English, baby!

Skateboarding

Date: Nov 06 2009

Themes: Sports

Grammar: You're vs. Your

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Intro

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

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bro
X Games

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

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Skateboarding can be an easy and convenient way to zip across campus or over to a friend’s house. But skateboarding is more than just a mode of transportation. It’s also a look, a sport, and a subculture. Skaters even have their own slang, some of which has become common outside of the skateboarding world as well. Know what I’m saying, dude?

Skaters are typically seen as reckless rebels and punks. But some skaters are serious athletes, who perform amazing tricks in major competitions like the X Games. Others are just ordinary guys and girls looking for a cheap, easy way way to get around. Ella thinks skaters are sexy. Find out if Jason will impress her with his moves.

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.

Ella

Jason

Ella: Skateboarders are pretty hot.

Jason: Yeah?

Ella: Yeah. Don’t know much about actual skateboarding, but the whole look is pretty attractive.

Jason: Is it just the look, or is it the fact that they actually skateboard, get out there, do some 360s…

Ella: Yeah, I mean the moves are impressive too, just by name. Ollie, that just sounds fun, you know? A half-pipe? Like, hello!

Jason: Totally. I mean, I was a skater when I was like 15…

Ella: Oh wow.

Jason: I just didn’t think it would still be around. You know, like I had baggy pants and skate shoes and I could do a kickflip, but I kinda thought it was a fad.

Ella: I don’t know. I still see people using it more as a sport, but also as a mode of transportation. It’s just easy to get around like on campus in college. It’s a little faster, but not quite the bike. You can just haul it right in your book bag.

Jason: And you get to feel like you’re in your favorite video game, right?

Ella: Exactly.

Jason: I think that’s why it’s so huge right now.

Ella: It’s really “bro” and “dude”-ish now, though.

Jason: Yeah, the skateboarder lingo has totally infiltrated our normal speech, bro.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Ella likes the skateboarding look, which usually includes shaggy hair and skate shoes. It sounds like she’s more impressed by guys who get the style right than guys who know how to land the tricks.

Jason used to be a skater in high school, and he thought it was just a passing fad. But it seems like skating is here to stay. It’s become more legitimate as a sport since the X Games started in the 1990s, and it’s also an easy and cheap mode of transportation for a lot of young people. Skating video games like the Tony Hawk series have also helped keep it popular.

Do you like to skateboard? Have you ever seen the X Games? Is skate culture big in your country?

Comments

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Zhen2hen

China

I LOVE SKATEBOARD，TOO

DominikLi

China

Skateboarding is so coooooool,I love it.

Zambuka

United States

all the things are fads, unless you’re really into it)

Marcelolic

Brazil

Once when I was teen I tried to skate,but I wasn't able to do it,I thought pretty hard :P So I experienced skate rollers hehe,it was pretty cool and easier ;) hehe

Here in Brazil skaboard is pretty broadcasted between teens,it is really a style life :)

kukuka

Ukraine

Yes, I've seen the X Games, and yeah, skate culture is pretty popular in my country, mostly among young people. In my opinion, this kind of sport (activity) is dangerous. I've also seen many clips on youtube web site about how skaters get damaged and injured when accomplishing their cool tricks. The conseqences are sad, to tell the truth.

PS I have a question on the quiz, what's wrong with the "Sexy look is good for going to clubs "? Isn't it correct either?

Ayababy

Philippines

like eat kickflips !

mel92

Argentina

I really like this game, but i never play it. In my country is not play skateboarding, is rare. :S

Mrbean29

Viet Nam

i haven't ever played skateboarding but i can imagine how wonderful it is. you have something simple which at first seem to be used as a mere tranport mode, but in fact it can do something which is beyond your usual thought. it just out of words to say!