert. They're so insecure that they have to belittle everyone else to make themselves feel better. They have really poor social skills and don't know how to have a conversation or to disagree without being a jerk.
Wanda: That may be, but what should I do about him?
Dana: There's only one way to handle a bully.
Wanda: How?
Dana: You have to call his bluff. If he criticizes your plan, ask him to back it up with evidence or a specific reason. If you disagree with him, keep your cool, but tell him why. Most bullies back down when someone stands up to them.
Wanda: Okay, it's worth a try. I've been trying to keep calm and maintain a professional atmosphere in the office, so I haven't confronted him, but I will if you think it'll help.
Dana: I do. And if that doesn't work, tell him to act his age, not his shoe size!
===========
- bully (n): a person who uses violation or verbal action to prove his/her strength or power
- to stand up to sb: not to allow sb to continue to do inappropriate things to you
- last straw : the last action in serial of action
- to put sb down : to insult sb, to make sb feel unimportant or less value
- to jump down sb throat : to yell at sb
- to be stunned :to be shocked
- arrogant (adj): to think you're better than anyone else
- contempt (n): disrespect, strong dislike
- to be insecure : to not confident about who you are
- to call sb bluff : to make sb prove what you said is true
- to back sth up : to prove sth, to provide evidence for sth
- to keep your cool : to remain relax, calm
- to back down : to walk away , to give in/up
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:20
Explanations: 4:28
Fast dialogue: 15:36
============
Wanda: I can't take it anymore. I try to put up with Robert, but I've had enough!
Dana: I'm not surprised. That guy is a big bully and it's time somebody stood up to him. What has he done now?
Wanda: This was the last straw. We're both managers and we're supposed to work together, but Robert looks for every opportunity to put me down in front of our employees. This morning, I presented an idea about upgrading our computer equipment and he jumped down my throat.
Dana: What did he do?
Wanda: He said that the idea was stupid and that he couldn't understand how anyone could propose it. He said this in front of everybody. I was too stunned to respond, so I just stood there.
Dana: That's totally inappropriate and unprofessional.
Wanda: He's arrogant to everybody, but especially to me. He always says he's just being honest when he makes a biting remark, but I'm realizing that that's just his excuse to be rude. He treats everyone with contempt. I really don't know what to do.
Dana: I know people like Robert. They're so insecure that they have to belittle everyone else to make themselves feel better. They have really poor social skills and don't know how to have a conversation or to disagree without being a jerk.
Wanda: That may be, but what should I do about him?
Dana: There's only one way to handle a bully.
Wanda: How?
Dana: You have to call his bluff. If he criticizes your plan, ask him to back it up with evidence or a specific reason. If you disagree with him, keep your cool, but tell him why. Most bullies back down when someone stands up to them.
Wanda: Okay, it's worth a try. I've been trying to keep calm and maintain a professional atmosphere in the office, so I haven't confronted him, but I will if you think it'll help.
Dana: I do. And if that doesn't work, tell him to act his age, not his shoe size!
===========
- bully (n): a person who uses violation or verbal action to prove his/her strength or power
- to stand up to sb: not to allow sb to continue to do inappropriate things to you
- last straw : the last action in serial of action
- to put sb down : to insult sb, to make sb feel unimportant or less value
- to jump down sb throat : to yell at sb
- to be stunned :to be shocked
- arrogant (adj): to think you're better than anyone else
- contempt (n): disrespect, strong dislike
- to be insecure : to not confident about who you are
- to call sb bluff : to make sb prove what you said is true
- to back sth up : to prove sth, to provide evidence for sth
- to keep your cool : to remain relax, calm
- to back down : to walk away , to give in/up
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Sunday 21 March 2010
ESL Podcast 370 – Describing a Bad Experience
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5329650
Slow dialogue: 1:14
Explanations: 3:12
Fast dialogue: 15:36
===============
Caterina: I can't believe I let you rope me into seeing this performance. It was so lame!
Oliver: Okay, you're right, it was the pits. I had no idea it was going to be amateur hour. When I saw the ad in the paper describing this as an experimental play, I thought it might be interesting. Was I wrong!
Caterina: I didn't understand that play at all. The music, if you can call it that, was atrocious. How can anyone be expected to listen to that for more than three seconds without going crazy? I wish I could get those two hours of my life back!
Oliver: Yeah, it's left a bad taste in my mouth, too. Let's go see something else. I want to put this whole experience behind me.
Caterina: Benjamin's Bar is having open-mic tonight. Do you want to check it out?
Oliver: No way! Wild horses couldn't drag me to another amateur show. How about a movie instead?
Caterina: Okay, I'd go to a movie.
Oliver: You'd better pick one, though. Look what happened when I was left to pick a play.
Caterina: Forget about it. We'll just chalk it up to temporary insanity.
================
- to rope sb into sth: to convince sb to do sth
- it's so lame : not interesting, not exciting
- it was the pits : it's very bad, it's terrible/horrible
- experimental plan : new play
- Was I wrong: i'm wrong, you're admitting an error
- If you can call it that : i don't think it can be ...
- atrocious (n): very bad, extremely bad
- wild horses couldn't drag me to do sth : nothing can get/make me to do sth
- insanity (n): madness
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:14
Explanations: 3:12
Fast dialogue: 15:36
===============
Caterina: I can't believe I let you rope me into seeing this performance. It was so lame!
Oliver: Okay, you're right, it was the pits. I had no idea it was going to be amateur hour. When I saw the ad in the paper describing this as an experimental play, I thought it might be interesting. Was I wrong!
Caterina: I didn't understand that play at all. The music, if you can call it that, was atrocious. How can anyone be expected to listen to that for more than three seconds without going crazy? I wish I could get those two hours of my life back!
Oliver: Yeah, it's left a bad taste in my mouth, too. Let's go see something else. I want to put this whole experience behind me.
Caterina: Benjamin's Bar is having open-mic tonight. Do you want to check it out?
Oliver: No way! Wild horses couldn't drag me to another amateur show. How about a movie instead?
Caterina: Okay, I'd go to a movie.
Oliver: You'd better pick one, though. Look what happened when I was left to pick a play.
Caterina: Forget about it. We'll just chalk it up to temporary insanity.
================
- to rope sb into sth: to convince sb to do sth
- it's so lame : not interesting, not exciting
- it was the pits : it's very bad, it's terrible/horrible
- experimental plan : new play
- Was I wrong: i'm wrong, you're admitting an error
- If you can call it that : i don't think it can be ...
- atrocious (n): very bad, extremely bad
- wild horses couldn't drag me to do sth : nothing can get/make me to do sth
- insanity (n): madness
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Wednesday 17 March 2010
ESL Podcast 369 – Going to Happy Hour
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=5299821
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:44
Explanations: 3:45
Fast dialogue: 15:00
===========
Gary: Hey, over here. I'm glad you could make it. This place has a great happy hour. Let me get the waitress, Brenda, so we can order our drinks.
Shanise: Hi, Gary. You sound like a regular. Do you come here a lot?
Gary: Yeah, I like stopping by on my way home now and then to wind down.
Shanise: Is there another barstool?
Gary: Oh, sorry. Let me get another one for you. Have a seat. What will you have?
Shanise: I'll have a scotch, straight up. I usually don't drink very much. Alcohol sometimes doesn't agree with me. I've had a tough day, though, and I need to loosen up.
Gary: Okay, one scotch coming up. Here comes the waitress. Okay, that's one scotch for Shanise and a draft beer for me. On second thought, bring a pitcher of the draft beer, would you? Thanks, Brenda.
Shanise: I'm starving. The sign outside says that they have all-you-can-eat appetizers during happy hour. Is that right?
Gary: Right you are, and they have specials on everything on their menu.
Shanise: I don't usually go to happy hours, but I like this place. I'm glad you invited me to come.
Gary: Would I steer you wrong? Now let's get some grub.
===========
- regular (n): a person who comes to a bar very often so that everybody in bar knows that guy
- to stop by: to go to the place in short period of time
- now and then : sometime
- to wind down : to relax in a long hardwork day
- barstool (n) : a tall seat in a bar without arm and back
- scotch, straight up : just pure scotch, no other ice
- wine doesn't agree with me: it's sometime sth will make you sick
- to steer you wrong : to take you to a place that you don't like / to mislead / to tell sth you don't like
-
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:44
Explanations: 3:45
Fast dialogue: 15:00
===========
Gary: Hey, over here. I'm glad you could make it. This place has a great happy hour. Let me get the waitress, Brenda, so we can order our drinks.
Shanise: Hi, Gary. You sound like a regular. Do you come here a lot?
Gary: Yeah, I like stopping by on my way home now and then to wind down.
Shanise: Is there another barstool?
Gary: Oh, sorry. Let me get another one for you. Have a seat. What will you have?
Shanise: I'll have a scotch, straight up. I usually don't drink very much. Alcohol sometimes doesn't agree with me. I've had a tough day, though, and I need to loosen up.
Gary: Okay, one scotch coming up. Here comes the waitress. Okay, that's one scotch for Shanise and a draft beer for me. On second thought, bring a pitcher of the draft beer, would you? Thanks, Brenda.
Shanise: I'm starving. The sign outside says that they have all-you-can-eat appetizers during happy hour. Is that right?
Gary: Right you are, and they have specials on everything on their menu.
Shanise: I don't usually go to happy hours, but I like this place. I'm glad you invited me to come.
Gary: Would I steer you wrong? Now let's get some grub.
===========
- regular (n): a person who comes to a bar very often so that everybody in bar knows that guy
- to stop by: to go to the place in short period of time
- now and then : sometime
- to wind down : to relax in a long hardwork day
- barstool (n) : a tall seat in a bar without arm and back
- scotch, straight up : just pure scotch, no other ice
- wine doesn't agree with me: it's sometime sth will make you sick
- to steer you wrong : to take you to a place that you don't like / to mislead / to tell sth you don't like
-
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
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