A request from your boss

Shopping for clothes

Listen to a conversation in a shop to practise and improve your listening skills.

Before listening

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Write the words in the correct group.

jumper	green	black	large
red	shirt	trousers	skirt
extra large	medium	blue	small

Size	Colour	Clothes

Tasks

Task 1

Put the questions in the order that you hear them.


Where are the changing rooms?
Would you like a bag for that?
What size do you need?
Can I help you?
How much is this?
Can I pay by credit card?

Task 2

Match the answers with the questions.

Yes, you can. Of course.	It’s £29.	I’m just looking, thanks.
Yes, please.	They’re over there.	Extra small, please.

1. Can I help you? …………………………………………………………………

2. Where are the changing rooms? …………………………………………………………………
3. What size do you need? …………………………………………………………………
4. How much is this? …………………………………………………………………
5. Can I pay by credit card? …………………………………………………………………
6. Would you like a bag for that? …………………………………………………………………

Discussion

Do you enjoy shopping? How often do you go shopping for clothes or shoes?

Transcript

1

Shop assistant: Hello, can I help you?
Customer: I’m just looking, thanks.

2

Customer: Excuse me?
Shop assistant: Yes?
Customer: Where are the changing rooms? Shop assistant: They’re over there. Behind you. Customer: Thank you.

3

Customer: Hi. Excuse me again. Do you have this jumper in black?
Shop assistant: Yes, just a moment. What size do you need?
Customer: Extra small, please.
Shop assistant: Here you are.

4

Customer: How much is this?
Shop assistant: It’s £29.
Customer: Can I pay by credit card?
Shop assistant: Yes, you can. Of course.

5

Shop assistant: Would you like a bag for that?
Customer: Yes, please.
Listening: A1

The first English class

Listen to a professor give information about a new course to practise and improve your listening skills.

Before listening

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Write a number to put the words in each list in the correct order.

	Days of the week		Ordinal numbers		Ordinal numbers
	1–7 Thursday		1–5 third		6–10 eighth
	Saturday		fifth		sixth
	Sunday		first		seventh
	Friday		fourth		tenth
	Monday Wednesday		second		ninth
	Tuesday

	Months of the year 1–6 May		Months of the year 7–12 November
	March		July
	April		October
	January		December
	June		August
	February		September

Tasks

Task 1

Are the sentences true or false?

1. 
   This is an English course.
   
2. 
   There are three classes every week.
   
3. 
   The class begins in May.
   
4. 
   There is a book for the course.
   
5. 
   The students need the teacher’s book.
   
6. 
   Photocopies of the book are not allowed.
   
7. 
   The first class is next Monday.
   
8. 
   The next class is on Tuesday.
   

Answer

True True True True True True True True

False False False False False False False False

Task 2

Circle the best answer.

1. 
   What is the teacher’s name?
   
   1. 
      Lindsay Black
      
   2. 
      Lindsey Black
      
   3. 
      Linsey Black
      
2. 
   What room is the class in?
   
   1. 
      Room 13
      
   2. 
      Room 30
      
   3. 
      Room 33
      
3. 
   What days is the class?
   
   1. 
      Monday and Tuesday
      
   2. 
      Monday and Wednesday
      
   3. 
      Monday and Thursday
      
4. 
   How long is the class?
   
   1. 
      One hour
      
   2. 
      One hour and a half
      
   3. 
      Two and a half hours
      
5. 
   When is the teacher’s office hour?
   
   1. 
      On Monday and Wednesday
      
   2. 
      Room 7B
      
   3. 
      Friday at 18.00
      

6. 
   What date does the course begin?
   
   1. 
      Monday 13 March
      
   2. 
      Monday 30 March
      
   3. 
      Monday 13 May
      

Discussion

Do you have an English class? When is it? Where is it?

Transcript

Hello, everyone. Hello! It’s nice to see you all here. Welcome to British Life and Language. I am your teacher. My name is Lindsay Black. That’s L-I-N-D-S-A-Y Black. Before we begin, some information about the class.
Our class is in room 13, on the first floor. When you go upstairs, turn left to find the room. Again, that’s room 13.
We have class twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday. Our class begins at 4.30 p.m. and lasts 90 minutes, so we finish at 6 p.m. That’s 4.30 to 6. Please arrive on time, OK?
Also, I have an office hour if you have questions. I’m in office 7B on the second floor. My office hour is Friday at 6 p.m. So, if you have any questions or problems or want to talk to me, it’s Friday at 6 p.m. in office 7B.
We begin next week, on March the 13th. That’s Monday, March the 13th. The course ends on May the 20th. May the 20th is the last day.
I think that’s all ... Oh, one more thing. For this course you need the book. Here it is: British Life and Language Level 1 Student’s Book. So, please get a copy of the book. I don’t want to see any photocopies of the book, thank you! Remember, it’s level 1 student’s book. Don’t buy the teacher’s book.
I think that’s all, everyone. I look forward to working with you. See you next Monday!
Listening: A2

A morning briefing

Listen to a morning briefing to practise and improve your listening skills.

Before listening

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the definitions (a–f) with the vocabulary (1–6).

Vocabulary Definition

1. 
   …… a position
   
2. 
   …… a replacement
   
3. 
   …… a briefing
   
4. 
   …… to make improvements
   
5. 
   …… a solution
   
6. 
   …… to introduce something
   
   1. 
      a short meeting to give information and updates
      
   2. 
      a job
      
   3. 
      a person who will take the place of another one
      
   4. 
      to make something better
      
   5. 
      a way of dealing with a difficult situation or problem
      
   6. 
      to start or begin something
      

Tasks

Task 1

Are the sentences true or false?

1. 
   The briefing will be short this morning.
   
2. 
   The new head of department is starting this week.
   
3. 
   The car park will be closed for improvements.
   
4. 
   If you arrive first thing in the morning, you should park on Brown Street.
   
5. 
   There will be no parking in the church car park after 6 p.m.
   
6. 
   You can only pay with credit and debit cards in the canteen.
   

Answer

True True True True True True

False False False False False False

Task 2

Write the words in the correct group.

Giving information	Giving instructions

Discussion

Who do you have to give information and instructions to? What about?

Transcript

Hi, everyone. I know you’re all busy so I’ll keep this briefing quick. I have some important information about a change in the management team. As you already know, our head of department, James Watson, is leaving his position at the end of this week. His replacement is starting at the end of the next month. In the meantime, we’ll continue with our projects as usual.
I have two more quick points. Firstly, there will be some improvements made to the staff car park next month for a few weeks. It will be closed during that time.
Don’t worry, we’ve found a solution. We can use the local church car park until our own one is ready. If you arrive before 8.30 a.m., please use our small car park on Brown Street, and if you arrive after that, you should go directly to the church car park. It’s only a five-minute walk away. But they need it in the evenings, so you have to leave before 6 p.m. Sorry about that – I know how much you all love working late!
The other thing I wanted to tell you about is that the canteen has now introduced a cashless payment system. So, you can’t use cash for payments any more. You can pay directly with your smartphone or you can pay using your company ID card. The total amount put on your company ID card comes off your salary at the end of each month.
OK. That’s it? Are there any questions?
Listening: A2