Discuss your
thoughts about
international
relationships
International
Relationships
Today in the Fun Easy English classroom we are continuing Love and Relationship Month with a
discussion about international relationships. People are marrying
out of their culture and country a lot more these days. An
international relationship comes with many good and bad points.
Today in the classroom you can decide if international relationships
are good or not and post a comment with your thoughts.
Hey
if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English
dictionary
(opens in a new window)
Hi. In the classroom today you will think about whether or not
international relationships are a good idea.
An international relationship is usually defined as a relationship
between two people from different countries.
It can also mean a relationship between two people living in the
same country but who come from different cultural backgrounds.
It can even mean two people who come from different religious
backgrounds.
International relationships can be a wonderful experience.
The two people involved in this type of relationship can learn many
things from each other including culture, language, food, and
values.
These same things which add to the relationship can also become a
problem.
Differences in culture can lead to misunderstandings
Differences in language can also lead to misunderstandings.
Differences in food can cause daily problems.
Differences in values can lead to confusing behavior.
If you are in an international relationship, the best way to avoid
problems and misunderstandings is to communicate with each other and
learn everything you can about the culture, language, food, and
values of your partner.
Until next time.
From
YOUR Teacher:International
Relationships
During my single days I was in quite a few international
relationships. There were always good points such as
learning about different cultures, eating different
foods, and traveling to exotic places. There were also a
few bad points including family problems,
misunderstandings, miscommunications. My wife is
Japanese and we, along with our son, are now living in
both Japan and America. Traveling back and forth is a
bit of a bitch but staying in both countries allows both
of us to constantly learn many new things.
Survey:Are
international relationships a good idea?
International relationships have their good and bad
points. Decide whether or not
international relationships are a good idea or not on
the survey below.
Additional Lessons
About These
Lessons
The following classroom lessons are great for students
who want additional conversation, listening, and reading
practice.
Conversation Lesson -
Intermediate Level. Let's
Learn English conversation lesson
with a conversation video, a video script, audio
listening practice, and a new
words section.
In this lesson Ms. Weaver asks Anna to team up with a
person who is different from her. Who will she find?
Lesson Video
Watch the video and then read the video script.
Video Script
Anna: Ms. Weaver is giving new assignments out. I am ready to take on anything
she gives me. Well, except reporting traffic from a helicopter. Wish me luck.
Professor Bot: I wonder what Anna’s new assignment will be? Professor Bot here!
While you are watching, look for phrasal, or two-word verbs. Some stay together,
like “go back” and some can come apart, like “give [assignments] out.” Good
luck, Anna!
Ms. Weaver: So, as I said at the meeting last week, I have new assignments for
everyone at The Studio. Anna, you're good at asking questions. So, I want you to
go back to hosting and reporting.
Anna: That sounds great.
Ms. Weaver: You're also a team player. So, I want you team up with someone ...
Anna: That sounds even better!
Ms. Weaver: ... someone who is very "different" from you.
Anna: That sounds ... what do you mean "different"?
Ms. Weaver: Well, you are very cheerful, you're a people person. I want you to
team up with someone who ... isn't.
Anna: Ms. Weaver, I will find that person.
Mimi: Excuse me. Are you using this chair?
Pete: Yes.
Anna: Pete, hi! Thanks for meeting me.
Pete: Sure. But I don’t have lots of time, Anna. I’m busy looking for work.
Anna: Pete, you can tear these want ads up and throw them away! I have good
news!
Pete: Anna, I was working on that crossword puzzle.
Anna: Oh. Sorry. Sorry. Pete, forget about the crossword puzzle. I have a job
offer for you!
Pete: I'm listening.
Anna: My boss wants me to team up with someone to host a talk show. But the
person must be different from me. So, I thought of you.
Pete: Different from you? What do you mean?
Anna: I'm sorry, Pete, I don't have time right now. Here's my boss's address.
Your interview is tomorrow morning at 10 am.
Pete: But what do you mean “different”?
Anna: Just be yourself, Pete. Just be yourself.
Professor Bot: Did you find any two-word verbs? Here’s one example. Pete can
throw the wants ads away! Throw away is a two-word verb.
Ms. Weaver: Thanks for coming in, Pete.
Pete: Thanks for the opportunity, Ms. Weaver.
Ms. Weaver: I need to find out if you have the skills for this job. And I want
you to be completely honest.
Pete: Okay.
Ms. Weaver: First, let's talk about your personal skills. Pete, are you a people
person?
Pete: Well, okay, sometimes I think people talk too much.
Ms. Weaver: Pete, what work of yours are you most proud of?
Pete: Last year, I locked myself in a cabin and wrote a book. I didn't speak to
anybody the entire time! It was the best two months of my life.
Ms. Weaver: Okay. I think I’ve heard enough.
Anna: Hey! Hey, Pete, how was the interview with Ms. Weaver?
Pete: Well, she said I was grumpy and not good with people.
Anna: And … ?
Pete: And, I got the job!
Anna: I knew it! Congratulations! Let's go celebrate.
Pete: Okay!
Professor Bot: Did you find more two-word verbs? Here is the list.
Listening
Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation.
give out
find out
take on
tear up
go back
throw away
team up
come in
Two-part verbs
come in -
phrasal verb. to enter a place
find out -
phrasal verb. to learn (something) by making an
effort
give out -
phrasal verb. to give (something) to many
people or to hand out (something)
go back to -
phrasal verb. to return to a person, place,
subject, or activity
take on -
phrasal verb. to begin to deal with (something,
such as a job or responsibility)
team up -
phrasal verb. to join with someone to work
together
tear up -
phrasal verb. to completely destroy (something)
by tearing it into pieces
throw away -
phrasal verb. to put (something that is no
longer useful or wanted) in a trash can, garbage can, rubbish bin
New Words
cabin -
n. a small, simple house made of wood
cheery -
adj. having or causing happy feelings
crossword puzzle -
n. a puzzle in which words that are the answers
to clues are written into a pattern of numbered squares that go across and
down
grumpy -
adj. easily annoyed or angered, having a bad
temper or complaining often
helicopter -
n. an aircraft that can stay in the air without
moving forward and that has metal blades that turn around on its top
host -
v. to talk to guests on a television or radio
show
offer -
n. the act of giving someone the opportunity to
accept something
lock -
v. to fasten (something) with a lock
people person -
n. a person who enjoys or is particularly good
at interacting with others
personal skills -
n. (interpersonal skills) the skills used by a
person to interact with others properly
team player -
n. someone who cares more about helping a group
or team to succeed than about his or her individual success
want ad -
n. a notice in a newspaper, magazine, or
website that lets people know about something that you want to buy or sell
or a job that is available
wish me luck -
expression. asks someone to say that they hope
you will have success
Study all 30 English intermediate conversation lessons.
Let's Learn English conversation lessons each with a
conversation video, a video script, audio listening
practice, and a new
words section.
These lessons are for
intermediate students.
Study all 52 English beginner 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 beginning students.
Avoid Ineffective Study Methods. An audio lesson to help
you study English more effectively. The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English study tips.
Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this
audio program.
