<p>If you can’t read this, then put on your glasses and listen to this episode on having bad eyes.</p> <p>Slow dialogue: 1:07 <br />Explanations: 2:45 <br />Fast dialogue: 15:19</p> <p>Sue: This medication I’m taking is messing with my vision. Everything is blurry. </p> <p>Hamed: That’s a good reason for you to stay home from work today. </p> <p>Sue: I can’t. I have to give a presentation this afternoon and I can’t flake out on my coworkers.</p> <p>Hamed: What good are you to them if you’re blind as a bat? </p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Sue: I can see well enough. I only see double if I move my head like this. Whoa…</p> <p>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!</p> <p>Script by Dr. Lucy Tse</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/7Hr_aYlH674" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Learn how to take and leave phone messages in this podcast.</p> <p>Slow dialog: 0:57 <br />Explanations: 3:42 <br />Fast dialog: 21:10</p> <p>I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home. As soon as I walked in the door, though, the phone rang. </p> <p>Paolo: Hello.</p> <p>Evelyn: Hi, could I speak to Tony?</p> <p>Paolo: He’s not here right now. Can I take a message?</p> <p>Evelyn: Do you know when he’ll be back? </p> <p>Paolo: No, I don’t.</p> <p>Evelyn: Okay. I’ll call back later. Thanks. <br />…… <br />Ten minutes later, the phone rang again.</p> <p>Paolo: Hello.</p> <p>Pam: Hi, is Tony there?</p> <p>Paolo: No, he’s out.</p> <p>Pam: Could I leave a message?</p> <p>Paolo: Sure. Give me a second to get something to write with…Okay, I’m ready.</p> <p>Pam: Could you tell him that Pam called and ask him to call me back as soon as he can.</p> <p>Paolo: Does he have your number?</p> <p>Pam: He should, but I’d better give it to you. It’s 279-555-6347.</p> <p>Paolo: Okay, I’ll tell him.</p> <p>Pam: Thanks. <br />…..</p> <p>As soon as I put down the receiver, the phone rang again. I couldn’t believe it.</p> <p>Paolo: Hello.</p> <p>Susan: Hi, is this Tony?</p> <p>Paolo: No, I’m his roommate, Paolo. Tony’s not here right now.</p> <p>Susan: I need to get a hold of him. Do you have his cell number?</p> <p>Paolo: Uh, yeah, I do, but I’m not sure he wants me to give it out.</p> <p>Susan: Oh, I’m sure he’d want me to have it. </p> <p>Paolo: I tell you what. Why don’t I take your number and have him call you back?</p> <p>Susan: I really need to get a hold of him right away.</p> <p>Paolo: I’ll give him your message as soon as he gets home.</p> <p>Susan: Fine. This is Susan and my number is 742-555-3655. Please make sure he gets it. It’s important. Bye.</p> <p>Paolo: Bye.</p> <p>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!</p> <p>Script by Dr. Lucy Tse</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/ZzEu6VgUA54" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Learn how to ask for clarification in English in this podcast.</p> <p>Slow dialog: 0:54 <br />Explanations: 2:29 <br />Fast dialog: 12:46</p> <p>I was negotiating a contract with a new business partner, and we had a meeting to clarify the terms.</p> <p>Bill: If I understand the terms correctly, the length of the contract would be one year with a one-year option. Is that correct?</p> <p>Ms. Samuels: Do you mean the contract for equipment rental or the one for training?</p> <p>Bill: I was under the impression that both contracts had the same terms.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Bill: Could you elaborate on that?</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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? </p> <p>Ms. Samuels: Yes, that’s right. </p> <p>Bill: Okay, that’s clear enough. Let’s move on to the other terms . . .</p> <p>Script by Dr. Lucy Tse</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/_e0os8EbVVU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Learn how to make a hotel reservation in English in this podcast.</p> <p>Slow dialog: 1:27 <br />Explanations: 4:21 <br />Fast dialog: 14:53</p> <p>I just finished a huge project at work and I needed some down time. I decided to take a short vacation. I liked the idea of a long weekend out of town. My friend Sara offered to let me crash at her place in San Francisco, but I decided to stay at a hotel instead. Sara has a couple of roommates and I thought it might be too crowded. </p> <p>I called the toll- free reservation number for a major hotel chain. The reservation agent was very helpful, after I got through the long phone tree.</p> <p>Agent: Dutton Hotels. How may I help you today? </p> <p>Jeff: I wanted to check rates and availability for your San Francisco location. </p> <p>Agent: Certainly, I can help you with that. Will that be the downtown or waterfront location?</p> <p>Jeff: The waterfront location.</p> <p>Agent: What date do you plan to check in?</p> <p>Jeff: I'd like to check in on October 12th and check out the 15th. </p> <p>Agent: Okay, let me see what we have. For how many?</p> <p>Jeff: One. And, if possible, I'm looking for a non-smoking room. </p> <p>Agent: Sure, we have a non-smoking queen with an ocean view for $189 or a standard room with a courtyard view for $139 a night.</p> <p>Jeff: I'd like to book the standard room.</p> <p>Agent: Okay, your last name? </p> <p>Jeff: Rama.</p> <p>Agent: And, your first name?</p> <p>Jeff: It's Jeff.</p> <p>Agent: Okay, I have you booked in a standard non-smoking queen, checking in on October 12th and departing the 15th. What major credit card would you like to use to guarantee the reservation?</p> <p>Jeff: A Visa.</p> <p>Agent: The number and expiration? </p> <p>Jeff: It's 7388- 2424-3535- 1818 and the expiration is 05/08.</p> <p>Agent: Your confirmation number is PD672. Is there anything else I help you with? </p> <p>Jeff: No, that's all. Thanks.</p> <p>Agent: Have a nice day and thank you for calling Dutton Hotels.</p> <p>Script by Dr. Lucy Tse</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/_e0os8EbVVU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>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 </p> <p>Words: <br />community organizer <br />healthcare <br />candidate <br />rising star <br />biracial <br />campaign slogan <br />grassroots <br />polarized <br />affordable <br />anchor <br />ashore <br />foam <br />diffidence <br />timidity <br />shyness <br />receipt <br />reception <br />no problem <br />not at all <br />no big deal</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/7Hr_aYlH674" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Let’s not talk about the topic of today’s episode right now. So, how’s your day going?</p> <p>Slow dialog: 1:25 <br />Explanations: 4:00 <br />Fast dialog: 18:29</p> <p>Lila: Why aren’t you dating? I have so many friends who would love to go out with you.</p> <p>George: Let’s change the subject. Talking about my love life isn’t very interesting.</p> <p>Lila: But really, you’re not getting any younger and…</p> <p>George: Moving on! Have you seen any good movies lately?</p> <p>Lila: Listen, all of your friends are settling down and you don’t want to go through life alone and lonely…</p> <p>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?</p> <p>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.</p> <p>George: Speaking of Rachel, how is her mother? Wasn’t she in the hospital?</p> <p>Lila: If Rachel isn’t your type, how about Amina? She has great legs and I know you’re a leg man.</p> <p>George: And now for something completely different…How is your diet coming along? Have you lost any weight yet?</p> <p>Lila: I don’t really want to talk about my weight. </p> <p>George: But I think you’re having trouble shedding those pounds, right? I have lots of suggestions on what you can do.</p> <p>Lila: Anyway, as I said before, I don’t really want to talk about my diet…</p> <p>George: You need to cut out sweets if you want to lose weight. Are you eating too many sweets? </p> <p>Lila: That’s none of your business!</p> <p>George: My sentiments exactly!</p> <p>Script by Dr. Lucy Tse</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/TN0dSxGHK2k" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>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 </p> <p>Words: <br />to be separated <br />to give (something) another try <br />to freshen up <br />hostage <br />safe <br />cowboy <br />to be descend from <br />to be well received <br />to dedicate <br />to persecute <br />to huddle <br />to yearn <br />in front of <br />ahead of <br />before <br />as if <br />as though <br />as for <br />to take stock</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/7Hr_aYlH674" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Topics: Famous Americans – Muhammad Ali; The Golden Gate Bridge; valuable versus invaluable; north/south versus northern/southern; common ground and universal experience </p> <p>Words: <br />to take up <br />professionally <br />agile <br />to reign <br />nationalist <br />social activist <br />to be drafted <br />to indict <br />bridge <br />strait <br />fog <br />precaution <br />dizziness <br />valuable <br />invaluable <br />north / south <br />northern / southern <br />common ground <br />universal</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/7Hr_aYlH674" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>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</p> <p>Words:</p> <p>cartoon <br />freelance <br />folks <br />memoir <br />tomboy <br />national park <br />national preserve <br />glacier <br />mine <br />to designate <br />volcano <br />to be pleased to <br />to be happy to <br />It’s (one’s) pleasure to <br />to sit <br />to seat <br />willy-nilly</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/ZzEu6VgUA54" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Do you ever go to the supermarket without finding what you’re looking for? Learn more about it in this episode.</p> <p>Slow dialog: 1:11 <br />Explanations: 3:17 <br />Fast dialog: 16:18</p> <p>Stocker: Can I help you find something?</p> <p>Meg: Yes, I’m looking for coffee.</p> <p>Stocker: That’s on aisle 3. Let me show you where it is.</p> <p>Meg: Thanks. Hmm, I don’t see the Jitters brand that I normally buy.</p> <p>Stocker: It looks like we’re out of stock. We should get another shipment next week. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>Stocker: I’m afraid that’s been discontinued. Their parent company no longer makes soda. </p> <p>Meg: Really? I love Fructose soda. How about the Mushy brand bread? I didn’t see it when I checked the bread aisle.</p> <p>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?</p> <p>Meg: No, I guess I’ll just have to try some new brands. Oh, yes, do you carry Worm organic apples?</p> <p>Stocker: We normally do, but they’re out of season right now. We won’t have any until early summer.</p> <p>Meg: All of this shopping and I have nothing to show for it. I guess I’m going home empty-handed.</p> <p>Stocker: We do have chocolate cakes and cookies on sale. </p> <p>Meg: I’m there!</p> <p>Script by Dr. Lucy Tse</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/ZzEu6VgUA54" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Take a look in the mirror and see if you recognize yourself in these descriptions of the beautiful people.</p> <p>Slow dialog: 1:30 <br />Explanations: 3:18 <br />Fast dialog: 17:55</p> <p>Pamela: You know that your tongue is hanging out of your mouth, right?</p> <p>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!</p> <p>Pamela: Isn’t that what you said about that woman over there? </p> <p>David: No, I said she’s a babe. Look at the way she sways when she walks. </p> <p>Pamela: Stop ogling her or her boyfriend or husband is going to come over here.</p> <p>David: I’m not ogling. I’m admiring the perfection of the female body. </p> <p>Pamela: You’re undressing her with your eyes. Avert your gaze before you regret it. Oh, wow!</p> <p>David: What? </p> <p>Pamela: Check out that guy over there. Hello, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome!</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Pamela: And the women you’ve been ogling in the teeny tiny bikinis? </p> <p>David: Those women? They’re just showing off what God gave them!</p> <p>Script by Dr. Lucy Tse</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/ZzEu6VgUA54" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Lights! Camera! Action! We’re off to the movies. Learn how to talk about seeing a good film in this episode.</p> <p>Slow dialogue: 0:57 <br />Explanations: 2:37 <br />Fast dialogue: 15:35</p> <p>Martin: What did you think of that movie?</p> <p>Joanna: It was okay, but I’m not really into big-budget movies with a lot of special effects and big-name stars.</p> <p>Martin: Oh, you’re a film snob. I bet you only watch indie films made on a shoestring budget with low production values.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Joanna: I don’t mind some ambiguity, if that’s what you mean. </p> <p>Martin: Well, I’m going to see the new Spiderboy movie next week. I don’t suppose you want to come?</p> <p>Joanna: Spiderboy? I’ve been looking forward to seeing that movie.</p> <p>Martin: But it’s a big-budget blockbuster.</p> <p>Joanna: I can’t watch artsy films all the time. Variety is the spice of life, don’t you think?</p> <p>Script by Dr. Lucy Tse</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/7Hr_aYlH674" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>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 </p> <p>Words: <br />to be separated <br />to give (something) another try <br />to freshen up <br />hostage <br />safe <br />cowboy <br />to be descend from <br />to be well received <br />to dedicate <br />to persecute <br />to huddle <br />to yearn <br />in front of <br />ahead of <br />before <br />as if <br />as though <br />as for <br />to take stock</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/7Hr_aYlH674" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>