 Reductions:
American English Reduced Words
American English reductions are reduced forms of English words. You
need to use reductions when you speak English in order to sound more
natural. |
- Reductions are reduced forms of
English words.
- Words like want + to become, or are reduced
to, wanna.
- Reductions, such as wanna are
not real words in English.
- You need to use reductions in
order to sound more natural.
- You need to know reductions in
order to understand conversations between native
English speakers.
- Reductions are used extensively
in American TV, movies, music, literature, and in
conversations among native English speakers.
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You will be learning a lot of American English
reductions in upcoming lessons. For now you can watch
the video below. |
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Additional Lessons |
 About These
Lessons
The following classroom lessons are great for students
who want additional conversation, listening, and reading
practice. |
-
Conversation Lesson -
Beginner Level. Let's
Learn English conversation lesson
with a conversation video, a video script, audio
listening practice, video speaking practice, video
pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
|
 Conversation Lesson
9 - Is It Cold?
(Beginner -
Conversation, Listening, Reading)
In this lesson Anna wants to know about the weather in
Washington, D.C. She asks her phone. The phone tells her
about the weather - but is the phone right? |
Lesson Video
Watch the video and then do the activities on this page. |
Video Script
Anna: Oh, hi, everyone! Here in Washington, DC, the weather changes often. One
day is cold and windy. But the next day is warm and sunny! So, every day I check
the forecast. Hello, Phone? What is today’s temperature?
Phone: Today it is 18 degrees ...
Anna: Eighteen degrees! That is cold!
Phone: … eighteen degrees Celsius.
Anna: Oh, Celsius. That is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s warm.
Phone: Yes, Anna. It is warm.
Anna: Excuse me, Phone. Is it windy today?
Phone: No, it is not windy today.
Anna: Is it sunny today?
Phone: Yes, Anna. It is sunny.
Anna: Excuse me, Phone?
Phone: Yes, Anna.
Anna: Is it snowy today?
Phone: No, Anna. It is not snowy.
Anna: Thank you, Phone!
Anna: Today the weather is warm and sunny -- great for seeing Washington, D.C.
Anna: Phone! It is not warm and sunny! It is cold and windy and snowy!
Phone: Anna, it is not cold, windy, or snowy. It is warm and sunny … in Mexico
City, Mexico.
Anna: Oh. I see. Mexico.
Anna: Washington weather changes often. Remember to check the forecast -- the
right forecast.
Phone: Yes, Anna. Next time remember to check the right fore…
Anna: Okay, thank you Phone. Goodbye, Phone.
Anna: Until next time! |
Listening
Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation. |
Speaking
In this video, learn to say the new words. Learn to talk about weather and how
to make your voice go up or down to show feelings with the word, "oh." |
Pronunciation
In this video, you learn how Americans say short answers with no break between
the words. |
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New Words |
- Celsius -
adj. relating to or having a scale for
measuring temperature on which the boiling point of water is at 100 degrees
and the freezing point of water is at 0 degrees
- change -
v. to become different
- check -v.
to get information by looking at something, asking about something, etc.
- cold -
adj. having a very low temperature
- degree -
n. a unit for measuring temperature
- Fahrenheit -
adj. relating to or having a scale for
measuring temperature on which the boiling point of water is at 212 degrees
above zero and the freezing point is at 32 degrees above zero
- forecast -
n. a statement about what you think is going to
happen in the future
- phone -
n. a device that is connected to a telephone
system and that you use to listen or speak to someone who is somewhere else
- snowy -
adj. having falling snow or covered with snow
- sunny -
adj. having plenty of bright sunlight
- temperature -
n. a measurement that indicates how hot or cold
something is; a measurement in degrees showing the heat of something (such
as air or water)
- warm -
adj. somewhat hot; not cool or cold
- weather -
n. the temperature and other outside conditions
(such as rain, cloudiness, etc.) at a particular time and place
- windy -
adj. having a lot of wind
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 Activity
What is the weather where you are? You can see some
examples in the Activity Sheet. Do the activity and
write to us about your town's weather in the Facebook
Comments section below.
Click
lesson activity to get the printable PDF version. The
page opens to a new window. |
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Conversation
Lessons
Study all 52 English conversation lessons. Let's Learn
English conversation lessons each with a conversation
video, a video script, audio listening practice, video
speaking practice, video pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
These
lessons are for beginners. |
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Source: Voice of America |
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