English As A Second Language (esl) Podcast - Learn English Online

Learn how to talk about shopping for jewelry. Jeff looks for a special birthday gift for his wife and chooses among bracelets, rings, and necklaces. Dialogue/Story My wife's birthday was coming up and I wanted to get her a special present. She always tells me not to splurge on gifts for her, but for once, I decided to pull out all the stops. I went to the jewelry store and began looking at all of the display cases. I started by looking at the bracelets. The sales clerk asked me if I was looking for a bangle or a chain bracelet. I told her that I wasn't sure, and she showed me some in yellow gold, white gold, and platinum. None of them seemed like my wife's style, so I moved on to the rings. The clerk asked me if my wife liked diamonds, and I told her that she did but that she also liked other stones, like emeralds, rubies, or sapphires. I looked at a lot of anniversary bands, but none really fit the bill. Finally, I walked over to the display case with the necklaces. There was a pearl necklace with a rea

Topics American Movies: Star Wars · The Securities and Exchange Commission · Questions and Answers Key Terms trilogyprequelouter spaceextraterrestrialdroidto harnessbox officesecuritycommissionbrokerscopedisclosureshamepityto be left cold

Learn how to talk about problems with noisy neighbors. Jeff's quiet street changes when a new renter starts playing loud music late at night. Dialogue/Story I live in a quiet neighborhood. At least that's what I thought until last week. I live in a cul-de-sac in a residential neighborhood in Los Angeles. There is a nice retired couple that lives kitty-corner from me. They have always been very friendly and we have gotten along very well. About three months ago, they decided to renovate their garage and turn it into a guesthouse. Since they don't have a lot of money, they wanted to rent out the unit to help make ends meet. A new renter moved in about three weeks ago, and that's when the trouble began. She was a student at the local university and she liked to invite her friends over. The trouble was they kept very late hours, and they liked to play loud music. My neighbors were at their wits' end. They talked to their tenant several times about the noise, but nothing worked. Finally, they asked her to mov

Learn how to talk about going to the doctor for a check-up. Jeff makes an appointment, waits, and finally sees the doctor for his annual physical. Dialogue/Story Going to the doctor is never particularly pleasant for me. But I couldn't put it off any longer. It was time for my annual physical, and there was no getting around it. So I picked up the phone and called for an appointment. “I'd like to see Dr. Shimoya next week, please, if that's possible,” I said. Of course, it wasn't possible. The doctor was booked until next month, the receptionist told me. “Okay,” I said, “Let's schedule it for next month.” When the day arrived, I drove over to the doctor and checked in at the receptionist's desk. I had to present my HMO card and pay the co-pay of $15.00. The receptionist instructed me to go to waiting room B, down the hall, first door on the right. So I went there and took a seat to wait. And I waited, and waited. Finally, my name was called and I went in to see the doctor. The nurse weighed me, took my tem

Topics Famous Americans: Helen Keller · The Triple Crown of horse racing · Questions and Answers Key Terms deafblindsign languagepalmBraillemagna cum laudecompanionadvocatethoroughbredrarederbyto sponsoropposable thumbdue tobecause ofMc

Learn how to talk about your paycheck and the money taken out of it. Bill opens his first paycheck and Carol explains the deductions. Dialogue/Story Bill: It's about time! I've been waiting for my first paycheck and now it's finally here. I'm ready to party this weekend! Whoa! Carol: What's the matter? Bill: What happened to all my money? The amount of this check is a lot less than I expected it to be. Carol: Yeah, my first paycheck was an eye-opener for me, too. Look at the pay stub and you'll see all of the deductions. After federal income taxes, state income taxes, and FICA, you're not left with a lot of money. Bill: You're right, but what's FICA? Carol: Those are taxes for Social Security and Medicare. Did you sign up for a retirement plan? If you did, those retirement contributions are deducted, too. Bill: Thank God, I didn't. But you know what? That still doesn't account for all of the deductions. Carol: Let me take a look. Oh, it looks like your wages are being garnished. Bill: They're garnis

Learn how to talk about watching a soccer game in English. Shandy and Giuseppe watch from the stands as Shandy's boyfriend Fabio scores a goal and then gets hurt. Dialogue/Story Shandy: Oh, that player just hit my boyfriend! Did you see that? That was definitely a penalty. Giuseppe: No, I didn't. I was watching the goalie. The referee isn't doing anything. Shandy: I can't believe it. Why isn't the coach talking to that referee? I'm sure the other player deliberately kicked Fabio with his cleats. Giuseppe: Hey, look! Fabio has the ball and he's taking it all the way down the field. He shoots, he scores! That's his second goal of the game. He's going to win the game for the team. Shandy: What's he doing now? Why is he on the ground? Is he hurt? Giuseppe: I don't know. The trainer is helping him off the field. It doesn't look serious. Shandy: That's good, but he hates sitting on the bench. He won't want to watch the rest of the match from the sidelines. Giuseppe: Look at the stands over there! Shandy:

Topics American Movies: The Godfather · Elvis Presley and Graceland · Questions and Answers Key Terms godparentmafiabriberycorruptionbrutalto legitimizestillbornsideburnsthe rest is historymansionrecording studioartifactto hinderto hamperto impedethe hunt is onquick and dirty tips

If you can’t read this, then put on your glasses and listen to this episode on having bad eyes. Slow dialogue: 1:07 Explanations: 2:45 Fast dialogue: 15:19 Sue: This medication I’m taking is messing with my vision. Everything is blurry. Hamed: That’s a good reason for you to stay home from work today. Sue: I can’t. I have to give a presentation this afternoon and I can’t flake out on my coworkers. Hamed: What good are you to them if you’re blind as a bat? Sue: Everybody else will have crystal clear vision, so all I have to do is to put in an appearance. Things may not be as sharp as I’d like them to be, but I can still make out people and objects – as long as they’re really big. Hamed: I don’t think your coworkers are going to want you to blindside them today with your strange behavior. You’re going to do more harm than good. Sue: I can see well enough. I only see double if I move my head like this. Whoa… Hamed: At this point, I don’t care if you have X-ray vision. That medicatio

Learn how to take and leave phone messages in this podcast. Slow dialog: 0:57 Explanations: 3:42 Fast dialog: 21:10 I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home. As soon as I walked in the door, though, the phone rang. Paolo: Hello. Evelyn: Hi, could I speak to Tony? Paolo: He’s not here right now. Can I take a message? Evelyn: Do you know when he’ll be back? Paolo: No, I don’t. Evelyn: Okay. I’ll call back later. Thanks. …… Ten minutes later, the phone rang again. Paolo: Hello. Pam: Hi, is Tony there? Paolo: No, he’s out. Pam: Could I leave a message? Paolo: Sure. Give me a second to get something to write with…Okay, I’m ready. Pam: Could you tell him that Pam called and ask him to call me back as soon as he can. Paolo: Does he have your number? Pam: He should, but I’d better give it to you. It’s 279-555-6347. Paolo: Okay, I’ll tell him. Pam: Thanks. ….. As soon as I put down the receiver, the phone rang again. I couldn’t believe it. Paolo: Hello. Susa

Learn how to ask for clarification in English in this podcast. Slow dialog: 0:54 Explanations: 2:29 Fast dialog: 12:46 I was negotiating a contract with a new business partner, and we had a meeting to clarify the terms. Bill: If I understand the terms correctly, the length of the contract would be one year with a one-year option. Is that correct? Ms. Samuels: Do you mean the contract for equipment rental or the one for training? Bill: I was under the impression that both contracts had the same terms. Ms. Samuels: Yes and no. Let me see if I can clarify that. The terms are the same except that the contract for training has a clause that allows for the cancellation after the first six months. Bill: Could you elaborate on that? Ms. Samuels: Sure. What I mean is that either side could cancel the training contract after the six months as long as it’s in writing. Bill: Let me see if I have that right. This contract is for six months of training, but if it isn’t cancelled, continues for anoth