ESL Podcast 231 – The Supermarket Checkout

I went to the supermarket to do my weekly shopping. The cashiers at this market are usually pretty friendly, but this one must have been having a hard day. Cashier: Excuse me, sir, this lane is for 15 items or less. It looks like you have more than t

ESL Podcast 212 – Asking for a Raise

Patty: Alberto, can I pick your brain for a minute? Alberto: Yeah, sure, but youll have to make it quick. Im going into a meeting at 3. Patty: Sure. Hopefully, this wont take long. Im thinking about asking for a raise. Ive been working here for a yea

ESL Podcast 529 – Insulting Other People

Lourdes: Do you see those teenagers over there? Theyre making trouble again. Nick: Those kids are just messing around . When they get bored, theyll pipe down and go home. Lourdes: Theyre really getting on my nerves , playing loud music and making all

ESL Podcast 501 – Buying Glasses

Alice: Ooh, look at these! Dont I look great? Ive always wanted sunglasses like these. Pierre: Youre supposed to be here helping me pick out frames for my new bifocals . Alice: I dont know why you wont get progressives . Thats what everybody is getti

ESL Podcast 311 – A Mid-life Crisis

Bella: I think my husband is going through a mid-life crisis. Russell: What makes you think that? Bella: He just traded in his car for a very expensive sports car, and hes filling the house with gym equipment. Russell: Uh oh, thats a bad sign. Do you

ESL Podcast 463 – Washing the Car

I was driving down the road when I saw a group of teenagers holding up signs for a fundraising car wash for their school. My car was very dirty, so I pulled over and paid for a car wash and a wax . I think that the students had more enthusiasm than c

ESL Podcast 545 – Getting Around Without a Car

Caitland: How are you planning on getting to school and to your job without a car? Bruno: Ive got it covered . I have my skateboard . Caitland: Your skateboard wont be any use on those dirt roads . Bruno: No big thing . Ill just take my bike . Caitla

ESL Podcast 497 – Shopping for Bedding

Xavier: Thanks for helping me decorate my new apartment. Hey, where are you going? Crystal: Im going to the bedding department. Now that you have a new bed, youll need new bedding. Xavier: Right, okay, but cant I just get some sheets , a couple of pi

ESL Podcast 264 – Preparing for a Video Conference

Emiliano: Im not sure about this video conference today. Its the next best thing to having a meeting face-to- face, but Ive never used most of this equipment before. Fatima: Its a piece of cake. Do you want to do a run-through with me? Emiliano: Do y

ESL Podcast 582 – A Parent-Teacher Conference

Ms. Vasquez: Hello, Mr. Polo. Im Ms. Vasquez. Please have a seat. Mr. Polo: Thank you. Ms. Vasquez: In this parent-teacher conference , I want to go beyond Marcos report cards and his standardized test scores to talk about his general performance in

ESL Podcast 243 – Speaking to a Store Clerk on the Phone

Clerk: Hello. Levins Music. Ariel: Hello. I was wondering if you carry classical CDs. Clerk: Yes, we have a pretty large selection. What are you looking for? Ariel: Im trying to find the latest Reunion Island Ensemble CD. Clerk: Im not sure we have t

ESL Podcast 279 – Saying Goodbye

Mina: Id better be going. See you later. Oliver: It might be awhile before we run into each other again. Mina: Why is that? Oliver: Im going to Puerto Rico for three months starting next Tuesday. I got a job there for the summer. Mina: I didnt know t

ESL Podcast 225 – Feeling Homesick

Annie: Why the long face? Luis: I dont know. I guess Im feeling a little homesick. Annie: I thought you got over that. I know the adjustment was hard when you first got here, but I thought you were coping pretty well. Luis: I was. Its just that the h

ESL Podcast 276 – The Stock Market

Heather: Whats the matter? You look terrible. Paul: Havent you seen the paper? The stock market went down a lot yesterday. The NASDAQ is down 100 points and the Dow is down 30! My portfolio is in big trouble. Heather: I knew you had some stock option

ESL Podcast 396 – Dealing in the Black Market

Jasinda: Was that your friend Mitch? Thomas: Yeah, he and I had lunch today to talk about some business opportunities. Jasinda: What line of work is he in? Thomas: Well, I guess you could say hes in the import/export business. Jasinda: HmmWhy are you

ESL Podcast 227 – Describing Symptoms to a Doctor

Dr. van Eyck: Good morning, Im Dr. van Eyck. I understand that youre not feeling well. Nico: Thats right, doctor. Ive had a stomachache for three days. The pain comes and goes, but I also have heartburn and I am feeling bloated all the time. Dr. van

ESL Podcast 555 – Lying and Telling the Truth

Elizabeth: Youre full of it ! Leo: Im telling you the Gods honest truth . Why would I eat the last piece of cake when I know that you had your heart set on it ? Elizabeth: Thats the question, isnt it? Why would you go behind my back and eat it, and t

ESL Podcast 530 – Exterior Parts of a Car

Ethan: You missed a spot. Marie: Hold on. When we made our bet for the loser to wash the winners car, it didnt include the other person being there and being a pain in the neck . Ethan: Im just here to make sure everything gets washed properly, from

ESL Podcast 658 – Judging a Contest

Adelia: When I created this writing contest, I had no idea that we would get so many entries. Omar: Good thing you have an impartial panel of judges to help you select the winner. Adelia: Yes, good thing. Im really grateful to all of you for giving u

ESL Podcast 697 – Eating a School Lunch

Chris: What are you doing? Lets get into the hot lunch line. Sybil: See this lunchbox? My mom made me brown-bag it today. She says that the lunches served at school arent nutritious enough. Chris: That sucks. What did she make you? Sybil: A salad. Ch