Monday, April 28, 2008
Can You Teach Ethics? feature for Advanced (text)
Dr. Gray: Welcome to “Should I, or Shouldn’t I”, the ethical call in program where you can ask me, Dr. Gray, how to handle your ethical dilemmas. Go ahead Sally, you’re first!
Sally: Oh, hi Dr. Gray, thanks for taking my call.
Dr: Oh, my pleasure, Sally. Now, how may I help you?
Sally: Well, I’ve got a problem at work Dr. Gray. I run the accounting department, and so I approve all of the expense reports for our sales people. They do a lot of PR work and . . .
Dr: Hmmm, okay, that’s a starting point. What seems to be the problem?
Sally: (Sigh) My boyfriend, see, he is one of the salesmen, and yesterday he told me that he’s been charging his golf games to the company account for the past seven years.
Dr: Oh boy! How much money do you think that has been, Sally?
Sally: Well, he really likes to play golf, and he’s really good at it, in fact just last week he had his best score ever, and was so happy that . . .
Dr: Sally, Sally, how much money has he charged the company for golf over the last seven years?
Sally: Uh, about $10,000. But he’s a good salesman, and everyone likes him.
Dr: Sally, Sally, I know you want to side with your boyfriend on this, but you have to do what’s right. Have you told anyone, yet?
Sally: Oh heavens, no! He’d lose his job, then I’d have to support him!
Dr: Sally, I’ve seen this before. He needs to come clean on this, admit what he’s done, and work out a plan to repay the company for all his golf games.
Sally: That’s so much money, Dr. Gray.
Dr: Sally, in the long run, it’s the best thing for both of you. Honesty is the best policy.
Sally: But he bought me this nice engagement ring!
Dr: You’re thinking about marrying this idiot? Sally, Sally, you need to come clean on this—it’s the best for both of you.
Sally: Oh, okay Doctor, thanks for your help.
Dr: Thanks for calling Sally.
Sally: Oh, hi Dr. Gray, thanks for taking my call.
Dr: Oh, my pleasure, Sally. Now, how may I help you?
Sally: Well, I’ve got a problem at work Dr. Gray. I run the accounting department, and so I approve all of the expense reports for our sales people. They do a lot of PR work and . . .
Dr: Hmmm, okay, that’s a starting point. What seems to be the problem?
Sally: (Sigh) My boyfriend, see, he is one of the salesmen, and yesterday he told me that he’s been charging his golf games to the company account for the past seven years.
Dr: Oh boy! How much money do you think that has been, Sally?
Sally: Well, he really likes to play golf, and he’s really good at it, in fact just last week he had his best score ever, and was so happy that . . .
Dr: Sally, Sally, how much money has he charged the company for golf over the last seven years?
Sally: Uh, about $10,000. But he’s a good salesman, and everyone likes him.
Dr: Sally, Sally, I know you want to side with your boyfriend on this, but you have to do what’s right. Have you told anyone, yet?
Sally: Oh heavens, no! He’d lose his job, then I’d have to support him!
Dr: Sally, I’ve seen this before. He needs to come clean on this, admit what he’s done, and work out a plan to repay the company for all his golf games.
Sally: That’s so much money, Dr. Gray.
Dr: Sally, in the long run, it’s the best thing for both of you. Honesty is the best policy.
Sally: But he bought me this nice engagement ring!
Dr: You’re thinking about marrying this idiot? Sally, Sally, you need to come clean on this—it’s the best for both of you.
Sally: Oh, okay Doctor, thanks for your help.
Dr: Thanks for calling Sally.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Taipei International Book Exhibition (MP3 at teacherbill.com)
Bill: Okay, Bryan and I are here at the Taipei International Book Exhibition, and it’s the last day of the Book Exhibition. So—just wanted to show everybody a little bit of the exciting times here. And, uh, there’s been a lot of people come here all weekend, and to see our books and magazines. Um, it’s been a good time, and we’ve had a chance to say hello to many students. And, uh, what about you Bryan?
Bryan: Yeah, it’s been an exciting time, it’s been good to see people get excited about the different products, and to learn more about how to study—how to study.
Bill: Alright. Well, speaking of how to study, one of the questions I get asked all the time Bryan, is “How can people improve their English?” Now which—give me one idea.
Bryan: Okay, one idea is to imitate or mimic the sounds of an English teacher, like Bill. And a good way to do that is to get the Super (guan-tia), the Super CD-ROM. You can listen to Bill, and you can speak along with him—you can imitate his voice. That’s a good way.
Bill: Okay, very good. And you often hear Bryan on the Studio Classroom MP3, and Lisa, who is our camera person right now. So, one other idea I’ve got for student, I wanna tell people is, if you have a chance, join, like, an organization at a university, or a club that, uh, all universities have English clubs or things like that. Or even a speech group, like Toastmasters International.
Okay, well thanks Bryan, for joining me.
Bryan: Thank you.
Bill: Thanks everybody for joining us—live from the Taipei International Book Exhibition, Bryan and Bill.
Both: Bye Bye!
Key Words
Exhibition-n-a large show, gathering or convention that displays products.
Imitate-v-to act or sound like someone, closely resemble that persons actions.
Mimic-v-to repeat word for word what a person says.
Toastmasters International-n-a group that meets weekly to practice and improve public speaking ability.
Bryan: Yeah, it’s been an exciting time, it’s been good to see people get excited about the different products, and to learn more about how to study—how to study.
Bill: Alright. Well, speaking of how to study, one of the questions I get asked all the time Bryan, is “How can people improve their English?” Now which—give me one idea.
Bryan: Okay, one idea is to imitate or mimic the sounds of an English teacher, like Bill. And a good way to do that is to get the Super (guan-tia), the Super CD-ROM. You can listen to Bill, and you can speak along with him—you can imitate his voice. That’s a good way.
Bill: Okay, very good. And you often hear Bryan on the Studio Classroom MP3, and Lisa, who is our camera person right now. So, one other idea I’ve got for student, I wanna tell people is, if you have a chance, join, like, an organization at a university, or a club that, uh, all universities have English clubs or things like that. Or even a speech group, like Toastmasters International.
Okay, well thanks Bryan, for joining me.
Bryan: Thank you.
Bill: Thanks everybody for joining us—live from the Taipei International Book Exhibition, Bryan and Bill.
Both: Bye Bye!
Key Words
Exhibition-n-a large show, gathering or convention that displays products.
Imitate-v-to act or sound like someone, closely resemble that persons actions.
Mimic-v-to repeat word for word what a person says.
Toastmasters International-n-a group that meets weekly to practice and improve public speaking ability.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Susie Speed, Part 2 (Advanced feature for March 25, 2008. MP3 on www.teacherbill.com)
Susie: Live from Daytona International Raceway, I’m Susie Speed. What an exciting finish in today’s Daytona 500 race. Rookie sensation Barbecue Bill Archer was leading until the final lap, then had a terrible crash. Let’s talk to him!
Bill: Ohhhhh, uggghhhh, oh, my head, ohhhhhh.
Susie: Barbecue Bill, you were about to take the checkered flag—what happened?
Bill: Oh, Susie—oh, my head, oh my goodness. There I was, leading the race in my Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99, and then all of a sudden my tires came off down in turn 2.
Susie: We’ve never seen that before, Barbecue Bill, all four of your tires just came right off the car!
Bill: I know—I’ve never seen that before either. We were passing cars like they were a bunch of Soccer Dads out for a Sunday drive. Best car I ever had, till that last lap.
Susie: What caused the wheels to come off?
Bill: I think I was driving too fast.
Susie: Isn’t that the idea? To drive fast, and win the race?
Bill: Hmmm, you got a point there, little lady. But it’s a double-edged sword here at Daytona. If you drive too fast in the turns, well, maybe there’s too much pressure on the tires. Next thing you know, poof!, they’re gone! No tires! Tough to win with no tires.
Susie: Your car flipped over at least ten times during the wreck. How was that?
Bill: I’ll tell ya Susie, it sure wasn’t a lot of fun. I vicariously felt like a spaceman tumbling through the air. What day is today? Where am I?
Susie: Well, next week Bill is the Pittsburgh 400 race—will you be back?
Bill: You betcha! Like my daddy, I’m a chip off the old block. I’ll be back in the Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99, and be rarin’ to go! Where’s Pittsburgh?
Susie: That’s it from an exciting Daytona 500! For Advanced Sports Today, I’m Susie Speed!
Key Words
Soccer Dads-n-Fathers who drive their kids around to activities on the weekend.
Double-edged sword-adj. phrase-a thing or situation that has danger with both choices.
Poof-interjection-an exclamation of surprise.
Vicariously-adv-to feel like you are having the experience of another person.
Rarin' to go-v. phrase-ready to participate.
Bill: Ohhhhh, uggghhhh, oh, my head, ohhhhhh.
Susie: Barbecue Bill, you were about to take the checkered flag—what happened?
Bill: Oh, Susie—oh, my head, oh my goodness. There I was, leading the race in my Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99, and then all of a sudden my tires came off down in turn 2.
Susie: We’ve never seen that before, Barbecue Bill, all four of your tires just came right off the car!
Bill: I know—I’ve never seen that before either. We were passing cars like they were a bunch of Soccer Dads out for a Sunday drive. Best car I ever had, till that last lap.
Susie: What caused the wheels to come off?
Bill: I think I was driving too fast.
Susie: Isn’t that the idea? To drive fast, and win the race?
Bill: Hmmm, you got a point there, little lady. But it’s a double-edged sword here at Daytona. If you drive too fast in the turns, well, maybe there’s too much pressure on the tires. Next thing you know, poof!, they’re gone! No tires! Tough to win with no tires.
Susie: Your car flipped over at least ten times during the wreck. How was that?
Bill: I’ll tell ya Susie, it sure wasn’t a lot of fun. I vicariously felt like a spaceman tumbling through the air. What day is today? Where am I?
Susie: Well, next week Bill is the Pittsburgh 400 race—will you be back?
Bill: You betcha! Like my daddy, I’m a chip off the old block. I’ll be back in the Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99, and be rarin’ to go! Where’s Pittsburgh?
Susie: That’s it from an exciting Daytona 500! For Advanced Sports Today, I’m Susie Speed!
Key Words
Soccer Dads-n-Fathers who drive their kids around to activities on the weekend.
Double-edged sword-adj. phrase-a thing or situation that has danger with both choices.
Poof-interjection-an exclamation of surprise.
Vicariously-adv-to feel like you are having the experience of another person.
Rarin' to go-v. phrase-ready to participate.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Susie Speed-Part 1. Advanced feature for March 24, 2008
Susie: Welcome everyone to Advanced Sports Today! I'm Susie Speed, and we're coming to you live from Daytona International Raceway. Today is NASCAR's big race, the Daytona 500, and I'm talking to rookie sensation, Barbecue Bill Archer.
Bill: Well, hello there little lady, glad you could tag along with us today.
Susie: Bill, all the buzz is how fast you've been driving here this week!
Bill: Oh yeah, I've had a real lead-foot this week, driving the Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99.
Susie: You've had some heady speeds during qualifying, up over 200 miles per hour.What's the key to your success?
Bill: A good start, Susie! That's how you win races, and that's how we start our day! I just had a big breakfast with some of our car #99 sponsor's Sienicki Polish Sausage. Now I'm full of gas, and ready to go!
Susie: Full of gas, eh? Well, save it for the race, Barbecue Bill. Now, you come from a fine pedigree of race car drivers. Your family has a strong history here at Daytona, and now you're the up and coming star.
Bill: Well, my daddy, Dollar Bill Archer was able to win the Daytona 500 eleven times, so I'm gonna do my best today to take the checkered flag, and make my daddy proud!
Susie: You certainly are a chip off the old block, with your racing skills. You even drive the same car that your father did. Is the car ready for today?
Bill: You bet, Susie. The Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99 is so fast, well, I'll tell ya, it's a given that I'm gonna win today. No doubt!
Susie: Well you sure are confident Barbecue Bill. Good luck!
Bill: Thanks Susie! Gotta go!
Susie: We'll see you after the race! Live from Daytona, this is Susie Speed
KEY WORDS
Rookie-n-a beginner in a profession, first year participant.
Tag along-v. phrase-follow someone around.
Buzz-n-excitement, news of high interest.
Lead foot-adj. phrase-strong foot on the gas of a car, speedy.
Heady-adj.-big, high, impressive.
Pedigree-n-a select breed, a special group or family.
Up and coming-adj. phrase-a rising star, talented.
Checkered flag-n-victory, the black and white flag waved at the end of the race.
Chip off the old block-n. phrase-just like a parent, usually the father.
A given-n-an assumption that something is true or will be true.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Newsworthy Clips Feature for March 6, Airport Kiosks
Bryan: Okay honey, let me call you back later—I need to check in. Hmmm, now where do I get my ticket?
Kiosk: Passengers check in here.
Bryan: Huh? Who was that?
Kiosk: I am your full service kiosk. Place your luggage on the scale for processing.
Bryan: A talking kiosk? Is anybody in there?
Kiosk: I am XJ695, your full service kiosk. I will help you zip through to the gate.
Bryan: Okay, Mr. XJ695. Here’s my luggage.
Kiosk: Bzzzzzz! Your luggage is overweight. Please insert $100.
Bryan: What! My luggage isn’t overweight—and I’m not giving you $100.
Kiosk: Please cooperate Mr. Passenger, or I will communicate with this hub’s security kiosk.
Bryan: Okay, okay, I don’t want to cause any problems. Here’s your $100.
Kiosk: Thank you Mr. Passenger. Here is your boarding pass (bzzzzz). You may now proceed to your gate.
Bryan: Tell me, XJ695, where can I get a cup of coffee while I wait for my flight?
Kiosk: Our human installer has just unveiled a Moonbucks caffeinated beverage kiosk near your gate. You may purchase refreshments there.
Bryan: A coffee kiosk? I don’t believe this! First you, then a security kiosk, then another kiosk for my coffee—do any people work here?
Kiosk: I’m unaware of that information, Mr. Passenger. I suggest you take your complaint over to the management kiosk. That unit will process you.
Bryan: A management kiosk!? Ugh—I don’t want to be processed any more. I’ll just go and get on my plane!
Kiosk: Be sure to be nice to the pilot kiosk as you board your flight. Have a nice day.
Key Words
Check in-v-get your ticket and boarding pass for a flight.
Kiosk-n-automated, self-standing machine or computer.
Zip through-v-to move very through something quickly.
Hub-n-a regional center for flight connections.
Unveiled-v-introduced, made available to the public.
Kiosk: Passengers check in here.
Bryan: Huh? Who was that?
Kiosk: I am your full service kiosk. Place your luggage on the scale for processing.
Bryan: A talking kiosk? Is anybody in there?
Kiosk: I am XJ695, your full service kiosk. I will help you zip through to the gate.
Bryan: Okay, Mr. XJ695. Here’s my luggage.
Kiosk: Bzzzzzz! Your luggage is overweight. Please insert $100.
Bryan: What! My luggage isn’t overweight—and I’m not giving you $100.
Kiosk: Please cooperate Mr. Passenger, or I will communicate with this hub’s security kiosk.
Bryan: Okay, okay, I don’t want to cause any problems. Here’s your $100.
Kiosk: Thank you Mr. Passenger. Here is your boarding pass (bzzzzz). You may now proceed to your gate.
Bryan: Tell me, XJ695, where can I get a cup of coffee while I wait for my flight?
Kiosk: Our human installer has just unveiled a Moonbucks caffeinated beverage kiosk near your gate. You may purchase refreshments there.
Bryan: A coffee kiosk? I don’t believe this! First you, then a security kiosk, then another kiosk for my coffee—do any people work here?
Kiosk: I’m unaware of that information, Mr. Passenger. I suggest you take your complaint over to the management kiosk. That unit will process you.
Bryan: A management kiosk!? Ugh—I don’t want to be processed any more. I’ll just go and get on my plane!
Kiosk: Be sure to be nice to the pilot kiosk as you board your flight. Have a nice day.
Key Words
Check in-v-get your ticket and boarding pass for a flight.
Kiosk-n-automated, self-standing machine or computer.
Zip through-v-to move very through something quickly.
Hub-n-a regional center for flight connections.
Unveiled-v-introduced, made available to the public.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Lantern Festival - Taipei (MP3 at www.teacherbill.com)
Okay, it is Lantern Festival, her in Taipei. And, uh, that ball there has got, uh, “fortune” and “happy” on it. So, “Gongxi facai! Xinnian kuaile!”. We’re celebrating Lantern Festival.
I’m over here, right in front of the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall in Taipei, and, um, beautiful—love that red color up there. So, and uh, there’s lots of people here—I don’t know how many people, but an awful lot of people. They’re covering up my spotlight over there for some reason—I’m fading in and out.
But, Chinese New Year is always very interesting—I’m an ox, so this is the year of the rat. And, um, the ox helped carry the rat over the river, and uh—but the rat jumped off and beat the ox to the other side of the river. So, I’m a little upset about that—the rat kind of cheated me out. But that doesn’t matter; at least I came in second place.
So, the Jade Emperor had this race—I would suggest that you go back and take a look at Advanced Magazine for February, and read all about Chinese New Year. We talk about the tradition of the Jade Emperor, and how he came up with twelve animals for Chinese, for the Chinese calendar.
But, I just thought we’d take a look at the Lantern Festival here in Taipei.
See you next time!
Key Words
Spotlight-n-a strong light, directed at an object.
Fading-v-not clear, losing the ability to be seen.
I’m over here, right in front of the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall in Taipei, and, um, beautiful—love that red color up there. So, and uh, there’s lots of people here—I don’t know how many people, but an awful lot of people. They’re covering up my spotlight over there for some reason—I’m fading in and out.
But, Chinese New Year is always very interesting—I’m an ox, so this is the year of the rat. And, um, the ox helped carry the rat over the river, and uh—but the rat jumped off and beat the ox to the other side of the river. So, I’m a little upset about that—the rat kind of cheated me out. But that doesn’t matter; at least I came in second place.
So, the Jade Emperor had this race—I would suggest that you go back and take a look at Advanced Magazine for February, and read all about Chinese New Year. We talk about the tradition of the Jade Emperor, and how he came up with twelve animals for Chinese, for the Chinese calendar.
But, I just thought we’d take a look at the Lantern Festival here in Taipei.
See you next time!
Key Words
Spotlight-n-a strong light, directed at an object.
Fading-v-not clear, losing the ability to be seen.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Mahjong for Dummies (or Bill)
Okay, we’re playing Mahjong here—I have no idea how to play. No, but we just won, right? We just won—I have no idea how we won. So.
One of my favorite parts of Mahjong is this.
“It’s L.V., L.V.” (Lester)
“Real L.V.” (Theresa)
This is top of the line Mahjong.
It’s called, um luxury.
Luxury. But you can see, my opponents are deadly serious—this is a serious game. So, alright, my partner is deadly serious about this too.
Okay, alright, I’m getting there.
Gotta grab these things, line ‘em all up, so, okay.
How much money did we win?
“We lose” (Brenda)
I thought we won!
“We still lose” (Brenda)
We won but we still lose?
Okay, I think we got it.
Alright, two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen . . . two more. Okay.
Alright, everything all lined up like this, nice and orderly. Okay, alright.
Okay, who’s next?
“You follow my mom” (Brenda)
Okay.
Key Words
Deadly serious-idiom-intense, very, very serious, no laughter.
Orderly-adj-everything where it should be, very straight.
One of my favorite parts of Mahjong is this.
“It’s L.V., L.V.” (Lester)
“Real L.V.” (Theresa)
This is top of the line Mahjong.
It’s called, um luxury.
Luxury. But you can see, my opponents are deadly serious—this is a serious game. So, alright, my partner is deadly serious about this too.
Okay, alright, I’m getting there.
Gotta grab these things, line ‘em all up, so, okay.
How much money did we win?
“We lose” (Brenda)
I thought we won!
“We still lose” (Brenda)
We won but we still lose?
Okay, I think we got it.
Alright, two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen . . . two more. Okay.
Alright, everything all lined up like this, nice and orderly. Okay, alright.
Okay, who’s next?
“You follow my mom” (Brenda)
Okay.
Key Words
Deadly serious-idiom-intense, very, very serious, no laughter.
Orderly-adj-everything where it should be, very straight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
