YuYan.Biz

Key phrases and vocabulary:

corporate ladder

to climb the corporate ladder

entrepreneur

free agent

Example conversation:

JOHN: Debbie, how are you?

DEBBIE: Fine. How are you, John?

JOHN: Great! Hey, what’s up with Mark?

DEBBIE: Mark?

JOHN: Yes. Last time I heard he was really climbing the corporate ladder very well. He had made it to Executive Vice President?

DEBBIE: Yes, he had. But he felt there were business opportunities back in his home country of China.

JOHN: In China?

DEBBIE: Yes, there are a lot of business opportunities in China now.

JOHN: So he went back to China? With a company?

DEBBIE: No! Mark is no longer climbing the corporate ladder.

JOHN: He’s no longer climbing the corporate ladder?

DEBBIE: No, he’s an entrepreneur. A free agent. Taking similar software solutions to companies in China.

JOHN: Wow. I really need to send Mark an e-mail to him to stay in touch.

DEBBIE: Yes, you sure do.

Audio:

Key phrases and vocabulary:

Excuse me = pardon me

to excuse ≠ to accuse

“Excuse me! Don’t hit me!”

wild turkey

Audio:

Key phrases:

recession

depression

economic stimulus package

Example conversation:

Reporter: President Bush, what are you going to do about the recession?

Bush: Recession? Well, we’re not in a recession yet. The US economy is very resilient, very flexible and very strong. I trust the American people to make this right.

Reporter: But what are you going to do about it?

Bush: Well, I am working with Congress on a very strong economic stimulus package. With this economic stimulus package, we will be sure to have a fighting chance against the recession.

Reporter: Sir, but isn’t it a depression?

Bush: Oh no. Certainly not a depression! Maybe, just maybe, a recession. But I think we are worrying too much.

Reporter: Thank you, Mr. President.

Bush: You’re welcome.

Audio:

Key phrase:

New Year’s resolutions

to make New Year’s resolutions

Example conversation:

Fred: Hi John, how are you?

John: Great Fred. Happy New Year!

Fred: Happy New Year to you too!

John: So, Fred, what are your New Year’s resolutions?

Fred: Well, I have made a resolution to lose weight and to be more efficient here at work. How about you?

John: My resolution is to learn a new language. I think I am going to try to learn Chinese.

Fred: Chinese? That’s very difficult!

John: Yes, I think so. But I am going to try my best.

Fred: OK, well, Happy New Year again!

John: Same to you!

Audio:

Please consider donating:

Key phrases:

Happy New Year

holiday

Merry Christmas = Happy Christmas

Merry = Happy

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Please consider donating:

I am cooperating with Ms. Cherry Cheng who has some great videos for Chinese students of English. I’ll be embedding her videos here.

Key phrases and vocabulary:

Three-way call = 3-way call

to ping

video conference

microphone

distant

tinny

Skype

VoIP = voice over IP

latency = delay

over

good enough

Example Conversation:

Mike: Hello! This is Mike!

Boyd: Mike! Hello! This is Boyd. How are you?

Mike: Good. Good. Where’s Eric?

Boyd: Eric… Ah, I don’t think he’s on yet. Let me ping him on MSN (Messenger).

Mike: OK.

Eric: Hello-o-o-o-o. This is Eric-c-c-c-c.

Mike: Eric. Ah. We can barely hear you.

Eric: Hello-o-o-o-o? Yes, hi this is Eric.

Mike: Eric, this is Mike. Can you please speak closer to your microphone?

Eric: Speak closer to my microphone?

Mike: Yes, we can barely hear you. You sound very distant.

Boyd: Eric, you sound very tinny.

Eric: OK. I am now closer to the microphone. Can you hear me?

Boyd: Yes, but there is a little bit of a latency. A little bit of a delay. Over!

Mike: Well, it is good enough. OK guys. Let’s start the meeting.

And audio:

Key vocabulary:

securities

stocks

bonds

debt

portfolio

Example conversation:

A: Hi John. How’s your portfolio doing?

B: Hi Fred. My portfolio of securities is doing well. My stocks are up 30%. Although my bonds aren’t doing too well…

B: I see.

A: Fred, how about you?

B: Well, I have some debt. Personal debt. So I don’t have a lot of money in securities.

A: Well, try your best to rectify that my friend!

B: Oh! I will!

Audio:

Key phrases:

drive-through restaurant

drive-through lane

fast food

Example conversation:

A: Hello?

B: How can I help you?

A: Hi. Good morning. I’d like to get a number one (#1) meal with orange juice, please.

B: Anything else today?

A: No ma’am!

B: US$4.13. (Please drive to the) First window.

A: Thank you!

Audio: