Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Most of us have a special someone in our lives. Some people have a romantic partner, like a husband or wife. Other people have a best friend or a beloved family member. Some people even have a close relationship with a favorite teacher or co-worker. How do you show your special someone that you care about them? Do you give them a card? Do you take them out for dinner? Do you buy them flowers? These are all things that people in the United States do on Valentine’s Day to celebrate their love.
Valentine’s Day is on February 14th. It is a western holiday devoted to love and romance. It is named after a Catholic Saint named Valentine, but it is not a religious holiday. On this day, couples go out on dates. Children in school give cards to their classmates. People also give cards and gifts to their family members and friends. However, some people think Valentine’s Day is more about money than romance. They believe that the holiday is too commercialized. They would prefer to celebrate romance without buying a lot of things.
Brian and Dominique are talking about Valentine’s Day. Find out what they think in this English lesson.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
Dominique: Brian, guess what’s coming up?
Brian: Um, what?
Dominique: It’s Valentine’s Day!
Brian: Oh, right. I did see all the candy in the grocery store the other day.
Dominique: I’ve already got my gifts in order. I love the romance, and going on dates... I cannot wait!
Brian: So, let me ask you, do you just get gifts for your significant other or other people? I remember my favorite part about Valentine’s Day was grade school. We would give valentines to everyone in the class, so I got a bunch of gifts. But now, I don’t get any gifts.
Dominique: I love giving gifts. I give to my husband, my daughter, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends get cards... I just love love.
Brian: Well, that’s great. I’m glad that it comes from a familial and a romantic angle with you. I feel like sometimes it’s just so commercialized, and it’s easy for me to get cynical about it. But I do like that you enjoy it so much.
Dominique: You know what? You sound like my husband. He really hates Valentine’s Day, and that’s a problem. I mean, he thinks it’s all about the money, and it’s commercialized. Which it kind of is, but… come on. If you love me, show me!
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Discussion
Dominique reminds Brian that Valentine’s Day is coming up. She is very excited, because she loves romance. She has already bought her gifts… and she has a lot of them! She gives presents to her husband, her daughter, and all of her family members. Valentine’s Day is one of her favorite holidays.
Brian is not as excited about Valentine’s Day. He remembers liking it as a child, but now he sometimes feels like the holiday is mostly about money. There is a lot of pressure to buy candy and gifts. It is easy for him to feel cynical about Valentine’s Day. Dominique says that Brian reminds her of her husband. Dominique’s husband hates Valentine’s Day, but she does not agree with him. She thinks that if you love someone, it is important to show them.
How do you show someone that you love them? Do people celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country?
Comments
United States |
India |
Russian Federation |
Hungary |
Algeria |
Colombia |
United States |
Turkey |
Turkey |
China |
Dominican Republic |
Taiwan |
Italy |
Indonesia |
Algeria |
United States |
Japan |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Canada |