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.
Have you ever felt so excited, or angry, or scared, that you couldn’t recognize yourself? Have you ever been so emotional that you behaved like a different person? To be beside oneself is to act in a way that is not normal for you. It’s used with all kinds of emotions, from feeling anxious to feeling sad.
A mother might be beside herself with worry if her young son doesn’t come home when she’s asked him to return. A high school student might be beside himself with excitement as he waits to hear from universities and colleges. A little girl could be beside herself with sorrow when her pet dog dies. Being beside oneself means having strong feelings about something.
Both Jessica and Rafael are beside themselves, but for different reasons. What do you think is happening? Read today’s English lesson to find out!
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.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
![]() |
![]() |
Brian: So, how do you like working at StarScoop.com?
Jessica: I love it. I was beside myself when I found out I’d gotten the job.
Brian: Good. And how are things in terms of working with Gary?
Jessica: It’s been fine. Nothing to worry about. It’s all water under the bridge between us.
Brian: Cool. Who’s looking over your yoga studio while you’re here?
Jessica: Rafael. I promoted him to office manager. And he’s teaching all of the classes, too. He’s very capable.
Brian: But you miss teaching yoga, don’t you?
Jessica: Yes and no. The more I think about it, the more I feel like I’m ready to move on from the world of yoga.
Brian: Really?
Jessica: Yeah.
Brian: Why’s that?
Jessica: Working here has reminded me how much I’ve always wanted to be in journalism. And it also helps that Rafael is so good at what he does.
Brian: I’m sure. He seems like a dependable guy.
Jessica: Yes. And I hinted to him that I might want to sell the yoga business to him, and he was beside himself with excitement. And it’s all thanks to you.
Brian: To me?
Jessica: Of course. If you hadn’t gotten me this opportunity to work here, I wouldn’t be thinking about selling my yoga studio to Rafael.
Brian: I am pretty awesome that way.
Jessica: You are pretty awesome. By the way, I think it’s about time that you tell Lily that you like her.
Brian: You do?
Jessica: Yes.
Brian: But what if she doesn’t like me back?
Jessica: I get the feeling that she likes you, too. But one of you has to make the first move.
Brian: True. OK. OK, OK. I’ll do it.
Jessica: OK.
Brian: Will you help me?
Jessica: Of course! You know what? You should write her a poem.
Brian: A poem.
Jessica: Yes.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Tag Questions" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
-
Sponsored by
Discussion
Brian is interested in how Jessica feels about her new position at StarScoop.com. Jessica absolutely loves it, and she thanks Brian for giving her the chance to go after her dream job.
Jessica also tells Brian that because of him, Rafael may have a dream come true as well. She’s thinking about selling her yoga business to Rafael, and she would never have thought about it if she hadn’t gotten the job at StarScoop.com. Brian is clearly pleased with himself and jokes with Jessica about how awesome he is.
Jessica also takes this opportunity to encourage Brian to tell Lily how he feels. She thinks that Lily likes Brian, too, and someone has to make the first move. Jessica offers to help Brian and suggests that he write a poem for Lily.
Do you think that Jessica should sell her yoga business to Rafael? Should Brian tell Lily that he likes her? Why or why not?
Comments
Ukraine |
Yemen |
Congo, Democratic Republic Of The |
India |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
China |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
China |
China |
Yemen |
Russian Federation |
China |