Ashlie: Oh hi, Stephen. You made it then!
Stephen: Hi, Ashlie, I thought we were going Christmas shopping, not ice-skating.
Ashlie: Oh, we are. But I saw the rink and ice-skating is so much fun. It’s almost as much fun as shopping!
Stephen: It’s Christmas Eve and this is the Tower of London Ice Rink. Ashlie and I are supposed to be doing some last-minute Christmas shopping.
Ashlie: We’re cooking dinner for the family this year. They’re coming to Stephen’s to give our mum a rest.
Stephen: And we’ve still got lots of presents to buy. So you shouldn’t be messing around on the ice.
Ashlie: Oh come on, Stephen. Come and have a go. What’s wrong with you? Look watch me - I can go backwards!
Stephen: Stop showing off. Alright, I’ll come on, but just for five minutes - no more.
.....
Ashlie: Come on then. Take my hand. That’s it and we just go in a big circle… like this…
Stephen: It’s not as difficult as it looks. I think I’m better than you. It’s all about keeping your balance.
Ashlie: Stephen, you’re going in the wrong direction.
Ashlie: Stephen! Watch out!
Stephen: Oh, sorry!
.....
Stephen: Oh, I love Christmas, Ash. It’s so exciting.
Ashlie: I know. All the presents, the wonderful food. I can’t wait.
Stephen: Wow, look at these. They’re great. Oh, I love these. Look, it’s snowing! Let’s get some Christmas decorations. These are so cool.
Ashlie: Well, maybe we could get something for the tree. What about some tinsel? I want the tree to look really tasteful and stylish. These are nice.
Stephen: Those are really boring. What we need is lots of different colours to make the tree look really beautiful.
Ashlie: Mmm, well, I’m not sure. I think the tree will look better with just a few decorations.
Stephen: No way! A Christmas tree is meant to be bright and colourful. Oh come on, Ash, let me choose some Christmas decorations.
Ashlie: Well, I suppose so. As long as you don’t get too much. Listen, I want to go and buy your present now, but it’s a secret. So I will see you later.
Stephen: Presents - of course. OK. Bye!
Ashlie: Bye!
.....
Stephen: There... perfect!
Ashlie: Stephen! What have you done? What has happened to the Christmas tree?
Stephen: It looks so much better now, doesn’t it? All bright and Christmassy. It’s as big as the tree Mum and Dad had last year but it looks even better.
Ashlie: But I wanted the tree to be stylish and beautiful. Now it looks like a kid’s decorated it!
Stephen: Do you think we should add some more of these baubles?
Ashlie: No, I really don’t. Just don’t put anything else on the Christmas tree, OK? Come on, let’s hang up our stockings.
Stephen: OK. They look great. And look, I’ve put out some mince pies for when Father Christmas comes down the chimney and some carrots for the reindeer.
Ashlie: Ah, that is sweet of you. Hmm, mince pies! They do look good. I’m starving. I suppose Father Christmas won’t mind if I have one.
Stephen: Maybe one or two won't matter.
Comments
Hello Olivka_Rinponche,
I think you computer does not have or update Adobe Flash Player. If not, you should install it http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ . I hope it works. Try it.
KO KO
Hello Olivka_Rinponche,
I'm afraid that the Word on the Street videos, and most others on LearnEnglish, are not available for download. You can, however, download most of our audio materials (e.g. Elementary Podcasts, Big City Small World) and also our How to videos in iTunes - just search for 'British Council LearnEnglish' and you'll see a complete list there.
Best regards,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
I cant watch the video. I also clicked on "Can't see video? Click here!", but I cant watch it.
what should I do?
Is there any download link?
Thnks!
Hi learningenglish68,
We're aware that some of our users are unable to view some of our videos, and we're working on a solution to this problem.
In the meantime, please check the schedule of the BBC Persian TV channel, as the third series of Word on the Street is being broadcast there over the next few weeks.
I hope this helps you!
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi, Mr. Peter!
I am a student at a university in Indonesia. I have a dream taking graduate program abroad especially in USA or UK. I realize that to make it real I have to have ability in English, so i am trying to improve my skill in English, but I am worry about TOEFL or IELTS, I am afraid I can't good enough in these tests because I seldom writing, listening, and speaking in English. As this far, going to the English course is an option but it is so expensive so i decide to study English my self. What is you opinion? Would you mind give me some advises, Please?
Thank's
Hello dedysijabat,
Many of our users have dramatically improved by using LearnEnglish, so you've come to a great place. I'd suggest you work on your English in general by using the Elementary Podcasts using the method I describe below, and that you also spend some time learning about the IELTS and TOEFL. You can find resources on the TOEFL by doing an internet search for "TOEFL preparation", and for the IELTS we have resources in our IELTS section, and I'd also especially recommend visiting the TakeIELTS site.
In the Elementary Podcasts, I would recommend starting with series 1 episode 1. First, listen to the one or two sections of the podcast, and then read the transcript (under Instructions & downloads) as you listen. Then do the exercises that correspond to the sections you've listened to. You should also choose some useful phrases from what you've listened to and imitate their pronunciation - repeat those words and phrases many times. Pronounce whole phrases, not just words, because the pronunciation of words in English changes according to context. Repeat these phrases until they're relatively easy to say. Keep a record of all your new vocabulary (including phrases, not just individual words) in a notebook and review it as often as you can.
Let us know how you get on!
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello there,
I was looking for some exercises for my nephew and I have done the first Christmas exercise to have an idea about how it was, after I've done it I realised one of the answers is wrong, If you check it , when you right: ... las minute christmas " SHOPPING" this word, ( which I check several times), appears as it is wrong ... could you please have a look at this error?
Many thanks Guys and have a great day! ...Please let me know if I was WRONG maybe it was my fault?...
Hello May,
Thank you for pointing this out to us. I've checked the exercise and I can't seem to replicate the issue - when I type 'shopping' it accepts it as correct. Could it be that you are using caps lock when you type? The answers are case-sensitive (as correct capitalisation is important in English and users whose language has a non-Roman alphabet need to practise this) and so if you type 'SHOPPING' into the space then it will not be accepted.
Please let us know if this solves the problem.
Best wishes,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi Learning English team, hello Peter, hello Kirk,
I have a question. Can these exercises become a teaching material? I'm designing an English lesson for my tutoring student, is it a good idea to let the learner do these exercises? Not sure though because they seem to be pretty hard if you have only one time listening.
What do you think then, Peter and Kirk, and Learning English Team? I will be grateful if you give me good advice.
Hello Anh,
Since we don't know him or her, it's difficult for us to say how appropriate these materials would be for your student, but you are welcome to use them in this way. You might consider having your student listen to the video a couple of times before class to help. There's also of course the Transcript.
By the way, our sister site TeachingEnglish might be a useful resource for you as a teacher.
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Pages