as a conventional greeting to ask about someone’s health and happiness, whether or not you have any reason to believe that they have been ill or unhappy and whether or not you really wan[r]
(1)HOW TO BE A GOOD LANGUAGE LEARNER Always go to class Get to class early Sit in the middle of the front row Sit up straight and pay attention Ask and answer questions Study every day Don’t cram Learn something new every day Do all homework assignments and submit them on time Use your new language outside of the classroom at least once every day 10 Don’t quit, no matter what! INTRODUCTORY UNIT REQUESTS FOR THE STUDENT: ASKING FOR HELP Here are some formulas for asking for help: Introducing the formulas - Sorry, - Excuse me, - Pardon me, Formulas - Can you speak more slowly, please? - I don’t understand - Could you repeat that, please? - Could you explain “request”? - What does “greeting” mean? - What’s (…) in English? - How you say (…) in English? - How you spell that? - How you pronounce this word? - I don’t know - I don’t remember HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY SPOKEN ENGLISH? Some people are shy to speak a new language with others This shyness is mostly associated with the fear that “I will make mistakes.” If you are shy to speak English with other people, read the following Use a sound recorder to work on your pronunciation All computers now include a sound recording device Read out words to the sound recorder, listen to your pronunciation, and repeat the word, phrase or sentence until you get better See pronunciation video lessons - Every day, read aloud to yourself / yourselves a piece of text, news or anything of interest Study a conversation Role-play with someone using the conversation lesson If you don’t have anybody to role-play with, then use a mirror Speak aloud looking into the mirror - Learn something every day in English Do things you like Then talk about them in English Do the following exercise before the mirror Imagine each line first and then say it aloud looking into the mirror: “I don’t fear about making mistakes when I speak English I am doing a good job when I speak English with others I tolerate my mistakes I am learning English I appreciate my efforts I am improving my English with my efforts and good work People like me because I am nice to talk with People speak with me because of my good qualities as a person They don’t mind if I slip at times because English is not my mother tongue I am learning and improving it every day I am powerful I have all the power to feel good about my English No one can make me feel bad about it I make mistakes only to learn from my mistakes” (2) UNIT 1 Tom: Mary: Tom: Mary: Tom: Sue: Jane: Sue: Jane: Sue: John: Linda: John: Linda: John: Anna: Rose: Anna: Rose: Chip: Sarah: Chip: Sarah: Chip: Sarah: Chip: Sarah: Chip: Sarah: Chip: Ann: Wendy: Ann: Wendy: Ann: Wendy: Ann: Wendy: Ann: Andy: Scott: Andy: Scott: Andy: Scott: Andy: Scott: Andy: Scott: Andy: Scott: Jack: Bill: Jack: Bill: Jack: Bill: Jack: Bill: Jack: Bill: Jack: Bill: GREETINGS Good morning, Mary! Lovely morning, isn’t it? Morning, Tom! Yes, it’s nice How are you? Fine, thanks And you? Fine Hi, Jane! Aren’t you going to work today? Yes, but I’m going to work later I have an appointment at the dentist’s How are you doing? I’m OK, thank you And you? I’m very well, thanks Morning, Linda! How are you? Morning, John! I’m fine, thanks, John! And you? I’m very well, thanks I’ve just been on holiday How was it? It was good Thanks Rose! Great to see you again Great to see you How are you doing? OK! Hello, I’m Chip Hello, I’m Sarah Pleased to meet you, Sarah Pleased to meet you, too Where are you from? I’m from London And you? I’m from Bangkok What you do? I’m a dentist Oh, that’s interesting I’m a dentist, too Dentistry is very interesting, isn’t it? Yes, I think so Hello, I’m Ann Hello, I’m Wendy Nice to meet you, Wendy Nice to meet you, too How are things? Pretty good Thank you And how are you? Not too bad Thanks Sorry, I must be off See you later See you later, too Hello, Scott! Hello, Andy! How’s it going? I’m very well, thank you And you? I’m fine, thanks Are you free tonight? Yes, I am Would you like to go to the cinema tonight? Yes, I’d love to Where and when shall we meet? Let’s meet at my house at about p.m Sure See you then Bye How are you, Bill? I’m fine, thank you And you? Fine, too Where are you going? I’m going to the post office And you? I’m going to the department store Are you in a hurry? No, not really What have you been doing lately? Oh, nothing much I’m just taking one day at a time That’s OK Everybody else does, too See you later See you later, too (3) and and you? USEFUL EXPRESSIONS You say and you? in reply to someone who has asked you how you are: Example 1: Mary: I haven’t seen you for a long time, Jane How are you? Jane: I’m very well, thanks, Mary And you? Example 2: John: Good morning, Tom! How are you? Tom: I’m fine, John And you? are how are you? You say how are you? as a conventional greeting to ask about someone’s health and happiness, whether or not you have any reason to believe that they have been ill or unhappy and whether or not you really want to know how they are: Example 1: Mike: Hello, James How are you this morning? James: I’m fine, thanks, Mike How are you? Example 2: Peter: Tom told me that you had to go to hospital last week, Jane How are you now? Jane: I’m fine, thanks, Peter I was just having a small operation and I’ve recovered completely You can say how are you? or and how are you? instead: Example: Ann: Hello, Jill How are you today? Jill: I’m fine, thanks And how are you? how are you doing? This is an informal expression meaning the same as how are you?: Hello, Mike! I haven’t seen you since Christmas How are you doing? Hi, Jim! I haven’t seen you for a long time How are you doing? Two other informal expressions with the same meanings are how’s it going? and how are things?: + Hi, Jack! How’s it going? + Hi, Sarah! How are things? + + fine I’m fine You say I’m fine in reply to someone who has asked how you are Even if you are not really feeling fine, it is conventional to say that you are, rather than to tell someone what is wrong with you The expression is often shortened to fine: + Good morning, Jean! How are you? I’m fine, thank you, Mary How are you? + Hi, Ben! How are you? Fine, thanks, Peter And how are you? You say I’m very well and I’m OK in the same way, but I’m OK is more informal: + Good morning, Jill! How are you today? I’m very well, thank you, Mary How are you? + Hi, Bill! How are you? I’m OK, thanks And you? hello! You use hello! as a conventional greeting when you meet someone: + Hello, Jane! Where are you going in such a hurry? + Hello, Mary! I’m sorry, I’m late You also say hello! when you answer the phone: + Hello! This is Jane Brown speaking You also say hello! to the person who answers the phone when you are making a phone call: + Hello! I’d like to speak to the manager, please (4) hi! You use hi! as an informal alternative to hello! when you meet someone: + Hi, Tom! How are you doing? + Hi, Lucy! I haven’t seen you for ages morning good morning You say good morning to someone as a greeting when you meet them in the morning This is often shortened to morning! + Good morning, Mr Brown I’m just off to the newsagent to get my newspaper + Morning, Lucy! I can’t stop to chat because I’m already late evening good evening You say good evening to someone as a greeting when you meet them in the evening This is often shortened to evening!: + Good evening, Jim! Have you just finished work? + Evening, Jack! You’re on a later train than usual UNIT MAKING INTRODUCTIONS Introducing yourself Shake hands firmly, and look at the other person straight in the eye Smile! Men shake hands with men Women choose whether to shake hands with men or not The woman offers her hand first Nowadays women often shake hands with women (but not always) Say how you In the USA the response is pleased to meet you or fine, thanks In Britain, the response is usually how you Give information about yourself State your name Add extra information (job, company or where you live) Exchange business cards Introducing other people Introduce in the correct order Introduce lower status to higher status Introduce younger people to older people Introduce men to women + Meg: Good morning! My name’s Meg Wilson I’m from the Blackford branch of the firm and I’m here to some training Mr Black is expecting me Receptionist: Good morning, Meg! I’ll just let Mr Black know you’re here Secretary: Good morning! You must be Meg Wilson I’m Sarah Smith and I’m Mr Black’s secretary Welcome to head office Meg: Thank you! I’m really looking forward to working here Secretary: Mr Black, this is Meg Wilson from our Blackford office Mr Black: How you do, Meg? I hope you will enjoy your visit to head office Meg: How you do, Mr Black? I’m sure I will Mr Black: Well, start by getting Sarah to introduce you to some of the other people you will be working with Secretary: Good morning, everyone! I’d like to introduce Meg Wilson She’s from Blackford office and she’s going to be working with us for a couple of weeks I think Mr Black told you about her Jim: Hello, Meg! Pleased to meet you! I hope you enjoy your time here Mike: Hi, Meg! Nice to meet you! Mary: Hi, Meg! Good to meet you! Let me know if I can anything to help Meg: I’ll never remember any of their names (5) + A: B: A: B: A: C: B: A: B: + A: Hi, Jack How are you? B: Fine, thank you I’d like you to meet my roommate, Jim A: Nice to meet you, Jim C: Me, too Are you studying at this university? A: Yes, I’m studying Physics here C: Are you living here with your family? A: No, my family is in China C: How long have you been living here? A: Two months C: You speak English very well A: Sometimes I make mistakes when I speak English, and I have trouble with my pronunciation, too C: Well, it’s almost time for class See you later A: See you later, too + A: B: A: C: B: C: B: C: B: C: B: C: B: + + + OK How you My name is Tarzan, and I believe you are known as Jane Allow me to introduce myself I am John, manager of BBC Company My name is Linda I’m from Mexico City, and I’m a lawyer I’m married and I have two wonderful children In my free time I like to play tennis and go the movies My name is Kenji Suzuki I’m an English teacher, and I teach in a large high school I live in Osaka with my wife and son, Ichiro I’m a big baseball fan, and I love to play golf My name is Wilma Jane I’m from Spain, and I’m a model I work for a large international modeling agency I’m single, but I have a very nice boyfriend, Roger I like to go dancing, and, of course, I love to go to the beach Hi, there! My name’s Gloria Gusto I’m an actress I’m from London I’ve got a flat in London and a house in Hollywood, with a swimming pool I’ve got a new Rolls-Royce and a lot of money in the bank I’ve got a husband, and three wonderful children in Hollywood Life’s great! I’ve got everything! Hello, my name’s Tom Atkins I’m from London, too I’m broke I haven’t got any money I haven’t got a job or a house, or a car I haven’t got a wife, and I haven’t got any children Life’s terrible! I haven’t got anything! + + + + Good evening, Mr Zhen Good evening, Mr White Have you met my wife, Judy? No, I haven’t had the pleasure Allow me to introduce my wife to you Mr Zhen, this is my wife, Judy How you do, Mr Zhen? How you do, Judy? Have a glass of brandy and let me introduce you to some of my friends Thank you Jack, Have you met Bill? No, I haven’t Then let me introduce you to him right now Jack, this is my friend, Bill Hi, Jack I’m glad to meet you I’m glad to meet you, too Can we sit down somewhere and have a talk? Sure Let’s sit over there I’ve heard about you, but I haven’t had the chance to meet you This is a very pleasant occasion, isn’t it? You have a good reputation, too What company are you working for? I’m working for the Bank of America And what about you? I’m a lawyer I hope we’ll be good friends I hope so (6) USEFUL EXPRESSIONS how how you You say how you do? as a formal way of responding when you are introduced to someone: + Mr Brown, I’d like to introduce you to Miss Jones, who is in charge of publicity How you do, Miss Jones? How you do, Mr Brown? Please not that you not reply to the question how you do? It is simply a conventional greeting requiring no answer and should not be treated like such expressions as how are you? I’m … You use I’m … or I am …when you are telling someone or some people who you are, often adding some other information, such as what you do: + Hello, everyone! I’m John I’ve just moved here from London + Good morning, children! I am Miss Brown, and I am going to be your teacher this semester You also use my name is … in the same way: + My name is Jack I’m the new hotel porter My name is Frank Brown I’m here to help you with the garden pleased pleased to meet you You use pleased to meet you as a rather informal conventional response to being introduced to someone Formerly, the expression was considered not very acceptable, and even rather vulgar, but social manners have changed and it is now considered quite acceptable It is much less formal than how you do? There are various alternative forms of this expression including good to meet you and nice to meet you: + This is Jean Smith, my roommate Nice to meet you, Jean! + This is John Black, everyone He is one of our new salesmen Good to meet you! introduce I’d like to introduce … You use I’d like to introduce … in a fairly formal context when people are meeting each other for the first time and you are saying what the name of one of them is: + Father, I’d like to introduce you to George Burns He is my new business partner + Mr Jackson, I’d like to introduce you to the new department secretary, Miss Lee You can use may I introduce …?, let me introduce …and allow me to introduce … in the same rather informal way: + Grandfather, may I introduce you to John Wilson, who is one of my fellow teachers? + Mr Wilson, let me introduce Mrs Smith, who is our new biology teacher this this is … You use this is … as a less formal way of saying I’d like to introduce …with the same meaning: + Jane, this is James, my new friend from university + Peter, this is Lucy She’s staying with me for a few days + + Sometimes people use meet … as an informal introduction in stead of this is …: Jack, meet Lucy Also, some people simply use the names of the two people being introduced: Meg, Bob Bob, Meg (7) SPEAK ENGLISH LIKE AN AMERICAN If you already speak some English and now would like to speak more like a native, you've found the right book One of the keys to speaking like a native is the ability to use and understand casual expressions, or idioms American English is full of idioms You won't learn these expressions in a standard textbook But you will hear them all the time in everyday conversations You'll also meet them in books, newspapers, magazines, and so forth This book will help you understand and use idioms better It contains over 300 of today's most common idioms Idioms add color to the language Mastering idioms and your speech will be less awkward, less foreign You'll also understand more of what you read and hear Often a student of English tries to translate idioms word-for-word, or literally If you this, you can end up asking, "What could this possibly mean?" This is why idioms are difficult: they work as groups of words, not as individual words If you translate each word on its own, you'll miss the meaning and in many cases end up with nonsense As an example, let's take one of the idioms presented in this book: "out of this world." This expression is often used to describe delicious food If you have a party and you serve a delicious chicken dish, your American friend might tell you, "This chicken is out of this world!" Start translating the expression word-forword and you'll have to ask yourself: "What world is it in?" and "Why is she even commenting on the chicken being in a world, any world?" Here's another example Let's say you're on a tennis team Your team has won every single game for the past six months You could tell your friend this without using an idiom: "Our team is lucky because we keep winning game after game." You can also express this with an idiom: "Our team is on a winning streak." It sounds better, doesn't it? When using idioms, remember that their word order and structure are often not flexible In other words, you will need to get the word order exactly right Here's an example of what I mean Recently, I helped a student with his English homework He then told me, "You've got a golden heart." He was trying to speak idiomatic English, but the correct expression is: "You've got a heart of gold." This book includes a CD of all of the dialogues The CD will help you with pronunciation and will also help you remember the idioms Play it at home, at work, in the car, while traveling before you know it, you'll be speaking English like an American! Try to "develop an ear" for idioms on your own Don't worry, I'm not suggesting you try to grow a third ear! "Develop an ear" is an idiom — it means to learn to listen for something If you don't know what an expression means, ask a native speaker of English Here's what you can say to your helper: Excuse me, I ran across this expression and I'm not sure what it means Can you please help me out? Add idioms to your speech and writing just as you add vocabulary You may find it helpful to write all of the expressions in this book down on note-cards and review them whenever you have a free moment Good luck adding idioms to your everyday speech It's fun, and you'll enjoy speaking English much more Like an American! B O B ' S D A Y A T WORK Bob works as a manager in a furniture store Peter, his boss, is not happy about sales Bob's new advertising campaign hasn't helped Peter decides to fire him Peter: Bob: Peter: Bob: Peter: Bob: Peter: Bob: Peter: Bob: Peter: Bob, I hate to break the news, but our sales were down again last month Down again, Peter? Yeah These days, everybody's shopping at our competition, Honest Abe's Furniture Store But everything in there costs an arm and a leg! That's true They charge top dollar And their salespeople are very strange They really give me the creeps! Well, they must be doing something right over there Meanwhile, we're about to go belly-up I'm sorry to hear that I thought my new advertising campaign would save the day Let's face it: your advertising campaign was a real flop Well then I'll go back to the drawing board It's too late for that You're fired! (8) Bob: What? You're giving me the ax? Peter: Yes I've already found a new manager She's as sharp as a tack Bob: Can't we even talk this over? After all, I've been working here for 10 years! Peter: There's no point in arguing, Bob I've already made up my mind Bob: Oh well, at least I won't have to put up with your nonsense anymore! Good-bye to you and good-bye to this dead-end job Peter: Please leave before I lose my temper! about to - ready to; on the verge of EXAMPLE 1: It's a good thing Bob left the furniture store when he did Peter was so angry, he was about to throw a dining room chair at him EXAMPLE 2: I'm glad you're finally home I was just about to have dinner without you after all - despite everything; when everything has been considered; the fact is EXAMPLE 1: You'd better invite Ed to your party After all, he's a good friend EXAMPLE 2: It doesn't matter what your boss thinks of you After all, you're going to quit your job anyway at least - anyway; the good thing is that EXAMPLE 1: We've run out of coffee, but at least we still have tea EXAMPLE 2: Tracy can't afford to buy a car, but at least she has a good bicycle NOTE: The second definition of this phrase is "no less than": There were at least 300 people waiting in line to buy concert tickets (to) break the news - to make something known EXAMPLE 1: Samantha and Michael are getting married, but they haven't yet broken the news to their parents EXAMPLE 2: You'd better break the news to your father carefully After all, you don't want him to have a heart attack! (to) cost an arm and a leg - to be very expensive EXAMPLE 1: A college education in America costs an arm and a leg EXAMPLE 2: All of the furniture at Honest Abe's costs an arm and a leg! dead-end job - a job that won't lead to anything else EXAMPLE 1: Diane realized that working as a cashier was a dead-end job EXAMPLE 2: Jim worked many dead-end jobs before finally deciding to start his own business (let's) face it - accept a difficult reality EXAMPLE 1: Let's face it, if Ted spent more time studying, he wouldn't be failing so many of his classes! EXAMPLE 2: Let's face it, if you don't have a college degree, it can be difficult to find a high-paying job (to) give one the creeps - to create a feeling of disgust or horror EXAMPLE 1: Ted's friend Matt has seven earrings in each ear and an "I Love Mom" tattoo on his arm He really gives Nicole the creeps EXAMPLE 2: There was a strange man following me around the grocery store He was giving me the creeps! (to) go back to the drawing board - to start a task over because the last try failed; to start again from the beginning EXAMPLE 1: Frank's new business failed, so he had to go back to the drawing board EXAMPLE 2: The president didn't agree with our new ideas for the company, so we had to go back to the drawing board (to) go belly-up - to go bankrupt EXAMPLE 1: Many people lost their jobs when Enron went belly-up EXAMPLE 2: My company lost $3 million last year We might go belly-up (to) give someone the ax - to fire someone EXAMPLE 1: Mary used to talk to her friends on the phone all day at work, until one day her boss finally gave her the ax EXAMPLE 2: Poor Paul! He was given the ax two days before Christmas (to) lose one's temper - to become very angry EXAMPLE 1: Bob always loses his temper when his kids start talking on the telephone during dinner EXAMPLE 2: When Ted handed in his essay two weeks late, his teacher really lost her temper (to) make up one's mind - to reach a decision; to decide EXAMPLE 1: Stephanie couldn't make up her mind whether to attend Harvard or Stanford Finally, she chose Stanford (9) EXAMPLE 2: Do you want an omelet or fried eggs? You'll need to make up your mind quickly because the waitress is coming no point in - no reason to; it's not worth (doing something) EXAMPLE 1: There's no point in worrying about things you can't change EXAMPLE 2: There's no point in going on a picnic if it's going to rain (to) put up with - to endure without complaint EXAMPLE 1: For many years, Barbara put up with her husband's annoying behavior Finally, she decided to leave him EXAMPLE 2: I don't know how Len puts up with his mean boss every day real flop or flop - a failure EXAMPLE 1: The Broadway play closed after just days - it was a real flop! EXAMPLE 2: The company was in trouble after its new product flopped (to) save the day - to prevent a disaster or misfortune EXAMPLE 1: The Christmas tree was on fire, but Ted threw water on it and saved the day EXAMPLE 2: We forgot to buy champagne for our New Year's party, but Sonia brought some and really saved the day! (as) sharp as a tack - very intelligent EXAMPLE 1: Jay scored 100% on his science test He's as sharp as a tack EXAMPLE 2: Anna got a scholarship to Yale She's as sharp as a tack (to) talk over - to discuss EXAMPLE 1: Dave and I spent hours talking over the details of the plan EXAMPLE 2: Before you make any big decisions, give me a call and we'll talk things over top dollar - the highest end of a price range; a lot of money EXAMPLE 1: Nicole paid top dollar for a shirt at Banana Republic EXAMPLE 2: Wait until those jeans go on sale Why pay top dollar? (10)