Background: This is our second ESL podcast about describing people. We didn’t have enough time in the first lesson to teach all the words we wanted to. The words in this lesson are very useful and will certainly make you sound more like a native speaker if you learn how to use them well. Do you have any of these characteristics?
Discussion forum
Phrases and Vocabulary used:
Naïve – someone who lacks experience and understanding about something. We often describe someone who makes an immature decision as naïve. I think he is very naïve to think that it is a good idea to get married to his girlfriend after only knowing her for one week. Why would you give him your bank account password? You are so naïve.
Predictable – someone who doesn’t do many new and exciting things. We often use this in a bad way meaning the person is a little boring and not adventurous. Even though she thought her boyfriend was good person, she decided to leave him because he was too predictable.
Confrontational – Someone who is very direct and will express their opinions even in situations where someone might not like it. For example, if you see someone smoking and you walk up to them and tell them that it will kill them, that’s being confrontational.
Conceited – Someone who has an overly favorable opinion of themselves and their own abilities. It’s used in a negative way.
Self-conscious – Someone who worries too much about what other people think of them. It’s not good to be self-conscious when learning a new language. My friend is so self-conscious that she won’t even sing in front of her close friends.
Rational – Someone who is reasonable and uses good judgment to make decisions. They are usually calm and not so emotional. It’s much easier to negotiate with rational people than emotional ones.
Approachable – If someone is approachable it means that it appears that they will be friendly if you go up to talk to them. They seem easy to talk with and to get to know. People who are relaxed and have a nice smile are approachable.
Down to earth – Someone who is “down to earth” is practical, realistic, and in touch with the lives of regular people. People who are down to earth are reasonable and don’t have a lot of crazy ideas. Often people think that movie stars and celebrities are not down to earth because their lives are so different from everyone else.
Methodical – Someone who does everything in a slow, planned, and systematic way. Methodical people are careful and never skip steps when doing things. They don’t mind taking a long time to do things because they think that the extra effort is worth it.
April 18th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Where did you get that “i” with two dots. ) My electronic english dictionary program LINGVO has both variants naïve and naive (copy-past
).
September 19th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
still a great conversation,listening and waiting for my girlfriend\’s night call………….
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:19 am
Thanks for your great and exciting lesson. How to describe people that is the good point that i am concerning.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
thank you very much for the lessons guys……i have really appreciated them. just keep up like this. regards from brasil.
May 29th, 2010 at 9:33 am
thanks for the lesson, guys! good one! For a long time I was wondering what does it mean to be down to earth
And you just answered my question 
So thanks again.
And i don’t like predictable and conceited people
September 28th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Good morning .
It is a great pleasure for me to send you this first message.
Thinks Andrew, thinks Addison for these fascinating lessons, they permit me to improve my English and learne idioms through stories and conversations.
I found that your lessons are really the best way to perfect our English.
Your are very entertaining.
Very cordially.
February 23rd, 2011 at 5:52 pm
awesome podcasts!!!! I feel closer to you when you mentioned that you are from Canada. Because I have been here for 3 years!!! Could you make more excellent podcast for those who want to learn more about culture??? Thank you!!! please reply to me!!!