Learn English with this work English lesson

Intro

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

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• overtime
• free time
• haystack
• pitch in

• scandal
• death threat
• profile

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

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The verb “pitch” has many meanings. It can refer to the throwing of a baseball. When you put a tent together, you pitch a tent. Pitching is also something you do with a pitchfork, which is a tool used to gather hay. You might pitch hay into a big pile, called a haystack. That sounds difficult to do on your own, doesn’t it? Maybe you’d like a friend to pitch in?

Pitching in isn’t just about gathering hay, or building a tent, or tossing balls. You pitch in whenever you help someone do something else. You could pitch in some help for your friend on his moving day, or you could pitch in some money to help your friend pay her medical bills. You could pitch in at work during a busy time, or pitch in and help drive the kids to school. Pitching in is any form of helping out.

Amanda’s about to ask the workers at the office to pitch in. Find out why she needs help in this work English lesson.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

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.

Amanda

Jeff

Lily

Mason

Amanda:  Okay everyone, I just got off the phone with Greta. I’ve got some great news. I was a little worried about that whole penguin-eyelash scandal thing. Turns out people seem to have forgotten about it already.

Jeff:  Really? Weren’t they accusing her of stealing penguin eyelashes, and giving her death threats and stuff?

Lily:  That’s what the internet is like. One minute, it’s a huge scandal, the next minute, completely forgotten.

Amanda:  Lily’s right. Thankfully tons of guys have still submitted their profiles in to win a date with Greta. And I’ve asked her to pick her first date by the end of this week. Things are gonna get really busy around here really soon, guys.

Mason:  How soon?

Jeff:  What guys?

Amanda:  What this means for us is that I’m going to have to ask all of you to pitch in.

Mason:  Wait.

Amanda:  It might mean a little overtime, it might mean some extra work around here.

Mason:  Isn’t that why you hired Lily? To do a little bit of extra stuff so you would have some free time to do your other stuff? Personal, family stuff?

Amanda:  Mason, I don’t think this is the time or place to talk about that. Lily’s not going to be around much longer to pitch in, anyway.

Jeff:  You’re leaving?

Amanda:  Yeah. She’s going to pursue her dream of becoming a chef.

Lily:  That’s the plan. But I’m more than willing to pitch in as much as you need me to until I go.

Jeff:  I’ve got to admit, I don’t like the idea of Greta going on a date with one of those guys from the contest.

Mason:  I totally agree. Cause if she starts going on all those dates, it’s gonna get so busy around here. Amanda will never want to have a baby with me!

Jeff:  Alright. I have an idea. If you’re willing to help out, I’d like you to pitch in.

Mason:  You’ve got it, buddy.

 

Grammar Point

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Lesson MP3

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