http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6632183
============
I was on a date from hell.
I agreed to go out with this guy who lives in the same apartment building as I do, but he's turned out to be a real creep. He was nice enough at the start of the date, but then he started drinking. Now he's drunk and I'm miserable.
I wanted to let him down gently since I'd be seeing him around the apartment building, but I didn't want to spend another minute with him.
Fatima: Listen, Rob, I just don't think we're hitting it off. You're a really nice guy, but I just don't think we have much chemistry.
Rob: Are you kidding? I'm having the time of my life. We're just getting started here. Bartender, another round!
I realized that I needed to be more straightforward with him in case I was giving him mixed signals.
Fatima: I'm sorry, Rob, but I think this is the end of the road for this date. Thanks a lot for the drinks and I'll see you around.
Rob: What? You're leaving? How about a goodnight kiss? Come over here and give me that kiss.
I wanted to keep my cool, but when he tried to kiss me, that did it!
Fatima: You're stinking drunk and this date is over. Capisce?
I got up and left. What is it about alcohol that turns Prince Charming into a frog?
============
- from hell : as bad as hell
- to turn out to be : to change to be
- creep (n): very unpleasant person who makes you feel uncomfortable
- to hit it off : to enjoy spending time with sb / to get along sb
- to have the time of their life : to have best moment/experience of life
- to be straightforward : to be more direct / clearly
- mixed signal : unclear signal
- capisce : do you understand ?
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Monday, 14 June 2010
ESL Podcast 453 – Making an Emergency Medical Call
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6602354
=========
Operator: Emergency operator. State your emergency.
Dirk: We need an ambulance right away.
Operator: What is your name?
Dirk: Dirk. Dirk Omora.
Operator: Can you tell me what happened?
Dirk: There was a car accident.
Operator: Where are you?
Dirk: I'm not sure. I was driving in my car when I saw the pileup. I'm somewhere on Blossom Road. Can you trace my location?
Operator: Yes, we'll try to do that. Can you see if anyone is hurt?
Dirk: One of the drivers is lying on the ground unconscious and the other one is bleeding. There's someone trapped in the back of her car, too. We need to rescue her before the car explodes! I'm going to see if I can help.
Operator: Sir, I need you to stay on the line. I'm sending an ambulance right now and they'll have the Jaws of Life and other equipment to do the job. The paramedics will be there very soon.
Dirk: Okay, but hurry!
============
- right away : now
- pileup : large serious car accident
- to trace : to figure out where it is / comes from
- to be unconscious : to be not aware what is happening
- to be trapped (v,n) : to be unable to move to another place
- to stay on the line : not stop phone connection
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
=========
Operator: Emergency operator. State your emergency.
Dirk: We need an ambulance right away.
Operator: What is your name?
Dirk: Dirk. Dirk Omora.
Operator: Can you tell me what happened?
Dirk: There was a car accident.
Operator: Where are you?
Dirk: I'm not sure. I was driving in my car when I saw the pileup. I'm somewhere on Blossom Road. Can you trace my location?
Operator: Yes, we'll try to do that. Can you see if anyone is hurt?
Dirk: One of the drivers is lying on the ground unconscious and the other one is bleeding. There's someone trapped in the back of her car, too. We need to rescue her before the car explodes! I'm going to see if I can help.
Operator: Sir, I need you to stay on the line. I'm sending an ambulance right now and they'll have the Jaws of Life and other equipment to do the job. The paramedics will be there very soon.
Dirk: Okay, but hurry!
============
- right away : now
- pileup : large serious car accident
- to trace : to figure out where it is / comes from
- to be unconscious : to be not aware what is happening
- to be trapped (v,n) : to be unable to move to another place
- to stay on the line : not stop phone connection
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
ESL Podcast 452 – Dealing with Unhappy Employees
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6582468
============
Asa: I don't know how we got stuck with reviewing employee complaints. This has got to be the worst job ever!
Samantha: This is important work and somebody has to do it. Come on, let's get started.
Asa: I think it's bad for morale to allow employees to file complaints. We're all overworked and underpaid, and most of us are burned out.
Samantha: How else are disgruntled employees going to voice their grievances?
Asa: Personally, I think it's stupid for employees to put their complaints on paper. Aren't they worried about retaliation from the management?
Samantha: I don't think that's going to happen. The whole point of having this system is to resolve any problems before they get blown out of proportion. It's to everybody's benefit to try to make this work.
Asa: On the contrary, I think it makes for a dysfunctional workplace: Employees thinking of things to complain about and the management with their backs up against the wall. I just don't get it.
Samantha: No, I guess you don't. If you don't like how things are done around here, I've got a suggestion for you.
Asa: What?
Samantha: File a complaint.
=============
- to file complaint : to submit
- to be overwork : to have too much work , to work too hard
- to be underpaid : not to get enough pay
- to be burned out : to totally become exhausted because of working too long
- retaliation (n) : revenge
- to get blown out of proportion : to make it more serious or important than it is
- on the contrary : i disagree with you
- to make for : to cause
- to have sb back up against the wall : to be in position where you don't have a lot of option and you're compelled to do sth
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
============
Asa: I don't know how we got stuck with reviewing employee complaints. This has got to be the worst job ever!
Samantha: This is important work and somebody has to do it. Come on, let's get started.
Asa: I think it's bad for morale to allow employees to file complaints. We're all overworked and underpaid, and most of us are burned out.
Samantha: How else are disgruntled employees going to voice their grievances?
Asa: Personally, I think it's stupid for employees to put their complaints on paper. Aren't they worried about retaliation from the management?
Samantha: I don't think that's going to happen. The whole point of having this system is to resolve any problems before they get blown out of proportion. It's to everybody's benefit to try to make this work.
Asa: On the contrary, I think it makes for a dysfunctional workplace: Employees thinking of things to complain about and the management with their backs up against the wall. I just don't get it.
Samantha: No, I guess you don't. If you don't like how things are done around here, I've got a suggestion for you.
Asa: What?
Samantha: File a complaint.
=============
- to file complaint : to submit
- to be overwork : to have too much work , to work too hard
- to be underpaid : not to get enough pay
- to be burned out : to totally become exhausted because of working too long
- retaliation (n) : revenge
- to get blown out of proportion : to make it more serious or important than it is
- on the contrary : i disagree with you
- to make for : to cause
- to have sb back up against the wall : to be in position where you don't have a lot of option and you're compelled to do sth
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Monday, 7 June 2010
ESL Podcast 448 – Making Business Contacts
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6512867
============
Phan: Hi, Montel. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.
Montel: It's my pleasure.
Phan: Since I'm new here, I was hoping you might be willing to give me some pointers on how to get new clients. To be honest, I've never been on this side of the fence before and I'm a little out of my comfort zone.
Montel: Oh, sure, I'm glad to give you as much help as I can. Getting clients is a bit of an art, but the key is building relationships.
Phan: What do you mean?
Montel: Most of my clients come to me through networking. I get referrals from people who know me and know my track record.
Phan: Really? I was thinking that I needed to send out some direct mail or do some cold calling.
Montel: You may need to do that to start, but if I were you, I'd also spend time making connections in the business community. Go where you think business prospects may be. To woo new clients, you need to meet them first.
Phan: How do I find out where they'll be?
Montel: Again, you make contacts. You've made the first step today by getting in touch with me. I'm going to a reception tonight and it will be a who's who of the business community. Do you want to go?
Phan: Really? You'd let me tag along?
Montel: Sure, but there's a quid pro quo. In the future, if you get invited to something like this, you invite me to go along.
Phan: That's more than fair. I think I just got my first lesson in making business connections.
============
- a pointer : idea , suggestion, tip
- to be out of comfort zone : to be in situation that you're uncomfortable with or unfamiliar with (because it's new to you)
- good/poor track record: past success/failure
- cold calling : to call unknown person to advertise
- prospect : potential customer
- to woo sb: to try to get sb to do sth for you by being nice to that person
- to get in touch with sth : to contact sb (call / email)
- who's who : group of people who are most of active of a particular field
- to tag along: to go with sb even though you've not been invited
- that's more than fair : that's reasonable
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
============
Phan: Hi, Montel. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.
Montel: It's my pleasure.
Phan: Since I'm new here, I was hoping you might be willing to give me some pointers on how to get new clients. To be honest, I've never been on this side of the fence before and I'm a little out of my comfort zone.
Montel: Oh, sure, I'm glad to give you as much help as I can. Getting clients is a bit of an art, but the key is building relationships.
Phan: What do you mean?
Montel: Most of my clients come to me through networking. I get referrals from people who know me and know my track record.
Phan: Really? I was thinking that I needed to send out some direct mail or do some cold calling.
Montel: You may need to do that to start, but if I were you, I'd also spend time making connections in the business community. Go where you think business prospects may be. To woo new clients, you need to meet them first.
Phan: How do I find out where they'll be?
Montel: Again, you make contacts. You've made the first step today by getting in touch with me. I'm going to a reception tonight and it will be a who's who of the business community. Do you want to go?
Phan: Really? You'd let me tag along?
Montel: Sure, but there's a quid pro quo. In the future, if you get invited to something like this, you invite me to go along.
Phan: That's more than fair. I think I just got my first lesson in making business connections.
============
- a pointer : idea , suggestion, tip
- to be out of comfort zone : to be in situation that you're uncomfortable with or unfamiliar with (because it's new to you)
- good/poor track record: past success/failure
- cold calling : to call unknown person to advertise
- prospect : potential customer
- to woo sb: to try to get sb to do sth for you by being nice to that person
- to get in touch with sth : to contact sb (call / email)
- who's who : group of people who are most of active of a particular field
- to tag along: to go with sb even though you've not been invited
- that's more than fair : that's reasonable
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Sunday, 6 June 2010
ESL Podcast 445 – Problems with Drugs and Medical Devices
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6463152
===============
Suzanne: Don't take that! I'm reading an article in the newspaper about all of the drugs and medical devices that have been recalled in the past year and you wouldn't believe how long this list is.
Abdul: I'm just taking something for my headache. I'm sure this medicine is fine.
Suzanne: Don't be so sure. I'm just reading about this drug that was contaminated and before it was recalled, it caused 13 deaths.
Abdul: Contaminated drugs are one in a million. Now can I take my medicine?
Suzanne: Listen to this. Over 400 people had terrible side effects before this drug was recalled, and a drug recalled six months ago causes birth defects. Here's a medical device for people with heart problems that's defective and eight people died as a result.
Abdul: Okay, I've heard enough.
Suzanne: No, wait, there's more. You've got to see this list of alerts that the government issued warning people against over-the-counter drugs like the one you're about to take. You'd better check to see if it's on this list.
Abdul: Don't be ridiculous. I've been taking this for months. If there were something wrong with it, don't you think the pharmaceutical company would have taken out full-page ads in the papers?
Suzanne: I doubt it. Do you think they want to encourage litigation?
Abdul: Here, you check it against that list. If you find it on there, you can say you've saved my life!
============
- to recall (v,n) : to bring it back to manufacture
- to be contaminated : to be dirty / injured / poisoned
- to check sth against sth : to look for sth in sth, to see if it's in sth
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
===============
Suzanne: Don't take that! I'm reading an article in the newspaper about all of the drugs and medical devices that have been recalled in the past year and you wouldn't believe how long this list is.
Abdul: I'm just taking something for my headache. I'm sure this medicine is fine.
Suzanne: Don't be so sure. I'm just reading about this drug that was contaminated and before it was recalled, it caused 13 deaths.
Abdul: Contaminated drugs are one in a million. Now can I take my medicine?
Suzanne: Listen to this. Over 400 people had terrible side effects before this drug was recalled, and a drug recalled six months ago causes birth defects. Here's a medical device for people with heart problems that's defective and eight people died as a result.
Abdul: Okay, I've heard enough.
Suzanne: No, wait, there's more. You've got to see this list of alerts that the government issued warning people against over-the-counter drugs like the one you're about to take. You'd better check to see if it's on this list.
Abdul: Don't be ridiculous. I've been taking this for months. If there were something wrong with it, don't you think the pharmaceutical company would have taken out full-page ads in the papers?
Suzanne: I doubt it. Do you think they want to encourage litigation?
Abdul: Here, you check it against that list. If you find it on there, you can say you've saved my life!
============
- to recall (v,n) : to bring it back to manufacture
- to be contaminated : to be dirty / injured / poisoned
- to check sth against sth : to look for sth in sth, to see if it's in sth
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Friday, 4 June 2010
ESL Podcast 444 – Planning for Retirement
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6443266
========
Paulina: Did you get your Social Security statement? I just got mine in the mail. If I keep working at this rate for the next 20 years, between Social Security and my savings, I should be sitting pretty for retirement.
Carlos: Yeah, I should be okay when I retire, too. I've been contributing to a 401(k) through my work for years, and my company gives a matching contribution.
Paulina: Really? I never bothered with a 401(k).
Carlos: A 401(k) really adds up over time. I also have an IRA, which is tax-deferred, and I have my money in a portfolio that is split between stocks and bonds. All of these investments are for the long haul, of course. How about you? What's your retirement plan?
Paulina: I have money stashed away in a nice little nest egg.
Carlos: Where do you have your money invested?
Paulina: It's safe and sound, don't you worry.
Carlos: [Laughs] You make it sound like you have it stashed under your mattress.
Paulina: A mattress is a very safe place for your money!
==========
- social security statement : US government program that allows you to get money after you get money when retire
- to be sitting pretty : to be in good situation
- matching contribution : equal contribution
- i never bother : i never did it
- to add up : to get more and more
- tax deferred: to be taxed latter when you take the money out
- portfolio : all of your investment (stock, bond)
- long haul = long run
- to stash away : to put money in safe place
- to be safe and sound : to be secure
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
========
Paulina: Did you get your Social Security statement? I just got mine in the mail. If I keep working at this rate for the next 20 years, between Social Security and my savings, I should be sitting pretty for retirement.
Carlos: Yeah, I should be okay when I retire, too. I've been contributing to a 401(k) through my work for years, and my company gives a matching contribution.
Paulina: Really? I never bothered with a 401(k).
Carlos: A 401(k) really adds up over time. I also have an IRA, which is tax-deferred, and I have my money in a portfolio that is split between stocks and bonds. All of these investments are for the long haul, of course. How about you? What's your retirement plan?
Paulina: I have money stashed away in a nice little nest egg.
Carlos: Where do you have your money invested?
Paulina: It's safe and sound, don't you worry.
Carlos: [Laughs] You make it sound like you have it stashed under your mattress.
Paulina: A mattress is a very safe place for your money!
==========
- social security statement : US government program that allows you to get money after you get money when retire
- to be sitting pretty : to be in good situation
- matching contribution : equal contribution
- i never bother : i never did it
- to add up : to get more and more
- tax deferred: to be taxed latter when you take the money out
- portfolio : all of your investment (stock, bond)
- long haul = long run
- to stash away : to put money in safe place
- to be safe and sound : to be secure
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
ESL Podcast 442 – Flying on Low-Cost Airlines
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6413437
Slow dialogue: 1:26
Explanations: 3:17
Fast dialogue: 14:51
=============
Sue: I just made airline reservations for our trip. Do you want to look over the itinerary before I purchase the tickets?
Alex: Which airline is it?
Sue: It's McTse Air.
Alex: Oh, no, I don't want to fly on that low-cost airline! We don't get assigned seats and all of the passengers rush the gate when boarding begins. I hate that!
Sue: Not having assigned seats is a small price to pay for low fares. The service may be stripped down, but I don't think the experience is that bad.
Alex: I don't mind a no-frills flight, but I don't want to fly out of some tiny airport that's an hour away. Which airport would we be departing from?
Sue: It's the Burbank Airport. Yes, I know it's less convenient to fly out of a secondary airport, but I don't see what the big deal is.
Alex: Okay, hand it over. I'm taking over the planning for our vacation. I'm not willing to sacrifice comfort to save a few bucks.
Sue: Fine, be my guest.
==============
- to look over : to exam, to check
- itinerary (n): specific info saying when you arrive / come, how you get there
- assigned seat : the specific seat you can take
- to rush : to do sth very quickly
- boarding : the process to get people to go to the plane
- small price to pay (n): it's helpful and worth to do
- to depart from somewhere: to leave somewhere
- be my guest : ok, go for your plan
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:26
Explanations: 3:17
Fast dialogue: 14:51
=============
Sue: I just made airline reservations for our trip. Do you want to look over the itinerary before I purchase the tickets?
Alex: Which airline is it?
Sue: It's McTse Air.
Alex: Oh, no, I don't want to fly on that low-cost airline! We don't get assigned seats and all of the passengers rush the gate when boarding begins. I hate that!
Sue: Not having assigned seats is a small price to pay for low fares. The service may be stripped down, but I don't think the experience is that bad.
Alex: I don't mind a no-frills flight, but I don't want to fly out of some tiny airport that's an hour away. Which airport would we be departing from?
Sue: It's the Burbank Airport. Yes, I know it's less convenient to fly out of a secondary airport, but I don't see what the big deal is.
Alex: Okay, hand it over. I'm taking over the planning for our vacation. I'm not willing to sacrifice comfort to save a few bucks.
Sue: Fine, be my guest.
==============
- to look over : to exam, to check
- itinerary (n): specific info saying when you arrive / come, how you get there
- assigned seat : the specific seat you can take
- to rush : to do sth very quickly
- boarding : the process to get people to go to the plane
- small price to pay (n): it's helpful and worth to do
- to depart from somewhere: to leave somewhere
- be my guest : ok, go for your plan
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
ESL Podcast 442 – Flying on Low-Cost Airlines
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=6413437
Slow dialogue: 1:26
Explanations: 3:17
Fast dialogue: 14:51
=============
Sue: I just made airline reservations for our trip. Do you want to look over the itinerary before I purchase the tickets?
Alex: Which airline is it?
Sue: It's McTse Air.
Alex: Oh, no, I don't want to fly on that low-cost airline! We don't get assigned seats and all of the passengers rush the gate when boarding begins. I hate that!
Sue: Not having assigned seats is a small price to pay for low fares. The service may be stripped down, but I don't think the experience is that bad.
Alex: I don't mind a no-frills flight, but I don't want to fly out of some tiny airport that's an hour away. Which airport would we be departing from?
Sue: It's the Burbank Airport. Yes, I know it's less convenient to fly out of a secondary airport, but I don't see what the big deal is.
Alex: Okay, hand it over. I'm taking over the planning for our vacation. I'm not willing to sacrifice comfort to save a few bucks.
Sue: Fine, be my guest.
==============
- to look over : to exam, to check
- itinerary (n): specific info saying when you arrive / come, how you get there
- assigned seat : the specific seat you can take
- to rush : to do sth very quickly
- boarding : the process to get people to go to the plane
-
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Slow dialogue: 1:26
Explanations: 3:17
Fast dialogue: 14:51
=============
Sue: I just made airline reservations for our trip. Do you want to look over the itinerary before I purchase the tickets?
Alex: Which airline is it?
Sue: It's McTse Air.
Alex: Oh, no, I don't want to fly on that low-cost airline! We don't get assigned seats and all of the passengers rush the gate when boarding begins. I hate that!
Sue: Not having assigned seats is a small price to pay for low fares. The service may be stripped down, but I don't think the experience is that bad.
Alex: I don't mind a no-frills flight, but I don't want to fly out of some tiny airport that's an hour away. Which airport would we be departing from?
Sue: It's the Burbank Airport. Yes, I know it's less convenient to fly out of a secondary airport, but I don't see what the big deal is.
Alex: Okay, hand it over. I'm taking over the planning for our vacation. I'm not willing to sacrifice comfort to save a few bucks.
Sue: Fine, be my guest.
==============
- to look over : to exam, to check
- itinerary (n): specific info saying when you arrive / come, how you get there
- assigned seat : the specific seat you can take
- to rush : to do sth very quickly
- boarding : the process to get people to go to the plane
-
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
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