Micro-listening

#28 0

This clip is from an episode of the Ted Radio Hour podcast, which takes a more in depth look at topics and issues discussed in Ted Talks. This clip is from a very interesting recent episode about time.

For context, the speaker is talking about how, at various stages as he has got older, he has felt like he has finally become an adult.

Medium

And thing is that happens I'm I'm right this time, that I was wrong .

Easy

And the thing is that each it happens I'm pretty I'm right this time, despite the that I was wrong other time.

About the sentence

…and the amazing thing is that…

Variations of this structure (the weird thing is…the funny thing was…the strangest part is…) are a great way to add emotional emphasis to a specific part of a story or explanation.

…despite the fact that…

A common error that students make when writing is incorrect use of despite.

Remember that despite can be followed by a noun (e.g. despite the rain, we decided to go for a walk), a gerund (e.g. despite arriving late, we didn’t miss the start of the film) or the fact that + clause (e.g. despite the fact that I was very tired, I couldn’t get to sleep).

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#41 0

This clip is from an episode of The Allusionist, which is a wonderful podcast all about language.

The speaker is talking about his work as a hand engraver – cutting text or designs into objects (usually jewellery) by hand. The speaker has a London accent.

Difficult

And . .

Medium

And there's still for us it's it's . We're people do London.

Easy

And for us there's still out there for us it's it's a dying trade. We're the youngest people still do it London.

About the sentence

…it’s a dying trade…

If someone refers to a job or profession as a dying trade, then they are saying that it is disappearing due to a lack of demand or need for it.

Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash.

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#40 0

This clip is from an episode of The Allusionist, which is a wonderful podcast all about language.

The speaker is talking about the way that the word ‘please’ is sometimes used differently in British and American English.

Medium

I say please person I , shouldn't this?

Easy

Every I say please to American person I , maybe I shouldn't doing this?

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash.

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#39 0

This clip is from an episode of the Adam Buxton Podcast, which is a brilliant, funny and interesting conversational podcast. This episode features an interview with singer-songwriter John Grant.

John and Adam are discussing how they cope with long journeys.

Difficult

, , Eurostar Paris.

Medium

Well, I I'd long day , then I go straight Eurostar Paris.

Easy

Well, I mean I'd had a long day of interviews, then I was booked go straight to Eurostar in Paris.

About the sentence

…Well, I mean…

These are examples of fillers – words or phrases that we add to sentences while we think or organise our ideas. These are very common in natural spoken English, and an important listening skill is identifying and then ignoring fillers.

…I’d had a really long day…

Notice the weak/contracted pronunciation of the past perfect in this sentence: /aɪd hæd/ rather than /aɪ hæd hæd/.

Photo by Victor Lam on Unsplash.

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