English, baby!

Being Late

Date: Apr 24 2009

Themes: Time

Grammar: Future Perfect Tense

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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.

Some people are just always late, no matter what. It almost seems like they must be living in another reality, where all the clocks are set differently.

This can be really frustrating, especially if you’re the kind of person who’s always on time. It sucks having to wait around for people, wondering if they’re ever going to show up. And nobody likes those people who come to class 15 minutes after the professor has begun talking, or who interrupt a movie by stumbling into the theater after it’s already started.

Jason is one of those people who can never be on time. Listen in on his phone conversation with Devan, as she tries to teach him how to be more punctual.

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.

Devan

Jason

Devan: I can’t believe you haven’t left yet! By the time you get here, I’ll have been here for over an hour.

Jason: I’m so sorry. I got held up at work today. All kinds of crazy stuff came up. I’m running late. I’ll be there. I know you really needed to talk about your application to the international bowling league, so I’ll be right there, I promise.

Devan: I really need to talk to you about that, and I’m starving, and Jason, you are the least punctual person I know.

Jason: Go ahead and order without me. I’m sorry. I know I lose track of time, but I’m seriously on my way. I’m like five minutes away.

Devan: What are you gonna do to not be running late all the time?

Jason: I don’t know. Do you…do you think I should set my clock late? Do you think that works?

Devan: I think you should…Yeah, I think you should set your clock later, and you should always give yourself an extra half hour no matter how much time you think it’s going to take you to do something.

Jason: Yeah, that is the problem, that I have a really hard time estimating how long it’s actually gonna take to do different things.

Devan: Just tack on 30 minutes to that time you estimate, and then you’ll always be on time, ‘cause you’re always late.

Jason: I guess I’ll just have to do that.

Devan: Alright. Well I’m ordering you a salad and I’m not waiting, I’m gonna start eating.

Jason: OK, I’ll buy, I’m sorry. I’ll be right there.

Grammar Point

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Discussion

Jason was supposed to meet Devan for dinner, but he’s already really late. He tries to explain why he’s late and promises he’ll be there soon. But Devan is annoyed with him because he’s late all the time.

Devan asks Jason what he’s going to do to stop being late. She thinks he should set his clock late so he always thinks it’s later than it really is. He should also add give himself extra time to do things. If he thinks something is only going to take an hour, he should leave himself an hour and a half. Then if it takes longer than expected, he’ll still be on time.

Are you punctual, or are you always late? Does it annoy you when other people are late? What do you think they can do to become more punctual?

Comments

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kimboo

Algeria

i'm always late… it's ok because this is who i'm

but there is late & laaaaaaaaaaaaaaate

i prefer late

caoxiqq

China

i agree….

André Lopes

Brazil

I´m a pontual guy, becouse I always arrive before in my meets. I don´t like people that come late, I get so furrious when it happen.

s id

Saudi Arabia

i think i m punctual . because i never like to wait i also like people who has punctual ability i think they always be succees full in life

sun_uae

United Arab Emirates

I always late. I never be on time. It frustrating, especially to my friends who always on time and wait me for long time. I like the idea to set the clock late and I will try to do this to be on time.

lyn_cat_pink

Viet Nam

to be on time is very important

asteritop

Russian Federation

I think I am punctual, because I never late. And it really annoy me when other people are late, because I hate to wait.

rabbitcyg

China

I will try to be on time!I aslo value a person's puncual ability.Sometimes ,it's better to await others rather than being await.

vet_med_mary

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

hi im an student from iran i love peace and nature and pets

liv zhang

China

NAJLA

Saudi Arabia

I set my clock 10 mins. late to be on time

nane_cinto

Brazil

nane_cinto

Brazil

I usualy arrive late! this lesson was created especialy for me!I will try change this!!

simone berti

Brazil

I am usually on time. I agree with Fernanda that it's a sign of respect with the others. My boyfriend is always late. When he says that he will take me at 8pm. I know that I have, at least, until 9pm to be ready, hehehe!!! I used to be angry, but now, it don't bother me anymore.

Nick Ho

Taiwan

I am punctual because of I will feel embarrassed very much when I am late. If I was late in class many many years ago, i will would rather give up the class than be late.

siberian tigger

Mexico

Must of the time some guys do not like to be punctual becuase they do not respect the time for the others.

Good lock fellas

lastknight

Turkey

as like me …

duwaissr

Saudi Arabia

The time is very important in my company ,so I have to be punctual every day except if there are something come up and interrupt me and that’s happen rarely, if we wanna to be punctual we have to put the road obstacles in our mind which may happen every now and then.

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

Im often on time, I really dont like running late to do something or wait a long time for someone else…Try to be more organized with time and respect others people time is interesting.