月度归档： 2022年9月

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello, and welcome to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.! I am going back to school! Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. The Jesuits are a religious order known worldwide for their many colleges and universities. Students have been studying here since 1792!
Sarah: Hey, are you finished with your report?
Taylor: Almost. I have been writing and re-writing since last night! The subject is really interesting to me.
Sarah: Me too! I have been studying this topic* for a long time.
Anna: Am I late?
Sarah: You’re a little late. But don’t worry. The professor isn’t here yet.
Anna: How long has the class been waiting?
Taylor: We’ve only been waiting for about 10 minutes.
Anna: Oh good. Oh, no! I forgot my pencil sharpener. Excuse me, do you have a pencil sharpener I can borrow?
Taylor: No, sorry.
Anna: Oh wait. I found my extra one! Whew, that was close.
Anna: So, how long have you been studying at Georgetown?
Andrew: I’ve been studying here since 2015.
Anna: Awesome. You know, I’ve been wanting to go back to school for a long time. So, here I am!
Andrew: Well, you picked a great school. I’ve been really happy here.
Anna: Awesome. See, I’ve been working for several years now. So, going back to school makes me a little nervous.
Randall: Don’t be nervous. Just pay attention and do your best!
Anna: That is great advice. You know, I have been paying attention. But sometimes I still feel like I don’t understand. Like last week …
Anna: What’s that?
Jada: This is my draft.
Anna: What draft?
Jada: The professor told us to bring our drafts.
Anna: I think she said “giraffe.”
Jada: No. She didn’t.
Anna: Here comes the professor.
Dr. Jones: Hello class! Sorry I’m late, but the snow storm made getting here really difficult. I see you’ve been waiting very patiently. So, let’s get started! Who wants to give their talk first?
Anna: Oh! Oh! Please, please pick me.
Dr. Jones: Anna?
Anna: Who me? Sure. Thanks.
Anna: Here is my report on “Violins in the City.”
Anna: People have been looking for a solution to the problem of violins in the city. I say stop! Stop! They are not the problem! In fact, violins are part of the solution!
Anna: Violins create beautiful music that can fill a city with hope.
Dr. Jones: Anna …
Anna: If we put a violin in the hands of every child …
Dr. Jones: Anna! The topic is “Violence in the city.” Violence. Not violins.
Anna: Until next time …Like I was saying, many people are saying that violence in the city is a problem. A very big problem.

• topic = subject

Thanks to Georgetown University for allowing us to film on their historic campus. And a special thanks to the Georgetown students and staff who appeared in this episode: Andrew Debraggio, Sarah Mucha, Taylor Soergel, Jada Bullen, and Randall-Grace Johnson.

Speaking

​Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: It is no secret that Washington, D.C. has spies. Well, it should be a secret because spying is secret. But it’s not a secret. There’s even a spy museum! The International Spy Museum has created an amazing collection of spy things! And today, we will see them! My boss, Ms. Weaver, has sent me here … on a mission!

Ms. Weaver: Hello, Anna, are you there?
Anna: That’s her. Yes, Agent Peacock. This is Agent Flamingo, reporting for duty.
Ms. Weaver: Agent what? Look, Anna … I mean, Agent Flamingo, I want you to learn all you can about spying.
Anna: You mean, collect intelligence?
Ms. Weaver: Yeah, it’s for our new show — “D.C. Secrets.”
Anna: You’ve got it, Agent Peacock. The mission is safe with me.
Ms. Weaver: Oh, okay, great. Just be back by noon.
Anna: Agent Peacock, I’m at an air duct!
Ms. Weaver: Yes, spies sometimes sneak down air ducts.
Anna: I have never snuck down an air duct. It’s dark and small. I’m afraid of dark, small places.
Ms. Weaver: You can do it, Agent Flamingo. You know, spies aren’t afraid of a little darkness.
Anna: Right. It’s just an air duct — a dark, small air duct. Okay. I’m doing it, Agent Peacock! I am sneaking down a long, dark, small air duct. I’m having a little trouble breathing.
Ms. Weaver: Just keep going, Agent Flamingo. Think of the team!
Anna: Okay, I will think of the team. I’m thinking of the team, Agent Peacock! I did it! I did it! I sneaked down an air duct. That was a little uncomfortable.
Ms. Weaver: Good!
Anna: What’s the next mission?
Ms. Weaver: Umm … have you ever cracked a code?
Anna: No.
Ms. Weaver: Well, go learn. Spies use their brains.
Anna: Got it! I’ve never cracked a code before. Let’s try, Agent Flamingo! This is really hard. I’m still trying to crack the code. I’ve cracked the code! I’ve cracked the code, Agent Peacock! My brain really hurts.
Ms. Weaver: Great. Umm, Agent Flamingo, now answer this question: Do spies have to be in good shape?
Anna: “Yes,” Agent Peacock! Spies have to be in really good shape! Can you hear me?
Ms. Weaver: You’re breaking up, Flamingo.
Anna: The International Spy Museum is awesome! Agent Peacock, I completed the mission!
Ms. Weaver: Great. Great. Now, I have another very important mission for you.
Anna: Got it. See you back at H.Q.!
Ms. Weaver: Yummy! You brought my lunch! Thanks, Agent Flamingo!
Anna: Mission completed. Agent Peacock!
(Amelia makes a face.)
Ms. Weaver: Don’t ask.
Special thanks go out to the International Spy Museum for letting us film in the museum!

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! I have lived in Washington, D.C. for a long time now. And I have done a lot. I feel that I know this city pretty well. (walks off and comes back) That’s the wrong way. Where is it again?
Anna: (sees a tourist at a sign) Excuse me, can I help you? Have we met before?
Jean: I don’t think so. I’ve just flown in from Boston. My name is Jean.
Anna: Hi, Jean! I’m Anna. I really feel like we’ve met before. Anyway, how can I help?
Jean: I want to see an interesting museum but I don’t know which one.
Anna: I can help with that. I’ve lived in Washington, D.C. a long time. I think I’ve seen all the museums.
Jean: Wow, thanks. So, tell me, which museums are good?
Anna: Well, they are all good. But they’re all different. There are science museums and history museums and art and culture museums.
Jean: I want to see an unusual museum.
Anna: I like the Sculpture Garden. Have you ever seen sculptures in a garden? It is really artistic!
Jean: I have never seen a garden of sculptures! I’ll write that on my list!
Anna: Have you been to the Museum of the American Indian? I’ve visited that museum many times. It is very peaceful.
Jean: I have always liked American Indian culture.
Jean: I’ll put that on my list. (writes on list) Do you have any other suggestions?
Anna: Well, if you like plants, you can visit the U.S. Botanic Gardens. It’s very organic.
Jean: I have always loved plants. I’ll write that on my list, too! Wow, you know so much about D.C.’s museums.
Anna: Well, I have lived here for over a year.
Jean: You’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful city filled with so many museums and a zoo!
Anna: What? D.C. has a zoo?
Jean: Yes, and it’s beautiful. You’ve lived here for so long and you haven’t been to the zoo?
Anna: I’ve never been to D.C.’s zoo. I’ve never been to any zoos!
Jean: You have never seen zoo animals?
Anna: I grew up on a farm, Jean. I’ve known farm animals my whole life.
Jean: But the zoo has lions (makes sound of lion roaring) and elephants (makes sound of elephant trumpeting) and zebras (makes no sound)! If you have never seen a real, live elephant, you must. They are so majestic.
Anna: I will. I will! (writes list) There. I’ve written my own must-see zoo animal list!
Jean: Have fun at the zoo and thanks, Anna!
Anna: Have fun at the museums, Jean! And thank YOU!
Anna: This has been awesome! And I have seen every animal on my list! Jean, the tourist, helped me see more of my city. But where have I seen her before?
Oh well. Until next time …