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VOCABULARY
for Today's Podcast
(to) stop by - (to) go somewhere and stay for a short
while
unique - one of a kind
ages - lasting a very long time
(to be) free - (to) not be busy; (to be) available
night school - a school that has its classes during
the evening
(to) find (the) time - when you don't have enough
time to do what you want to do, you have to make time available to do
that activity
(to) work or (to) work (for someone) - This is an idiomatic
expression that indicates that something will be a successful solution
to a problem
flexibility - The ability to make changes when circumstances
require
(to) work around (someone's) schedule - (to) make a
plan that fits another person's schedule
(to) check (ones) calendar - (to) look on ones
calendar to see if a particular date or time is available
(to) call and confirm - (to) phone somebody before
an appointment or date and make sure that the date and time are still
okaybr/>
beforehand - prior (to)
(to) pencil (something) in - (to) write something in
your calendar as a tentative plan, a plan that can be changed if necessarybr/>
(to) work something out - (to) come up with a mutually
satisfying solution to a problem
(to) look forward to (something) - to be excited and
happy about a future event
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It's a Date! Making Plans to
Get Together
I'm awfully glad you've stopped by the ESL Help Desk.
We are a unique podcast for learners of English because all of our examples
and activities are based on authentic language, either written or spoken
by
others
learners of English. Our Library contains audio stories, grammar
and communication lessons. If you are taking an English as a Second
Language class or are learning English on your own, the
ESL
Help Desk has something for you!
BEFORE YOU LISTEN
Where was the photo that you see above taken?
Have the two people pictured above known each other for a while, or
have they just met?
Today's dialogue and vocabulary will provide you with
the language you need to make a date to get together socially with others.
So much dialogue today is idiomatic: Expressions like "That works for
me" or "I'm going to pencil that in" are essential to interpersonal
communication nowadays. What do they mean? How do we use them
correctly and still sound natural in conversations or even in written
communication such as email?
Let's listen in to one dialogue, as Luz and Julio try to make
a plan to get together.
Julio, we haven't gotten together in such a long time. How long
has it been?
It seems like ages. I've
been incredibly busy. It's been at least six months.
Let's get together some time soon. It's been way too long.
Absolutely, but when? When are you
free?
I'm free
during the day.
I work during the day.
How about
after work!
After
work I go to night school two nights a week.
Unfortunately I can only find time on Tuesday and Thursday, around 6.
Will either of those days work for you?
Possibly.
I have some flexibility and can try to work
around your schedule.
Okay, good. Let me check my calendar.
Hmmmm. I can't get together this coming Tuesday, or the Tuesday
after that. But I can get together the Tuesday after that.
Tuesday the 22nd, at 6 pm?
No, that's my wife's birthday. But
Thursday the 24th works.
That works for me, too.
In fact, Thursdays are generally better for me than Tuesdays.
Can your wife join us? That would be awesome. Let's
call each other and confirm that a
few days beforehand. I'm going to pencil
that in.
Yes! Me, too. I can't wait! Do you
want to meet at Peet's? It has great coffee and a great atmosphere.
And we can hear each other speak.
Fine. I'm glad we were able to
work something
out. I'm looking forward to this. And wish your wife a happy
birthday!
Do
you have any ideas for future podcasts? We hope you'll feel free
to share your ideas with us.
This is Jane from the ESL Help Desk, thanking
you for listening to us this week, and we have a date for next week,
right?
Music Copyright,
permission of Luca De Bernardi
Photo of Headphones Copyright Karl-Erik Bennion
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Welcome to
others
learners of English. Our Library contains audio stories, grammar
and communication lessons. If you are taking an English as a Second
Language class or are learning English on your own, the
Do
you have any ideas for future podcasts? 
