Learn English with this parenting English lesson

Intro

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

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• goer
• symphony
• babysitter
• exaggerate

• miss out
• feel sorry for yourself
• confide
• stir crazy

• get it all in
• avid

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

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You really want to see the newest Justin Timberlake movie. You and your friends have been talking about it for weeks, and you make a plan to see it on Saturday. The day before the movie, your mom tells you that you have to visit your grandmother on Saturday. You’re going to miss out on the movie. It’s not fair!

When you miss something, you don’t notice or see it. Missing out on something means that the thing you didn’t notice or see was something you really wanted to notice or see. It can also mean that you missed your chance to do an activity. If you feel like you’re missing out, you probably feel sorry for yourself and pretty sad.

Find out who feels like she’s missing out in this English lesson about being a new mom.

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.

Marni

Amanda

Marni:  I’m really glad you called me to come in and help you with this project, Amanda.

Amanda:  You know, actually, I am, too. I’m glad it’s just the two of us here, because I kind of wanted to talk to you about…

Marni:  I’m glad it’s just the two of us, too, because I’ve been wanting to talk to you, too. I feel like I can confide in you.

Amanda:  OK.

Marni:  I have been going a little stir crazy being around the house. It is so nice to get out.

Amanda:  Really? Because I think it sounds kind of amazing to not have to work all the time. You get to spend all of your time with your new baby.

Marni:  Yeah, Dawn’s great. I know. It’s great.

Amanda:  OK, well that’s what you keep saying. But I remember this one time you said that you missed her so much and you were only away for, what? Two hours, maybe?

Marni:  You’re right. I did say that.

Amanda:  OK, good.

Marni:  But ever since I’ve become a parent, I can’t help feeling like I’m missing out on something. I feel like I’m just stuck at home and life is happening outside without me!

Amanda:  OK, so there’s nothing that exciting going on. What exactly is it that you feel like you’re missing out on?

Marni:  Well, I used to be an avid movie goer, and I haven’t been to the movies in nine months!

Amanda:  Not one?

Marni:  Not one. And you know I have a friend who plays in the symphony? She plays the oboe. Well, I wanted to go see her, and John had to work. Couldn’t get a babysitter, so I just stayed home.

Amanda:  Why didn’t you just bring the baby?

Marni:  You can’t bring a baby to the symphony! I mean, anywhere you go, you’re just constantly focused on them, so you miss everything.

Amanda:  Right. So, it’s funny, because I always thought that people were exaggerating when they said that they missed out on everything after they had kids.

Marni:  Oh, no. No. It’s not an exaggeration. It’s even worse than I expected!

Amanda:  Right.

Marni:  You’re lucky that you and Mason are waiting. Get it all in while you can. And speaking of getting it all in, can I take a moment to check out Facebook? I haven’t been on it in forever.

Amanda:  Yeah, go for it.

Marni:  Oh my god! Mason just… well, he posted that you’re pregnant! Congratulations! Oh my god.

Amanda:  Yay.

Marni:  That’s so exciting!

Amanda:   Yeah. I’m really excited. It’s exciting. I think you missed this one here.

Marni:  Yeah, let’s get back to this.

Amanda:  Let’s focus. It’s exciting.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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