Travel and sightseeing are always fun, but if you find yourself lost in a new city on vacation, you will probably have to ask for directions. Understanding directions is a big part of this. Look at the expressions below and be sure to understand the meaning of the places on the map before you begin the listening activity:

SAMPLE SENTENCES: Continue reading this post…

Shopping for new clothes and the latest fashions is often important to people because they want to look nice, and now, people can shop for clothes online from the comfort of their own homes. Dresses, shirts, coats, shoes. Buying almost anything is possible. Here are some verbs to get you started talking about clothing:

put on (a tie), take off (your sunglasses), get dressed, wear (a skirt), change into (a suit), button up (a shirt), kick off (your shoes), go formal/casual

SAMPLE SENTENCES: Continue reading this post…

Telling time is a part of our everyday lives, from opening and closing hours of stores to office schedules and doctor appointments. This activity will help you learn to tell time and understand it in different situations.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

• What are your office hours?
  >> We’re open from nine to five. (9:00-5:00)
• Do you know what time the bank closes?
  >> I think it closes around six. (6:00)
• When does your bus arrive?>> Yes. I’ll comes about a quarter to four. (3:45)

Continue reading this post…

Shopping is much easier when you understand prices and the money system of the country where you live. This listening activity will help you understand dollars and cents in the United States.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

• The shirt costs five dollars and eighty cents ($5.80).
• The DVD is on sale for five eighty ($5.80).
• Your meal comes to twelve seventeen ($12.17).

Continue reading this post…

It is easy to meet and make friends if you understand, and use, their names. Listen and repeat some popular boy and girl names:

• Boys Names: Aaron, Adam, Andrew, Brandon, Brian, Chad, Charles, Christopher, Daniel, David, Derek, Dustin, Eric, Jacob, John, Joseph, Joshua, Justin, Kevin, Mark, Matthew, Michael, Nathan, Paul, Richard, Robert, Ryan, Scott, Shawn, Stephen, Thomas, Timothy, Travis, William

• Girls Names: Amanda, Amber, Amy, Andrea, Angela, April, Ashley, Christina, Courtney, Crystal, Danielle, Emily, Erica, Erin, Heather Jamie, Jennifer, Jessica, Julie, Katherine, Katie, Kelly, Kimberly, Kristin, Laura, Lauren, Lisa, Maria, Mary, Megan, Melissa, Michelle, Nicole, Rachel, Sara (Sarah), Shannon, Stephanie, Tara, Tiffany

Continue reading this post…

Striking up (=starting) conversations and keeping them going is really important to good communication. Think of three questions you might ask a stranger when meeting for the first time. Remember that the questions you ask might depend on the situation.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

• So, where do you live?
  >> I live in an apartment downtown.
• What do you like to do in your free time?
  >> I like to jog and play tennis

Continue reading this post…

Whether you are on a sightseeing trip through Europe or backpacking in Australia, finding your way around the city while on vacation can be difficult unless you know what to say. Understanding directions is a big part of this. Look at the expressions below and be sure to understand the meaning of the places on the map before you begin the listening activity:

• across from
• behind
• between
• in front of
• near
• next to
• opposite

SAMPLE SENTENCES Continue reading this post…