Click the button to download the transcript and worksheet for Episode 52:
Hi! Thanks for listening to Episode 52.
I’m excited you’re here.
I wanted to let you know that I am creating a new fluency course for intermediate students!
This course will polish your pronunciation, supercharge your speaking, and empower you to speak confident, fluent English.
Sign-up here for the reduced price and beta version of the course launching late spring.
English Listening for Intermediate Students
(0:00)
|<<No, I–Seriously. Look at your shoes. Have you ever been in someone else’s shoes?>>
Intro music
Ashley: Well, your shoes are so relevant to today’s lesson. They may even help you learn english.
Welcome to Episode 52.
0:36
Hi. I’m so thankful you’re here. Welcome to The Living in English: 365 Podcast. I’m your host from ParadigmEnglish.com. Before we get started, post what you would like me to podcast about next time in the comments section below.
(1:04)
Also, like this episode. Subscribe to this podcast and share this episode with people WHO would need it and enjoy it.
(1:13)
Are you ready? Let’s get started.
Why does this man keep saying “Workday”?
(Music)
(1:25)
We’re going to answer that question today, but first, I want you to do something. Look at your shoes. No, I–Seriously. Look at your shoes. Have you ever been in someone else’s shoes?
(1:46)
Well, your shoes are so relevant to today’s lesson. They may even help you learn english.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll know the answer to the question, “Have you ever been in someone else’s shoes” as well as a few other new vocabulary words and phrases you can begin to use today.
(2:11)
Here’s how this lesson is going to go:
- You can download a free workbook from my website. Just click the link below.
- At the end of the lesson you will know the answers to several questions, uh, that I will pose to you because that’s what we’re going to be doing today.
- I’ll take you through the lesson, of course.
- You will work through some practice activities so you can understand what’s being said to you.
But first let’s get some encouragement from our creator, God.
(2:50)
Father God, I thank you so much for all of the listeners here. Just bless their ears and bless each situation that they have and bless my voice, Lord. Please help us consistently learn English as well as me to keep teaching. In your name we pray this Lord, amen.
Just a reminder: are you worried or wondering why you are still not fluent in English? Check out my latest blog posts about using TV series to become more fluent AND how to get super fluent in English.
(Music)
(3:29)
Okay, today I’m doing something different. Let’s learn some English from a commercial. Yes, that’s right, I said a commercial.
(laughs)
I know that sounds crazy, but let’s have fun, and try. I mean, why not. Let’s just try.
Before we do, make sure that you download the free workbook at paradigmenglish.com and I’ll send it to you. You can download it actually.
(4:01)
DISCLAIMER:
I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH THIS COMPANY. I AM NOT SPONSORED BY THEM. I DO NOT ENDORSE THEIR PRODUCTS AND THEY DON’T ENDORSE ME. BUT I THINK THE COMMERCIAL IS FUNNY, FIRST OF ALL. TWO, IT’S VERY RELEVANT. MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT CAN HELP US LEARN ENGLISH AND WHY WOULD I NOT WANT TO USE THAT? RIGHT? COOL.
So, let’s get started.
(4:30)
Before I tell you the 5 questions–really they’re goals–we’ll have during this lesson. The title of this lesson is “Mute Button.”
Hmm.. “Mute Button.” What does that even mean? Keep that in mind.
Now that you know the title, predict what you might hear in this audio clip:
Let’s roll it.
(5:00)
(clip) Listening #1
1 Co-worker: …competition beat us, again.
2 Boss: How!?
3 Rob: They’ve a better finance system than we do.
4 Boss: I feel like they might have a better finance system than we do.
5 Rob: Workday.
6 Friend 2: How do they make better decisions faster?
7 Rob: Workday.
8 Friend 1: It’s gotta to be something.
9 Rob: Workday!
10 Co-worker: I think I’ve got something.
11 Rob: WOORK—
12 (All): Hey, Rob, I think you’re on mute.
13 Rob: *Turns on microphone* Hello.
14 (All): There he is,
hey,
hey,
there he is.
Ashley: Now, notice before that I didn’t say buTTon, or buttOn.
(5:30)
Those are strange sounding words and any native speaker, they may not understand you if you pronounce it like that. I said bu’on. In fact, I omit [delete] it. This and other interesting pronunciation things, you can learn more about this and finally get the accent that you want with my new pronunciation course coming soon. Click the link below to get some updates.
(6:03)
So, we have 5 goals. Count ‘em, 5!
We’re going to look at the who, what, when, where, and–actually, we’re not going to look at the when. We’re just going to look who, what, where, how.
First, what is the purpose of this commercial?
Who are the people in it.
What are they doing?
How are they having their meeting?
(6:30)
What is the company that this guy, named Rob, suggests, like, 3 ½ – 4 times. What do you think this company does (don’t Google, Yahoo, etc. search this!). Let’s listen again so that you can learn the answers to these.
Let’s hit it.
(6:54)
(clip) Listening #2
1 Co-worker: …competition beat us, again.
2 Boss: How!?
3 Rob: They’ve a better finance system than we do.
4 Boss: I feel like they might have a better finance system than we do.
5 Rob: Workday.
6 Friend 2: How do they make better decisions faster?
7 Rob: Workday.
8 Friend 1: It’s gotta to be something.
9 Rob: Workday!
10 Co-worker: I think I’ve got something.
11 Rob: WOORK—
12 (All): Hey, Rob, I think you’re on mute.
13 Rob: *Turns on microphone* Hello.
14 (All): There he is,
hey,
hey,
there he is.
By the way, you can download the transcript for this on my website. Just click the link below.
(music)
(7:28)
Okay, so you have listened to this more than once at this moment. Of course, you can always rewind to hear what was said, but let’s start with some activities first.
You of course need a pen, pencil, and paper. Or, you can use a smartphone/device or computer.
We are going to be sorting. That’s right sorting. In a way it’s categorizing. We are going to sort–well, let’s say it like this.
(8:00)
Write what happened 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, okay. You need to decide what happened 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the clip.
How you write it isn’t as important as you knowing the information. If you know that this one word represents what happened 1st, no problem. If you’re a beginner, that’s fine. If you’re more advanced, I want more from you! I want a sentence or two.
(8:36)
You could even draw a picture, that’s totally fine. Whatever helps you understand what was said.
Because listening is hard, right? Well, It can be.
I’ll give you an example.
This is not from our story–our commercial–but that’s okay.
I could say, hmmm:
(8:58)
First, a man and woman come into the dark room. 2) they turned on the light. 3) they heard a weird noise behind them. 4) they turned to look. 5) but when they turned… (dot dot dot)
Okay, that’s not actually in that story. I’m leaving you in suspense.
It doesn’t have to be word-for-word. In your own words.
(9:30)
Alright, so you remember at the beginning of the lesson I asked “have ever been in somebody else’s shoes?”
Well, to be in somebody else’s shoes means to empathize with them. For example, I could say that I have never been in Rob’s shoes because I always check to make sure that my mic button is on. Like right now I am recording. My mic button is on because you can hear me.
(laughs)
(10:00)
What about you? Have you ever been in someone else’s shoes? Tell me in the comments section below.
You know, the workers said 2 interesting phrases. Listen to the audio again and complete these two phrases:
- I feel like ______.
- I think ________.
(Clip) Listening #3
(10:30)
1 Co-worker: …competition beat us, again.
2 Boss: How!?
3 Rob: They’ve a better finance system than we do.
4 Boss: I feel like they might have a better finance system than we do.
5 Rob: Workday.
6 Friend 2: How do they make better decisions faster?
7 Rob: Workday.
8 Friend 1: It’s gotta to be something.
9 Rob: Workday!
10 Co-worker: I think I’ve got something.
11 Rob: WOORK—
12 (All): Hey, Rob, I think you’re on mute.
13 Rob: *Turns on microphone* Hello.
14 (All): There he is,
hey,
hey,
there he is.
What are the two phrases used for and do you believe they have the same meaning?
(11:00)
You can write that on your paper but also tell us in the comments sections below. What are those phrases used for and do they have the same meaning.
Okay. That’s the end of our podcast lesson today. And you know what else? Next week’s podcast is going to be amazing. Let’s listen to a teaser in a bit. And if you’re still seeking to get fluent, don’t forget about my blog post.
(11:32)
Read that on my website. It’s called “Super Fluent in English? Discover 5 Powerful Reasons You’re Not.” Also, if you haven’t done so, download the free workbook–it’s not a workbook. (laughs) It’s a worksheet. Worksheet from my website.
Let me know in the comments section below if you’d like me to make this episode into a video lesson.
(12:00)
Alright, guys. That is all that I have for you today. My name is Ashley Rhone from the podcast Living in English: 365 and the online language school–ParadigmEnglish.com
Before we go, go ahead and like👍🏾 this episode, hit subscribe, and share on your social media accounts for your friends who are learning English. Hey, before I say “see you later,” listen to this sneak peek of next week’s lesson.
(music)
(12:35)
[Sneak Peek]
“Is it possible to learn English in your sleep? I mean the question isn’t just CAN you learn English in your sleep, is it? Here’s what I learned…” (fades out)
Ashley: (laughs)
Hey, I told you it’s going to be a good show next week. As always, happy learning.
(13:00)
I’m Ashley Rhone from paradigmenglish.com. Give me a thumbs up👍🏾 in the comments section if you are excited about this lesson AND for next week. Please like, share, and subscribe to this podcast.
Before I say goodbye, do you remember our question from before? “Why does that man keep saying ‘Workday’?” Put your comment or response below. Why does he keep saying ‘Workday’?
Alright, see you next time. Buh-bye.
(closing music)
(13:53)
(end)
*Note: Though Rob had his ‘mute’ button on,
culturally, many women often face this type of work environment discrimination. They are not listened to, or worse, they are treated differently than men. Most often, though, they are passed over, undervalued, and not listened to. Don’t let discrimination happen. Be an ally and upstander in the fight for equality.
Worksheet Date: / / Name:
Directions: This worksheet must be used with the podcast episode 52. It is for intermediate students. Complete each number. Write in complete sentences. Do not use a search engine (for example, Google, Bing, etc.) to help you.
- Predict: Why does this man keep saying ‘Workday’?
- Do you know what it means to be in somebody else’s shoes?
Circle one: Yes No - What does “Mute Button” mean?
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________. - Predict: You now know the title. What do you think you might hear in the audio clip for Mute Button? Write 3-6 words or sentences below that you might hear. (Note: “I don’t know” and leaving the space blank are never acceptable answers.)
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ - Was your prediction from #4 above correct? Using complete sentences, write your thoughts about ‘why’ or ‘why not.’
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
- Which is the correct American English pronunciation for the word ‘button’? Circle one: bu’n | buTTon | buttOn
- What is the purpose of this commercial?
________________________________________________________________________ - Who are the people in the commercial?
________________________________________________________________________ - What are they doing?
________________________________________________________________________ - In what way/how are Rob and his co-workers together (or not together)?
________________________________________________________________________ - What company does Rob say?
________________________________________________________________________ - How many times does he say it?
________________________________________________________________________ - What do you think this company does (don’t Google, Yahoo, etc. search this!).
________________________________________________________________________ - Sort what happens in the clip. Start listening from 7:30
- Have you ever been in someone else’s shoes? Yes No
- In 3-5 sentences, explain a time when you have been in someone else’s shoes. If you have never been in someone else’s shoes, you may use a story from a friend, family member, book, or TV/Movie. Explain your answer below, then share it on Instagram @paradigmenglish or Facebook.
- In 3-5 sentences, explain a time when you have been in someone else’s shoes. If you have never been in someone else’s shoes, you may use a story from a friend, family member, book, or TV/Movie. Explain your answer below, then share it on Instagram @paradigmenglish or Facebook.
- Complete the two phrases:
- I feel like ________________.
- I think __________________.
- I feel like ________________.
- Do the two phrases from #16 (“I feel like” and “I think…”) have the same meaning? Explain your answer below, then share it on Instagram @paradigmenglish or Facebook.
