Speak With Me: 2 Hour English Speaking Practice

Speak English With Vanessa・2 minutes read

Vanessa offers English conversation practice covering various topics and reductions in spoken English, such as common phrases for weekend plans and dining out. The lesson focuses on realistic conversations, encouragement to practice, and provides useful vocabulary and sample sentences in a free PDF worksheet.

Insights

Reductions in spoken English are common, like "whatcha'p to" for "What are you up to?" and "What've you got goin' on" for "What have you got going on?".
Differentiating between being laid off and being fired is crucial; being laid off is due to company circumstances, not personal fault.
Asking if you can bring something to an event can ease the burden on the host and make guests feel involved.

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Recent questions

What are common conversation topics in English?
Seven common topics include weekend plans and eating out.

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Summary

00:00

English Conversation Practice with Vanessa: Common Topics

Vanessa from SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com offers English speaking practice.
The lesson covers seven common conversation topics in English.
A free PDF worksheet with vocabulary, questions, and sample sentences is available.
The lesson includes practical conversation practice with Vanessa.
Common vocabulary for weekend plans includes "brunch" and "social butterfly."
"Homebody" refers to someone who prefers staying at home.
"Binge watch" means watching multiple movies or TV shows back-to-back.
"Catch up on chores" involves completing necessary tasks that have been neglected.
Reductions in spoken English are common, like "whatcha'p to" for "What are you up to?"
Other reduced phrases include "What've you got goin' on" for "What have you got going on?"

14:24

Weekend and Dining Conversations: Simplified Interactions

The question "You doing anything fun this weekend?" can be reduced to "Ya doin' anything fun this weekend?"
Responses to weekend plans can include "That sounds like fun," "How interesting," or "Nice."
If someone is doing nothing for the weekend, a positive response could be "Sometimes it's nice to do nothing."
To end a conversation about weekend plans, one can say "Have a good weekend" or "Enjoy your weekend."
Common questions for discussing eating out include "Do you want to eat out?" and "Where ya wanna go?"
Another question could be "Should we order pick up?" with alternative phrases like "take out" or "carry out."
Asking someone what they want to eat can be phrased as "What are you in the mood for?" or reduced to "Whatcha in the mood for?"
Responses to food suggestions can include "Let's order in" or "How about pizza?"
Expressing a preference for a certain food can be followed by "Does that sound good?" or reduced to "How'zat sound?"
Checking if a specific restaurant is open can be phrased as "Is Ted's Cafe open? I'd love to go there."

27:21

"Conversational phrases for dining and vacations"

Various phrases to suggest dining options: "I know a place that has great pasta," "I know a place that you're going to love."
Sample conversation between a couple discussing lunch plans and choosing pasta for a picnic.
Encouragement to practice using learned phrases in conversations.
Common questions about vacation plans: "Do you have plans to go anywhere this summer?"
Reductions in questions for natural English pronunciation: "Where you going this summer?"
Reductions in questions for casual conversation: "Y'doin'nything fun for vacation?"
Use of the phrase "What about you?" to continue conversations smoothly.
Realistic answers to questions about vacation plans, like opting for a road trip instead of a European vacation.
Sample conversation between two individuals discussing changed vacation plans due to circumstances.
Encouragement to practice speaking out loud using learned phrases and responses.

40:46

City vs. Country Living: Contrasts and Comparisons

Living in a city can be described as busy or crowded, like New York City or Tokyo.
Cities lack quiet spaces due to the high population density.
Conversely, places like Stockholm, Sweden are known for being relaxed and quiet.
The term "urban area" refers to busy, crowded cities with minimal green spaces.
Living in the country implies residing in nature, away from urban centers.
"Off the beaten path" describes less popular but worthwhile destinations.
Tourist traps are overpriced, low-quality places meant to attract tourists.
"Up and coming" signifies a location gaining popularity gradually.
"Must see" locations are essential places to visit, like the pyramids in Egypt.
Common questions about where someone lives include inquiries about the weather, best time to visit, and local attractions.

53:17

City Summer Packing Tips and Party Traditions

Summer weather inquiry for packing purposes
Favorite activities or sights in the city
Advice on avoiding tourist traps
Encouragement for upcoming visit
Invitation to review conversation for practice
Common expressions for discussing birthdays
Different types of birthday parties explained
The concept of a surprise party
Explanation of RSVP and BYOB on invitations
Traditions like making a wish and goody bags at parties

01:06:50

Inquiring about events and pets in conversation.

Asking if an event is a surprise party can prevent spoiling the surprise.
It is advisable to inquire if you need to bring anything to an event, like a surprise party or dinner.
Asking if you can bring something can ease the burden on the host and make guests feel involved.
In a sample conversation about birthdays, asking if you can bring something is common.
Describing oneself as an animal lover can indicate a fondness for various animals.
The term "breed" is used to describe the type of pet, like a Siamese cat.
Pets adopted from shelters are often referred to as rescues.
Using "he" or "she" instead of "it" is common when referring to pets.
Words like "friendly," "wild," "stray," and "domesticated" describe an animal's behavior or living situation.
A cage, crate, or kennel can be used to contain pets for various reasons, like transportation or safety.

01:20:08

Essential Pet Care and Common Questions

A kennel is used to help a dog feel comfortable when guests are over, providing a safe space for the dog to retreat to.
A collar and tag are essential for pets, containing important information like the pet's name and owner's contact details in case the pet gets lost.
A collar can also be used to attach a leash, sometimes referred to as a lead, for walking the dog.
A veterinarian, often shortened to vet, is the doctor for animals, providing medical care for pets.
Bonding with pets can involve playing fetch or petting them, which involves gently touching or stroking the animal.
Common questions about pets include asking if someone has pets, what breed their pet is, their pet's name, and how long they have had the pet.
Female pet names like Bella, Luna, and male pet names like Max, Buddy are common in English.
Questions like "Is he friendly?" and "How long have you had him?" are typical when discussing pets.
Asking about the decision to get a specific breed of pet can lead to conversations about the characteristics of that breed.
A sample conversation between individuals discussing pets showcases common interactions and questions related to pets.

01:32:57

Types of Jobs and Job Conversations

Jobs that are not your primary source of income can be referred to as gigs, side-gigs, hustles, or side jobs.
Part-time jobs involve working less than 40 hours a week, while full-time jobs in the US are typically 40 hours per week.
Unemployment can occur due to layoffs, where the company eliminates positions due to financial issues or restructuring.
Being laid off is different from being fired, as it is not due to personal fault but rather company circumstances.
Burnout can happen when one loses passion for their job due to overwork or stress.
Common phrases to describe your job include stating your profession, field of work, company you work for, or if you run your own business.
Small talk questions about jobs include asking what someone does for work, what it's like, where they work, and how work is going.
Asking follow-up questions like "What's that like?" can lead to more engaging conversations about someone's job.
Inquiring about where someone works these days or how work is going can provide insights into their current job situation.
Conversations about jobs can reveal personal aspirations, challenges, and experiences related to work-life balance and career goals.

01:45:04

New Opportunities and English Conversation Practice

Dan got laid off from the coffee shop but found a part-time job at a hotel. Vanessa offered him a side-gig in marketing, which he was interested in pursuing.
Vanessa guides viewers through a structured English conversation exercise, encouraging practice and confidence-building in small talk scenarios. She emphasizes the importance of reviewing the video and offers a free PDF worksheet for further learning.

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