Pratique du Shadowing: I Missed My Flight… | English podcast - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec YouTube
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This is your Everyday English class.
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1
This is your Everyday English class.
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Hello!
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Welcome to English Cactus.
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My name is Anna.
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And my name is Brian.
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This podcast will help you practice your English in a fun and natural way,
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improving your listening skills.
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Don't forget to subscribe to the channel.
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Your support is really important to us.
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And leave in the comments where you're from.
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Today's episode is about one of those stressful travel moments we all fear, missing a flight.
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But in this story, something surprising happens.
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Clara missed her flight and met someone who might just change her day and maybe even her life at the airport.
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If you've ever been in a travel situation where things didn't go as planned,
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you know it can be stressful.
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You have to talk to airline staff,
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understand flight announcements, and sometimes spend hours waiting in the terminal.
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That's why this episode is so useful.
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You'll learn vocabulary for airports,
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polite ways to ask for help,
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and even some phrases to start conversations with strangers while you wait.
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So relax, grab your coffee,
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and don't worry if you don't understand every word the first time.
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After the dialogue, we'll go through the useful phrases,
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vocabulary, and cultural tips so that listening a second time will be much easier.
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Let's begin.
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Hi, is this seat free or is someone sitting here?
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It's free.
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Please go ahead and sit down.
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Thanks.
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You look like you've had quite a morning.
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Long day so far?
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Long day.
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Exhausting day.
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I actually missed my flight earlier,
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and now I have to wait almost nine hours for the next one.
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Oh no, that's rough.
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How did that happen?
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Well, I arrived at the airport really early,
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almost three hours before my flight,
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because I like to have time for check-in,
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security, and maybe a coffee before boarding.
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Everything was going smoothly.
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I checked my luggage, got my boarding pass,
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and went through security without any problems.
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So far, sounds like you did everything right.
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That's what I thought too.
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After that, I went to look at the departure board.
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It showed my flight to New York as delayed by 45 minutes.
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I thought, great, I can relax.
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I decided to grab a cappuccino at a cafe near gate A7,
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which I believed was my gate.
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I can already guess what's coming.
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Yeah, exactly.
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About 20 minutes later, they made an announcement about a gate change from A7 to C12,
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but I didn't hear it because I had my headphones on,
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listening to a podcast in English.
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I thought I was being productive,
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practicing my listening skills, but apparently not productive enough to hear the gate change.
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Oh no, that's one of those travel mistakes you only make once.
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Exactly.
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By the time I noticed the boarding area was too quiet,
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I checked the screen again and realized the gate change.
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I rushed across the terminal.
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It felt like a marathon.
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But when I got there,
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the plane had already closed its doors.
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I could see it through the window, ready to push back.
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That must have been frustrating.
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It was.
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My heart was racing and I felt this mix of panic and embarrassment.
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But I went straight to the airline counter,
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took a deep breath, and explained everything calmly.
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The agent was polite but told me the next available flight with space was at 8.30 p.m
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and there would be a $120 change fee.
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That's not cheap.
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No, but I knew getting upset wouldn't help.
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I've worked in customer service before,
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so I understand how much easier it is to help someone who stays polite even when things go wrong.
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I thanked her for checking the flights for me and just paid it.
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That's a good attitude.
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So what have you been doing with all this extra time?
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Well, first I decided to have a second breakfast.
84
I found a small bakery and ordered a fresh croissant with strawberry jam.
85
After that, I walked around the duty-free shops,
86
looked at perfumes I'll never buy,
87
and sampled some chocolate from a free tasting stand.
88
At least you're making the most of it.
89
Yes, I'm trying.
90
I even went to the airport bookstore and browsed travel guides.
91
I like to imagine future trips while I'm stuck in one place.
92
It makes me feel like I'm still moving forward.
93
That's a smart way to pass the time.
94
And now I'm here, trying to find a comfortable seat until it's closer to my new boarding time.
95
I still plan to get a coffee later.
96
There's a cafe near gate B5 with a barista who's super friendly.
97
I had a cappuccino with oat milk and no sugar earlier,
98
but I might try something else this time.
99
You sound like you've already made a tour of the whole terminal.
100
Pretty much.
101
I've learned where the quiet corners are,
102
which restrooms are the cleanest,
103
and which seats have charging outlets.
104
It's funny how much you notice when you have hours to kill.
105
If it makes you feel better,
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I've been here since 6 a.m.
107
My connection to London was delayed three times, and I'm still waiting.
108
Wow, so we're both in the same airport limbo today.
109
Exactly.
110
But the good thing is we can keep each other company and maybe make the wait a little easier.
111
That would be nice.
112
This day started as a complete disaster,
113
but maybe it's turning into something I'll remember in a good way.
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I believe so.
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Sometimes the most unexpected delays bring the most unexpected people into our lives.
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I like that perspective.
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Maybe missing my flight wasn't such a bad thing after all.
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Alright, now let's go step by step through Clara and Liam's conversation.
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We'll highlight the most useful phrases,
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explain their meaning, and give you examples of how to use them in other situations.
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Yes, and remember, this is not just about memorizing words.
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It's about understanding when and how to use them in real life.
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The more you study English every day and actually use it,
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the more confident you'll become.
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Clara started with, It's free.
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Please, go ahead and sit down.
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This is a friendly and polite way to let someone know they can take a seat.
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You could also say, Sure, go ahead.
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Or, No problem, it's all yours.
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These are small phrases, but they make everyday interactions smoother.
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Liam then said, You look like you've had quite a morning.
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Long day so far?
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This is a casual way to show empathy and start a conversation.
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Yes, and notice that long day so far is an informal, friendly question.
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You could also say, has your day been busy?
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Clara replied, I actually missed my flight earlier,
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and now I have to wait almost 9 hours for the next one.
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She's clearly explaining her situation with detail.
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This structure, I actually passed event,
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and now I present result,
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is useful for telling stories.
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Example, I actually lost my phone yesterday and now I'm using my old one.
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Later, Clara said, I arrived at the airport really early,
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almost three hours before my flight,
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because I like to have time for check-in,
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security, and maybe a coffee before boarding.
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This sentence is full of travel vocabulary, check-in, security, and boarding.
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It's a great example of how to describe your travel routine.
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Liam reacted with, that's one of those travel mistakes you only make once.
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This means you learn from it and avoid doing it again.
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Exactly.
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You can use this in other contexts,
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like, leaving my keys inside the car is a mistake you only make once.
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Clara also said, I've worked in customer service before,
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so I understand how much easier it is to help someone who stays polite,
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even when things go wrong.
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This is a good reminder that politeness, polite, is powerful.
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Even in stressful moments, it helps you get better results.
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Now let's review some key vocabulary from the dialogue.
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First, gate, the specific place where you board your flight.
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For example, my gate is C12.
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The opposite might be arrivals area,
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which is where passengers come in.
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Delay, when something happens later than planned.
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My flight has a two-hour delay.
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The opposite is on time.
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Boarding pass, the paper or digital ticket you show to board the plane.
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Check-in, the process where you confirm your flight,
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get your boarding pass, and drop off your luggage.
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Luggage, your suitcases or bags for travel.
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In the U.S., you might also hear baggage.
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Layover, the time you spend at an airport between connecting flights.
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I have a three-hour layover in Paris.
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Unexpected, something that happens without warning.
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In Clara's case, meeting Liam was unexpected.
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The opposite is planned.
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Now let's talk about some cultural tips.
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In the US and many countries,
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if you miss your flight because of your own delay,
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you may need to pay a fee to rebook.
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But staying polite and explaining your situation can sometimes help you get a better option.
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Airport security is strict.
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Always arrive early.
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Two hours for domestic flights and three for international flights is standard.
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Talking to strangers is common in airport lounges and waiting areas.
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Asking, where are you flying to,
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or is this your final destination,
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is a good way to start.
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Food in airports is usually more expensive,
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but in some places, like the U.S.,
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you can bring snacks from outside once you pass security.
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Flight announcements in English can be fast.
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If you're not sure you understood,
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go to the gate staff and ask politely.
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Excuse me, could you repeat the announcement?
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Now that you've heard the story and our explanations,
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let's give you some ready-to-use model sentences for situations like Clara's.
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You can practice them and adapt them to your own travel experiences.
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Yes, and remember, study English every day and try to use at least one new phrase in real life.
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Even in stressful moments, you can keep going and communicate clearly.
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Here's one.
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Excuse me, could you tell me if this is the gate for flight 237 to New York?
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This is polite and clear,
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and it's better than just asking, is this the gate?
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Because you give all the details.
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And if you need something simpler because you're nervous,
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you can just say, excuse me,
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is this the gate to New York?
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It's short but still polite.
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Another useful one is, I missed my flight.
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Could you help me find the next one?
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It explains the problem and asks for help.
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You could also say, I need to rebook my flight.
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What are my options today?
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This is a good way to start the conversation with the airline staff.
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When asking about time, you can use,
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what time is the next available flight to my destination?
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This keeps the conversation focused.
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And for casual conversation while waiting,
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try, where are you flying to?
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Or, how long have you been waiting?
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These are easy icebreakers.
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Finally, if you want to make the best of a bad situation,
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you can say, well, maybe this delay will be a good story one day.
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Now, here's your challenge.
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After listening to the dialogue again,
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try to imagine yourself in Clara's place.
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Think of which sentences you would actually use,
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and practice saying them out loud.
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We'll replay the conversation in a moment.
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This time, you'll understand it much better,
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because now you know the vocabulary,
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the phrases, and the cultural background.
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So stay with us, and let's listen again.
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Hi, is this seat free,
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or is someone sitting here?
237
It's free.
238
Please go ahead and sit down.
239
Thanks.
240
You look like you've had quite a morning.
241
Long day so far?
242
Long day.
243
Exhausting day.
244
I actually missed my flight earlier,
245
and now I have to wait almost nine hours for the next one.
246
Oh no, that's rough.
247
How did that happen?
248
Well, I arrived at the airport really early,
249
almost three hours before my flight,
250
because I like to have time for check-ins,
251
security, and maybe a coffee before boarding.
252
Everything was going smoothly.
253
I checked my luggage, got my boarding pass,
254
and went through security without any problems.
255
So far, sounds like you did everything right.
256
That's what I thought, too.
257
After that, I went to look at the departure board.
258
It showed my flight to New York as delayed by 45 minutes.
259
I thought, great, I can relax.
260
I decided to grab a cappuccino at a cafe near gate A7,
261
which I believed was my gate.
262
I can already guess what's coming.
263
Yeah, exactly.
264
About 20 minutes later, they made an announcement about a gate change from A7 to C12,
265
but I didn't hear it because I had my headphones on,
266
listening to a podcast in English.
267
I thought I was being productive,
268
practicing my listening skills, but apparently not productive enough to hear the gate change.
269
Oh no, that's one of those travel mistakes you only make once.
270
Exactly.
271
By the time I noticed the boarding area was too quiet,
272
I checked the screen again and realized the gate change.
273
I rushed across the terminal.
274
It felt like a marathon.
275
But when I got there,
276
the plane had already closed its doors.
277
I could see it through the window, ready to push back.
278
That must have been frustrating.
279
It was.
280
My heart was racing and I felt this mix of panic and embarrassment.
281
But I went straight to the airline counter,
282
took a deep breath, and explained everything calmly.
283
The agent was polite but told me the next available flight with space was at 8.30 p.m
284
and there would be a $120 change fee.
285
That's not cheap.
286
No, but I knew getting upset wouldn't help.
287
I've worked in customer service before,
288
so I understand how much easier it is to help someone who stays polite even when things go wrong.
289
I thanked her for checking the flights for me and just paid it.
290
That's a good attitude.
291
So what have you been doing with all this extra time?
292
Well, first I decided to have a second breakfast.
293
I found a small bakery and ordered a fresh croissant with strawberry jam.
294
After that, I walked around the duty-free shops,
295
looked at perfumes I'll never buy,
296
and sampled some chocolate from a free tasting stand.
297
At least you're making the most of it.
298
Yes, I'm trying.
299
I even went to the airport bookstore and browsed travel guides.
300
I like to imagine future trips while I'm stuck in one place.
301
It makes me feel like I'm still moving forward.
302
That's a smart way to pass the time.
303
And now I'm here, trying to find a comfortable seat until it's closer to my new boarding time.
304
I still plan to get a coffee later.
305
There's a cafe near Gate B5 with a barista who's super friendly.
306
I had a cappuccino with oat milk and no sugar earlier.
307
but I might try something else this time.
308
You sound like you've already made a tour of the whole terminal.
309
Pretty much.
310
I've learned where the quiet corners are,
311
which restrooms are the cleanest,
312
and which seats have charging outlets.
313
It's funny how much you notice when you have hours to kill.
314
If it makes you feel better,
315
I've been here since 6 a.m.
316
My connection to London was delayed three times, and I'm still waiting.
317
Wow, so we're both in the same airport limbo today.
318
Exactly.
319
But the good thing is we can keep each other company and maybe make the wait a little easier.
320
That would be nice.
321
This day started as a complete disaster,
322
but maybe it's turning into something I'll remember in a good way.
323
I believe so.
324
Sometimes the most unexpected delays bring the most unexpected people into our lives.
325
I like that perspective.
326
Maybe missing my flight wasn't such a bad thing after all.
327
So today, we learned how to deal with a stressful travel situation,
328
like missing a flight, while staying calm and polite.
329
We also saw how Clara turned her bad morning into an opportunity to connect with someone new.
330
It's a great reminder that even in difficult moments,
331
you can keep going and find something positive.
332
You now have useful phrases for speaking with airline staff,
333
starting casual conversations at the airport,
334
and handling delays with confidence.
335
And here's my challenge to you.
336
If you ever find yourself in a travel delay,
337
try using at least one of these phrases.
338
See how it changes your experience.
339
Have you ever missed a flight or had a long delay?
340
Did something interesting happen because of it?
341
Share your story in the comments.
342
We'd love to read it.
343
If you enjoyed today's episode,
344
subscribe to the channel, share it with a friend who's learning English,
345
and keep practicing every day.
346
Until next time.
347
Keep practicing.
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Keep improving.
349
Take care.
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Context & Background
In today's episode of the English podcast, we delve into a relatable travel scenario: missing a flight. The hosts, Anna and Brian, guide listeners through this common but stressful experience. They share the story of Clara, who finds herself in an unexpected situation at the airport. Clara’s misfortune turns into an opportunity for connection, as she meets someone who could alter the course of her day, or even her life. This narrative is not just engaging; it's a platform for improving your English listening skills. By immersing yourself in real-life situations like this, you can enhance your vocabulary and understanding of everyday conversations, particularly in stressful scenarios.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
From the engaging dialogue shared in the podcast, here are five essential phrases that can be particularly useful in daily conversations, especially during travel:
- “Is this seat free or is someone sitting here?” – A polite way to check if you can sit down.
- “You look like you’ve had quite a morning.” – A friendly icebreaker to start a conversation.
- “I actually missed my flight earlier.” – A straightforward way to share your travel experience.
- “Everything was going smoothly.” – Useful for describing situations that are progressing well until an unfortunate event occurs.
- “I thought, great, I can relax.” – A phrase that can express unexpected feelings of relief.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
Utilizing shadowing techniques can significantly boost your English speaking skills, especially if you're preparing for exams like the IELTS. Here's how you can effectively practice shadow speaking with this podcast episode:
- Listen Actively: Start by listening to the podcast without any distractions. Pay attention to the pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm of the dialogue.
- Repeat Aloud: Select short segments of the conversation and repeat them immediately after you hear them. This can help you mimic their speech patterns and improve your fluency.
- Focus on Vocabulary: Write down new phrases or vocabulary that stand out during your listening. For instance, terms related to airports and travel will be very practical.
- Practice with Varied Contexts: Once you're comfortable with the phrases, create your own sentences using the vocabulary in different contexts. This will enhance your adaptability in conversations.
- Record Yourself: To monitor your progress, record your shadow speech practice. Listen to your recordings and evaluate your pronunciation and fluency. This feedback is crucial for improvement.
Incorporating these steps into your daily routine will not only help you become more confident in speaking English but also prepare you for real-life situations, like those encountered during travel. Remember, practice makes perfect, and every small effort counts toward your goals in English proficiency.
Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?
Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.
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