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1
Hello and welcome back again to English Today.
2
This is DVD 4 of The Beginner Level and in this DVD you will see two more episodes of our story, that's life
3
and then in our special TV programs
4
you'll see a business debate about work -life balance followed by a discussion about speed dating
5
then in the grammar section we'll study the present continuous
6
and its uses and how to express a planned future okay so enjoy yourselves
7
Wake up.
8
Come on.
9
Time for school.
10
Come on.
11
Hi, Alice.
12
What are you doing?
13
I'm just relaxing a bit.
14
Watching some TV.
15
What's on?
16
I'm watching the news.
17
So, what's happening in the world?
18
The usual.
19
Politicians are trying to pretend they know what they are doing.
20
Alice, you are such a skeptic.
21
That's the way I am.
22
What's that?
23
It's a book I'm reading.
24
What's it about?
25
It's a story about a woman, a young woman, who can't stand her father. That sounds interesting.
26
Yes, it's not that bad.
27
Alice, what's wrong?
28
Do you want to talk about it?
29
No, I'm so tired now.
30
I'm going to bed.
31
Good night.
32
Night.
33
Hello again and welcome back to English Today for some more English.
34
Now in that last episode of That's Life, did you notice that Anne said, what are you doing?
35
And Alice said, oh, I'm just relaxing.
36
I'm just relaxing, I'm watching TV.
37
Now they were using the present continuous tense and
38
that is a tense that we use to describe something which is happening now at this very moment.
39
Okay now I want to practice that with you.
40
So, you watch me and tell me what I'm doing, okay? So, this.
41
Hmm, what am I doing?
42
What am I doing?
43
I'm reading, exactly.
44
I'm reading.
45
Now, this.
46
What am I doing?
47
Hmm, hmm.
48
I'm relaxing.
49
I'm relaxing.
50
Now, what am I doing?
51
Yeah, I'm phoning or I'm calling.
52
I'm phoning.
53
Next, this.
54
What am I doing?
55
Okay, I'm writing.
56
I'm writing.
57
Good.
58
Next.
59
What am I doing?
60
What am I doing?
61
I'm listening to music.
62
Listening to music.
63
Okay, this one.
64
What am I doing?
65
Like Anne, I'm cleaning the table.
66
Cleaning the table.
67
Now you, what are you doing at the moment?
68
Well, you're listening to me and you're watching television, for example,
69
and you're learning English okay now my boyfriend remember my boyfriend what's
70
he doing well at this time he's sleeping because it's in the morning he's sleeping what about my dog Sookie
71
She's probably sleeping too.
72
She's sleeping all the time.
73
So she's sleeping too.
74
I'm the only person who's not sleeping.
75
We.
76
What are we doing?
77
Well I'm asking you questions and you're thinking of answers to my questions.
78
Okay?
79
So that's the form.
80
The form isn't difficult.
81
Let's go to the screen and see it, see how we make up the present continuous.
82
Now in the positive sentence we use the verb to be.
83
So I am, you are, he is, she is, it is, we are, you are, they are.
84
And then we take the verb and we add ing to the verb.
85
So it becomes in the positive form, I'm reading.
86
Now notice I am is contracted as always and we say I'm reading.
87
You're learning contraction, you are.
88
You're learning.
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He's relaxing.
90
She's working.
91
It's raining.
92
We're listening.
93
You're talking.
94
And they're eating.
95
Okay, so the verb to be contracted, then the infinitive of the verb plus ing.
96
Not too difficult.
97
So look at the question form.
98
Now the question form is easy.
99
What we do is we change the position of the subject and the verb to be.
100
So it becomes where am I working this month?
101
Where are you staying?
102
What is he reading this week?
103
What is she doing now?
104
What is it eating like the dog?
105
Who are we playing?
106
Who are you visiting? and who are they working with, all right?
107
And then the negative.
108
Remember the negative of the verb to be?
109
We need it here.
110
So we say, I am not becomes, I'm not working.
111
You are not becomes, you aren't, remember contraction, you aren't sleeping,
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he isn't concentrating, she isn't cooking,
113
it isn't snowing, we aren't going out,
114
you aren't watching TV, and they aren't studying.
115
So this is the present continuous tense
116
that we use to describe an action happening now at the moment a very important tense
117
and we will definitely come back and look at more of that.
118
All right?
119
Good.
120
Thank you and I'll see you again soon.
121
Bye.
122
Mom.
123
What are you doing?
124
I'm connecting to the internet because I need to send an email.
125
Who are you sending an email to?
126
To my boss in America.
127
He needs the weekly report immediately.
128
Why?
129
Why?
130
Because he has a meeting with the shareholders tomorrow morning.
131
What's happening with the laptop?
132
The internet connection isn't working very well.
133
Sometimes it happens with my computer too.
134
Do you have a suggestion?
135
Usually Peter lends me his computer. Is Peter at home?
136
No, I think there's only Sharon.
137
Okay.
138
I'm going anyway.
139
Anne has daggers for Sharon, doesn't she?
140
Things are beginning to heat up.
141
Now did you notice that they use the present continuous a lot?
142
A lot of things were happening at that moment with Jack getting on the internet, having problems with his computers,
143
asking Peter for help, etc. I want to tell you something about when we use the present continuous.
144
Because there are two occasions to start with.
145
First, when we describe something happening right now.
146
For example, we are learning English.
147
But then we use the present continuous to describe an action happening around the present.
148
I could say, for example, at the moment I'm doing yoga, which doesn't mean at this very moment,
149
but at this point of time in this month, for example, okay?
150
So, at the moment, which is around the present, I'm doing yoga, one use,
151
and the other is now we are learning, we are studying English.
152
Okay, so that's interesting.
153
Let's look at the screen at some examples about that, okay?
154
So, present continuous asking or telling about something happening now at this present moment in time, okay?
155
So, the examples, I'm teaching now.
156
You're listening now.
157
He's learning at the moment, okay?
158
And the other example is when you are speaking about something happening around the moment.
159
So, we're studying English, for example, this month.
160
Or, she's reading a new book this week.
161
Or, they're working on the project this week.
162
So, you see the slight difference between the two.
163
That's important.
164
Now let's go back to That's Life
165
and listen again to how they use the present continuous and then I have something else to tell you about it after.
166
Okay, so see you later.
167
Bye.
168
Yes, I am listening to you.
169
Yes, I'm listening.
170
Who is she talking to?
171
Um, I don't know.
172
I guess it's her father.
173
Just a moment.
174
What do you want?
175
Nothing.
176
It's four o 'clock in the morning.
177
Is everything all right, Alice?
178
It's none of your business.
179
Excuse us.
180
Sorry to interrupt.
181
Listen, I know it's late.
182
I'm sorry.
183
But I'm talking to my father.
184
He's in Boston now.
185
It's nine o 'clock then.
186
What?
187
What do you want?
188
I'm not tired anymore.
189
Neither am I.
190
What about eating something?
191
I don't know.
192
I'm not really hungry.
193
I'm going on the internet to chat with a friend in Italy.
194
Would you like to join me?
195
Now that I'm not sleeping anymore.
196
Would you like to see him?
197
How?
198
I have pictures of him on my computer.
199
And do you know what?
200
He can see you too, with the webcam.
201
What?
202
Oh my gosh!
203
No, please!
204
I'm horrible now!
205
No, you're not.
206
And besides, he might be interested.
207
Why?
208
Do you think I need a boyfriend?
209
I think we know what Anne needs, don't we?
210
Now I have one more thing to do with you related to the present continuous
211
and that's the spelling of the present continuous and to do
212
that let's go to the screen because it's easier to see things written.
213
The present continuous for example I am talking
214
Now, to form talking, what we usually do is we take the verb, like talk, and we just add ing.
215
For the majority of verbs, we do that.
216
Look at the examples.
217
Talk, talking.
218
Work, add ing.
219
Working.
220
Start, starting.
221
Now, as ever, there are exceptions in the English language.
222
What are they?
223
Well all verbs that end with the letter E are exceptions.
224
Look what happens.
225
Have for example ends with E.
226
You eliminate the E and you add I N G.
227
So have becomes having without the E.
228
Other examples are live, living, dance, dancing, make, making.
229
Okay so all verbs which end in E you eliminate the E and add ING.
230
Then another group which is important is a group where the verbs end with a consonant vowel consonant.
231
What does that mean?
232
Well give me example of Let's have the example of stop.
233
Now stop is s -t -o -p, so the end of the verb is t -o -p.
234
Okay, so it's consonant, vowel, consonant.
235
Yeah, so with these verbs we double the last consonant and it becomes stop stopping.
236
Now notice that in English pronunciation
237
when there is a double consonant we don't hear it in the pronunciation
238
so for example we don't say stopping or swimming okay not like other languages
239
so the pronunciation stays the same
240
but we double the consonant examples are
241
stop stopping plot plotting swim swimming get getting all right
242
so those are the different ways of spelling the present continuous tense verbs great well
243
now you are experts about the present continuous so keep practicing it
244
and I really look forward to seeing you in the next lesson bye Fine.
245
I'm looking forward to seeing you.
246
Bye -bye.
247
Oh, my God.
248
Okay, guys.
249
Don't panic.
250
What?
251
We have to be strong and try to keep calm.
252
What are you talking about?
253
She's coming.
254
Tomorrow morning. Who?
255
Who, for God's sake?
256
Aunt Mary.
257
The owner of the flat. So what?
258
Your auntie.
259
What's so terrible about her?
260
Let me explain.
261
Imagine me in 50 years.
262
You mean you, old, with your manias?
263
Your cleaning obsessions?
264
Oh, my God.
265
Okay, okay, don't panic.
266
So, what do we have to do?
267
Let me see.
268
What do you have scheduled for today?
269
Well, today is a busy day.
270
I have to finish my painting.
271
No way!
272
Painting means brushes, colours, dirt and mess everywhere.
273
As for me, let's check my date book.
274
Date book?
275
I don't believe it.
276
You mean you don't have a PDA?
277
Please, Alice.
278
I have a program on my laptop.
279
I don't need a PDA as well.
280
I'm just surprised, that's all.
281
You're usually highly technological.
282
That's not entirely true.
283
I like to use paper and pen as well.
284
Okay, leave it, guys.
285
Let's go straight to the point.
286
What's on your schedule today?
287
I'm meeting a client from four to five, and then I'm going to the mall.
288
Why are you going to the mall?
289
I want to buy a new modem for my PC.
290
A new modem?
291
That's not exactly business.
292
Yes, well, there's something wrong with mine.
293
Okay, maybe it's not that important.
294
I can go tomorrow morning.
295
That's very kind of you, Jack.
296
Well, let me see.
297
I've got a list with all your duties here.
298
But what is it?
299
It's always with me.
300
For emergencies, you know.
301
Just like this one.
302
Jack.
303
At your orders, General.
304
You have to clean up the kitchen.
305
You're washing the dishes, cleaning the oven and the fridge, the burners and the basin.
306
Oh, and finally you have to sweep and mop the floor.
307
I'm ready.
308
Oh, and obviously you have to clean your bedroom too.
309
Oh, sounds exciting.
310
Alice, you have to clean the living room.
311
You have to throw all these magazines out, put all the CDs in order,
312
clean up the carpet and dust the furniture.
313
Do I have to mop the floor as well? Of course.
314
As for me, I'm cleaning the bathroom and all the windows.
315
Well, I want you both in the living room at half past six for a detailed report, okay?
316
Yes, sir.
317
Hello again and welcome back to English Today, your live television programme about the English language.
318
Now, Anne is really panicking in that life, isn't she?
319
Did you notice how they were using the present continuous, but referring to the future?
320
That's interesting, isn't it?
321
We haven't learned that yet.
322
Present continuous for the future.
323
Well, in fact, we use the present continuous when we're talking about future plans.
324
And in that life, in that episode, we heard Anne say she's coming tomorrow.
325
She's coming tomorrow.
326
That's her aunt.
327
Now that's a plan.
328
It's a plan.
329
Anne then says to Jack, what's on your schedule today?
330
What's on your schedule?
331
And Jack says, I'm meeting a client from four to five, and then I'm going to the mall.
332
Now, those are both plans.
333
So, let's look at how we can use the present continuous also for plans.
334
We often use it when we describe what we have in our week, what we've arranged for our week.
335
So, in our diary, not agenda, remember, diary
336
so let me tell you next week well next week on Monday
337
I'm going to the dentist I'm going to the dentist
338
that is not very nice number two let's look Tuesday Tuesday
339
I'm staying at home okay I'm staying at home
340
that's okay Wednesday ha Wednesday I'm having dinner with friends that's really nice that's pleasant.
341
Thursday, on Thursday I'm teaching some Chinese students.
342
That'll be different.
343
Interesting.
344
On Friday I'm listening to my boyfriend.
345
He's playing in a concert so that'll be great.
346
And then on Saturday and Sunday I'm going to the coast to spend a relaxing weekend.
347
That's not a bad week.
348
You, what about you?
349
What are you doing?
350
You notice when I ask you the question I use the present continuous
351
because I want to know your plans what are you doing
352
and also my boyfriend I could say what is he doing what's my boyfriend doing this Saturday
353
well unfortunately he's playing in a jazz festival in Berlin and I can't go so never mind
354
Alright, so let's look at the summary now of the present continuous on the screen,
355
because it's very interesting, all the different uses.
356
So, we said we use the present continuous to express actions happening now, at the moment.
357
Okay, remember that?
358
She's doing her homework now.
359
They're playing basketball at the moment.
360
Alright, so that's now.
361
Then we said we use the present continuous to describe actions around this moment in time.
362
For example, she's studying Spanish this month.
363
Or we're going to do yoga, we're doing yoga this week.
364
So around the present time.
365
And this lesson we learnt present continuous for a planned future, a programmed future.
366
OK, so I'm going to the dentist this afternoon.
367
That's a plan.
368
It's a schedule.
369
Jack's meeting a client.
370
That's a plan.
371
Aunt Mary is coming tomorrow.
372
And the question, what are you doing tomorrow?
373
We're flying to New York.
374
All right, so important that.
375
Have a look at that episode again and listen for the present continuous used in the future.
376
And also listen for something else which which Anne uses.
377
She uses often the verb have to for duties and responsibilities because we're going to study that together.
378
Alright?
379
Great.
380
I'll see you soon.
381
Bye.
382
Fine.
383
I'm looking forward to seeing you.
384
Bye -bye.
385
Oh my god.
386
Okay guys, don't panic.
387
What?
388
We have to be strong and try to keep calm.
389
What are you talking about?
390
She's coming tomorrow morning.
391
Who for god's sake?
392
Aunt Mary, the owner of the flat. So what?
393
Your auntie.
394
What's so terrible about her?
395
Let me explain.
396
Imagine me in 50 years.
397
You mean you, old, with your manias?
398
Your cleaning obsessions?
399
Oh, my God.
400
Okay, okay, don't panic.
401
So, what do we have to do?
402
Let me see.
403
What do you have scheduled for today?
404
Well, today is a busy day.
405
I have to finish my painting.
406
No way!
407
Painting means brushes, colours, dirt and mess everywhere.
408
As for me, let's check my date book.
409
Date book?
410
I don't believe it.
411
You mean you don't have a PDA?
412
Please, Alice.
413
I have a program on my laptop.
414
I don't need a PDA as well.
415
I'm just surprised, that's all.
416
You're usually highly technological.
417
That's not entirely true.
418
I like to use paper and pen as well.
419
OK, leave it, guys.
420
Let's go straight to the point.
421
What's on your schedule today?
422
I'm meeting a client from 4 to 5, and then I'm going to the mall.
423
Why are you going to the mall?
424
I want to buy a new modem for my PC.
425
A new modem?
426
That's not exactly business.
427
Yes, well, there's something wrong with mine.
428
Okay, maybe it's not that important.
429
I can go tomorrow morning.
430
That's very kind of you, Jack.
431
Well, let me see.
432
I've got a list with all your duties here.
433
But what is it?
434
It's always with me.
435
For emergencies, you know.
436
Just like this one.
437
Jack.
438
At your orders, General.
439
You have to clean up the kitchen.
440
You're washing the dishes, cleaning the oven and the fridge, the burners and the basin.
441
Oh, and finally, you have to sweep and mop the floor.
442
I'm ready.
443
Oh, and obviously, you have to clean your bedroom too.
444
Oh, sounds exciting.
445
Alice, you have to clean the living room.
446
You have to throw all these magazines out, put all the CDs in order,
447
clean up the carpet, and dust the furniture.
448
Do I have to mop the floor as well? Of course.
449
As for me, I'm cleaning the bathroom, and all the windows.
450
Well, I want you both in the living room at...
451
Half past six for a detailed report.
452
OK?
453
Yes, sir.
454
Yes, sir.
455
I don't know about you, Mr Monkey, but there's something I just can't stand is cleaning the house.
456
Just awful.
457
Oh, hello, camera one.
458
How are you?
459
I was just talking to Mr Monkey about what they're doing in that life, cleaning the house.
460
Can't stand it.
461
Now, did you see Anne organising everybody, responsibilities, duties?
462
Well, she was using some language that I want to study with you now.
463
Did you hear these sentences?
464
Jack said, so what do we have to do?
465
And Anne replies to Jack, you have to clean up the kitchen.
466
You have to sweep and mop the floor
467
and you have to clean your bedroom like a child yeah
468
and Alice she says she says she has to clean the living room
469
she has to throw all the magazines out
470
and she has to put the CDs in order like organize them
471
and this is the use of the verb have to plus the infinitive talking about duties and responsibilities.
472
So let's look at other situations using have to.
473
For example, I have a very important responsibility in my life and you know who that is?
474
Yeah, Sookie.
475
You know, it's a great responsibility if you have a dog.
476
Let me tell you about it.
477
For example, I have to take her for a walk at least twice a day.
478
I have to feed her, give her food.
479
What else?
480
I have to keep her company too because when she's alone she often barks.
481
You know, barks.
482
So I have to keep her company.
483
What else?
484
Oh yeah, if I go on holiday, I have to find her kennels.
485
Kennels is like a hotel for dogs, so that she is looked after.
486
So she's a great responsibility.
487
Think of my boyfriend.
488
Now he's a professional jazz musician, and he has responsibilities.
489
For example, he has to practice at least four hours a day.
490
He has to learn new songs.
491
What else?
492
He has to attend masterclasses for example.
493
And he has to work at night.
494
Now what about you?
495
I'm sure you have responsibilities and duties.
496
What do you have to do?
497
You have families maybe.
498
And also you're learning English.
499
So you have a responsibility towards learning the language.
500
For example, you have to learn new vocabulary.
501
And that takes memory.
502
So vocabulary, you have to practice speaking, practice listening.
503
And you have to dedicate time to learning the language.
504
Okay?
505
So that's have to.
506
And I want to look at that with you now on the screen
507
because it's a very interesting verb and
508
when you want to talk about your responsibilities and duties this is the verb to use.
509
Now so have to for daily responsibilities and obligations.
510
Now we use the verb have
511
which is conjugated I have you have he has she has it has we have you have they are have sorry then
512
We add to, have to.
513
That's very important.
514
Then we add the infinitive.
515
So an example, I have to use a computer at work.
516
Now, did you hear my pronunciation?
517
I have to.
518
Notice I don't say V, I say F. Have, have.
519
It becomes have to.
520
Have to becomes in pronunciation have to. Have to.
521
Okay, so I have to use a computer at work.
522
She has to write a report.
523
Third person has, okay.
524
She has to write a report.
525
He has to answer.
526
emails.
527
All right, we have to, we go back to the pronunciation with F, we have to pay taxes unfortunately.
528
They have to go to meetings, which is sometimes boring, have to, okay, duties, responsibilities.
529
Good, now the examples of questions are, do you have to speak English?
530
We use the auxiliary do, very important.
531
It's like the verb have.
532
So, do you have to speak English?
533
How often do you have to travel, for example?
534
What language does she have to learn?
535
And where do we have to go?
536
So remember, use the auxiliary do and does.
537
So that's have to when we're speaking about obligations and responsibilities
538
and we have a lot of them in life so it's an important verb.
539
Great, let's go back and see how the cleaning is going.
540
Terrible Mr. Monkey cleaning.
541
See you soon.
542
Bye.
543
Well done guys.
544
I'm proud of you.
545
Neat and clean.
546
Rather stressful I know but at last the flat is perfectly clean.
547
Yes but now it's us that needs to be cleaned.
548
Oh excuse me.
549
Hello?
550
Aunt Mary!
551
Everything is ready for your arrival.
552
I'm picking you up at the airport tomorrow at...
553
What?
554
Really?
555
Oh, I understand.
556
What a shame.
557
Oh, no, no, not a problem. At all.
558
I hope you get well soon.
559
Right.
560
Bye -bye. So?
561
What?
562
Aunt Mary isn't coming anymore.
563
She's got a cold.
564
Hey, guys.
565
I've got the part.
566
Oh.
567
But what's happening here?
568
Nothing special.
569
Congratulations, Peter.
570
Hello and welcome back to English Today, the only live TV program where you can learn the English language.
571
And let me tell you what happens here.
572
Well, there are a lot of sound technicians, cameramen, technicians everywhere helping me make this program for you.
573
And it's great.
574
It's a real pleasure to teach you.
575
Now, in this lesson, I want to do a general revision of the present tenses,
576
just to be sure that you've understood everything we've learned so far.
577
Okay?
578
Now, do you remember him?
579
Mr. Dinosaur, do you remember him?
580
Dinosaur.
581
He represents the simple present tense and when we use it.
582
Do you remember?
583
Let's check that.
584
Mr. Dinosaur, dinosaur.
585
These letters represent the beginning of frequency adverbs.
586
Do you remember them?
587
Let me remind you.
588
O is often.
589
So, I often drink coffee in the morning.
590
What about this?
591
A. Good.
592
Always.
593
Great.
594
I always get up at half past six in the morning.
595
This one.
596
Usually.
597
This one.
598
Rarely.
599
Rarely difficult pronunciation.
600
This one, sometimes, great.
601
This one, never, okay.
602
And this one here, d, every day.
603
So remember, dinosaur, this is when we use the simple present for habitual actions,
604
actions that repeat themselves with the frequency adverbs.
605
Now, do you remember also him?
606
Mr. Snake.
607
He is to remind you about...
608
third person I like you like he likes she likes
609
it likes often we forget to put the s on the third person he's here to remind you
610
and also the auxiliaries does negative doesn't okay so Mr. dinosaur,
611
Mr. Snake, simple present.
612
Great.
613
Then we learned the present continuous, that, for example, I am learning.
614
We learned that the present continuous has three uses.
615
Do you remember?
616
Here they are.
617
Now, something happening now, we're learning English now.
618
Then, at the moment, something happening around the present at the moment.
619
I'm learning yoga, for example.
620
And then for a future plan.
621
Tomorrow, I'm going to Paris.
622
So the three uses of the present continuous.
623
All right, great.
624
Let's go to the screen and check those once more.
625
So we said, simple present is when we talk about activities or routines which take place on a regular basis.
626
Mr. Dinosaur, Mr. Snakes.
627
Examples, he goes to work every day, Mr. Snake.
628
She gets up at 7 o 'clock.
629
And the question, where do you live?
630
So auxiliaries do, does, doesn't, don't.
631
Great.
632
Then the present continuous we use it for something happening now at the moment and in the future
633
So the examples are I'm reading an Italian affair
634
This month for example, they're cooking dinner now and she's meeting with Jack tomorrow
635
Okay, so you really are truly experts about the present tense now
636
So keep practicing that, keep using it and then it'll really go into your heads.
637
And I look forward to seeing you and to teaching you some more things about the English language very soon.
638
So take care.
639
Bye.
640
Good evening and welcome to another edition of Let's Talk.
641
In the studio with me this evening are our commentators, Marie and Tom.
642
Welcome.
643
Hello.
644
Hello.
645
Well, what's the subject of our debate this evening?
646
We're talking about the work -life balance.
647
Wow, sounds interesting.
648
What exactly does the expression work -life balance mean?
649
Well, work -life balance is about enjoying a good quality of life without working too much.
650
Yes, it's important for people to have some control over when, where and how much they work.
651
In other words, we are talking about the importance of not working too much.
652
Exactly, Eric.
653
Today, for many people, work is the only thing they think about.
654
We have no time for family, no time to relax, and no time for ourselves.
655
You're right, Marie.
656
And of course, today with the internet and mobile phones, it's possible for people to work 24 hours a day from home,
657
from the car, from anywhere.
658
That's true, but you need to have a job to live. Of course.
659
But work isn't the only important thing in life.
660
Workers today are tired and feel stressed.
661
Yes, people are working long hours.
662
Do you know that 30 % of UK workers take work home in the evening and at weekends?
663
Really?
664
In the evenings and at weekends.
665
That's a lot of work.
666
Yes, it's a real problem.
667
For our quality of life, I mean.
668
Right.
669
And there are also problems at work for mothers with young children and workers who look after ill or old family members. Of course.
670
Are there any solutions to these issues?
671
Well, companies are looking for solutions.
672
They're studying new ways of working.
673
What are these new ways of working?
674
For example, companies can introduce flexible working hours.
675
I mean, workers start work early and finish work early.
676
Or start work late and finish work late.
677
Or they can encourage home working.
678
Workers can use the internet and work from home.
679
That way they save time as they don't travel to the office.
680
Interesting solutions.
681
And what about part -time work?
682
Yes, this is another way of solving the problem of too much work.
683
Workers can work two or three days a week.
684
So, there are ways of finding a good work -life balance.
685
We need to put them into practice.
686
That's right, Derek.
687
OK, so remember, don't work too much.
688
A good work -life balance is important for the individual, for the company, and for society.
689
Thank you to our commentators.
690
Thank you.
691
Thank you. And goodbye.
692
And see you again soon for the next edition of Let's Talk.
693
Let's have a closer look at the expressions from our debate about work.
694
As Marie and Tom just said, many people work too much, so they are stressed and tired.
695
Do you work long hours?
696
To work long hours means you work a lot of hours in a day.
697
A lot of people take work home.
698
This means if you don't finish your work in the office, you take it home and finish it there.
699
Can you take work home in your job?
700
This is different from home working.
701
Home working means you work from home.
702
You have a computer at home with internet access, and you do your job at home.
703
Flexible working hours means you don't work from 9 to 5 every day.
704
You work 8 hours a day, but you can decide when you start and finish.
705
Part -time work means you don't work every day, perhaps just 2 or 3 days a week, or only in the morning.
706
If you work part -time, then you have a part -time job.
707
Full -time work means you work eight hours a day, five days a week.
708
You work full -time.
709
You have a full -time job.
710
Notice how we say in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening.
711
We use in for parts of the day, but we say at night, and we say at weekends.
712
In American English, you can also say on weekends.
713
Let's take a quick look before we finish at some vocabulary.
714
A mobile phone is the phone you can take everywhere with you.
715
In American English, it's called a cell phone.
716
And in British English, it is a mobile phone.
717
A company is a business or organization where people work.
718
And a worker is someone who works in an office or factory.
719
Notice this work comes from the verb work plus er.
720
In English, it is common to add er to a verb to form the name of the person who does it.
721
For example, teach plus er equals teacher.
722
Sing plus er equals singer.
723
And play plus er equals player, like football player.
724
That's all there's time for now.
725
I'll see you next time.
726
Bye -bye.
727
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Let's Talk, the Saturday evening debate with our two commentators, Tom and Marie.
728
Good evening.
729
Hello.
730
Tom and Marie, tonight I'd like to hear your thoughts on.. on these new ways for people to meet their ideal partner.
731
What do you mean, Eric?
732
Well, a friend of mine is going to a speed dating event next week, and he wants me to go with him.
733
I don't know what to do.
734
I'm curious.
735
I'd like to try, but...
736
Come on, Eric.
737
No buts.
738
You have to go.
739
Speed dating's great fun.
740
And even if you don't find your soulmate, it's an interesting way to spend an evening.
741
That's true.
742
Speed dating is really popular at the moment.
743
It's a great opportunity to meet people, sometimes very interesting people.
744
Yes, and sometimes you can fall in love.
745
I know a guy who married a girl.
746
He met speed dating.
747
Hmm.
748
This speed dating sounds interesting.
749
I'm single, you know, but how does it work?
750
Perhaps you can explain this to our viewers, too.
751
I'm sure people would like to know exactly how speed dating works.
752
I'd certainly like to find out.
753
Well, speed dating events usually take place in nightclubs or pubs.
754
The participants have a number and they sit around tables.
755
The men are on one side, the women are on the other side.
756
Then...
757
The fun starts.
758
You have four minutes to ask your questions.
759
Only four minutes, remember.
760
The other person asks questions too.
761
Then you move to the next table and ask your questions again.
762
What kind of questions can I ask?
763
Anything you like, for example.
764
What's your name?
765
How old are you?
766
What are your interests?
767
The kind of questions that you ask when you meet somebody for the first time.
768
And what happens next?
769
Well, you write down your thoughts about the person.
770
The person facing you does the same thing.
771
At the end of the event, you give your thoughts about the people to the organisers.
772
What do you mean, my thoughts?
773
It's easy.
774
You select the people you'd like to meet again.
775
The organisers then add your decisions to their website.
776
And then what happens?
777
The next day you go to their website and read the results.
778
Oh, what results?
779
Well, if you select a person and that person selects you, you can meet again.
780
Now it's time for a slow date.
781
Wow, it sounds really interesting and fun too.
782
Well, I think I'll go with my friends next Wednesday to that speed dating thing.
783
Would you like to try speed dating?
784
Well, now it's time to say goodbye to our commentators, to Tom and Marie.
785
Goodbye, Eric.
786
Goodbye, Eric.
787
Goodbye. And goodbye to you.
788
And see you again soon in our next edition of Let's Talk.
789
Well, the speed dating sounds a little crazy, but fun.
790
So I think I'll go.
791
As Marie said, I don't think I'll find my soulmate, but I'll definitely meet a lot of people.
792
A soulmate is the perfect person for you.
793
In other words, your ideal partner.
794
The best person to spend your life with.
795
Do you have a soulmate?
796
Here are some other useful expressions and words to talk about.
797
Affairs of the heart, for example.
798
A date is a meeting with a special person.
799
We say, go on a date or I've got a date with somebody.
800
For example, I've got a date with Lucy.
801
If you do have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, then you are in a relationship.
802
You say, I'm in a relationship.
803
When you fall in love with someone, you like the person a lot.
804
It's a wonderful feeling and beautiful things happen.
805
And you say, you are in love with that person.
806
And if you are in love with a person, you may decide to marry them in a church or a town hall.
807
When you marry, you form a legal union with a person forever, and you say, I'm married.
808
But it doesn't always last forever.
809
People sometimes divorce.
810
They separate from the person they marry, so they are divorced, and they say, I'm divorced.
811
Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?
812
Are you single?
813
Well, if you're not in a relationship, then perhaps you'd like to try speed dating one day, too.
814
That's all for me for now.
815
See you again soon.
816
Thank you.
817
Thank you.
同频道
FOR YOU
推荐视频
本课的词汇与口语要点
这节口语课以视频“English Today - Beginner Level 4 - DVD 4”为素材。 视频中反复出现的词有:present, example, continuous, verb。 这段视频共有 817 个句子、5868 个单词可供跟读。 讲话部分时长为 53:58。 说话人语速较慢,每分钟约 109 个词,你有足够的时间模仿每一个音。 86% 的单词属于英语最常用的 3,000 词,其余的词建议在练习前先学一下。 全部 817 个句子中有 159 个是问句,适合练习疑问语调和简短回答。
视频中的重点词汇
视频中 15 个值得学习的单词,附发音和释义:
| 单词 | 发音 | 释义 |
|---|---|---|
| continuous 形容词 | /kənˈtɪn.juː.əs/ | 連續的 /连续的, 不斷的 /不断的 |
| verb 名词 | /vɝb/ | 動詞 /动词 |
| relax 动词 | /ɹɪˈlæks/ | 鬆開 /松开, 放鬆 /放松 |
| tense 名词 | /tɛns/ | 時態 /时态, 時制 /时制 |
| dinosaur 名词 | /ˈdaɪnəsoɹ/ | 恐龍 /恐龙 |
| pronunciation 名词 | /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/ | 發音 /发音 |
| goodbye | /ɡʊdˈbaɪ/ | 再見 /再见, 再會 /再会 |
| aunt 名词 | /ɑːnt/ | 姑, 姑媽 /姑妈 |
| mall 名词 | /mɔːl/ | 步行街 |
| panic 名词 | /ˈpænɪk/ | 恐慌 |
| yoga 名词 | /ˈjoʊ.ɡə/ | 瑜伽, 瑜伽功 |
| auxiliary 形容词 | /ɔɡˈzɪl.(jə).ɹi/ | 輔助 /辅助 |
| commentator 名词 | /ˈkɑmənˌteɪtəɹ/ | 評論員 /评论员 |
| lesson 名词 | /ˈlɛs.ən/ | 課業 /课业, -課 /-课 |
| bedroom 名词 | /ˈbɛdˌɹum/ | 臥室 /卧室, 寢室 /寝室 |
视频中出现的短语动词
| 单词 | 发音 | 释义 |
|---|---|---|
| look forward to 动词 | 期待, 向往 | |
| come back 动词 | 回來 /回来, 返回 | |
| find out 动词 | 找出, 查明 | |
| go back 动词 | 回去, 返回 | |
| go out 动词 | 出, 出口 | |
| heat up 动词 | 加熱 /加热 | |
| make up 动词 | /ˌmeɪk ˈʌp/ | 組成 /组成 |
| wake up 动词 | /ˌweɪk ˈʌp/ | 醒, 醒來 /醒来 |
值得反复跟读的句子
视频中简短而完整的句子,可以直接用在日常对话里:
- Do you want to talk about it?
- Hmm, what am I doing?
- Who are you sending an email to?
- What's on your schedule today?
- I'm single, you know, but how does it work?
视频中的语法
说话人最常用的结构,并附上视频中的原话:
| 结构 | 视频中的用法 |
|---|---|
| 定语从句 who / which + 从句 — 补充说明人或事物 | something which is · moment, which is · group which is |
| 被动语态 be + 过去分词 — 强调发生了什么,而不是谁做的 | is contracted · be contracted · is looked |
| 现在完成时 have/has + 过去分词 — 过去发生但与现在仍有关联的事 | have scheduled · haven't learned · we've arranged |
| 过去进行时 was/were + -ing — 过去某一时刻正在进行的动作 | were using · were happening · was just talking |
需要注意的发音
说话人用了 180 次缩略和弱读形式,例如 I'm, don't, you're。请按听到的简短形式来说。
- “sh” 和 “zh” 音: pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, wash /wɑʃ/, exception /əkˈsɛpʃən/, brush /bɹʌʃ/, dish /dɪʃ/
- 长单词——注意重音位置: continuous /kənˈtɪn.juː.əs/, pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, auxiliary /ɔɡˈzɪl.(jə).ɹi/, commentator /ˈkɑmənˌteɪtəɹ/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/
中文母语者容易读错的音:
- /v/ — 不要读成 /w/,上齿轻触下唇: verb /vɝb/, divorce /dɪˈvɔːs/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, oven /ˈʌ.vn̩/, arrival /əˈɹaɪ.vl̩/
- 词尾辅音 — 要读清楚,后面不要加元音: continuous /kənˈtɪn.juː.əs/, verb /vɝb/, relax /ɹɪˈlæks/, tense /tɛns/, aunt /ɑːnt/
- /r/ 和 /l/ 的区别: relax /ɹɪˈlæks/, auxiliary /ɔɡˈzɪl.(jə).ɹi/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, rarely /ˈɹɛəɹli/, arrival /əˈɹaɪ.vl̩/
如何用这段视频练习
- 先完整听一遍视频,不要开口,记下不认识的单词。
- 用正常速度逐句跟读,每句重复到你的节奏与说话人一致为止。
- 录下自己的声音并与原声对比,特别注意 continuous, verb, relax 这类单词。
什么是跟读法?
跟读法 (Shadowing) 是一种有科学依据的语言学习技巧,最初开发用于专业口译员的培训,并由多语言者Alexander Arguelles博士普及。这个方法简单而强大:您在听英语母语原声的同时立即大声重复——就像是一个延迟1-2秒紧跟说话者的影子。与被动听力或语法练习不同,跟读法强迫您的大脑和口腔肌肉同时处理并模仿真实的讲话模式。研究表明它能显着提高发音准确性,语调,节奏,连读,听力理解和口语流利度——使其成为雅思口语备考和真实英语交流最有效的方法之一。












