Lesson 3: I’m Here!
Let’s Learn English is a new course for English learners. Certified American English teachers designed the course for beginners. The course continues for 52 weeks.
Each week, there will be a new lesson with video showing the lives of young Americans. The lesson includes instruction in speaking, vocabulary and writing.
There are also printable worksheets, assessments and lesson plans for individual learners and English teachers. We encourage you to follow the weekly lessons and share your progress with us through comments and email.
Summary
Anna is in her new apartment. She wants to cook dinner. She tries to call Marsha for help.
Conversation
ANNA: I am in my new apartment! Great!
I live with Marsha. We’re roommates.
I want to cook dinner. Oh! Hmmm. Is there a supermarket near here?
Marsha knows. Marsha’s work number is 555-8986.
MAN: Hello.
ANNA: Hello. Is this Marsha? It is Anna.
MAN: I am sorry. You have the wrong number.
ANNA: Oh. Is this 555-8986?
MAN: No. This is 555-8689.
ANNA: Oh. Excuse me!
MAN: Okay. ‘Bye.
ANNA: One more time. 555-8986. Please be Marsha.
MARSHA: Hello. This is Marsha.
ANNA: Yes, Marsha. I want to cook dinner.
MARSHA: Excuse me? Anna? Is that you?
ANNA: Oh, yes. I am here!
MARSHA: Good. You are there.
ANNA: I want to find a supermarket.
MARSHA: Oh, okay. The supermarket is at 1500 Irving Street. It is near the apartment.
ANNA: Great! Goodbye!
MARSHA: Goodbye, Anna.
(Later)
ANNA: There is a big supermarket on our street. And Marsha says I am a good cook! Until next time! Bye!
Learning Strategy
Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective.
The strategy for this lesson is Look for Ways to Practice. Good language learners are always looking for new and different ways to practice using the language they want to learn. Here is an example of a learner who uses this strategy.
Alex wants to be more confident when he speaks English. He downloads podcasts of conversations in English. When he is walking or riding in a car he listens and repeats each sentence he hears. He writes text messages and emails in English, using the new words he wants to learn. Every day he talks with anyone who will speak English with him. Sometimes people ask him, “Did you live in an English speaking country?” because he is so confident in using English. Alex laughs and says “Someday!” and looks for more ways to practice.
For more information on using this strategy, see the Lesson Plan.
Listening
Click on the quiz below to practice your listening skill. Each question has a video. Play the video and choose the correct answer.
Speaking
Listen to the teacher in the video. Use your computer or phone to record yourself saying the words. Use this video to practice the new words for this lesson, learn how to answer the telephone, and practice asking for someone.
Download the worksheet and practice speaking English by asking and answering questions about addresses.
Pronunciation
Writing
Download the worksheet and practice writing the names and addresses of friends or classmates. Write your address in the Comments section and we will send you a 2016 VOA Calendar. Be sure to include the house number, street name, city, state, and country! (See the Speaking Practice for Lesson 2 for details on how Americans write addresses.)
New Words
cook – v. to prepare (food) for eating especially by using heat
dinner – n. the main meal of the day
excuse – v. to forgive someone for making a mistake or doing something wrong
find – v. to get or discover something or someone that you are looking for
here – adv. in this place or at this location
live – v. to have a home in a specified place
near – adv. close to something or someone
sorry – adj. feeling sorrow or regret
supermarket – n. a store where customers can buy a variety of foods and household items
there – adv. in that place or at that location
want – v. to desire or wish for something
wrong – adj. not suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose, situation, or person
Now it’s your turn – write to us in the Comments section and let us know what you think of this lesson.
For Teachers
See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and resources. Send us an email if you have comments or questions.
Grammar focus
Place pronouns: here, there
Topics
Apologizing: sorry, excuse me
Source: Let’s Learn English