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Ice Skating
Ice Skating

Learn English with this ice skating English lesson

Date: Mar 20 2018

Themes: Hobbies, Sports

Grammar: Used to Do vs Be Used to

Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Triple axel, backspin, sow cow. These words sound like another language, but actually, they’re all names used in ice skating routines. One of the more popular Olympic events, ice skating is also a fun hobby for many people.

In the winter, frozen lakes offer a great spot for people to skate. More serious skaters spend time practicing daily on an indoor rink. Successful ice skaters have amazing balance. They are confident and dedicated to learning their sport well.

People who only skate once in a while might have to admit that they’re terrified to try a move like a jump. If you haven’t had someone to show you the ropes, it’s probably best to simply skate in circles around the ice.

Find out who loves ice skating (and who is scared of it) in this English lesson about winter sports.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Rafael

Rafael

Marni

Marni

Rafael:  I’m so nervous right now. This really cute girl asked me out on a date. But she wanted to go ice skating, and I didn’t want to admit it to her, but I am terrified of ice skating.

Marni:  I’m sorry that you’re terrified of ice skating. I think it’s such a wonderful activity. I mean, I love it. I love the nostalgia of it. I’ve ice skated ever since I was little, and whenever the Olympics are on, it’s my favorite thing to watch. All the jumps, and the amount of balance it takes… it’s so impressive.

Rafael:  Well, Marni, maybe you can show me some stuff. I’m terrible at all those things like balance. And, I don’t know, I feel like you have to be really dedicated to be an ice skater. Do you feel that’s true?

Marni:  Well, absolutely. I mean, I think it’s a huge learning curve. And there are so many different levels of proficiency.

Rafael:  Can you do jumps?

Marni:  I used to be able to do jumps, but I haven’t been practicing so much, and it really does take a lot of practice.

Rafael:  Like the triple twirl and things like that?

Marni:  Triple axel, I think you’re trying to say.

Rafael:  Oh wow, OK. So you really are an expert.

Marni:  Well, no, I wouldn’t say I’m an expert. But I really do enjoy ice skating. So I would be happy to take you out and show you the ropes.

Rafael:  Well, don’t be modest. You’re really impressive.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Rafael is excited to go on a date with a cute girl he just met. However, she wants to go ice skating, and Rafael is terrified of stepping onto the rink.

It turns out that Marni is just the person to help Rafael. She’s skated ever since she was little, and she loves everything about the sport. She obviously has great balance and wants to show Rafael how ice skating is done.

Rafael asks Marni about how well she can skate. Although Marni doesn’t practice as much now, she’s still pretty good. She even used to be able to do some jumps!

Have you ever gone ice skating? Would you prefer to skate outdoors or on an indoor rink?

 

Comments

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kamila111

kamila111

Azerbaijan

I haven’t gone yet but i would like to go because i like to watch ice skating.I also terrified of stepping onto the rink because i have never tried it.I would prefer an indoor rink

05:18 PM Mar 22 2014 |

bravevivian

Ecuador

I tried ice skating once and I was terrified :D


But I think it’s amazing, I love watching ice skating shows and the olympics athletes.  I love it.


I would definitely prefer an indoor rink.  I think it’s safer to learn there :D

04:19 AM Mar 04 2014 |

S&W

S&W

China

I had skated upon the river,River is unsafe so that we spilled plenty of watter on a wide and flat ground like a rink .Skating is interesting in the process you need to wear hat ,sloves and woolen socks to prevent yourself from cold injury.I took a long time to practice but i can’t jump.like rafael i was terrified after i fall down and broken my ankle.

11:06 AM Feb 25 2014 |

1 person likes this

ABHIJITAK

ABHIJITAK

India

No. I haven’t  ice skated yet. But  I will like to go onto the rink as time and money permits…

05:13 AM Feb 25 2014 |

Seiyf_khawas

Turkey

always ı watched people ıce skating at rinks on tv ,with adoration..it was wonderful balance on ıce  ,it was a great show with music ,it was a dreamy figures..


10:06 PM Feb 24 2014 |

3 people like this

ahmet55

ahmet55

Germany

One of the sports which I really keen on performing is ice skating at rinks. But, unluckily, I’ve never been in its condition. Indeed, I really think it should be full fun along with excitement leisure activity. Besides, there is a special sense with respect to balancing which seems wonderful to me. Of course, generally, i’ll need to sb to show the rope to me. Actually, I don’t want to expose myself in a great danger, that’s why I certainly prefer to enjoy in indoors with more safety and security. Deeply, I wish i find out an appropriate opportunity for taking it by the end of 2014 in Europe if everything goes well. 

06:40 PM Feb 24 2014 |

ttsuka

ttsuka

Japan

Skating is fun but skating outdoor is fantastic. Basically, skating allows you to move in a way otherwise impossible. It is so easy to move fast! And skating outdoor give you the full benefit from the speed because you feel the air going by your face fast better under the sun. You are out in a scenery, the air is fresh.  I’m from a big city. So, I only knew indoor skating when I was a kid. When I first time skated outdoor it was totally different. I felt much freer in the nature. Now that I’m talking about it, I feel like hitting a rink again!  


03:48 PM Feb 24 2014 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

Ultrasm, skating is more injuries prone then, like, say, cross-country. The hit by a blade is very painful, plus some cracks on the ice can trap you to a fall down. And you get home and take the skates off, the difference of the temperatures from outside and inside makes your feet numb and painfully “burning” but it’s only for the 5-10 min. :)

02:31 PM Feb 24 2014 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

Yes, AryelLanes, winter sports are a lot of fun and recently, cross-country skiing, I was puzzled for the first time when do we have more fun – in winter or summer.

02:26 PM Feb 24 2014 |

ultrasm

Bosnia and Herzegovina

I have never skated, It is look very hard

02:20 PM Feb 24 2014 |

ultrasm

Bosnia and Herzegovina

I have never skated, It is look very hard

02:20 PM Feb 24 2014 |

1 person likes this

AryelLanes

AryelLanes

Brazil

I’ve never ice skated in my life, but I’m sure that I’ll love it when I do! Winter sports are so beautiful… :)

01:37 PM Feb 24 2014 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

I used to love skating more than ever. It was wonderful time – frozen lake, music, evening, lights and people, lots of them. We used to play tag while skating and as girls we were trying to copy famous figure skaters movements.


Now I prefer more cross country skiing. It’s actually used to be part of the Russian education curriculum – cross – country skiing.

01:17 PM Feb 24 2014 |

lira_

lira_

Russian Federation

I love ice skating! Unfortunatly, I don’t have enough time to go to the rink… But I really hope to find time for this as soon as possible! :)

12:37 PM Feb 24 2014 |

1 person likes this

Jobee

Jobee

China

I have found three ice skating spot in Chengdu,and in the shopping center where I work in there is a rink called ice&joy.so maybe in my spare time I will start my first skating.I am not terrified of it but I hope I will not trip too much.


12:36 PM Feb 24 2014 |

1 person likes this

bellaboo2422

Pakistan

Oh I LoVE ThE ICe SkatiNG But I HaVE’T TriED Ever I Have Seen MAny TIMes GirLS SkaTinG In IndOor RiNk. LoveLy Sight TO WaTcH With AwESOMe MoVeS. Its SO CoOl I HOpE To SkAtE On IcE I HavE JusT SEEn On TV,THe SuPer COOl AnD FrOSTy WeAtHeR WiTH WhITE BeAUtY Of SnoW EvErYWhErE. Then BrAVE AttemPtS OF SkATeRS A ReAL DaRe AdVeNtUre Is’T It. IT WoULD BE SO ExOTIc And EXCepTiOnAL To ExPERIENcE I THiNk TO SKATe On STEEP SLOPES In A BrEAKnECK SPEed.  

08:10 AM Feb 24 2014 |

yolandawang

China

No, I havn’t gone ice skating before. I saw boys and girls skate indoor rink in a big store in Beijing.

07:48 AM Feb 24 2014 |

1 person likes this

yolandawang

China

My balance is not well, so many kind of sports is hard to me, especially during the rotation of the body.


And I am a timid woman, I think I can not enjoy it.


 

07:11 AM Feb 24 2014 |

1 person likes this

Eric_

Eric_

China

I havn’t gone skating before…........But I see some children playing on an indoor rink in a plaza. They got great proficiency and can Triple axel, backspin,etc..


I live in the Southern of China, no outdoor skating. If got chances, I would try too..  ><

05:05 AM Feb 24 2014 |

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