Background: This ESL podcast is about going to a party in university. Here we learn excellent phrases for social situations along with vocabulary for daily conversation that will certainly help with your spoken English skills. Also, learn about Canadian university culture and lifestyle. Tell us what you think on the discussion forum linked below.
Discussion forum Lesson Below
ESL Reading
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A: Keep Thursday night open. Layton is having a huge BBQ and kegger in his backyard. It’s 15 bucks a head for burgers and all you can drink Keith’s. B: Why doesn’t he have it on the weekend? I’ve got classes all day Friday. A: What kind of an idiot schedules classes on Friday morning? I’ve got Friday’s off and I never start class before noon. B: I had no choice. I’m taking a real major and not just a bunch of bird courses. They only had classes offered at those times. A: Well don’t be such a goodie two shoes. It’s a month before midterms. I’m sure you can afford to miss a class or two. B: The problem is I’ve been succumbing to your peer pressure way too much lately. I could find an excuse to miss class every day if I wanted. A: Did I tell you the cheerleaders will be there? B: Damn. You’ve got me again. |
Phrases and Vocabulary used:
Keep Thursday night open: If you tell someone to “keep some time open”, it means “don’t make any other plans at that time” or “be available at that time”.
BBQ: A short form for Barbecue. We often say this in casual spoken English. Let’s have some BBQ chicken tonight.
Kegger: This is a slang term for a “Keg party”. A Keg of beer is a huge metal tank of beer. This is what pubs often use to serve draft beer. Keg parties are common in North American universities. The students buy some Kegs of beer and share it. Usually people drink a lot at these parties.
A head: This phrase just means “per person”. Let’s go to the Japanese restaurant for dinner. It’s only $15 bucks a head on Wednesdays.
Keith’s: This is a short form for “Alexander Keith’s”. This is one relatively famous beer in Canada. I’m not sure how common it is anywhere else in the world.
What kind of an idiot…..? This is a rhetorical question. If you ask “what kind of an idiot would pay $200 for fake shoes?” You are asking “How could someone be so stupid to pay $200 dollars for fake shoes?” Or “I don’t think there would be anyone stupid enough to pay $200 dollars for fake shoes?” The exact meaning depends on the context but it should be easy to figure out. Obviously in our dialogue, the person is saying, “That was really stupid of you to schedule your classes on Fridays.”
Bird courses: This just means “easy course”. Some students take “bird courses” to get higher marks and make their lives easier.
Goodie two shoes: This is an old slang term that is used to make fun of someone who is scared to bend the rules and have a little fun. If your parents tell you that you need to be home before 9 pm, and you tell your friend that, they might say to you, “Don’t be such a goodie two shoes. I’m sure if you get back by 9:15 it will be ok”.
Succumbing: Allowing something to beat or control you. “I promised myself I wouldn’t eat any ice cream today, but I wasn’t strong enough and finally succumbed to my craving.”
Peer pressure: This is the pressure you get from your friends, or other people in a similar situation to you. Usually this pressure is to do something bad. Many people start smoking because of peer pressure. Their friends all smoke so they decide to start.
Cheerleaders: These are the people, (usually girls) who dance and cheer for the teams at sporting events. Each team has their own cheerleaders to get the crowd excited. These girls are often good looking and in good shape.
You’ve got me again: This means, “you win again”.
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