ESL Podcast 558 – Being a Strict Parent

Allison: Im almost ready for my granddaughters visit. Shell be here tomorrow and I want everything to be perfect. Ola: What do you have planned? Allison: Im going to spoil her rotten . My daughter is very strict and doesnt allow her to do anything th

ESL Podcast 351 – Asking for a First Date

Natalie: Hello. Sergio: Hi, could I speak to Natalie? Natalie: This is she. Sergio: Oh hi, this is Sergio. How are you? Natalie: Good. How about you? Sergio: Im great. Uh, well, the reason Im calling is I was wondering if youd like to go out sometime

ESL Podcast 619 – Packing Clothes for a Trip

Nick: Arent you done packing yet? We need to leave for the airport in 15 minutes. Mariah: Im almost done. I just need to finish packing my garment bag . Nick: Youre bringing a garment bag? What for? Mariah: For my dresses, of course. I dont want them

ESL Podcast 342 – At the Butcher’s

Butcher: What can I get for you? Gina: Id like a pound of ground beef, please. Butcher: Would you like the regular or the extra lean? The extra lean is a dollar more per pound. Gina: Ill take the regular. Could you also throw in two thick pork chops

ESL Podcast 565 – Dating a Friend’s Ex

Fareed: Where are you going? Amber: Im going to meet Peter. Fareed: When are you going to tell Lily? Amber: Tell her what? Fareed: You know what that youre dating her ex . Shes not going to take it well . Amber: I dont know why she would object . The

ESL Podcast 498 – Joking and Making Fun of People

Dmitry: Stan is really miffed at you. All of that teasing at lunch really upset him. Charlene: What? I was just poking fun at him for trying to hit on the new, young receptionist . Dmitry: You called him an old goat. Charlene: I said that tongue in c

ESL Podcast 267 – Getting a Traffic Ticket

I was driving down the street when I saw a police car behind me. Suddenly, it turned on its siren. I realized that I was being pulled over. Officer: Can I see your drivers license, registration, and proof of insurance? Ray: Sure. Here you are, office

ESL Podcast 570 – Guessing a Number

Angela: Hey, look at this. This restaurant is holding a contest . If you can guess the number of marbles in this bowl, youll get a free meal every day for one year! Dwight: Ill take a stab at it . Angela: So will I. Lets see, I think there must be cl

ESL Podcast 568 – Describing Brisk and Slow Business

Clint: Anya! Long time no see. Let me buy you a drink. Im celebrating. Anya: Oh, yeah? Whats the good news? Clint: My company has had a banner month. Since we launched our new line of software, were having trouble keeping up with demand . Every produ

ESL Podcast 478 – Having Plumbing Problems

Mickey: Hello, McQuillan Plumbing. Colleen: Hi, Im having a lot of plumbing problems. Can you send a plumber out to my house right away? Mickey: Yes, we can. But first, lets find out what the problems are. Colleen: Well, to start, my toilet wont flus

ESL Podcast 269 – Health Insurance Plans

At my company, I have a choice of health insurance plans. We can pick between HMOs and PPOs, and I have been with the same managed health plan for the past few years. Its the plan that has the lowest co- pays and the best coverage, and the network of

ESL Podcast 361 – Feeling Lonely

Moving to a new city can be a lonely experience. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I didnt know anyone and it was hard to strike up new friendships. Im a pretty sociable person, but its still hard meeting new people and even harder to make lasting f

ESL Podcast 446 – Going to a Home Improvement Store

Paige: I think we can get everything we need to fix up the house in one trip. What do you think? Vern: We can try. It seems like everybody had the same thought when they woke up this morning: Go to the home improvement store ! Paige: Yeah, its a litt

ESL Podcast 274 – Buying Stamps at the Post Office

Clerk: Can I help you? Tamika: Id like to buy some stamps. Clerk: In what denomination? Tamika: Im not sure. I need them for sending regular letters and for Priority Mail. Clerk: The current rate for sending a first-class letter is 41 cents. With fir

ESL Podcast 239 – A Birthday Party

My sister called me at the last minute to help her with my nephews birthday party. She was feeling really sick and couldnt get out of bed. Id never given a childrens party before, but how hard could it be? Well, I found out. First, I had to go to the

ESL Podcast 476 – Taking Chances in Business

Ive always been a pretty cautious investor . I like my investments to be conservative and I usually invest only in sure things . Recently, though, Ive been tempted to take more risk . My friend, Bernie, is a very successful fund manager and he is wil

ESL Podcast 344 – At the Convention Center

I left my hotel early so I would arrive at the convention center in time for my presentation, but the bad traffic made me late. My presentation was supposed to start at 2:00 and it was already 1:55! To make matters worse, I had never been to this con

ESL Podcast 323 – Rooms in a House

I dont like cats. Thats not really true. I like cats, but they dont like me. Last week, my friend Sara asked me to babysit her cat for two days while she was out of town. Normally, I would have said no, but she was in a jam, so I said okay. As I said

ESL Podcast 526 – Talking About Age

Gabby: Another birthday! Im going to stop celebrating. Whats there to celebrate getting old and decrepit ? Cherif: Are you kidding me? Were in the prime of our lives . Whos decrepit? Im not. Gabby: If Im in my prime, then why do I feel so middle age

ESL Podcast 313 – A Suspicious Neighbor

Patricia: What do you think of our new neighbor? Ray: I dont know. I havent met him yet. Patricia: Me neither, but I think hes a shady character. Ray: Why do you think that? Patricia: Well, when he was moving in, I tried to shoot the breeze with him