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Martial Arts

Martial Arts

Date: Apr 18 2008

Themes: Hobbies, Sports

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Wars aren’t fought with swords and fists anymore. But martial arts are more popular than ever.

Learning how to fight is fun and good exercise. Plus if you get in a fight, you’ll know what you’re doing.

But martial arts is also about strengthening the mind. Some forms of martial arts are more meditative than others. Listen to Marni and Mason talk about it.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  So this summer my mother and I actually took some free Tai Chi classes that were being held in a park…

Mason:  Oh yeah, like, the dudes in the park.

Marni:  Well, you know it was a very bonding experience. What I learned, what I did not know, is that Tai Chi is actually a martial art.

Mason:  Duh.

Marni:  OK. Apparently I’m the last person on the planet that didn’t know this.

Mason:  Yeah.

Marni:  But in doing it, I was like, I get it. It’s very meditative and slow, but…

Mason:  Tai Chi is like Chinese for “kick ass.”

Marni:  I’m sure. A direct translation.

Mason:  Uh-huh. Yeah.

Marni:  Absolutely.

Mason:  No, of course it’s a martial art.

Marni:  I always just thought of it as a more meditative thing, but in doing it, it was very powerful.

Mason:  Totally. It’s not as active-looking as a lot of the other ones like Taekwondo or Muay Thai, but uh…

Marni:  Have you ever done any of those?

Mason:  I did Taekwondo for a little while. Like every kid takes a martial art at some point. Every young lad.

Marni:  Well, I think it’s a good way for some kids to channel some of their energy and I also think now, having taken Tai Chi, that it would be better for some kids to do the slower…

Mason:  There is no way you’d talk a, like, 10-year-old boy into doing Tai Chi. He’ll be like, “I wanna break boards! And get colored belts!” It’s all about the fashion, really. Like, when you’re 10 years old, karate is about a fashion statement.

Marni:  Well, I don’t know. I think it’s about earning something. You know, you have to commit yourself to the art and the discipline and…

Mason:  Who is the one in this conversation who did the martial art as a 10-year-old?

Marni:  Alright…

Mason:  And I’m telling you. I wanted to break boards and wear awesome belts and karate outfits.

Marni:  And just kick things.

Mason:  That is correct.

Marni:  OK. Alright. I’ll give you that.

 

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Discussion

Marni didn’t realize that Tai Chi is a martial art until she tried it. Mason thought everyone knew that.

Of course, it’s not as active as other forms of martial arts. Like many American kids, Mason did Taekwondo when he was a kid.

Marni thinks that maybe kids should try Tai Chi, but Mason thinks she’s crazy. Obviously kids want to wear cool outfits and break boards with their hands.

Are you skilled in any martial arts? What’s more appealing to you, meditating or breaking boards?

 

Comments

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basketball player

Morocco

   Very interesting discussion i always loved martial art especially kung-fu and now I'm learning WUSHU and i like it too much even it's hard and hurting in some movements and i believe that martial art help us in focusing …. 

01:57 PM Apr 18 2008 |

cuongdv

Viet Nam

Maybe I dont know detail about this thing but i really want to learn to improve my heath.Thanks To much when you give this Information

11:34 AM Apr 18 2008 |

vabalas

vabalas

Lithuania

When I was young I attended Karate training and I like it.:)

10:01 AM Apr 18 2008 |

studiousCroatina

Germany

I did Judo as a kid but just for few months..

Today there are a lot of different kinds of martial arts…I think especially for us women it is good to know how to defend ourselves in a dangerous situation…

As for the more meditative arts are always wanted to try some but haven't so far…yeah why not reading up for some Tai Chi or Yoga workouts this weekend Wink

09:18 AM Apr 18 2008 |

vigoss

vigoss

Kazakhstan

when I was a boy, I attended courses of Taekwondo! yo :)

04:04 AM Apr 18 2008 |

vicky_

vicky_

China

i like tai chi, i learn it in my college.it is PE.can you image 500 boys and girls play tai chi in a playground.all of them wear white silk clothes. classic chinese music is background music.

02:06 AM Apr 18 2008 |

Bob Ishida

Bob Ishida

Japan

It's interesting that martial arts can be a meditation. I myself did Judo when I was a high school student but didn't feel meditative. Instead I just wanted to beat the opponent. It was not so successful, though.Wink

01:23 AM Apr 18 2008 |

aquamarine jenny

France

great

12:29 AM Apr 18 2008 |

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