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.
Everyone feels shy sometimes. Even the most friendly, talkative, and outgoing people will feel unsure of what to say around someone famous. Presidents and queens may seem able to talk to everyone, but there’s always at least one person who makes even them nervous. We all feel tongue tied once in a while.
Without a tongue, humans would not be able to talk at all. We need our tongues to make specific sounds and letters. So if it were possible to tie one’s tongue, it would be impossible to talk. No one could understand the sounds coming from a person with a tied tongue. So when you’re with a person who makes you so nervous or shy that you can’t talk, we say that you’re tongue tied.
Rafael feels tongue tied around Emma, but Marni has an idea. What is it? You’ll find out when you read today’s English lesson.
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.
![]() |
![]() |
Rafael: Hey, Marni.
Marni: Hey. What’s up, Rafa?
Rafael: Not much. I had a little free time, so I wanted to stop and see Jessica. Tell her about how the yoga business is doing.
Marni: Unfortunately, she’s not here. She’s on a business trip.
Rafael: Oh, man. That’s too bad.
Marni: Stay for a while. Pull up a chair. Tell me about Emma.
Rafael: You know about Emma?
Marni: Jessica may have mentioned something. She’s not exactly tongue tied, is she?
Rafael: No. Definitely not. But I am around Emma.
Marni: You’re what?
Rafael: Tongue tied. I don’t know what to say around her.
Marni: Have you thought about telling her how you feel in other ways?
Rafael: Like how?
Marni: Well, you could write her a love note. Or you could send her flowers.
Rafael: I’ve never sent flowers to anyone before. Is it complicated?
Marni: Not at all. You can order them online, but I think it’s better to go to a florist.
Rafael: Why is that better?
Marni: Well, because then you can pick out the flowers in person. And the florist can help you. Do you have Emma’s address?
Rafael: No, but I know where she works.
Marni: Good. Once the florist has the bouquet ready, the delivery person will bring it right to her office.
Rafael: I like this idea.
Marni: If you’re tongue tied around her, these flowers are going to go a long way to tell her how you feel. Plus you can write something on the card that’s sent with the flowers.
Rafael: Something like, “From your secret admirer”?
Marni: No. Why don’t you just start by writing your name?
Rafael: Do I have to?
Marni: Yes, you do.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Tag Questions" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
-
Sponsored by
Discussion
Rafael stops at the office to see Jessica, but she’s away. Instead, he talks with Marni about Emma. Marni has a lot of ideas about how Rafael can tell Emma that he likes her. The best idea, in her opinion, is to send flowers.
Rafael has never sent flowers to anyone before, but Marni knows just what to do. She tells Rafael to visit a flower shop and speak with a florist. If he has Emma’s address, the florist can easily deliver a bouquet to her. Rafael can also write a short note for Emma that will go with the flowers. This makes Rafael nervous, but Marni says that it’s important he at least write his name.
Will Rafael find the courage to tell Emma how he feels? Do you feel tongue tied around anyone in your life?
Comments
Uganda |
Åland Islands |
Jordan |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
United States |
China |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Turkey |
Germany |
Argentina |
Germany |
Argentina |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |