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.
It can be easy to wallow in self-pity when you don’t get what you want. Children have an especially hard time with it. Not getting a toy or losing a game can easily make a kid cry. But it’s not just children who feel sad in these situations. Adults get disappointed, too.
If you have your heart set on getting a job but it’s given to someone else, you’ll probably feel terrible. People who sell houses tell buyers not to get their hearts set on any one house, because someone else might offer more money for it. Of course, everyone has the experience of having one’s heart set on a relationship working out. We’re not always successful in love, though. That’s just life!
Brian tells Gary about two things he had his heart set on in today’s English lesson about wishing.
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.
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Gary: How have you been? Do you miss Lily a lot?
Brian: Totally. I had my heart set on getting serious with her, but now she lives thousands of miles away.
Gary: I know. But it’s important not to wallow in self-pity.
Brian: I’m actually working hard on not wallowing.
Gary: Oh, yeah?
Brian: I registered for an online class.
Gary: Did you really?
Brian: At the university.
Gary: Good for you. What are you taking?
Brian: Human anatomy.
Gary: Why human anatomy?
Brian: I met with the advisor and she showed me the syllabus. It seemed really interesting. Plus I’ve always excelled at science.
Gary: Oh, really?
Brian: It’s true. In fact, I had my heart set on being a doctor when I was little.
Gary: No kidding. What changed?
Brian: Girls. I was always more interested in dating than studying.
Gary: That doesn’t surprise me.
Brian: But I registered online. Classes start next Tuesday. And I still have to get my textbook.
Gary: Do you want to go get it? I could use a walk.
Gary: I understand what you’re going through. Come on, let’s go.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Gerunds vs. Infinitives" from this lesson
Quizzes
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Discussion
Brian is sad that Lily’s living in Paris. He wanted their relationship to become serious, and now that can’t happen. But Brian isn’t going to sit around and feel unhappy all day. He has signed up for a human anatomy class at the university.
Gary finds it interesting that Brian is taking a science course, but Brian says that he has always been good at science. In fact, he wanted to be a doctor when he was young. Gary’s surprised to hear this, but mostly he’s pleased that Brian is staying busy. He doesn’t want his friend to feel badly about his love life.
Can you understand Brian’s feelings? Have you ever had your heart set on something that didn’t work out?
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