Speak English with ESLPod.com - 3 New Lessons a Week (ESLPod.com)
Explore every episode of Speak English with ESLPod.com - 3 New Lessons a Week
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Jan 2006 | 124 - Asking for Clarification in a Business Meeting | 00:14:52 | |
Learn how to ask for clarification in English in this podcast. Slow dialog: 0:54
I was negotiating a contract with a new business partner, and we had a meeting to clarify the terms. Bill: If I understand the terms correctly, the length of the contract would be one year with a one-year option. Is that correct? Ms. Samuels: Do you mean the contract for equipment rental or the one for training? Bill: I was under the impression that both contracts had the same terms. Ms. Samuels: Yes and no. Let me see if I can clarify that. The terms are the same except that the contract for training has a clause that allows for the cancellation after the first six months. Bill: Could you elaborate on that? Ms. Samuels: Sure. What I mean is that either side could cancel the training contract after the six months as long as it’s in writing. Bill: Let me see if I have that right. This contract is for six months of training, but if it isn’t cancelled, continues for another six months. Is that right? Ms. Samuels: Yes, that’s right. Bill: Okay, that’s clear enough. Let’s move on to the other terms . . . Script by Dr. Lucy Tse | |||
| 19 Jul 2010 | 600 - Talking About Sight | 00:16:51 | |
If you can’t read this, then put on your glasses and listen to this episode on having bad eyes. Slow dialogue: 1:07
Sue: This medication I’m taking is messing with my vision. Everything is blurry. Hamed: That’s a good reason for you to stay home from work today. Sue: I can’t. I have to give a presentation this afternoon and I can’t flake out on my coworkers. Hamed: What good are you to them if you’re blind as a bat? Sue: Everybody else will have crystal clear vision, so all I have to do is to put in an appearance. Things may not be as sharp as I’d like them to be, but I can still make out people and objects – as long as they’re really big. Hamed: I don’t think your coworkers are going to want you to blindside them today with your strange behavior. You’re going to do more harm than good. Sue: I can see well enough. I only see double if I move my head like this. Whoa… Hamed: At this point, I don’t care if you have X-ray vision. That medication is affecting more than your vision. It’s impairing your better judgment! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse | |||
| 14 May 2014 | English Cafe #450 | 00:35:23 | |
Topics: Famous Americans – Charles Schultz and Peanuts; The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve; to be pleased to versus to be happy to versus it’s (one’s) pleasure to; to sit versus to seat; willy-nilly Words: cartoon
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| 18 Feb 2015 | English Cafe #490 | 00:35:03 | |
Topics: Famous Americans – Muhammad Ali; The Golden Gate Bridge; valuable versus invaluable; north/south versus northern/southern; common ground and universal experience Words:
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| 26 Aug 2015 | English Cafe #517 | 00:38:43 | |
Topics: Movies – Die Hard; American Authors – Emma Lazarus; in front of versus ahead of versus before; as if versus as though versus as for; to take stock Words:
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| 27 Apr 2016 | English Cafe 552 | 00:38:34 | |
Topics: American Presidents – Barack Obama; Famous Songs – “Anchors Aweigh”; diffidence versus timidity versus shyness; receipt versus reception; no problem versus not at all versus no big deal Words:
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| 27 Oct 2015 | 1,150 - Avoiding Topics in Conversation | 00:20:41 | |
Let’s not talk about the topic of today’s episode right now. So, how’s your day going? Slow dialog: 1:25
Lila: Why aren’t you dating? I have so many friends who would love to go out with you. George: Let’s change the subject. Talking about my love life isn’t very interesting. Lila: But really, you’re not getting any younger and… George: Moving on! Have you seen any good movies lately? Lila: Listen, all of your friends are settling down and you don’t want to go through life alone and lonely… George: That reminds me, didn’t you say that you were going to get another dog so that Rover isn’t lonely when you’re not home? Lila: Forget about my dog. You remember Rachel, don’t you? She just broke up with her boyfriend and she’d be perfect for you. George: Speaking of Rachel, how is her mother? Wasn’t she in the hospital? Lila: If Rachel isn’t your type, how about Amina? She has great legs and I know you’re a leg man. George: And now for something completely different…How is your diet coming along? Have you lost any weight yet? Lila: I don’t really want to talk about my weight. George: But I think you’re having trouble shedding those pounds, right? I have lots of suggestions on what you can do. Lila: Anyway, as I said before, I don’t really want to talk about my diet… George: You need to cut out sweets if you want to lose weight. Are you eating too many sweets? Lila: That’s none of your business! George: My sentiments exactly! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse | |||
| 25 Jun 2012 | 802 - Talking About Movies | 00:17:09 | |
Lights! Camera! Action! We’re off to the movies. Learn how to talk about seeing a good film in this episode. Slow dialogue: 0:57
Martin: What did you think of that movie? Joanna: It was okay, but I’m not really into big-budget movies with a lot of special effects and big-name stars. Martin: Oh, you’re a film snob. I bet you only watch indie films made on a shoestring budget with low production values. Joanna: No, that’s not true. I just don’t like crowd-pleasers that are predictable. I like movies that stretch the imagination and have some artistic value. Martin: You mean you like those weird movies with no plot and a lot of strange characters. They’re artsy, but leave you totally confused. Joanna: I don’t mind some ambiguity, if that’s what you mean. Martin: Well, I’m going to see the new Spiderboy movie next week. I don’t suppose you want to come? Joanna: Spiderboy? I’ve been looking forward to seeing that movie. Martin: But it’s a big-budget blockbuster. Joanna: I can’t watch artsy films all the time. Variety is the spice of life, don’t you think? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse | |||
| 08 Feb 2013 | 867 - Talking About Attractive Men and Women | 00:19:48 | |
Take a look in the mirror and see if you recognize yourself in these descriptions of the beautiful people. Slow dialog: 1:30
Pamela: You know that your tongue is hanging out of your mouth, right? David: That’s because I’ve never seen so many beautiful women in one place before. Why have I never been to this beach before? Look at her! She’s a hottie! Pamela: Isn’t that what you said about that woman over there? David: No, I said she’s a babe. Look at the way she sways when she walks. Pamela: Stop ogling her or her boyfriend or husband is going to come over here. David: I’m not ogling. I’m admiring the perfection of the female body. Pamela: You’re undressing her with your eyes. Avert your gaze before you regret it. Oh, wow! David: What? Pamela: Check out that guy over there. Hello, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome! David: That pretty boy over there? He’s too into himself. Look at the way he’s posing so every woman on this beach can get a look at him. He’s nothing but an exhibitionist. Pamela: And the women you’ve been ogling in the teeny tiny bikinis? David: Those women? They’re just showing off what God gave them! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse | |||
| 08 Mar 2013 | 875 - Shopping at the Supermarket | 00:18:17 | |
Do you ever go to the supermarket without finding what you’re looking for? Learn more about it in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:11
Stocker: Can I help you find something? Meg: Yes, I’m looking for coffee. Stocker: That’s on aisle 3. Let me show you where it is. Meg: Thanks. Hmm, I don’t see the Jitters brand that I normally buy. Stocker: It looks like we’re out of stock. We should get another shipment next week. Meg: Okay, I’ll check back. I’m also looking for the Fructose brand soda, but I didn’t see it in the soda aisle. Stocker: I’m afraid that’s been discontinued. Their parent company no longer makes soda. Meg: Really? I love Fructose soda. How about the Mushy brand bread? I didn’t see it when I checked the bread aisle. Stocker: We no longer stock the Mushy brand. There were so quality control issues at the company, so we’ve pulled all of their products from the shelves. Can I help you find anything else? Meg: No, I guess I’ll just have to try some new brands. Oh, yes, do you carry Worm organic apples? Stocker: We normally do, but they’re out of season right now. We won’t have any until early summer. Meg: All of this shopping and I have nothing to show for it. I guess I’m going home empty-handed. Stocker: We do have chocolate cakes and cookies on sale. Meg: I’m there! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse | |||
| 15 Aug 2006 | 190 - Taking a Phone Message | 00:23:43 | |
Learn how to take and leave phone messages in this podcast. Slow dialog: 0:57
I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home. As soon as I walked in the door, though, the phone rang. Paolo: Hello. Evelyn: Hi, could I speak to Tony? Paolo: He’s not here right now. Can I take a message? Evelyn: Do you know when he’ll be back? Paolo: No, I don’t. Evelyn: Okay. I’ll call back later. Thanks.
Paolo: Hello. Pam: Hi, is Tony there? Paolo: No, he’s out. Pam: Could I leave a message? Paolo: Sure. Give me a second to get something to write with…Okay, I’m ready. Pam: Could you tell him that Pam called and ask him to call me back as soon as he can. Paolo: Does he have your number? Pam: He should, but I’d better give it to you. It’s 279-555-6347. Paolo: Okay, I’ll tell him. Pam: Thanks.
As soon as I put down the receiver, the phone rang again. I couldn’t believe it. Paolo: Hello. Susan: Hi, is this Tony? Paolo: No, I’m his roommate, Paolo. Tony’s not here right now. Susan: I need to get a hold of him. Do you have his cell number? Paolo: Uh, yeah, I do, but I’m not sure he wants me to give it out. Susan: Oh, I’m sure he’d want me to have it. Paolo: I tell you what. Why don’t I take your number and have him call you back? Susan: I really need to get a hold of him right away. Paolo: I’ll give him your message as soon as he gets home. Susan: Fine. This is Susan and my number is 742-555-3655. Please make sure he gets it. It’s important. Bye. Paolo: Bye. As soon as she hung up, I took the phone off the hook for the rest of the night. I’d had enough of being Tony’s answering service for one night! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse | |||