Focus on vocabulary. Part 1

Mark: Hello and welcome to the English Link Podcast. Today we've got a new treat for all of you. We are joined by Steve and Jill.

Steve: Hi, Mark.

Jill: Hello.

Mark: We are going to introduce a new format, as I said before, and this format involves us discussing one of the content items from our library and also indicating some example phrases that you can learn. So, today's item is entitled The Power of the Linguist. Maybe, Steve, you can explain a bit more about it?

Steve: Sure. First of all, this is an easy item and so this is for learners who are beginners or lower intermediate. It is also for upper intermediate learners who want to improve their pronunciation or their intonation. We have talked about it here and we are going do this in three sections. The first section, Jill and I will read some key phrases that you will then hear when you hear the content. But, we will just read these phrases and there will be a space of time and you should try to imitate these phrases. You don't have to understand them, just imitate the intonation. This will make you more alert and you'll notice them when you listen to the text. So, then after Jill and I say these phrases then you will hear the text, which is an easy text, and then all three of us, Jill, Mark and I, will talk about the text and talk about some of the words and phrases in the text. Is that fair? Is that your understanding, Mark and Jill?

Jill: Yeah.

Mark: Yeah, I think so.

Steve: Okay.

Mark: And, of course, with all of these podcasts that we're doing, we're only as good as the feedback that you provide to us so, please let us know if you like this format and also let us know if there are content items in our library those of you who are Linguist members if there are content items in our library that you would like us to cover in this way and for those of you who aren't Linguist members, please let us know what topics you would like us to talk about. Steve: Should we tell our friends what our website address is? Particularly those who are not members of the Linguist?

Mark: I think that's probably a good idea. Steve: So, for those of you who are not members of the Linguist, all of the items that we are going to talk about are in our vast library of content in the Linguist. We have easy content there; we have intermediate content, advanced content on every possible subject. What we want people to do is listen to this podcast, but then go to the library where they can save words and phrases so that they really learn to use them. Now, our URL is www.thelinguist.com.

Mark: That's T H E L I N G U I S T. So, please come and take a look. And, you know, today we'll be pointing out a few examples of useful phrases; but, if you do come to our site, you'll be able to look up all the words and all the phrases that you don't understand here today. Steve: Now, we will start then the beginner content that we are going to feature today, which is called The Power of the Linguist and Jill and I will take turns reading phrases, with a space, and we would ask you to try to repeat them. Emphasis -- you should try hard to get and to imitate the intonation, the rhythm. Don't worry about meaning and don't worry about pronouncing individual words; we want you to focus on rhythm. Jill.

Jill: So, the first phrase, or here it is a question, is what can I do for you?

Steve: Glad to meet you.

Jill: Nice to meet both of you.

Steve: Who are you looking for?

Jill: Tell me his name.

Steve: I am younger than him.

Jill: Which one of you is taller?

Steve: My brother is taller.

Mark: And, with that, we'll now play the content item The Power of the Linguist. * * * (The Power of the Linguist--A Story) Hello. What can I do for you?

My name is Jane.

How do you do? Glad to meet you.

Glad to meet you too.

What is your friend's name? My friend's name is Sally. Hello Jane. Hello Sally. Nice to meet both of you.

We are looking for someone.

Who are you looking for?

I am looking for my brother.

Does he live here?

Yes, I think my brother lives in this building.

Who is your brother? Tell me his name.

My brother's name is George. Who is older, you or your brother?

My brother is older than me. I am younger than him.

He is the oldest child in the family.

Which one of you is taller, you or your brother?

My brother is taller.

I am the short one in the family. Why do you ask?

* * * Steve: Well, that's the beginning of a story that appears in, I think, 26 episodes and the story gets more and more difficult as we go along. (to be continued)