YuYan.Biz

I finally figured out how to host MP3 files of my classes on this Web site. And, I have provided links at the end of each class that will allow you to download these files directly for your listening and sharing pleasure. I am providing these on a creative commons basis — so share with anyone, just don’t make a profit off of them.

Look for this image to download:

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:

Key phrases:

Customer service

To register a complaint

Example conversation:

A. Hello? “Widgets Are Us”, how may I help you?

B. Hi. This is Mrs. Jones. I have a complaint. I need to register a complaint.

A. You need to register a complaint. OK, how can we help you? What seems to be the problem?

B. I have purchased a fan. When I got home, the fan did not work. I am angry.

A. Oh, don’t be angry. We’re here to help you. Customer service is our top priority. So, what is the specific problem with the fan?

B. I plugged the fan in and it did not work. I need a new fan … or I want my money back.

A. Understood. Can you bring the fan down to one of our stores?

B. Yes. What day? And where do I bring the fan?

A. You can bring it to any one of our outlet stores. Monday – Friday 9am – 7pm. When you come into the store ask for the Customer Service desk which is usually in the back.

B. So at the back of the store there is a Customer Service desk and they can help with my problem?

A. That’s correct. And please do remember to bring your receipt.

B. Yes. I will bring my receipt and the broken fan. And I will come to the store and go to the customer service desk which is usually in the back of the store.

A. That’s correct. We’re sorry to cause you this extra trouble and we hope you’ll continue to be a loyal customer of “Widgets Are Us”.

B. Yes, I am very disappointed but I will bring the fan and hopefully you will fix the fan or give me my money back.

A. Yes, we will solve your problem.

B. Thank you.

A. Talk soon. Bye.

B. Bye.

Audio:

Please consider donating:

Key phrases:

To check into a hotel

Surname = family name

Given name

Here you are

imprint

Example conversation:

A. Hello, may I help you?

B. Yes, I’m checking in.

A. Alright. And…what’s your name?

B. My name is Hu Jintao.

A: Uh, I’m sorry?

B. Oh, it’s a Chinese name. Hu Jintao.

A. OK, let me see… in the computer … I’m sorry; I don’t see any “Jintao.”

B. Oh, no, no, no. You’re … The family name, the surname is Hu. H-U.

A. Oh?

B. Yes, Hu Jintao. You see, in Chinese, we put the family name or surname in front and the individual’s given name at the.. at the end. So, it’s Hu Jintao. Or, in English, you could say “Jintao Hu.”

A. Oh, OK Mr. Hu. Yes, we have your reservation right here. You’ll be staying with us for … two nights and three days. Is that correct?

B. Yes, that’s correct.

A. May I see your passport please?

B. Here you are.

A. Thank you. OK Mr. Hu. I am going to put you in a room with two twin beds and uh, it’s a smoking room.

B. A smoking room?

A. Yes, a smoking room.

B. No no no! I don’t smoke!

A. You don’t smoke?

B. No.

A. Oh, OK. Non-smoking room….. We have a non-smoking room with a king-sized bed. Would that be acceptable?

B. Very much so. Thank you!

A. Certainly. And last but not least, I need your credit card. I need to take an imprint of it for any bills … ah … any expenses that are not already prepaid.

B. Alright. Here you are.

A. Thank you Mr. Hu. Here’s your room key. Please enjoy your stay.

B. I will! Thank you!

Please consider donating:

And audio: