http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6343836
Slow dialogue: 1:08
Explanations: 3:24
Fast dialogue: 15:59
=============
Lucy: I'm so excited! My friend, Marlene, is coming to town for a visit.
Buddy: Have I met Marlene?
Lucy: No, I don't think so. We grew up together and we were always joined at the hip.
Buddy: When I was little, I had a friend like that. We were blood brothers.
Lucy: Yeah, Marlene and I did everything together and she was my confidant about everything.
Buddy: She sounds like a great friend.
Lucy: Yeah, she always had my back and I could always count on her to give it to me straight.
Buddy: A friend like that is hard to come by. Are you still close?
Lucy: Not as close as I'd like. We live in different cities and it's hard to keep up with what's happening in each other's lives.
Buddy: I can see that. Does she know you're getting married?
Lucy: No, I wanted to break the news to her face-to-face.
Buddy: Why? I would have thought you'd want to tell her the good news right away.
Lucy: Well, I want her to be my maid of honor and I'm not sure how she'll react to the dress she'll have to wear.
Buddy: Is it that bad?
Lucy: My future mother-in-law picked it out and I can't say "no." Here's a picture of it.
Buddy: Well, I'm glad she's such a good friend, because if anything can break up a friendship, it's that dress.
===========
- blood brother : best friend
- confidant : sb you can trust and share everything
- to have sb back : to help sb
- to be hard to come by: to be difficult to get / find
- to keep up with sth: to be informed about sth
- to break the news : to announce sth unexpected
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Thursday, 27 May 2010
ESL Podcast 436 – Dealing With an Angry Client
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6323950
Slow dialogue: 1:38
Explanations: 3:52
Fast dialogue: 12:49
==========
Shawna: Hello, Shawna Davis.
Monty: Hello, Shawna. This is Monty Lofti at BMC. I need to talk to you about our ad that ran in your newspaper yesterday.
Shawna: Sure, Monty. Was there a problem?
Monty: Yes, there certainly was a problem. Instead of the picture of our model, there was a picture of a dog!
Shawna: That's awful! I wasn't aware of the substitution. On behalf of the newspaper, I sincerely apologize for the error.
Monty: I don't think you understand the magnitude of the problem. Our slogan is: "Look in the mirror and this could be you!" Now do you get it? Our store is a laughingstock!
Shawna: I can't tell you how sorry we are for this egregious mistake. We will certainly run a correction in tomorrow's paper, and we will run a corrected version of your ad. That's the least we can do. Is there anything else we can do to make amends for our mistake?
Monty: Yes, there is. I'd like the person responsible to be called on the mat for this.
Shawna: Rest assured. We take this matter very seriously. We'll find out who is responsible and heads will roll.
Monty: Good. That's what I wanted to hear.
============
- to run in the newspaper: to appear in newspaper
- a substitution : a replacement
- sincerely : honest, really
- magnitude (n): size
- i can't tell you how sorry ... : can't express the sorriness
- egregious (a) : very bad
- the least (n) i can do
- to make amends for mistake : to show sorry
- to be called the mat : to be punished
- rest assured (formal) : don't worry
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:38
Explanations: 3:52
Fast dialogue: 12:49
==========
Shawna: Hello, Shawna Davis.
Monty: Hello, Shawna. This is Monty Lofti at BMC. I need to talk to you about our ad that ran in your newspaper yesterday.
Shawna: Sure, Monty. Was there a problem?
Monty: Yes, there certainly was a problem. Instead of the picture of our model, there was a picture of a dog!
Shawna: That's awful! I wasn't aware of the substitution. On behalf of the newspaper, I sincerely apologize for the error.
Monty: I don't think you understand the magnitude of the problem. Our slogan is: "Look in the mirror and this could be you!" Now do you get it? Our store is a laughingstock!
Shawna: I can't tell you how sorry we are for this egregious mistake. We will certainly run a correction in tomorrow's paper, and we will run a corrected version of your ad. That's the least we can do. Is there anything else we can do to make amends for our mistake?
Monty: Yes, there is. I'd like the person responsible to be called on the mat for this.
Shawna: Rest assured. We take this matter very seriously. We'll find out who is responsible and heads will roll.
Monty: Good. That's what I wanted to hear.
============
- to run in the newspaper: to appear in newspaper
- a substitution : a replacement
- sincerely : honest, really
- magnitude (n): size
- i can't tell you how sorry ... : can't express the sorriness
- egregious (a) : very bad
- the least (n) i can do
- to make amends for mistake : to show sorry
- to be called the mat : to be punished
- rest assured (formal) : don't worry
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
ESL Podcast 430 – Talking About Books
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6234463
Slow dialogue: 1:10
Explanations: 2:39
Fast dialogue: 14:12
=========
Maggie: What did you think of the book you started last week?
Kurt: Oh, I liked it well enough.
Maggie: Wow, that's a glowing recommendation.
Kurt: Well, it started off with a bang and the suspense in the first half was great. I couldn't put it down. Then, the pace changed in the second half and it was an effort to finish it.
Maggie: Really? I read it a few months ago and I loved it. I thought the characterization was really good. I could really relate to the two main characters.
Kurt: Yeah, that's true enough, but the plot dragged, don't you think? The author just couldn't pull it off and the ending was laughable.
Maggie: I really liked the ending! I can't wait for the sequel.
Kurt: Well, that makes one of us.
======
- to like sth well enough : it's ok, not great, bad either
- glowing recommendation : positive recommendation
- to start off with the bang : to begin with exciting way
- the suspense (n): the feeling of being exciting of knowing what is going to happen next
- the pace (n) : speed or rate of sth
- to relate to sth/sb: to understand sb / to be able to find sth in your own experience
- to pull sth off : to be able to complete sth
- laughable : funny because it's so bad
- that makes two of us : me too
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:10
Explanations: 2:39
Fast dialogue: 14:12
=========
Maggie: What did you think of the book you started last week?
Kurt: Oh, I liked it well enough.
Maggie: Wow, that's a glowing recommendation.
Kurt: Well, it started off with a bang and the suspense in the first half was great. I couldn't put it down. Then, the pace changed in the second half and it was an effort to finish it.
Maggie: Really? I read it a few months ago and I loved it. I thought the characterization was really good. I could really relate to the two main characters.
Kurt: Yeah, that's true enough, but the plot dragged, don't you think? The author just couldn't pull it off and the ending was laughable.
Maggie: I really liked the ending! I can't wait for the sequel.
Kurt: Well, that makes one of us.
======
- to like sth well enough : it's ok, not great, bad either
- glowing recommendation : positive recommendation
- to start off with the bang : to begin with exciting way
- the suspense (n): the feeling of being exciting of knowing what is going to happen next
- the pace (n) : speed or rate of sth
- to relate to sth/sb: to understand sb / to be able to find sth in your own experience
- to pull sth off : to be able to complete sth
- laughable : funny because it's so bad
- that makes two of us : me too
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Monday, 24 May 2010
ESL Podcast 429 – Giving Awards and Congratulations
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6224520
Slow dialogue: 1:14
Explanations: 3:07
Fast dialogue: 12:35
============
Part of my job as school principal is to hand out awards and scholarships to students. We recently had a ceremony to do just that.
_________
Principal: Miguel, I want to commend you for your work this year and congratulate you for winning the science award. It is well deserved.
The recipient of this year's community service award is Monique for her outstanding achievements. My heartiest congratulations to you, Monique.
I am also very proud of another one of our students, Yugo, who has been awarded the ESL Podcast award. This prestigious award honors the achievements of outstanding students. Yugo, a job well done.
Finally, we are also honoring one of our teachers today. For her dedication to her students and to the school, we are recognizing the achievements of Ms. Niehbur. I cannot imagine a more deserving teacher. Please accept my sincere congratulations.
=============
- ceremony : special formal event
- to commend sb: to praise sb, to say publicly they've done sb well
- to congratulate sb for doing sth
- to be well deserved : to word hard to get it
- recipient (n): sb who receives sth
- heartiest (a): honestly, friendly, happy, really mean
- to be awarded sth: to receives award
- to honor : to show publicly
- a job well done : good job
- dedication (n): commitment
- deserving (a) sb: sb who should get the award
- to accept my sincere congratulation : formal way to congrats sb
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:14
Explanations: 3:07
Fast dialogue: 12:35
============
Part of my job as school principal is to hand out awards and scholarships to students. We recently had a ceremony to do just that.
_________
Principal: Miguel, I want to commend you for your work this year and congratulate you for winning the science award. It is well deserved.
The recipient of this year's community service award is Monique for her outstanding achievements. My heartiest congratulations to you, Monique.
I am also very proud of another one of our students, Yugo, who has been awarded the ESL Podcast award. This prestigious award honors the achievements of outstanding students. Yugo, a job well done.
Finally, we are also honoring one of our teachers today. For her dedication to her students and to the school, we are recognizing the achievements of Ms. Niehbur. I cannot imagine a more deserving teacher. Please accept my sincere congratulations.
=============
- ceremony : special formal event
- to commend sb: to praise sb, to say publicly they've done sb well
- to congratulate sb for doing sth
- to be well deserved : to word hard to get it
- recipient (n): sb who receives sth
- heartiest (a): honestly, friendly, happy, really mean
- to be awarded sth: to receives award
- to honor : to show publicly
- a job well done : good job
- dedication (n): commitment
- deserving (a) sb: sb who should get the award
- to accept my sincere congratulation : formal way to congrats sb
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Sunday, 23 May 2010
ESL Podcast 428 – Getting a Dream Job
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6204634
Slow dialogue: 1:30
Explanations: 3:17
Fast dialogue: 12:11
=====
Tandia: Do you want these want ads after I'm finished with them?
Hank: No, I'm not going to find my dream job in the classifieds. I'm going to have to get more creative with my job search.
Tandia: What are you looking for?
Hank: I want a job that's rewarding and fast-paced, and with good growth potential, but all I see are dead-end jobs.
Tandia: I know what you mean. I'm looking for something that's challenging, but also with flexible work hours. All of my friends have great jobs. Why can't I land one of them?
Hank: Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we need a better game plan.
Tandia: What do you have in mind?
Hank: I'm not sure, but we need to get noticed.
Tandia: Why don't you take out a billboard? That should get you noticed.
Hank: Hey, that's really thinking out of the box.
Tandia: I was joking!
Hank: I'm not. That's an inspired idea. Now what should we put on the billboard?
Tandia: You're crazy!
=========
- the wanted ad: advertisement for new employee in newspaper
- to lend sth: to get sth
- game plan : strategy
- to get noticed : to become well-known
- to think out / outside of the box : to think new / unusual idea
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:30
Explanations: 3:17
Fast dialogue: 12:11
=====
Tandia: Do you want these want ads after I'm finished with them?
Hank: No, I'm not going to find my dream job in the classifieds. I'm going to have to get more creative with my job search.
Tandia: What are you looking for?
Hank: I want a job that's rewarding and fast-paced, and with good growth potential, but all I see are dead-end jobs.
Tandia: I know what you mean. I'm looking for something that's challenging, but also with flexible work hours. All of my friends have great jobs. Why can't I land one of them?
Hank: Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we need a better game plan.
Tandia: What do you have in mind?
Hank: I'm not sure, but we need to get noticed.
Tandia: Why don't you take out a billboard? That should get you noticed.
Hank: Hey, that's really thinking out of the box.
Tandia: I was joking!
Hank: I'm not. That's an inspired idea. Now what should we put on the billboard?
Tandia: You're crazy!
=========
- the wanted ad: advertisement for new employee in newspaper
- to lend sth: to get sth
- game plan : strategy
- to get noticed : to become well-known
- to think out / outside of the box : to think new / unusual idea
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Monday, 17 May 2010
ESL Podcast 427 – Planning a Protest
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6194691
Slow dialogue: 1:35
Explanations: 3:42
Fast dialogue: 14:04
============
Becky: I want to thank all of you for coming today. I think we all agree that we need to organize a protest...
Pedro: Hold on, Becky. We all want to voice our opinion that we oppose what is going on here, but I'm not sure a protest is the answer.
Becky: With all due respect, Pedro, I think a rally is the best way to do that.
Pedro: That may be, but I think we need to consider a few things first. Taking to the streets means coordinating a lot of people. That means getting them to show up, to march, and to hold up signs. I'm not sure we have enough time to pull it all off.
Becky: Don't get me wrong. I'm not in favor of doing anything half-assed. If we decide to protest, we want to do it right so that we get a lot of media coverage. I'm confident that we have enough people and time to get it all done.
Pedro: Okay, but another thing we should be ready for is a counter protest. The other side isn't going to take things lying down.
Becky: You're right, and we'll take that into consideration. Is there any more discussion before we start on the planning? No? Okay, let's get down to business.
===========
- hold on : stop
- to voice sth: to express sth by speaking
- rally (n): large meeting with many people in public place
- to take the street : to do sth in public to express the opinion
- to march : to walk with the sign
- to pull sth off: to be able to do/complete sth that is difficult
- to be in favor of sth : to be in support of sth, to want sth happen
- half-assed (n): not done completely, partially completed
- to take sth line down : to accept sth bad happening without fighting
- to take sth into consideration : to consider
- to get down the business : to start working
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:35
Explanations: 3:42
Fast dialogue: 14:04
============
Becky: I want to thank all of you for coming today. I think we all agree that we need to organize a protest...
Pedro: Hold on, Becky. We all want to voice our opinion that we oppose what is going on here, but I'm not sure a protest is the answer.
Becky: With all due respect, Pedro, I think a rally is the best way to do that.
Pedro: That may be, but I think we need to consider a few things first. Taking to the streets means coordinating a lot of people. That means getting them to show up, to march, and to hold up signs. I'm not sure we have enough time to pull it all off.
Becky: Don't get me wrong. I'm not in favor of doing anything half-assed. If we decide to protest, we want to do it right so that we get a lot of media coverage. I'm confident that we have enough people and time to get it all done.
Pedro: Okay, but another thing we should be ready for is a counter protest. The other side isn't going to take things lying down.
Becky: You're right, and we'll take that into consideration. Is there any more discussion before we start on the planning? No? Okay, let's get down to business.
===========
- hold on : stop
- to voice sth: to express sth by speaking
- rally (n): large meeting with many people in public place
- to take the street : to do sth in public to express the opinion
- to march : to walk with the sign
- to pull sth off: to be able to do/complete sth that is difficult
- to be in favor of sth : to be in support of sth, to want sth happen
- half-assed (n): not done completely, partially completed
- to take sth line down : to accept sth bad happening without fighting
- to take sth into consideration : to consider
- to get down the business : to start working
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Thursday, 6 May 2010
ESL Podcast 420 – Workplace Safety
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6075375#
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:27
Explanations: 3:25
Fast dialogue: 14:20
========
Lon: What's this?
Abigail: It's a memo about a safety inspection scheduled for next week.
Lon: A safety inspection? How are we ever going to pass a safety inspection?
Abigail: What do you mean? This isn't an unsafe workplace. We've had a good record. None of our employees have had on-the-job injuries this year and we've never had a fatality. I don't understand why you're so worried.
Lon: From what I've heard, the inspectors don't just look at injury rates. They look for the smallest hazard that may be remotely dangerous. If we get cited, we may be shut down.
Abigail: With all due respect, I don't think that's how it works. Yes, the inspector will look at our work environment and our gear and machinery to make sure there are no hazards or toxic substances.
Lon: That's what I'm worried about.
Abigail: But, if they find a violation, we'll get a chance to fix the problem. They won't shut us down without giving us a chance to comply with their safety standards.
Lon: I sure hope you're right.
Abigail: Me, too. We'll know after next week's inspection.
========
- memo (n): kind of 3-4 pages document inside a company to instruct sth
- on the job (n): at work
- fatality (n): dead
- remotely danguerous : slightly, a bit
- to be cited : to be told officially you're against the law
- to comply : to follow what you're told
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:27
Explanations: 3:25
Fast dialogue: 14:20
========
Lon: What's this?
Abigail: It's a memo about a safety inspection scheduled for next week.
Lon: A safety inspection? How are we ever going to pass a safety inspection?
Abigail: What do you mean? This isn't an unsafe workplace. We've had a good record. None of our employees have had on-the-job injuries this year and we've never had a fatality. I don't understand why you're so worried.
Lon: From what I've heard, the inspectors don't just look at injury rates. They look for the smallest hazard that may be remotely dangerous. If we get cited, we may be shut down.
Abigail: With all due respect, I don't think that's how it works. Yes, the inspector will look at our work environment and our gear and machinery to make sure there are no hazards or toxic substances.
Lon: That's what I'm worried about.
Abigail: But, if they find a violation, we'll get a chance to fix the problem. They won't shut us down without giving us a chance to comply with their safety standards.
Lon: I sure hope you're right.
Abigail: Me, too. We'll know after next week's inspection.
========
- memo (n): kind of 3-4 pages document inside a company to instruct sth
- on the job (n): at work
- fatality (n): dead
- remotely danguerous : slightly, a bit
- to be cited : to be told officially you're against the law
- to comply : to follow what you're told
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
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