English as a Second Language Podcast ESLPod

Looking to change the look of your living room? Find out what not to do in this episode.

Slow dialogue: 1:14
Explanations: 3:16
Fast dialogue: 16:19

Carson: Your apartment is going to look fabulous once I’m finished decorating it!

Brooke: I really appreciate you taking the time to help me choose some furniture, but I’d really like to keep the look conservative and traditional.

Carson: Nonsense! You have a fabulous new apartment and I’m going to help you make the most of it. Look at that oval mirror. It’ll look fantastic in your hall.

Brooke: That mirror is gigantic! I don’t think I want anything that size. How about this rectangular one?

Carson: That’s too puny for that space. Oh, look at this triangular bookcase. It would really complement the fireplace in the den.

Brooke: I don’t think that bookcase is very functional. The shelves are so narrow and it’s an odd shape. It really looks nice, but I need furniture that I can actually use. I like this one better.

Carson: How boring! You need something that makes a statement. How about this chair? It’s fabulous!

Brooke: It’s a humongous circle on the floor with a cushion on top of it. I don’t think anyone would ever sit on it.

Carson: Yes, but in design, you have to consider form before function.

Brooke: That’s where we differ. I actually have to live in this apartment, remember?

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Marriage is forever, except when it isn’t a marriage at all. Learn how to get unmarried in this episode.

Slow dialogue: 1:05
Explanations: 2:51
Fast dialogue: 16:41

Courtney: Did you hear? Kate and Christopher are trying to annul their marriage.

Ray: What?! They’ve only been married for two months! What brought this on?

Courtney: I have no idea. Neither of them is underage or bigamists and they married of their own free will, so I don’t know how they can ask for an annulment.

Ray: I’ve heard that you can get an annulment if there’s some kind of fraud. Maybe they’re asking for the annulment on those grounds.

Courtney: Maybe. I wish I knew more. Ooh, could they be related by blood and didn’t know it? It’s sounding more and more like a soap opera.

Ray: I suppose we shouldn’t speculate. It’s sad when any marriage ends, even if it only lasted two months. Something must be really, really wrong.

Courtney: Or else...

Ray: Or else, what?

Courtney: Or else, Christopher finally figured out what a witch Kate is.

Ray: Oh, somebody’s a little catty today. Do I detect some jealousy here?

Courtney: Me? Jealous of Kate? Forget it! I’ve known her for years and I just wouldn’t wish her on my worst enemy!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Movie: Star Wars; the Security and Exchange Commission; shame versus pity; reading numbers aloud; to be left cold

Words:
trilogy
prequel
outer space
extraterrestrial
droid
to harness
box office
security
commission
broker
scope
disclosure
shame
pity
to be left cold

Are you always prepared? If not, listen to this episode to learn how to explain to your boss why you haven’t finished your work yet.

Slow dialogue: 1:11
Explanations: 2:57
Fast dialogue: 14:35

Aida: When our bigwigs from the Cleveland office arrive next week, I think we’ll have a lot to show them.

Dale: I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Giselle told me yesterday that it’s a toss up whether she’ll finish the program she’s working on by next week, but don’t quote me on that.

Aida: I thought she was already done with it.

Dale: I think that she’s still tinkering with it because she isn’t 100 percent sure she’s worked out all of the bugs.

Aida: All right. I hope she gets a move on and fast. I’ll still have Joe’s prototype to show them, right?

Dale: Well, the last time I spoke with Joe, he said that the prototype is still a work in progress. Whether it’ll actually work is iffy, at best.

Aida: Are you trying to tell me that we’re not ready for this visit at all?

Dale: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I wouldn’t count on having much to show them, sorry.

Aida: Then, what am I supposed to do when they want to see the progress on our work?

Dale: I suggest some fast-talking and fancy tap dancing!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse