17- Ana and Steve - Fourth Part

Ana : Yesterday I watched, yeah I watched the last few videos, the last few Peppy videos, I remember... I think it was 25?... Where you accidentally barged into, like, a photo shoot with a nude model, that was really funny. I was like, what's going on? Is this a nude model? Wait, is this Steve's video?


You know, I got distracted for a moment, and when my eyes went back to the video... OK, what's going on here? That was really funny.


Steve  : Great, I'm glad you liked it.


Ana :  So Steve, here's another question that I got from Twitter. Aline is asking 'Why aren't phonetics and syllable division taught in English courses?'


Steve :  OK. In some English courses they are. For example, the student I was referring to (in part 3), who is now living in Toronto, he's from Brazil... We were talking about this the other day, that in fact he did learn the phonetics and he also learned some strategies for learning how to pronounce closed and open vowel sounds in English.


Why is it not taught in all courses? I have a few ideas, and, you know, after teaching English for seventeen years I think it's because the language, the phonetic symbols... is almost like a completely different language.


So, we're teaching English and then, that's already a challenge to teach to the students and when you have to use the phonetic alphabet... which, by the way, in different dictionaries, the phonetic alphabet can have variations... So it's not necessarily a universal phonetic alphabet. So that has created some difficulty for teaching it.


And I think that students perhaps are already trying to learn English so when they have to learn the phonetic alphabet, it's too much. Yeah, I tried... I think that another problem is that there are so many exceptions with regard to phonetics and spelling rules in English that... teachers just don't bother to do it, it's too complicated.


It's a wonderful idea and I think it would be nice if they put accents above the word stress, just like they do in Portuguese. I think that would help students a lot. And, who knows? You wait, maybe in a future Peppy video I will start to do that.


Ana :  That would be fun to watch... You guys being funny with phonetics?


Steve : Yeah, you throw me anything and I'll try to make it funny.


Ana :  And, how about syllable division? Any comments?


Steve :  Syllable division? Clap your hands. I think that's the best way to do it. As you are saying the word, clap your hands. If you're saying 'important', just clap your hands: important, and you can clap the number of times... And that can help you, especially when using comparative adjectives, yeah.


Ana :  OK, very practical. Thank you. OK, I think one last question I always ask the person I am interviewing is... Any final tips to Brazilian students, to Brazilian people who are learning English? If you had to, if you could give them just one takeaway, what would it be?


Steve :  That it is very important to have fun learning English. My wife is reminding me of one thing, that actually the part about clapping your hands and the syllables and all of that... is actually going to be in Peppy 28.


Ana :  OK.


Steve : So, sorry, your question was about...


Ana : Any final tips that... if you had to give only one tip, one final tip to Brazilian learners, particularly... having known Brazil...


Steve : . OK. Yes, Brazilians, listen up! Brazilians, you can do it. You can learn English. And my two pieces of advice for you are, first, try to learn English and love it. Try to associate English with things that you like. If it's watching television programs and movies, fantastic. Listening to music, and trying to understand the lyrics, or the words of the song, great. You can do that too.


It is important to have a little bit of discipline. I know a lot of people hate grammar. I know many students don't even like Portuguese grammar in terms of studying it. But it is important to have some grammar to give you some structure and some self-confidence when you're speaking. I think it's important to have a balance of discipline and love, yes.


Ana :  Thank you Steve, that was great advice.


Steve :  Yeah, I mean that from the bottom of my heart, you know. I think that... And Brazilians have so much potential, they're such risk-takers, they know how to take risks and when learning a language, I mean, that's fundamental you know? Like you're willing to make mistakes.


Ana :  Thank you. Well everybody, that's all for today. This was Ana, from inglesonline.com.br talking to Steve Ford. Again, his page on YouTube is youtube.com/privateenglishportal. And you also have your own website, right Steve?


Steve  : That's right.


Ana :  Do you wanna say the URL?


Steve : Sure, yes. You can actually go to either privateenglishportal.com or, if you don't want to type that much you can go to mypeppy.com so, yeah...


Ana : That's easy. OK, that's m-y-p-e-p-p-y dot com.


Steve :  That's right, that's right. M, y, p as in Peter, e, p as in Peter, p as in Peter, y dot com.


Ana :  Excellent. Thank you once again Steve, and...


Steve : You're welcome, it was my pleasure.


Ana : Hope to keep watching your funny videos.. and say hello to Leda.

16- Ana Interviews Steve - Third Part

Steve :  Many of my Brazilian students actually live in North America, so... Some in the United States and some in Canada, so... We always talk about that too, like...


Ana :  Oh, that's interesting Steve. That's what came to my mind right now, do they ask you about that, do they make comments about how different it is in Brazil?...


Steve :  Always, always. I have a student...


Ana :  It's good to have someone to talk to about that.


Steve :  It is, it really is. Like, I have a student right now, I won't give his name, you know, to maintain his privacy... He's planning to be a doctor here and, so we often talk about how he can develop a Canadian persona... Yeah, it's a process, it's a process that, you know, I've had to develop travelling so he's starting to do that too... to develop his own persona. It's not easy but it's not impossible. Maybe it's easier to go from rational and more distant to emotional, than from emotional to...


Ana :  Yeah, yeah... maybe here in Brazil... I don't know. I think I'm speaking more, you know, for myself... I can't speak for everyone but maybe it's a matter of learning how not to take things so personally.


Steve :  Yeah, I think so.


Ana :  'Cause it's a matter of culture sometimes and there's nothing you can do. I mean, it's not about you, right?


Steve :  Exactly. And I helped another student who immigrated to Toronto. He's originally from São Caetano in Brazil. I guess that's, like, a city just outside of São Paulo and he's, he... I mean, incredible. Brazilians have the incredible ability to adapt, and I think in maybe five, six months, you know, I helped him to adapt to living in Toronto. So he bought an apartment there and now he's living there. He's all... you know, set up and... yeah, yeah. So, Brazilians... you can do it!


Ana :  I know! Everywhere you go in the world you will meet Brazilians there.


Steve :  Exactly. Yeah, I have Brazilian students in Japan, I have another Brazilian student in Holland and she has adapted very well so Brazilians are wonderful in terms of adaptation.


Ana :  Let's move on to the next question...


Steve :  You bet.


Ana :  Professor Sergio... He asks, Steve - in your experience, what's the most difficult learning area for students?


Steve :  I think that depends on the nationality, Sergio, and with my Latin language speaking students... people who speak Portuguese, French, Italian, Spanish... what I find is the fact that English and Portuguese, for example, are similar in some ways that many of the words have a different word stress. So, I'm going to give you a little tip, so I mean... Most times in Portuguese if the stress is at the end of the word - oh God, now I sound like an English teacher...


Ana :  Go ahead... Well, English-teaching moment...


Steve :  So for example... right, sure. So I mean, if you're saying "informação", so the "ção", the word stress at the end... in English we know that it's falling on "ation", "information". So typically the word stress comes before in English but, for some reason, they do not put the accent above where the word stress should be. And I think this gives students a lot of difficulty. You know, how can I learn the pronunciation when there is no, there's no accent above the word.


Ana :  Graphic mark, OK.


Steve :  "I need a GPS device to find my way", you know, "around this language"... and nobody has made one. So pronunciation, definitely, prepositions for sure... Prepositions give students a lot of difficulty. Phrasal verbs for sure... Sometimes, verb tenses you know... In the Latin languages many times, for example, you can use progressive tenses. You can say, I am liking this, I am loving this. And grammatically in English that would not be considered correct. So...


Ana :  Yeah, although I've heard that a lot, I mean...


Steve :  I know, informal English...


Ana :  Right, in very informal... yeah.


Steve :  Yeah, yeah. And this is the thing, too... is that, in English there is the way that people speak it and then... when people go to do a test like the TOEFL, the IELTS or the Cambridge, if they use those same strategies...


Ana :  They flunk...


Steve :  Yeah, they flunk 'cause... "Oh, that's wrong, you can't do it like that." So, I think that's also a challenge for... It's good that you mentioned that because it shows that English is divided into different levels of formality so... I think that's another challenge for students, it's to separate the different levels of formality of English. Semi-formal, what is academic.


Ana :  Yeah, I think it all comes down... in the end it comes down to your purpose...


Steve :  That's true.


Ana :  Most people, I don't know, most students I come across... they just wanna speak. They just wanna be able to comprehend what people tell them, and just be able to respond or to initiate a conversation. But some people want to, I don't know... Go the, maybe, academic route and study literature or be a scientist of the language and they probaby have to know all the formal rules and everything.


Steve :  Yeah. And I think it's important for everybody to remember that... it's important to learn a good English because, you know, in the future it'll give you more opportunities... 'cause usually the people who contact me say, "I want to learn English because I need it for my work" I'm talking to people on the phone or something like that".


I think it's important for people to try to learn the best English they can. And that's why I'm trying to make it fun, because I know that a lot of people... they work all day long, they come home, they're tired and then, "Oh my God, I have to study English now? I want to watch TV, I don't want to study English"


Ana :  Yeah, they deserve a good laugh.


Steve :  Exactly!

15- Ana and Steve - Second part

Ana : Leandro is an Inglês Online reader and a Steve Ford fan.


Steve :  Yeah, great.


Ana : And he says that from what he gathered from your last video, your wife Leda is Brazilian. I believe he's right.


Steve :  That's right. Yes.


Ana :  So he wants to know if she already spoke English before she met you, whether... whether it was difficult for her to adjust to life in a different country, and finally if she's also an English teacher just like yourself.


Steve :  OK. Excellent questions, and... Well, first... first of all Leda, when we first met did not speak too much English... when we first met, and... I think she learned to like English because of me. I'm, I'm being modest here, but yeah. You know, some people... they learn English, you know... I ask students 'Why are you learning English?' and many times they would say 'Ah, because I have to, Steve' and.. I'm trying to change that.


So I think that Leda was probably one of the first people that I helped. She started to learn English with me... and I think that when she came to Canada she was, you know, very confident... She came to Canada, I guess it was around eight years ago and she was already at a pretty high level of English and I want to tell all Brazilians that they can all reach Leda's level of English, or your level of English.


It's just a question of working at it and trying to make it fun, you know, make it in a way that you can enjoy it. A lot of hard work, a lot of fun and a lot of love. And she actually now is teaching... She has been teaching English for a few years now, so... Yeah, she does teach English also, and it's something... She's also an actress.. she was an actress...


Ana :  She is? Wow! Well, yeah, we saw, we saw her in your videos, so...


Steve : You just wait for Peppy 28 on Friday. You're going to see more of the Brazilian novela... kind of the soapopera style acting for all of my Brazilian audience.


Ana : Can't wait. Actually when this interview airs, I think your video will have already been posted, so...


Steve :  Oh, so I should change that and say, I hope that everybody enjoyed Leda's Brazilian style acting when they saw Peppy 28.


Ana : You guys make a great couple, yeah.


Steve : Thank you very much, Ana.


Ana :  OK, she didn't speak much English before she met you... So basically she had classes with you, or you guys just started hanging out together and...


Steve : Yeah, she actually... she actually was one of my students which is a very brave thing for someone who is married to someone else to do. 'Cause, as you say in Portuguese "Santo de casa não faz milagre" or 'the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence'...


I mean, she did, she studied with me in many of my classes including TOEFL here in Canada... Yeah, she really worked at it, she put in a lot of hard work to make sure that her English is, you know, is like a native speaker.


Ana :  OK. And, so how difficult was it, or was it difficult at all for her to adjust to life in Canada?


Steve : Good question, and this is something that Leda herself, I think in the future, would like to talk to Brazilians about, adapting to life in North America, or adapting to life in Europe or another country abroad. And I think for her, obviously the habits of, you know, the cultural habits of people in another country are different... especially from Brazil. As a Brazilian, I think that you develop a new persona. It's almost like acting, you're developing a new person, a new you, like a new Steve, or a new...


Ana :  A new identity?


Steve :  Yeah, a new identity. And... I think that she, it was easier for her because she saw that I had done that in Brazil, so I mean, I had the Canadian Steve... I can be very Canadian... I can be the Brazilian Steve. So, yeah, I think she was good at that. She's an actress so she was able to develop a character . And I think that that's what all Brazilians who are planning to live in another country should think about, is if they really want to adapt they can try to develop a new kind of character.


A mask, you could say, that you can put on when you go to work, when you go out in public. You can take it off when you go home and you can go back to being Brazilian.


Ana :  I think we could quote that proverb, I guess it is a proverb... When in Rome, do as Romans do.


Steve : Yeah, that's exactly right. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. And I really believe that those are the people who are most successful, so... It requires a little flexibility, but you'll have more success that way.


Ana : OK, so Steve... you mentioned one thing that made me curious. You said 'I can be very Canadian', 'I can be very Brazilian'. So tell us about, tell us about that. What is being very Canadian like?


Steve : I guess I could even expand that and say 'being very North American' and... The memory that comes to my mind is when my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law were visiting from São Paulo and we were in Toronto and I was talking to someone in English and I was being very... more reserved, perhaps less emotional and then I just turned to them and I started speaking in Portuguese and you know, being completely the opposite.


You know, I lived in Brazil long enough that I can, I can switch back and forth. I can change from one minute to the other and I think it has a lot to do with emotion. And I think for sure, here in North America people are not as emotional as they are in Brazil.


Ana :  OK.


Steve :  Which is why I love Brazil, you know.

14- Ana interviews Steve Peppy - first part

Ana : Hi everyone, this is Ana from inglesonline.com.br. Today I am interviewing Steve Ford. Steve is Canadian and he has been teaching English for over fifteen years. He's the author of the very popular Peppy videos.


These are videos where Steve teaches English through storytelling, through singing and they're a lot of fun to watch... and there's a bunch of Peppy videos on Inglês Online so you can access Inglês Online, the category Inglês em Vídeo or you can access Steve's channel on YouTube directly. It's - Steve correct me if I'm wrong - it's youtube.com/privateenglishportal.


Steve : That's right.


Ana : That's right?


Steve : Yes, that's correct.


Ana : OK. So the last word I said there, portal, it's "portal" like Portuguese


Steve : Yes, that's right. Portal, portal, that's right. Private English Portal, yeah. And you can either type in youtube.com/privateenglishportal.com (forward slash, "barra") or you can type that in the search engine... you type in "learn English" in the search engine, you can find me there too, so... yeah.


Ana : How about we get started with a few questions?


Steve : Sure.


Ana : We have a good one here: professor Adir asks, How did you get involved with English teaching?


Steve : Oh, that's a great question. Well, that was something that happened...actually, when I was doing my major in English. I always loved the English language, literature, culture, so... it was always my passion to, to know languages... especially the English language.


So that became more apparent when I started to live in Brazil. Because actually, I lived in Brazil for a total of ten years... kind of a long time for a foreigner to be in Brazil so... During my stay there I actually taught English in Brazil, so... Many of the schools where I got my start as an English teacher were in fact in Brazil, so...


Ana : Where in Brazil, exactly?


Steve : I started in the north of Brazil, in Recife, or as you would say in Portuguese "Recife", and then I made my way down to Belo Horizonte, and then of course you know that I was in Rio for a bit, and then I was in São Paulo, yeah. So, all over the place in Brazil.


Ana : Why did you end up living in Brazil? What made you go to Brazil?


Steve : Ah, yeah. This is a question that probably I answered every day to my students...


Ana : They were all very curious...


Steve : Yeah, yeah, you know... It was a question that... and, and I mean, I love answering this question because it is an answer about love, and it's a, it's an answer about my heart...


And, they say "Why did you come to Brazil, Steve?" And I say, well, the first time that I went to Brazil with a group of people was with a... "intercâmbio", or an exchange, a student exchange...


Ana : Really?


Steve : Yeah.


Ana : You were, like, in high school?


Steve : I was just out of university so we went as a group... It was really interesting because we had Brazilians who stayed in Canada for three and a half months and we, you know, lived together, we worked on a certain project together, for three and a half months... and that was in Quebec, Canada.


We also had to learn French. And then we stayed in Brazil for three and a half months. And I stayed in a very, very small town in the north of Brazil... which is difficult for me to pronounce to this day, which is Taquaratinga do Norte. I don't know if you've heard of that city before but...


Ana : Would that be Taquaratinga do Norte?


Steve : Yeah, and that was the first contact that I had with Brazil, was through this student exchange and... and I have to tell you that my... the first time that I arrived in Brazil... I mean, I was just in love, basically. And ever since that moment that feeling has not changed. I kind of have this love for Brazil. You know, maybe you can see it in my videos...


Ana : Yeah. In your wife...


Steve : Yeah, exactly. It's a lifelong love affair. And when you do anything with love, of course, you do it well, and it becomes magical... and I thought Brazil...


Ana : It becomes easy, doesn't it?


Steve : It becomes easy. And I thought from the very first moment that Brazil was a very magical place and... yeah, so that's how I first had my first contact with Brazil.


Ana : Great, great story. And before that... was it before that you taught in France, or was it after? When did you go to France?


Steve : I went to France in 2000. Yeah, so... it was actually shortly after we had our stay in São Paulo, and we lived and taught in Paris, France for a year.


That was a great experience because I had never been to France before so... You know, I do have French [the language], being a Canadian, I lived in Quebec but... Yeah, that was another great experience, and...


The videos about "Steve in Paris" are so true about, you know... Taking the subway to work, finding my way around... You know, a bit of confusion arriving, you know, where the students, you know... It's like a French movie living there. It was great!


Ana : Yeah, yeah... Paris, not too shabby, huh?


Steve : No, and, there are a lot of different nationalities living there so we had a great opportunity to share ideas.


Ana : Yeah, it's a big, international city, right?


Steve : It is.


Ana : Much like New York, much like São Paulo, and maybe like Vancouver... I don't know. Is Vancouver like that?


Steve : Yes, it is very cosmopolitan, very cosmopolitan... ah, you know, people from all over the world living there and... Paris is great, because you have... a lot of culture there. It's like walking through a museum or a Hollywood movie studio all the time, you know.


My wife and I lived near the Louvre museum, so we had the opportunity to actually go rollerblading around the Louvre every night so...

13- Allie and Jack

Allie: Hello?

Jack: Hi Allie. It's Jack.

Allie: Hi!

Jack: Are you okay? I phoned you two times today, but you didn't
answer your phone.

Allie: Oh sorry. When?

Jack: I phoned you at ten o'clock this morning.

Allie: At ten o'clock I was swimming.

Jack: Then I phoned you again at three o'clock.

Allie: Umm, at three o'clock I was playing beach volleyball. My
phone was in my bag so perhaps I didn't hear it ring. Sorry
about that.

Jack: That's okay. Anyway, do you want to have dinner at
Pierre's?

Allie: The little cafe on the beach? Yes please!

Jack: Okay. I'm at the hotel. See you at 7 o'clock in the hotel lobby?

Allie: Okay, bye!

Jack: Bye!

12- Sally and Luke

Sally : Good afternoon, Mr. Jenkins.

Luke : Please, call me Luke.

Sally : All right then, Luke. Are you enjoying your stay in the city?

Luke : Yes, thank you. Yesterday we went sightseeing and had a good time. we had dinner in a really good place, next to the bridge.

Sally : I know that place. It's called " The black tree" , isn't it?

Luke : That's right.

Sally : And what did you do last night?

Luke : We went to a good bar downtown, but it was very expensive.

Sally : You're right. Downtown is very expensive for going out. When did you arrive in the city?

Luke : We arrived a week ago. We stayed in another hotel before we came here.

Sally : What monuments did you visit?

Luke : Well, last week we visited the palace and some old churches. They were magnificent.

Sally : And what are you going to do this afternoon?

Luke : well, right now I'd like to have a rest. Wespent all morning walking around downtown. My wife wanted to go shopping!

Sally : Well, have a good rest, Luke. Don't forget to wake up in time for the fireworks tonight!

Luke : Ok. Thank you.

Sally : If you need any more help or information, I'll be right here.


.....................................................................

11- Natalie and Michael

Natalie : Good Morning! How can I help you?

Michael : Good Morning! Where is the town hall, please?

Natalie : The town hall is at 230, New street, on the boardwalk.

Michael : Is it far from here?

Natalie : On foot, it's about thirty minutes. By bus or by car, it takes around ten minutes.

Michael : What number bus do I need to catch?

Natalie : The number 107. it stops just in front of the tourist office and stops just across from the town hall.

Michael : And is there a supermarket near here?

Natalie : No. The nearest supermarket is next to the church, on Smith road.

Michael : How can I get there on foot?

Natalie : Go along this street up to the roundabout, then turn right and walk up to the post office. At the post office, turn left and go straight ahead. Take the second right , and the supermarket is on the corner.

Michael : Thank you very much.

Natalie : Can I help you with anything else?

Michael : Yes. Are there any good bookstores in the city?

Natalie : Yes, there are.One of them is near the supermarket, on Smith road.

Michael : Thank you. And , finally , could you tell me how to get to the train station, please?

Natalie : The train station is on Dyke Road . Take the number 230 bus to the shopping mall, when you get off the bus, turn right, go straight and you will see the train station in front of you.

Michael : Thank you very much for all your help. Is there a map of the city I can take with me?

Natalie : Yes, there is. One moment, please. ( She gets a map ). here you are.

Michael : Thank you. Goodbye.
............................................................................

10- Jim and Lucy

Jim : Hi, Lucy. How are you?

Lucy : Hi, Jim. I'm okay, thanks. And you?

Jim : I'm fine, thank you. Do you know? There's a good exhibition of modern art in the city . Would you like to visit the museum sometimethis week?

Lucy : Okay, but I'm quite busy. how about on Wednesday at half past ten? 

Jim : I can't on Wednesday. I have to get up at a quarter after six to go to a special meeting at work. What time do you usually get up?

Lucy : I only work in the afternoon, so I usually get up at ten.

Jim : That's very late! Well, we could go on Thursday at eleven o'clock.

Lucy : Oh, I can't on Thursday . I'm going shopping to buy my sister a birthday present.

Jim : How about in the evening?

Lucy : The museum only opens on Tuesday evenings.

Jim : Ok. Well, on Tuesday at a quarter to seven?

Lucy : I'm sorry but it's impossible . My sister works on Tuesday evenings and I look after her baby.

Jim : This is very complicated! Tell me when you're free.

Lucy : Well, we can see the exhibition on Friday morning. I can get up early and meet you at the museum. How about at ten o'clock?

Jim : Perfect! By the way, what's the time? Oh, no! It's twenty after twelve. I need to get back to work.

Lucy : See you on Friday at ten, then.

Jim : See you then!
.............................................................

9- Margaret , Hannah and Stuart

Margaret : Good afternoon, NB telephones. Margaret speaking. How can I help you?

Hannah : Good afternoon. Could I speak to Mr. Stuart Smith, Please?

Margaret : One moment, please. Who's calling?

Hannah : This is Hanna Fairweather, I'm calling about the job advertised in the newspaper.

Margaret : Hold on, please. I'll put you through to him.

Hannah : Thank you.

Stuart : Good Morning. Stuart Smith. Who's calling please?

Hannah : Hello, this is Hannah Fairweather. I'm calling about the accountant job advertised in the newspaper.

Stuart : Ok, Hannah. I'll just take some details from you and we'll arrange an interview. Could you spell your surname for me , please?

Hannah : Yes, it's F-A-I-R-W-E-A-T-H-E-R .

Stuart : And your phone number, please?

Hannah : It's 07963-157862

Stuart : Can you repeat the last three digits, please?

Hannah : Eight-six-two

Stuart : Thank you. So, the work schedule is from 9am to 5pm, from Monday to Friday. Could you come for an interview at 10 on Wednesday morning?

Hannah : I'm very sorry, but it's impossible on wednesday. I've got a doctor's appointment. But I'm free on tuesday morning.

Stuart : That's fine. I'll see you at 10pm on Tuesday, then. Our office is at 15 , Key road, near the sports centre.

Hannah : Could you repeat that, please?

Stuart : 15, Key road. See you on Tuesday and thank you for calling.

Hannah : Thank you Mr. Smith. Goodbye.
...................................................................

8- Naomi and Joseph

Naomi : What is your job, Joseph?

Joseph : I'm a lawyer.

Naomi : And is your job hard?

Joseph : Sorry, it's noisy and I don't understand. Could you repeat that, please?

Naomi : Of course. Is your job hard?

Joseph : Yes, my job is sometimes hard. I have to be very efficient and responsible because I have a lot of work.

Naomi : Do you have to get up early?

Joseph : Yes, I have to get up at 6:30am every day so I can catch the bus to work.

Naomi : That's very early ! can you drive?

Joseph : yes, I can , but I don't have a car.

Naomi : Are you good at your job?

Joseph : Yes, I think so. I'm good at it because I'm very hardworking.

Naomi : Do you have to speak Spanish in your job?

Joseph : No, I don't . In fact, I don't speak Spanish.

Naomi : But you can have more "clientes" if you can speak Spanish.

Joseph : What does " clientes" mean?

Naomi : It means " clients".

Joseph : Yes, I can have more clients but I'm not very good at languages.

Naomi : You don't have to be brilliant at languages. You just need to study!

Joseph : That's my problem. I don't have time.

Naomi : Ok. I know it's difficult for you.

Joseph : Well, I have to go now. Next time you'll tell me about you.

Naomi : Ok. bye-bye!

Joseph : Bye!
...................................................................

7- Chris and Lisa

Chris : Do you often take this bus to town?

Lisa : Yes, I do. I use it every day to get to work.

Chris : What's your job?

Lisa : I'm a teacher. I work for a language school. I teach English to people from all over the world.

Chris : Sounds like fun! Where do your students come from?

Lisa : They come from China, Japan, France, Spain, Mexico...a lot of different countries.

Chris : Are they young?

Lisa : No, they aren't. They are adults.

Chris : Do you teach any other languages ?

Lisa : No, I don't. I speak some French but I'm not very good. What do you do?

Chris : I work as an actor.

Lisa : Sounds interesting! Do you always go to work by bus?

Chris : No ,I don't. I usually drive drive, but my car is in the garage today.

Lisa : And what's your name?

Chris : I'm Chris, and you?

Lisa : I'm Lisa. Pleased to meet you!

Chris : Pleased to meet you,too. So , do you like your job?

Lisa : Yes, I do. I love meeting different people from different countries.

Chris : And do they learn English quickly?

Lisa : Yes,they do. Well...not all of them. Chris,the bus is here and I need to get to work.

Chris : Okay. See you soon!

Lisa : Goodbye!
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6- Suzan and James

Susan : Wow! It's hard work doing exercises in the morning!

James : Yes, it is! How often do you come to the gym?

Susan : Twice a week. And you?

James : I come to the gym four times a week, usually in the afternoon. I really enjoy it.

Suzsan : I enjoy the gym as well.

James : Do you do any other exercise ?

Susan : I play tennis once a week, with my sister. She works during the week, so we play on weekends.

James : I like tennis too, but I rarely play. I usually watch it on television.

Susan : Do you like playing baseball?

James : No,I hate baseball.

Susan : Me , too. I don't like watching it on television, either. It's boring . I like going swimming.

James : I love swimming as well ! How often do you go swimming , Suzan?

Susan : Mmm, I usually go swimming three times a week, when I have time. My husband comes too, but he only watches because he doesn't like swimming.

James : How often does your husband do exercise?

Susan : Well, he plays tennis with me and my sister on weekends. He also likes doing karate.

James : Does he do karate?

Susan : Yes, he does. He takes classes here, at the sports centre, every thursday.

James : I enjoy karate. I think I'll come to the classes as well.

Susan : My husband says they're very good. He likes them a lot.

James : Well, I'm going home now. Nice talking to you , Susan

5- Mary and Bill

Mary : Hello! You must be Bill. Come in, please. Can I take your coat?

Bill : Yes, please. It's nice to meet you, Mary. Mark talks a lot about you.

Mary : Mark is at the supermarket buying some wine. He'll be back soon. Help yourself to a drink. There's beer or fruit juice.

Bill : I think I'll have a beer. tell me , Mary , what's your job?

Mary : I'm a primary school teacher . It's good because I like children. Do you like children?

Bill : Yes, but I don't think I could be a teacher. By the way, Mary, this is a lovely place.

Mary : Come on, I'll show you around the house. This is the living room.

Bill : What beautiful pictures! Who is the artist?

Mary : My brother. He usually paints on weekends. He sells his paintings in a gallery, but sometimes he gives them to us.

Bill : Do you paint as well?

Mary : No, I don't like painting , but I sometimes play the piano.

Bill : How interesting! And, is this your bedroom?

Mary : Yes,it is.

Bill : What a lovely view!

Mary : Yes. We always see the park and the trees when we wake up. It's nice. Where do you live, Bill?

Bill : I live downtown, but I don't like it very much. It's very noisy.

Mary : Yes, it's very quiet here.

Bill : What a lovely house, Mary! You're very lucky.

Mary : Thank you very much Bill. Let's sit down and have a drink before the other guests arrive.

Bill : Do you want me to help you with the food?

Mary : Well, ...Yes, please! Let's go to the kitchen then.
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4- Mike and Linda

Mike : Do you have any brothers or sisters, Linda?

Linda : Yes, I have two brothers and a sister.

Mike : Do they look like you?

Linda : My sister looks like me, but my brothers have dark hair and brown eyes. They look like my father.

Mike : And what does your mother look like?

Linda : She has long blond hair and blue eyes, like me.

Mike : How old are your brothers and sister?

Linda : My sister is twenty-eight years old, and my brothers are thirty and thirty-five. My brothers are funny and extroverted, but my sister is shy and quiet.

Mike : Well , I'm like my father. My face is long , like his. He's sixty-three years old and he's very tall and thin.

Linda : Are you like your mother?

Mike : yes. I'm talkative like her, but she's blonde and I'm dark.

Linda : I'm like my grandmother. She's cheerful and absent-minded,like me. My grandfather is quiet and intelligent.

Mike : How old are you, Linda?

Linda : I'm thirty-six years old. And you?

Mike : I'm thirty-one.

Linda : Do you have a pet?

Mike : Yes, I have a cat. It's very fat. It looks like me.!

Linda : You're not fat!

Mike : Lol! Thanks ,Linda!

Linda : I have a dog and a goldfish . I like animals.

Mike : Me , too. My cat is three years old . How old is your dog?

Linda : " Rusty" is only eight months old. He is very young.

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3- Sarah and John

Sarah : Hi, John! Come on in! How are things?

John : Great, thanks! And you?

Sarah : Fine, thank you. Let's sit down. Well, tell me about you.

John : Well , at the moment a friend is staying at home with me. He's from France and he speaks French, English and Spanish.

Sarah : Wow! Are you practicing your French with him?

John : Not a lot. His English is excellent and my French isn't very good.

Sarah : Are you showing him the city?

John : Yes. Today we're going to see the Cathedral and the museum. Tomorrow we're going to the movies.

Sarah : That's great ! But the museum isn't very nice.

John : Are you kidding? It's interesting! 

Sarah : and are you making him typical meals?

John : Well,I'm not very well at cooking. Today we're going to eat out.

Sarah : Let's have dinner at my house on sunday! 

John : That sounds wonderful ! Thanks a lot, Sarah!

Sarah : Don't mention it.

John : And what's your news?

Sarah : Well, I'm studying Spanish in the evening and I'm taking aerobics classes, too. I'm very busy.

John : I'm trying to learn Spanish as well, but I'm not a very good student! Let's study together.

Sarah : Okay.

John : Well, I'd better go. Till next time!

Sarah : Have a nice day with your friend! Bye!

2- Jane and David

Jane: Hi, David! How are you?

David: Hello! I'm fine,thanks. And you?

Jane: Very well, thank you. Thanks for coming!

David: That's okay. I'm pleased to see you!

Jane: I'd like to introduce you to...( She shows a photo of a baby ). 
 This is Laura, my new baby niece.

David: Wow, she's beautiful! Is she really your niece?

Jane: Yes, she is.

David: How old is she?

Jane: She's three days old.

David: Her eyes are blue, like yours.

Jane: Yes, and I think she'll be tall, like my brother. ( looking outside ) What's that in front of the house?

David: Oh, that's my car!

Jane: Is it new?

David: Yes.

Jane: It's very nice. It looks expensive!

David: It is; but I love it.

Jane: Do you want some tea?

David: Yes,please.

Jane: And a cookie?

David: Mmm, yes! I'm a little hungry!


(After a while)


David: Well, Jane, it's time to go. Thanks for inviting me!

Jane: you're welcome. Then, see you soon!

David: Bye-bye!

1- Tom and Maggie

 ................................................................................................................................
Tom: Good afternoon!

Maggie: Good afternoon! I am Maggie Smith and I am interested in a painting course.

Tom: My name is Tom Roberts and I am the director of this art institute. How can we help you?

Maggie: I need some information about painting courses: 
levels,timetable,price...but I am in a hurry now.

Tom: Don't worry. We can send you all the information by mail or e-mail. Please, fill out this form.

Maggie: Excuse me?

Tom: We need your personal information.

Maggie: Ah!...yes...I'm sorry but I don't have a pen.

Tom: Here you are.

Maggie: Thank you very much.

Tom: You're welcome.

Maggie: Name...address...telephone number...e-mail address...that's it! Here you are, Mr.Roberts.

Tom: Thank you...Ms smith,where are you from?

Maggie: I'm from San Francisco.

Tom: I see. I am from New York.

Maggie: Well, excuse me but, as I said before, I am in a hurry and have to go.

Tom: Don't worry. We will send you all the information you need.

Maggie: Thank you very much!

Tom: You're welcome.

Maggie: Goodbye!

Tom: Goodbye!

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