Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
Fly Solo
Fly Solo English, baby! Video Lesson

Learn English with this independence English lesson

Date: Mar 04 2014

Themes: Romance, Soap Opera

Grammar: Simple Future Tense

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

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

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

People think about relationships in different ways. There are people who are always unhappy if they’re not dating or married, and others who enjoy being alone. If you’re one of the latter, then you like to fly solo. To you, spending time by yourself is a positive thing, and you’re not all that interested in finding a boyfriend or girlfriend.

There are many benefits to being single. You get to make all of the decisions about your life without asking anyone’s opinion. You choose what you’re cooking for dinner, what movies to see, where to travel, and how to spend all of your time after work. You don’t have to compromise with anyone about what you’re going to do, ever!

Is Jeff ready to fly solo? Find out in today’s English lesson about dating.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

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

Log in to Listen

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

Amanda

Amanda

Jeff

Jeff

Amanda:  Someone’s been pretty quiet lately. What’s on your mind, Jeff?

Jeff:  Not much.

Amanda:  Are you going to hang out with Alexis tonight?

Jeff:  No, actually she and I broke up.

Amanda:  Sorry, I didn’t know.

Jeff:  It’s OK. My gut tells me that maybe I need to fly solo...

Amanda:  Is that right?

Jeff:  ...for a while. Give it a shot.

Amanda:  OK. Why?

Jeff:  Greta and I were doing great, I thought. And then that didn’t work out. And then Alexis and I were… we were getting pretty serious. But I just changed my mind on that one. It wasn’t working out.

Amanda:  How come?

Jeff:  I’m not really sure. My gut was just telling me that I need to be on my own, maybe.

Amanda:  Well, I think that you should listen to your gut.

Jeff:  Yeah, now my gut’s telling me that maybe that would be the best thing to do. I mean, is single… what’s it like? Is it terrible?

Amanda:  Well, I’ll be candid with you. I really miss being single.

Jeff:  Really?

Amanda:  Yeah. Going to the movies on my own, having the entire bed to myself, I don’t have to share popcorn with someone. It’s kind of nice not having to compromise with someone about everything. You know?

Jeff:  Maybe I’ll give it a shot.

Amanda:  You should. And don’t even get me started about this whole baby thing.

Jeff:  Well, yeah. But you’re excited, right?

Amanda:  Yeah, totally. I am. It’s just that I know that this is going to change my life forever.

Jeff:  I guess there are some benefits to flying solo.

Amanda:  It sounds good to me. And if I were you, I would go check out that new Scarlett Johansson film tonight. If I didn’t have so much to do, I’d come with you.

Jeff:  Oh yeah, that movie. You know what? I think I will.

Amanda:  Good for you.

 

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Simple Future Tense" from this lesson Go Super!

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz Go Super!

 

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3 Go Super!

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Amanda notices that Jeff seems very quiet, so she asks him what’s wrong. Jeff’s sad about the women he’s been dating. His relationship ended with Greta because she didn’t want to date anymore. His relationship with Alexis ended because Jeff didn’t want to date anymore. Things just don’t seem to be working out in Jeff’s love life. He tells Amanda that he’s decided to fly solo.

Amanda is happy to be with Mason, but she admits to Jeff that sometimes she misses being single. She doesn’t like having to compromise all the time. For example, sometimes she just wants a big bowl of popcorn for herself, or to be able to use the whole bed. She points out to Jeff that there are benefits to doing things on your own sometimes. Amanda suggests that he go to the movies, and Jeff leaves, looking happier.

Do you like to fly solo? Which activities are better with friends, and which are better alone?

 

Comments

Log in to Comment

ahmet55

ahmet55

Germany

Not much. Actually, I believe that “heaven without friends would be a big hell”. 


Anyway, I’m 27 and i’m not interest in flying solo anymore. Furthermore, I really want to have the decent marriage partner for myself and be with her and have my own family. Indeed, to be candid, i never want to perform things by myself. Generally, I really fond of sharing things with others, having fun with them, Get on with nice people, meet up with new friends and things like this. To make long story short, getting together with friends is good for me.

08:15 AM Mar 13 2014 |

2 people like this

maaike23

maaike23

Netherlands

I love to fly solo. Just being alone in a nice place is so peaceful. Going somewhere without the permission of someone or telling somewhere is great. Its just you and  yourself. I think you first need to find yourself, who you are, how you want to be in the future. When the time is right you’ll find your soulmate. Although, it’s good to have friends near you, to spend time with. It’s nice to go out with them, travel, go to cinema, go on adventures in nature and talk. 


02:48 PM Mar 08 2014 |

bravevivian

Ecuador

I enjoy to fly solo, it’s easy to make some decisions.  You have the whole control of your time.


However I think to have a person to share it’s nice too.  Love should be the link.  I wouldn’t decide to be with a person just to avoid being alone.  I have to be happy with my life first and if I find the right person to share then both would be happy together.

02:20 AM Mar 07 2014 |

hattomi

hattomi

Yemen

I really love to fly solo maybe for this period of time but I don’t know what ’s coming next _ ... but I need to be alone not for the reasons that you mention above there is a real benefits for being Secluded ,it helps you to do something big in your life as Richard Yates said “if you wanted to do something absolutely honest, something true, it always turned out to be a thing that had to be done alone.” and Albert Einstein said in this case “the monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind”

there are many activities I must do with my friends but it’s all for having fun : for example camping , traveling and many other activities that make you relax after a long time in working or studying …

06:28 AM Mar 05 2014 |

kmonte

Costa Rica

Sometimes I think is a needed to fly solo, but there are also times where you need someone to share your time with. I think it is better to go to the movies, talk about life, watch tv with friends. On the other hand, I prefer to practice English and walk sometimes for a while alone!

12:08 AM Mar 05 2014 |

2 people like this

Miss_Diana

Miss_Diana

Zimbabwe

It’s nice to fly solo… for a while… now and then…

10:39 PM Mar 04 2014 |

2 people like this

bellaboo2422

Pakistan

Life HaS A BiG Canvous SO Some Times I Prefer To Fly SolO AnD Sometimes ITS Good To Be With Friends. The TimE We SpenD OF Being Flying SOlO Is The Best TimE TO Underdtand Life AnD OurselvES. SeRIOUS Part Of Life I Think. On The Other Hand Time WitH FriEnds Is The TiME OF Fun And MerimeNt. The Sweet Moments ColoRful Part Of LifE. SO The CombiNatioN Of Sweet And Salt MakEs Sens And A FlavourfuL Life.

06:04 PM Mar 04 2014 |

1 person likes this

alexa1

alexa1

Saudi Arabia

surround yourself by a million of things do it with others thats helping you get along well with them its good it makes you stick it out with a social life. but also you have to get some good time for yourself, it could be solo dance,drawing,ride a bicycle, anything you like.

04:19 PM Mar 04 2014 |

1 person likes this

raybanbcn

raybanbcn

Spain

I don’t like to fly solo. I like the life in couple.


I like to share my bed, go with somebody to the cinema. make plans together and shared all the good moments. 


When you fly solo, you don’t have anybody to speak how it was your day or pass good moments seeing a serie on tv . 


sometimes all the people can to want to fly solo but normally is all is better if you have with who shared your life. 



03:03 PM Mar 04 2014 |

S&W

S&W

China

I like to fly solo that means i have more private time.I can use these time to make serious decisions or find solution for tough problem.Somegtimes i perfer to enjoy flying solo.Trying  to experience of going to movie,traveling,shopping by myself.Having creative ideas and complete them on my own.For me those are nice choice.But,Go to the amusement park is better with friends

02:43 PM Mar 04 2014 |

Jobee

Jobee

China

flying solo and playing with friends are both right.Human beings like new things.so better do things on your own and later when you feel bored,get someone to be with you.that’s huamn nature.

01:21 PM Mar 04 2014 |

ayedalsotohy

Saudi Arabia

well


as most of people . I sometimes prefer to fly solo till I get bored then I’d be eager to be in a relationship and so on

10:51 AM Mar 04 2014 |

1 person likes this

Majids

Majids

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

 


@sandraa95


 life is never flat! always there are changes that make our life be just like diagram! I do agree with you.       


fluctuation in the life,makes it sweet and beautiful and flexibility is a vital character.

 

10:04 AM Mar 04 2014 |

sandraa95

sandraa95

Sweden

to be honest it really depend on my mood. some times i prefer or i Have to be alone and u cant say no. then i decide to adopt my self with situation so i do some kind of activities that lift me up and make me energetic and make me cheerful like walking alone meanwhile listening to my favorite song.i never nag bcz of being alone in some situations!bcz its really inspire me and bring back peace into my life. its unique. life is never flat! always there are changes that make our life be just like diagram! and some times i really want to be with my friends, tell jokes laughting till cows come home.. haha or going shopping mall with girls. going swimmingpul with my friend. it has another taste in my mouth.

07:32 AM Mar 04 2014 |

Elain_gq

China

i enjoy flying solo. it is wonderful that u have so much time which belongs to urself. yes ofcourse sometimes i feel lonely and egar to date. at that time i choose to go out walking or jogging or hanging out with my friends. this life is peaceful to me i think.

07:14 AM Mar 04 2014 |

ttsuka

ttsuka

Japan

Somehow, I think Jeff’s flying solo would not last long. I am not passing any judgment here, I’m just saying what my gut tells me.


I totally understand Amanda’s longing for being solo again. Who needs a whack job for a husband after all? Her becoming a single mother is something true to form, I think. It’s just a matter of time.  Amanda, be strong and think rational! Don’t let emotions get the better of you. 

05:53 AM Mar 04 2014 |

1 person likes this

munisa alimatova

Uzbekistan

i like be with my friends! walking.. go to somewhere, to attractive place … on the other hand, sometimes i want be fly solo…for a time.. stay along..its also give me like quite life..

05:51 AM Mar 04 2014 |

1 person likes this

Eric_

Eric_

China

I enjoy flying solo….. Ride a bike, run a few miles, go for a walk after dinner,etc..


However, I like travelling with my friends. We can share all the stuff during the journey. ^^

03:35 AM Mar 04 2014 |

Likes (13):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast