Learn English with this dating English lesson

Intro

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

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• punk rock
• edgy
• premature
• butcher

• hold out hope
• obvious
• gesture
• move on

• pep talk
• karaoke

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

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It can be extremely difficult to be patient. Most people have to learn how to do it, and even then, it can be challenging to do it well. This is especially true for children! And yet, there are kids who will wait for anything. They will hold out for as long as necessary to get what they want.

It’s one thing to hold out for an object, like a new CD from your favorite band. But sometimes we will wait patiently for something to happen. This is called holding out hope. When we hold out hope, we stay positive that what we want to happen is definitely going to happen. Often people will hold out hope for something even when it’s obvious that it’s not likely to happen anymore. It’s hard not to hold out hope when we want something so badly.

Is Jeff holding out hope that Greta will return? Read more in this English lesson about relationships.

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

Jeff

Marni:  So hey, Jeff. How are you doing? I know things haven’t been easy for you in the world of romance lately.

Jeff:  I just thought that sending my old teddy bear to Greta would be the right thing to do. To show her that I was the right guy for her.

Marni:  I know. I thought it was a really sweet gesture.

Jeff:  Not sweet enough. I was still holding out hope for a little bit, but it’s long enough now to where I’ve moved on. I think that’s all just said and done.

Marni:  OK. Well, I’m sorry. But I hear you’ve been doing some dating lately!

Jeff:  I’ve been doing a lot of dating, actually.

Marni:  Really? Have you been meeting any interesting women?

Jeff:  There’s Cheryl. She is a nurse, super into karaoke, and also skiing.

Marni:  She sounds interesting.

Jeff:  Yeah, there’s also Suzanne. She’s in a punk band and works at the bookstore. Super smart and pretty edgy.

Marni:  Well, she sounds interesting, too.

Jeff:  She is.

Marni:  Is there anyone else?

Jeff:  Jennifer. What does she teach… high school English? We went out for coffee last Monday, but she doesn’t want to see me again unless I meet her parents, which seems a little premature. Right?

Marni:  Yeah, definitely. Is there anyone else?

Jeff:  There’s also Sally. She’s a butcher, which is kind of strange, but you know. She’s interesting. Who else is there? Oh, Bridget! She’s a nurse. Really into karaoke. Yeah, it’s cool. I mean, me and karaoke… I love it.

Marni:  Wait. That sounds a lot like Cheryl, the first woman you were telling me about.

Jeff:  Right. Cheryl!

Marni:  You’d better get your details straight, or else it’s going to be really obvious that you’re dating a lot of women.

Jeff:  I know.

Marni:  The good thing is you are clearly not holding out hope for Greta anymore. You’re moving on. You’re dating. I think that’s really healthy.

Jeff:  Thanks, Marni. Thanks for the pep talk!

Marni:  Anytime. So, are you going to go call Cheryl?

Jeff:  Right! Cheryl.

Marni:  Yeah, Cheryl.

Jeff:  Karaoke. Thanks, man!

Grammar Point

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Lesson MP3

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