Sunday, December 2, 2012

Stage Fright

It seems as if some people are just naturally at home on stage. Whether they're acting in a play or performing a concert, these people are great at being the center of attention.

Then there are the people who suffer from stage fright. They might enjoy acting or performing, but they're also terrified about being in front of an audience. Their stage fright might be so bad that they need to take anxiety medications or do yoga before they go on stage.


Venessa : Do you like to be the center of attention?

Sara : You know, I know it's sort of....I'm not supposed to admit it, but I kind of do.

Venessa : Really? So do you like to perform, do you sing or act or anything like that?

Sara : Yeah, I like to be the center of attention when I'm performing. I don't like to be the center of attention in a group, like in a social situation, but give me a stage and I'm fine, I'm great.

Venessa : Do you ever get stage fright?

Sara : I don't, really. I get way more nervous in, like, an ordinary social situation than I do on stage.

Venessa : I just freeze up when I get on stage now. I don't know, I think... Something really embarrassing happened to me on stage, and I have to just get myself psyched up before I go out now.

Sara : What happened to you?

Venessa : Well, I was in a play, and I had a wardrobe malfunction. The strap broke on my dress.

Sara : Yikes.

Venessa : It was so embarrassing.

Sara : Oh no.

Venessa : I was humiliated.

Sara : And did you ever get back up on stage after that?

Venessa : I did, but it took a long time to build back up to it.

Sara : Yeah. I'm lucky. I should knock on wood because nothing like that's happened to me yet, but we'll see.


Key Vocabulary

Freeze up (expr) -------> Be unable to act because because of nervousness or anxiety.

Psyched up (expr) ------> Really excited and energized.

Malfunction (n) ---------> The act of something not working.

Humiliated (v) ----------> Embarrassed, humbled, made to feel bad.

At home (expr) ---------> Very comfortable.

Perform (v) -------------> Give a performance; do something so other people can watch.

Center of attention (expr) --> Having everyone notice that you are doing.

Anxiety (n) -------------> Concerb, worry, fear.

Knock on wood (expr) ---> Wish that something bad doesn't happen.

Social (Ajd) -------------> Friendly; relating to friend or hanging out.






Saturday, December 1, 2012

Calling In Sick

A : Hello, Daniel speaking, how may I help you?

B : Hi, Daniel, Julia here.

A : Hi, Julia, how are you?

B : Actually, I'm feeling quite ill today.

A : I'm sorry to hear that, what's wrong?

B : I think I'm coming down with the flu. I have a headache, a sore throat, a runny nose and I'm feeling slightly feverish.

A : I see....so you're calling in sick?

B : Yes, I was hoping to take the day off to recover.

A : OK, then. Try and get some rest.


Key Vocabulary

Was hoping (phrase) -----> To kindly expect

Calling in sick (phrase) -----> Report that you will not go to work because you are sick.

Coming down (phrase) -----> Getting, acquiring

Quite ill (phrase) ---------> Very sick


Supplementary Vocabulary

Impolite (Adj) ------> Rude

Permission (noun) -----> Allow

Symptom (noun) -------> A sign, indication

Sick day (phrase) ------> Day off because you're sick

Make it into work (phrase) -----> Go to work











Difficult Customer

Fabio : Good evening. My name is Fabio. I'll be your waiter for tonight. May I take your order?

Robert : No, I'm still working on it. This menu isn't even in English. What's good here?

Fabio : For you sir, I would recommend spaghetti and meatballs.

Robert : Does it come with  coke and fries?

Fabio : It comes with either soup or salad and a complimentary glass of wine, sir.

Robert : I'll go with spaghetti and meatballs, salad and the wine.

Fabio : Excellent choice. Your order will be ready soon.

Robert : How soon it soon?

Fabio : Twenty minutes.

Robert : You know what? I'll just go grab a burger across the street.


Key Vocabulary

Grab (principle verb, present simple) ------> Get quickly

Go with (phrase) -------> To choose, pick

Would recommend ------> Suggest

Complimentary (Adj) -----> Free

Still working on (phrase) ------> Not yet completed, need more time

Supplementary Vocabulary

Impatient ------> Uncomfortable waiting, wanting to go

Fast food (phrase) -----> Food prepared and served quickly

Waitress (noun, singular) -----.> Female server at restaurant or bar

Fancy (Ajd) ------> Nice, expensive, upscale

Casual (Adj) ------> Relaxed, not dressy



Friday, November 30, 2012

Study Habits

Have you been studying for a test in a library and suddenly found yourself asking,''what's that noise?''
It turns out the person at the desk next to you is blasting music through her headphones. It's driving you crazy. You ask her to turn down the music. She says,''I can only study with a music on!''

People can have very different study habits. Some of us need complete silence, while others need noise. Some of us get distracted if there are other people around, while others can't focus when they are alone. Get the room just how you like to study.


Venessa : Hey, what are you doing over there? Are you studying?

Jason :  Uh, yes.

Venessa : Do you mind if I put on some music?

Jason : I actually would prefer if you didn't. I find it easier to study in complete silence.

Venessa : Really?

Jason : Yeah.

Venessa : Wow. You sound pretty particular about when you study. What else do you need?

Jason : I try not to be too hungry, or too full. I like to be by myself. I don't like to study in a library or anything. There's even too many distractions for me, you know, people walking around. What do you do?

Venessa: Well, usually I'll just pull an all-neighter, you know? Just try to cram and get whatever facts I can in before the sun comes up. I'll make flashcards, but if I'm just studying for one night that doesn't happen.

Jason : That sounds kinda crazy! I try to say ahead of the game, you know, study things. Maybe if I'm studying for a test, I'll start a few days before the test and just brush up at the end.

Venessa : Hmm. It sounds like you have more discipline than I do when it comes to studying.

Jason : Speaking of....I think I'm gonna get back to it.

Venessa : Oh, alright.

VOCAB

- Blast (v)--- Playing loudly; cranking
- Drive crazy (expr)--- Really annoy or frustrate someone
- Distract (v)--- To take someone's attention away from something important.
- Focus(v) --- Give attention to or concentrate effort on.
- Pull an all neighter (expr) --- Stay up all night.
- Cram (v) --- To study for something just before it happens.
- Ahead of the game (expr) --- Prepared; getting work done early.
- Brush up (expr) --- To practice.
- Discipline (n) --- Ability to follow rules.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Cocktalis

If you go out to the bars, you've probably been in this situation. You wait in line, try to catch the bartender's attention. Finally it's your turn, and you've got a choice to make. What are you going to drink?


James : So I'm assuming you do like going out to bars and clubs or restaurants, correct?

Amy : On occasion, yes.

James : So do you prefer drinking when you go out?

Amy : Sometimes, I'm not gonna lie.

James : Do you enjoy cocktails?

Amy : I do, yeah. It kinda depends, sometimes I prefer to just have a glass of wine, depending on what I'm eating, but I do get excited for a fancy cocktail.

James : Do you like it on the rocks? Do you like it in a martini glass? Do you like to take shots?

Amy : I don't really like to take shots. I mean, for me, I don't know, I enjoy sipping on a cocktail, and I kind of like to enjoy the flavors of a cocktail, especially if it's, you know, something a little unusual, if the bartender has put some extra effort into trying to come up with a creative recipe.

James : So do you take the advice from the bartender, if you happen to ask him? Do you go by that decision or that choice?

Amy : I have my favorite types of alcohol that I tend to gravitate toward in a cocktail, but I'm also one of those annoying people who always is asking the bartender, '' what do you like?''

James : Well, don't drink too many cocktails.

Amy : I'll try.


Idiom and Phrases

- On the rocks ----> With ice.
- Take shots ----> Drink small glasses of hard alcohol very quickly.
- Sipping ----> Take a small drink of something.
- Bartender ----> A person who works at a bar, making cocktails and other drinks.
- Gravitate toward ----> Be interested in or attracted to.


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Where Can I Find...?

Fendy : This grocery store is nice.

Rose : It's too new for my state. I can't find anything I'm looking for.

Fendy : What are you trying to find?

Rose : I'm looking for some canned pineapples.

Fendy : I'm not sure, but I think they may be near the pasta sauce.

Rose : Why would it be over there?

Fendy : I don't know. I was just taking a shot in the dark. Ask someone.


Carol : May I help you?

Rose : Yes, I'm looking for canned pineapples.

Carol : They're in aisle seven, about half way down on the top shelf.

Rose : Thanks. I would have been searching for them for a while.

My Treat

Larry : Hey, dinner's my treat.

Cindy : Can you afford it?

Larry : Of course I can. Don't even worry about it. Besides, I know how hard it is to save money at your age.

Cindy : Thank you so much. Once I finish college, I'll have more money.

Larry : Hey, sis. I understand. Back when I was in school, I was totally broke.

Cindy : Well, I'm going to take the whole family out for dinner soon.

Larry : Don't make any promises you can't keep. At least wait until you get a job.

Cindy : You have a point.