English at University: 16 - Showing gratitude and clearing up confusion

source: BBC Learning English    2016年12月23日
The first term is finished at the University of Studies and it's time for the Christmas holiday! But Mary hasn't been able to book a flight home – what's she going to do and will Daniel come to the rescue?
For more, visit our website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/...

TRANSCRIPT
Narrator
Hello. It's that time for English at University – the series that teaches some English phrases to help you through your first year of study abroad. The first term has finished and the Christmas holidays are about to begin. The students at the University of Studies are busy preparing to go home… except for one…

Abi
Oh I can't wait for my boyfriend to pick me up – it's going to be great just hanging around, doing nothing for three weeks – a bit like here really. Oh, are you not packing your bags Mary – you've got a long journey home haven't you?

Mary
No. I haven't. I left it too late to book a flight home and now they're all sold out.

Abi
No! Well what are you going to do? It's Christmas, you can't spend it on your own.

Mary
Don't worry. I'm allowed to stay here – and I can do some reading and studying and watch TV – anyway, I don't really do the festive thing…

Daniel
Only me. Hi Mary… Abi… so you heard about my feedback from Professor Not then?

Mary
Yes. It wasn't great was it…

Abi
Don't worry about that – they only say bad things to make you work harder. Anyway, Danny boy, what are doing for the Yuletide period?

Daniel
Going home to my Mum and Dad's of course... boring. I'm catching the train at two o'clock so thought I'd come and say 'Happy Christmas'.
Abi
Hold on! You've got a spare bed at your parents' house, haven't you?

Daniel
Err yeah.

Abi
Perfect! Mary can't get a flight home for Christmas so she can go and stay at yours, can't she?!

Daniel
What? Really? Do you really want to come and stay with me… at Christmas?

Mary
Well, with your parents – if it's not too much trouble.

Daniel
Ace! I'll go and ring my Mum.

Abi
There you go Mary. Christmas is sorted – have a good one.

Mum
Oh Mary it's so nice to meet you. Daniel's never brought a girl home before.

Daniel
Let's change the subject. Fancy pulling a cracker mum?

Narrator
Mary, it's time to be polite, say how grateful you are but set the record straight – explain – about you and Daniel.

Mary
Yes, of course. Err, Mrs Smythe… I'm very touched that you've allowed me to stay with you. I'm really grateful to have somewhere to stay. You're such nice people to spend the holidays with.

Mum
Ooo Jim, doesn't she say such nice things. Daniel's really found a treasure here.

Daniel
Mum!

Mary
Thank you. I'm very pleased to have Daniel as a good friend but I think there's been some confusion. Can I just make it clear… we're not together.

Daniel
No mum, we're not 'an item'. Just friends, like she said.

Mum
Oh right… no wedding yet then. Ah well, you're still a lovely girl. Would you like to carve the turkey?

Narrator
Mrs Smythe seems to like you Mary. Well done for being polite and using these phrases…

I'm very touched that you've allowed me to stay with you.
I'm really grateful to have somewhere to stay.
You're such nice people to spend the holidays with.

You also told Daniel's mum you're not mad enough to be going out with her son! Here are some of the things you said to clear up any confusion…

I think there's been some confusion.
Can I just make it clear… we're not together.

You can practise these phrases, pick up a few more plus learn some top tips for studying in the UK on our website at bbclearningenglish.com.
Now, Christmas Day is going well and it looks like there's another visitor…

Daniel
I'll get it…. Professor Not, Sharon… what are you doing here?!

Sharon
Hello!

Prof. Not
Yes hello. A bit of a surprise I know. It's just… I tried to find Mary at the university but Abi said she'd come here… ah Mary… I wanted to say sorry for the confusion in our meeting last week and give you a Christmas present… so err, here you are…

Mary
Gosh… thanks.

Mum
Actually, me and Jim have bought you a little something too.

Sharon
And I've just made some mince pies to eat – but go on Mary, open your presents first.

Mary
Oh right. This is so kind of you all. Oh lovely Mr and Mrs Smythe, a woolly scarf and mittens – very useful. Oh wow! Professor, a book.

Prof. Not
Yes, it's my latest book 'Funny Business' – look I've signed it for you.

Mary
Thanks!

Daniel
Well as we're doing presents, you might as well open mine now… here you are.

Mary
Goodness… it's a small box… a lovely bow. It's a memory stick – with my name on it! That's brilliant – just what I wanted. Oh everybody, despite being a long way from home, it's been great being here – a real home from home.

Everyone
Happy Christmas!

Mum
So professor, Sharon would you like to stay for dinner?

Both
Oh yes please.

Narrator
Happy Christmas everyone. See you next term!

CNN 10 with subtitles | February 8, 2017 | The East China Sea and the South China Sea |...

source: Daily Listening    2017年2月7日
CNN 10 | February 8, 2017 | The East China Sea and the South China Sea | Daily Listening hightlights: The East China Sea and the South China Sea are two of the stops on today's show. Understand why islands in these areas are disputed. After some constitutional trivia, we're reporting on a historic, tiebreaking vote in the U.S. Senate. And we're examining whether virtual reality technology will live up to its hype.
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How to use "THOUGH" in daily English conversation

source: Speak English With Vanessa    2017年2月7日
Download my free e-book: "5 Steps To Becoming A Confident English Speaker" http://www.speakenglishwithvanessa.co...
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Google+: https://plus.google.com/+TeacherVanessa/

Phrasal Verbs - Different Meanings of 'Up'

source: Oxford Online English     2013年11月27日
A free English lesson from Oxford Online English, one of a series of lessons on phrasal verbs. See the full series here: http://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/vi...
In this lesson, we look at different ways that 'up' is used in phrasal verbs. We'll show you the different meanings of 'up' in phrasal verbs, so that you can see the connections between different verbs. You can also see how the verbs are used in everyday native English.

English Phonics Short 'e' Vowel Practice

source: Shaw English Online    2014年1月24日
Follow Shaw English: http://bit.ly/1dTGEpiWatch
Let's now practice saying the short 'e' vowels sounds. This phonics video will improve your English pronunciation.
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We Make Pizza!

source: mmmEnglish    2015年10月23日
This week, my brother, Ben, helped me to make fresh pizza dough. Then we cooked some delicious pizza's for our friends!
Watch this video and:
- Learn 10 NEW cooking words and expressions.
- Hear the imperative form (used when giving instructions in English)
- Learn how to make pizza dough so you can make your own delicious pizza at home!
What’s your favourite type of pizza? Tell me in the comments below :-)
FULL TRANSCRIPT: http://goo.gl/cfMEhv
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New York (Learn English 08)

source: EF podEnglish     2007年11月28日
Learn to ask yes/no questions using "is", "are", "have" and "can". In this beginner English lesson you will watch people talking about New York and asking and answering simple English questions about the city. You will learn a few facts about daily life in New York.
Find out more about EF and studying English abroad at http://www.ef.com or visit Englishtown and learn about the advantages of studying online at http://www.englishtown.com/online/hom...

Common Expressions with GET as a Phrasal Verb

source: Go Natural English    2011年6月4日
Watch this video next: http://bit.ly/1UKvTKQ
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Crime & Police Idioms

source: EnglishAnyone    2011年9月26日
http://www.englishanyone.com/power-le...
These idioms all have their origins in criminal activity, but they have many uses in regular conversations to describe innocent situations.

A Steal
A steal is something you bought that is much cheaper than you expected. We use this idiom to indicate something that is such a great value, that it's almost like you stole it.
I found a pair of designer shoes for over 90% off! They were a real steal!

Partners In Crime
Partners in crime are people who work together to commit a crime or trick others. This idiom can also be used as an exaggeration to describe any group of people, including children, who regularly do things together.
Those kids up the street are real partners in crime. They do everything together.

Beat The Rap
To beat the rap means to escape punishment for a crime. This idiom can be used to describe anyone who gets away with something.
The boy was sent to the principal's office for fighting, but he talked his way out of detention and beat the rap.

Cop A Plea
To cop a plea means to plead guilty to, or say you did, a crime in order to receive a lighter punishment. People usually do this when they know they will be caught and punished more severely for not confessing to a crime they committed.
The man who stole the car copped a plea to spend less time in jail.

Face The Music
To face the music means to receive punishment for a crime you committed. People usually face something like an enemy or something else they aren't looking forward to. This idiom can be used when receiving punishment for doing anything wrong.
The girl was caught trying to steal candy from a baby and had to face the music.

A Slap On The Wrist
When you get or give a slap on the wrist, you get or give a punishment that is light or easy in comparison to the crime committed. This idiom comes from teaching children to behave by slapping them gently on the wrist, or the area just above the hand, when they do something wrong. You will often hear this idiom used when companies who commit crimes like dumping toxic waste only have to pay small amounts of money as punishment.
That executive only got a slap on the wrist after losing the pension money of his employees.

Get Away With Murder
When you get away with murder, you are not punished for doing something bad. This idiom comes from real court cases where people suspected of committing crimes are found not guilty.
My brother always stays out late and recently crashed our car, but my parents never punish him! He gets away with murder!

On The Case
To be on the case means to be solving a problem or taking control of a situation. This idiom comes from cases, or crimes, that police attempt to solve. A case is opened when begun and closed when it solved.
Someone keeps stealing my cookies! Until I find out who it is, I'm on the case!

Thanking People

source: Twominute English     2013年3月25日
Exercises for this lesson: http://twominenglish.com/video/46-Tha...
Facebook: http://facebook.com'twominenglish
App for your Android Device: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...

0:07 In this lesson, we will show you common phrases people use when thanking and responding to thanks.
0:19 Hey, Kate. How are you now?
0:22 I’m feeling better, Mark. Thanks for asking.
0:25 I called your place and your mom told me you got the flu.
0:30 Yeah, I did.
0:31 I told Ms. Lucy about it and she said she’ll let you take the tests later on.
0:36 Thanks a lot Mark.
0:38 Don’t mention it. And here is the list of topics which were covered last week.
0:43 Thank you so much. You’re a great friend
0:50 Hey Shawn, can I ask you for a favor?
0:52 Sure Kate, what is it?
0:54 I have to finish this report but I don’t think I’ll be able to finish it on time.
0:58 Don’t worry. I’ll help you out.
1:00 Thanks, Shawn.
1:02 No sweat. You helped me last month so I’m returning the favor now.
1:07 Thanks a lot. You're a lifesaver.
1:09 You’re welcome.
1:15 Hello Nathan. Can I talk to Mary?
1:18 Hello Mark. Mary told me how you helped her out the other day.
1:22 Oh! It was nothing, man. I am glad I could help.
1:27 But thank you very much. You took a lot of pressure off her.
1:31 You’re welcome. But it really wasn't such a big deal.
1:35 You should join us for lunch this weekend.
1:38 Thank you for inviting me. Of course I'll come.
1:45 Nathan, I gotta go now.
1:47 But the party’s just started, Shawn.
1:50 I know. But I have to get up very early tomorrow. Thanks a lot for this amazing party.
1:55 You’re welcome. I may throw another one next week.
1:59 That would be great. Your parties are famous all around the campus
2:03 Make sure you are free next Sunday.
2:06 I will. Thanks again, man. See you tomorrow.
2:12 Thanks for asking.
2:15 Don’t mention it
2:19 Thank you so much
2:22 Thanks, Shawn.
2:26 Thanks a lot.
2:30 You’re welcome.
2:33 It was nothing, man. I am glad I could help.
2:41 Thank you for inviting me.
2:45 Thanks a lot for this amazing party.
2:50 Thanks again, man