Showing interest

In this video, Bob tells Noelia about when he broke his leg. Listen to the language Noelia uses to show interest and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say

Do you know what to say when you want to show interest? Listen out for useful language for showing interest. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Noelia: Morning, Bob.

Bob: Oh, good morning. 

Noelia: It's so rainy today. The weather in this country is horrible!

Bob: Yes … yes … The weather was even worse when I lived in Canada.

Noelia: Oh, I didn't know that you lived in Canada, Bob. How cool!

Bob: One winter it was so cold and windy that I fell on the ice and broke my leg in three places.

Noelia: Oh no! You're joking!

Bob: I wish I was, Noelia, I wish I was. I was never the same after that winter. And my leg is still bad today.

Noelia: Really? I'm sorry to hear that. Poor you.

Bob: But it's not all bad. I met my wife in the hospital. She was the doctor who looked at my leg!

Noelia: No way! 

Bob: It was love at first sight! 

Noelia: Ah, that's brilliant!

Bob: Yes, and we're still in love 40 years later …  

Noelia: So in the end, breaking your leg was the best thing that could have happened.

Bob: Yes, I suppose it was!

 

Ana: Hello again! Aww, I love a story with a happy ending! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for showing interest? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

Oh, I didn't know that you lived in Canada!

How cool!

Oh no, poor you.

You're joking!

Really?

I'm sorry to hear that.

No way!

That's brilliant!


Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to show interest in English. Bye for now!

Discussion

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Average: 4.1 (34 votes)

Submitted by Min Htet Kaung on Sun, 19/07/2020 - 15:54

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In this conversation, I don't understand what Bob said. He said, "I wish I was, Noalia”.If it is translated directly, the meaning is different from the context.

Hello Min Htet Kaung,

What Bob means is 'I wish I was joking'. This is a common way of saying 'I wish that it wasn't true' -- Bob wishes that it wasn't true that he broke his leg.

Does that make more sense now?

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Asni on Sat, 18/07/2020 - 11:57

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I broke my toe in the gym once. During a speed training excercise, my foot was stuck in between the mat tiles and I broke my toe. I couldn't put up with the pain. It was so strong. I hope it will never happen again!

Submitted by sofaraway on Thu, 09/07/2020 - 14:43

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I've broken my finger when I was on the beach, the sea was rough and I jumped into the water and a strong wave threw me on the cliff.

Submitted by Suellen Esteves on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 21:03

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I broke my leg when I was pregnant. Imagine that, a pregnant woman and her big belly with a broken leg. It was terrible.

Submitted by Usama nasir on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 18:45

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I need a partner for a fix routine.

Submitted by abudo93 on Fri, 03/07/2020 - 09:30

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Yes, that happened to me when was in fifth old, I was playing with neighbor's children we were jump into a hole that have been dug it to plant a Palm then after that in one of my jumps my left leg was broken.

Submitted by abudo93 on Thu, 02/07/2020 - 12:10

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Pardon, your videos pretty slowly can you repair that? It's take more time.

Hello abudo93,

I'm sorry about this. Are you able to see other videos (on our site or on other sites) any better? I don't see any problems with the videos on my end.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team