Learn English with this shyness English lesson

Intro

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

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• in person
• bouquet
• delivery person
• go a long way

• tongue tied
• mention
• love note
• complicated

• secret admirer
• florist

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

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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.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Rafael

Marni

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.

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Lesson MP3

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