Lesson 24: Yesterday Was Amazing!

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Yesterday was the most amazing day. I want to tell my friend back home about it. So, I am writing her a letter!

Anna: Dear Penelope,
Life in Washington, D.C. is interesting. I see something new every day — like yesterday. Yesterday started like a usual work day.
Anna: I said, “Yesterday started like a usual work day.”
Anna’s voice: I was at work. And I wanted a break. So, I walked and walked … and walked. Then, I saw something! It was a festival — a big festival!
Anna: It is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Anna’s voice: Yes. It was the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Every year the festival shows different cultures. This year one of the cultures was the Basque culture.
There was dancing and food and games!”
Anna: I am dancing a traditional Basque dance.
Anna’s voice: At the festival, I danced a traditional Basque dance!
Anna: They are cooking traditional Basque food.
Anna’s voice: They cooked a lot of traditional Basque food.
Anna: They are playing a game. It’s a kind of handball. What do they call it? They call it pilota!
Anna’s voice: They played a game with their hands and a small ball. It’s a kind of handball. But this game is called pilota.
Anna: This is beautiful! This is traditional Basque art.
Anna: They are making a traditional Basque ship. This festival is a lot of fun!
Anna’s voice: The whole day was a lot of fun!
Anna: Who said that? I want to write my friends and tell them about my day!
Anna: … So, I wanted to tell you about my day! Please, my friend, come visit Washington, D.C. soon. There is a lot to do! Until next time … Anna.

Lesson 23: What Do You Want?

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Washington, D.C. has great food from all over the world.
Anna: Today I’m having lunch with my boss. Ms. Weaver says we’re going on a trip around the world. But she knows I only have an hour for lunch! Silly woman.
Jonathan: Hi, Anna!
Anna: Hi Jonathan! Hey, we are meeting Ms. Weaver for lunch at noon, aren’t we?
Jonathan: Yes.
Anna: What time is it now?
Jonathan: 11:50.
Anna: 11:50! We have to go!
Anna: So, where is this world food restaurant?
Caty: We’re not eating at a restaurant.
Anna: Where are we eating?
Caty: We are eating at … food trucks!
Anna: Food trucks … awesome! What’s a food truck?
Caty: These are food trucks!
Anna: Wow!
Jonathan: Whoa!
Caty: Okay, Jonathan, you will buy the first dish. Here is $10. Surprise us!
Jonathan: Okay, I’ll be back in 15 minutes.
Anna: What country do I want to visit?
Caty: Anna, you pick the second country. Here is $10.
Anna: I want chicken.
Caty: The food truck, over there, has great chicken.
Anna: Awesome!
Caty: After you buy your food, meet me here.
Jonathan: Excuse me, I’ll have the shrimp.
Jonathan: Oh, you’re out of shrimp. Okay, I’ll have the beef then.
Anna: Hello. I want the chicken dish.
Truck worker: We’re out of chicken.
Anna: You’re out of chicken.
Worker: Yep.
Anna: I’ll try another food truck. Thanks!
Worker: You’re welcome.
Jonathan: Okay, here is your change. The dish is $7. So, here is 1, 2, 3 dollars back from your 10.
Caty: Great.
Jonathan: Where’s Anna? Is she dancing by that food truck?
Caty: Yes. Yes, she is.
Anna: Ms. Weaver, here is your change. The dish costs $5. So – $5 back.
Caty: Thanks, Anna. But where is the food?
Anna: I’m eating it. The Peruvian chicken is delicious! Try some!
(Caty and Jonathan shake their heads “no”)
Caty: Well, we still have $8! What do you want now?
Anna: We can buy dessert!
Caty: I’ll buy dessert.
Anna: In Washington, D.C., you can travel around the world … with food trucks! And it does not cost a lot.
Anna: Until next time!

Lesson 22: Next Summer…

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Washington, D.C. has four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn or fall. My favorite season is summer because of summer vacation! Hey, that will be a great subject for my new work assignment — the children’s show. I can teach what families in the U.S. do during summer vacation. Today, I’m planning the show with Amelia. This is the first time we are working together. I hope we can work well together. Hi, Amelia!
Amelia: Hi, Anna! So, what are we going to talk about on the first show?
Anna: I want to talk about summer vacation.
Amelia: That will be fun! Are you going on vacation this summer?
Anna: No. This summer I am too busy.
Amelia: That’s too bad.
Anna: It’s okay. I can go on vacation next summer. This show will be a lot of fun too!
Amelia: So, Anna, what’s the plan for the show?
Anna: First, we’re going to introduce the subject. Then we can show pictures and video.
Amelia: We can show tons of video!
Anna: Right! We can interview children and have guests, too.
Amelia: Kids can ask us questions.
Anna: Great idea! Finally, we can read the questions and tell them where to learn more.
Amelia: Okay, let’s try it!
Anna: Let’s do it!
Anna: Hi there! And welcome to … Amelia, we don’t have a name for the show.
Amelia: We’ll think of a name later. For now, we’ll call it “The Show.”
Anna: Great. Hi there! And welcome to “The Show.”
Anna: Today we are going to take you on a summer vacation! You will see popular things to do on vacation!
Anna: One is camping. When you go camping, you cook, sleep and play outdoors!
Amelia: When I go camping, Anna, I like to go hiking and fishing.
Anna: Me, too. Those are fun things to do when you go camping!
Anna: These people are hiking.
Amelia: Okay, let’s talk about the next vacation.
Anna: Another popular summer vacation is going to an amusement park. At an amusement park, you go on rides and eat lots of fun food!
Amelia: I love cotton candy … !
Anna & Amelia: and rollercoasters!
Amelia: This show is going to be a lot of fun.
Anna: I know!
Anna: This is riding a rollercoaster!
Amelia: Whoooo! What is the last vacation?
Anna: One of the most popular vacations is … going to the beach!
Anna & Amelia: I love the beach!
Anna: When I see that blue ocean, I want to leave Washington, D.C. immediately and go to the beach!
Anna: Maybe next summer.
Amelia: But right now, it’s time to work!
Anna: Right. Until next time …