10 PHÚT HỌC TIẾNG ANH MỖI NGÀY -S1E1
[Alex and Lisa are sitting at a cozy coffee shop. It’s a sunny afternoon, and they’re catching up over coffee. They’ve been talking about their experiences with learning new languages.]
TRANSCRIPT HERE
Lisa: Alex, I’ve been feeling a bit frustrated with my English listening skills lately. I think I’m making progress, but then I’ll listen to a conversation or a movie, and it’s like I don’t understand anything. What am I doing wrong?
Alex: I get it, Lisa. Listening is definitely one of the hardest parts of learning a language. It’s normal to feel that way sometimes. But don’t worry, there are ways to get better at it. What are you doing right now to practice listening?
Lisa: Mostly, I watch TV shows in English with subtitles. I also listen to music, but I find it hard to catch all the words, especially when the singers use a lot of slang or sing really fast. I’ve also tried watching YouTube videos, but I often get lost.
Alex: Watching TV shows and listening to music are great ways to practice! It’s good that you’re already doing that. But sometimes, subtitles can become a crutch. Have you tried watching without them, or maybe with English subtitles instead of subtitles in your native language?
Lisa: Yeah, I use English subtitles sometimes, but then I end up just reading and not really listening. Without subtitles, I feel like I’m missing too much of the story to enjoy it.
Alex: That makes sense. It can be hard to make that jump. Maybe you could try turning the subtitles off for just a few minutes at a time. Like, watch one scene without them, then turn them back on and see if you understood. Over time, you can gradually increase the time you spend without them.
Lisa: That’s a good idea! I’ve never thought of doing it that way. I’ll give it a try. What about music? I feel like songs are just too fast, and I can’t keep up.
Alex: Music can be tricky, especially if the lyrics are fast or not very clear. One thing you could do is choose songs with slower tempos and clear vocals. Ballads or acoustic versions can be easier to understand. You can also look up the lyrics and read along while listening. This can help you get used to the pronunciation and rhythm of English.
Lisa: Reading along with the lyrics? That could work! I think I’ve been jumping straight into fast, complicated songs and getting discouraged. Do you have any song recommendations?
Alex: Yeah, start with something simple. Maybe try some older pop songs, like from the Beatles or Simon & Garfunkel. Their lyrics are usually clear, and the pace isn’t too fast. Once you’re more comfortable, you can move on to faster songs or different genres.
Lisa: I’ll start with some classic songs then. I’ve always liked the Beatles anyway. What about other kinds of listening practice? I’ve heard people say podcasts are good, but I’m not sure where to start.
Alex: Podcasts are fantastic for improving listening skills! The great thing about podcasts is that there are so many different topics to choose from. You can start with podcasts specifically made for English learners, which usually speak a bit slower and explain things more clearly. Once you get more comfortable, you can try listening to regular podcasts on topics you’re interested in, like science, technology, or even storytelling.
Lisa: I’m into travel and culture. Do you know any good podcasts on those topics?
Alex: Sure! For travel, you could check out podcasts like “Travel with Rick Steves” or “Zero to Travel.” They often discuss different destinations, cultural experiences, and tips for travelers. It’s interesting and educational. For culture, “The Allusionist” is a fun one that talks about language and how it evolves. It’s a bit more challenging, but really fascinating.
Lisa: Those sound perfect! I’ll start with the travel ones. And you think I should start with English learner podcasts first, right?
Alex: Yeah, that’s a good strategy. It’ll help you build confidence. Once you feel ready, you can switch to native speaker podcasts. And remember, it’s okay to listen more than once. Repetition can really help you catch things you might have missed the first time.
Lisa: That makes sense. I guess I need to be more patient and not expect to understand everything right away. How about during conversations? Sometimes when I’m talking to native speakers, I get nervous and miss parts of what they’re saying. How can I handle that better?
Alex: That’s totally normal, Lisa. Conversations can be tough because you don’t have the luxury of rewinding like you do with a podcast or TV show. One thing that can help is to focus on keywords instead of trying to understand every single word. If you catch the main ideas, you can usually get the gist of what’s being said. And don’t be afraid to ask someone to repeat themselves or speak more slowly. Most people are happy to do that.
Lisa: I guess I’m always a little embarrassed to ask people to repeat themselves. I don’t want them to think my English is bad.
Alex: Trust me, no one thinks that! If anything, they’ll appreciate that you’re trying to understand them. It’s better to ask than to pretend you understand and then get lost. You can say things like, “Could you say that again, please?” or “I didn’t catch that. Can you repeat it?” It’s totally normal.
Lisa: You’re right. I need to be more confident about asking for clarification. I’ll start doing that more. Do you think I should practice listening to different accents too? Sometimes it’s really hard to understand people with different accents.
Alex: Absolutely! English is spoken all over the world, and you’ll hear a lot of different accents. The more you expose yourself to them, the easier it will be to understand. You can find YouTube videos or podcasts from people in different English-speaking countries, like the UK, Australia, or even India. Even watching movies with characters who have different accents can be helpful.
Lisa: That’s true. I usually just listen to American English, but I should get used to other accents too. It might make traveling easier, right?
Alex: Definitely! Plus, it makes you a more versatile listener. You’ll find that once you’re comfortable with a few different accents, picking up others becomes easier. It’s all about exposure and practice.
Lisa: I’ll start looking for content with different accents. Maybe I’ll even find some new favorite shows or podcasts that way.
Alex: For sure! And remember, listening skills improve with time. Don’t get discouraged if it feels slow. The important thing is to keep practicing regularly. Try to listen to something in English every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Lisa: I’ll make that my goal. Daily listening practice. And I’ll try to enjoy it instead of stressing too much about understanding every word.
Alex: Exactly! Enjoying the process makes a huge difference. And hey, anytime you want to practice listening or have a conversation in English, let me know. We can meet up and chat more often.
Lisa: That sounds great, Alex. Thanks so much for all the advice. I feel a lot more motivated now.
Alex: You’re welcome, Lisa! You’re already doing a great job. Just keep at it, and you’ll keep improving. And remember, have fun with it!
Lisa: I will! Thanks again, Alex. I’ll let you know how it goes with the podcasts and music.
Alex: Can’t wait to hear about it! Good luck, Lisa. You’ve got this!
Lisa: Thanks, Alex! See you soon!
[The conversation wraps up, with Lisa feeling more encouraged and ready to tackle her listening practice with new strategies and resources.]
This extended dialogue offers a comprehensive discussion about improving listening skills, providing Lisa with practical advice and tips while maintaining an engaging and friendly tone throughout.
Here is a list of idioms from the conversation, along with their meanings and examples, provided in both English and Vietnamese:
1. “I get it”
– Meaning: I understand what you’re saying or how you feel.
– Nghĩa: Tôi hiểu bạn đang nói gì hoặc cảm giác của bạn.
– Example:
– Alex: “I get it, Lisa. Listening is definitely one of the hardest parts of learning a language.”
– Alex: “Tôi hiểu mà, Lisa. Kỹ năng nghe chắc chắn là một trong những phần khó nhất của việc học ngôn ngữ.”
2. “Catch all the words”
– Meaning: To hear and understand every word being spoken or sung.
– Nghĩa: Nghe và hiểu từng từ được nói hoặc hát.
– Example:
– Lisa: “I also listen to music, but I find it hard to catch all the words.”
– Lisa: “Tôi cũng nghe nhạc, nhưng tôi thấy khó có thể nghe được tất cả các từ.”
3. “Get lost”
– Meaning: To feel confused or unable to follow what’s happening in a conversation or content.
– Nghĩa: Cảm thấy bối rối hoặc không thể theo dõi những gì đang xảy ra trong một cuộc trò chuyện hoặc nội dung.
– Example:
– Lisa: “I’ve also tried watching YouTube videos, but I often get lost.”
– Lisa: “Tôi cũng đã thử xem video trên YouTube, nhưng tôi thường bị lạc lối.”
4. “Subtitles can become a crutch”
– Meaning: Subtitles can be a support that people rely on too much, making them less likely to improve their listening skills.
– Nghĩa: Phụ đề có thể trở thành một cái nạng, nghĩa là một sự hỗ trợ mà mọi người phụ thuộc quá nhiều, khiến họ ít có khả năng cải thiện kỹ năng nghe.
– Example:
– Alex: “But sometimes, subtitles can become a crutch.”
– Alex: “Nhưng đôi khi, phụ đề có thể trở thành một cái nạng.”
5. “Make that jump”
– Meaning: To move to the next level or take a risk in learning or doing something new.
– Nghĩa: Chuyển sang cấp độ tiếp theo hoặc chấp nhận rủi ro khi học hoặc làm điều gì đó mới.
– Example:
– Alex: “It can be hard to make that jump.”
– Alex: “Có thể khó để chuyển sang bước đó.”
6. “Keep up”
– Meaning: To be able to follow or understand the pace of the conversation or music.
– Nghĩa: Có thể theo dõi hoặc hiểu được tốc độ của cuộc trò chuyện hoặc bài hát.
– Example:
– Lisa: “I feel like songs are just too fast, and I can’t keep up.”
– Lisa: “Tôi cảm thấy các bài hát quá nhanh, và tôi không theo kịp.”
7. “Get discouraged”
– Meaning: To lose confidence or feel disheartened.
– Nghĩa: Mất tự tin hoặc cảm thấy chán nản.
– Example:
– Lisa: “I think I’ve been jumping straight into fast, complicated songs and getting discouraged.”
– Lisa: “Tôi nghĩ rằng mình đã nhảy thẳng vào những bài hát nhanh và phức tạp và cảm thấy chán nản.”
8. “Build confidence”
– Meaning: To develop a sense of assurance in one’s abilities.
– Nghĩa: Phát triển cảm giác tự tin vào khả năng của bản thân.
– Example:
– Alex: “It’ll help you build confidence.”
– Alex: “Nó sẽ giúp bạn xây dựng sự tự tin.”
9. “Catch things”
– Meaning: To notice or understand something that is said or done.
– Nghĩa: Nhận ra hoặc hiểu điều gì đó được nói hoặc làm.
– Example:
– Alex: “Repetition can really help you catch things you might have missed the first time.”
– Alex: “Lặp đi lặp lại có thể giúp bạn nắm bắt những gì bạn có thể đã bỏ lỡ lần đầu tiên.”
10. “Get the gist”
– Meaning: To understand the general meaning of what is being said, even if not all the details are clear.
– Nghĩa: Hiểu ý chính của những gì được nói, dù không rõ tất cả các chi tiết.
– Example:
– Alex: “If you catch the main ideas, you can usually get the gist of what’s being said.”
– Alex: “Nếu bạn nắm bắt được các ý chính, bạn thường có thể hiểu được ý chính của những gì đang được nói.”
11. “Expose yourself to”
– Meaning: To become familiar with different types of something by experiencing them.
– Nghĩa: Trở nên quen thuộc với các loại khác nhau của một cái gì đó bằng cách trải nghiệm chúng.
– Example:
– Alex: “The more you expose yourself to them, the easier it will be to understand.”
– Alex: “Bạn càng tiếp xúc nhiều với chúng, càng dễ hiểu hơn.”
12. “Get used to”
– Meaning: To become accustomed to or comfortable with something.
– Nghĩa: Trở nên quen thuộc hoặc thoải mái với điều gì đó.
– Example:
– Lisa: “I usually just listen to American English, but I should get used to other accents too.”
– Lisa: “Tôi thường chỉ nghe tiếng Anh Mỹ, nhưng tôi cũng nên làm quen với các giọng khác.”
13. “Pick up”
– Meaning: To learn or understand something, often without formal education.
– Nghĩa: Học hoặc hiểu điều gì đó, thường là không qua giáo dục chính quy.
– Example:
– Alex: “You’ll find that once you’re comfortable with a few different accents, picking up others becomes easier.”
– Alex: “Bạn sẽ thấy rằng khi bạn đã quen với một vài giọng khác nhau, việc nắm bắt các giọng khác sẽ trở nên dễ dàng hơn.”
14. “Keep at it”
– Meaning: To continue doing something despite difficulties.
– Nghĩa: Tiếp tục làm điều gì đó bất chấp khó khăn.
– Example:
– Alex: “Just keep at it, and you’ll keep improving.”
– Alex: “Chỉ cần tiếp tục cố gắng, và bạn sẽ tiếp tục tiến bộ.”
15. “You’ve got this!”
– Meaning: A phrase of encouragement, meaning you can do it or you will succeed.
– Nghĩa: Một cụm từ động viên, nghĩa là bạn có thể làm được hoặc bạn sẽ thành công.
– Example:
– Alex: “Good luck, Lisa. You’ve got this!”
– Alex: “Chúc may mắn, Lisa. Bạn có thể làm được!”
These idioms enhance the naturalness of the conversation, making it more relatable and engaging.
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