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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Phromporn

Thailand

I unable play skateboarding.

Rezon 邬

China

I like skateboarding too`

vip_groovygirl

United Arab Emirates

I like skateboarding and I hope one day I learn it to be able to use it as a pastime.

donya2002ir

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Ermolaeva

Russian Federation

Skateboarding is very popular in Russia, especialy with teenagers)

The main problems is that there are only a few specialy appointed areas for this activity

I admire skateboarders)

PumpkinSoup

Thailand

Totally, skateboarders are hawt and skateboarding sounds like fun and exciting. I remember when I was jogging and the other guy was skateboarding merrily along the bike lane. I was so jealous and wish I could skateboard for a change.

Miss Talant

Russian Federation

i like skatebording. it's very close to me :) all my ex-boyfriends are skaters :D

juste14

Lithuania

Skateboarding is very interesting sport.

cutebaby1

Russian Federation

Hi, everybody!As for me I've never tried to skateboard, but anyway I think it's cool! In my country there are not so many skaters, 'cause we have a long cold winter, and guys can skateboard only few months a year! As for me, I do like to skate!!!