Martial Arts

Intro

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

• lads
• channel
• karate
• fashion statement

• martial arts
• meditative
• bonding
• duh

• I'll give you that
• direct translation

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

Wars aren’t fought with swords and fists anymore. But martial arts are more popular than ever.

Learning how to fight is fun and good exercise. Plus if you get in a fight, you’ll know what you’re doing.

But martial arts is also about strengthening the mind. Some forms of martial arts are more meditative than others. Listen to Marni and Mason talk about it.

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.

Marni

Mason

Marni:  So this summer my mother and I actually took some free Tai Chi classes that were being held in a park…

Mason:  Oh yeah, like, the dudes in the park.

Marni:  Well, you know it was a very bonding experience. What I learned, what I did not know, is that Tai Chi is actually a martial art.

Mason:  Duh.

Marni:  OK. Apparently I’m the last person on the planet that didn’t know this.

Mason:  Yeah.

Marni:  But in doing it, I was like, I get it. It’s very meditative and slow, but…

Mason:  Tai Chi is like Chinese for “kick ass.”

Marni:  I’m sure. A direct translation.

Mason:  Uh-huh. Yeah.

Marni:  Absolutely.

Mason:  No, of course it’s a martial art.

Marni:  I always just thought of it as a more meditative thing, but in doing it, it was very powerful.

Mason:  Totally. It’s not as active-looking as a lot of the other ones like Taekwondo or Muay Thai, but uh…

Marni:  Have you ever done any of those?

Mason:  I did Taekwondo for a little while. Like every kid takes a martial art at some point. Every young lad.

Marni:  Well, I think it’s a good way for some kids to channel some of their energy and I also think now, having taken Tai Chi, that it would be better for some kids to do the slower…

Mason:  There is no way you’d talk a, like, 10-year-old boy into doing Tai Chi. He’ll be like, “I wanna break boards! And get colored belts!” It’s all about the fashion, really. Like, when you’re 10 years old, karate is about a fashion statement.

Marni:  Well, I don’t know. I think it’s about earning something. You know, you have to commit yourself to the art and the discipline and…

Mason:  Who is the one in this conversation who did the martial art as a 10-year-old?

Marni:  Alright…

Mason:  And I’m telling you. I wanted to break boards and wear awesome belts and karate outfits.

Marni:  And just kick things.

Mason:  That is correct.

Marni:  OK. Alright. I’ll give you that.

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Lesson MP3

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