Lesson 11: This Is My Neighborhood

Summary

Anna has many things to do. She needs to go to the library, post office, bank, and store. Marsha helps her find these places in their neighborhood.

Speaking

In this video, learn to say the new words. Learn to thank someone for giving you help. You can also download the Activity Sheet and practice talking about the places in your neighborhood.

Conversation

Let's Learn English Lesson 11: This Is My Neighborhood

 

Anna: Hello! DC is a city for walking. In our neighborhood, I can do all my errands. Marsha, before we get ice cream, I need to return three books to the library. Where is the library?

Marsha: It is on this street on the corner.

Anna: Awesome!

Marsha: Let's go!

Anna: Marsha, I can return the books here.

Marsha: Anna, what are those in the books?

Anna: Marsha, these are letters to my family and friends back home … four letters! Is there a post office near here?

Marsha: Um, no. The post office is far from here. But there is a mailbox across from the store.

Anna: Awesome! Let’s go!

(At the mailbox)

Anna: Marsha, now I need to buy stamps.

Marsha: Do you have cash?

Anna: No. Is there a bank near here?

Marsha: There is a bank behind you.

Anna: Thanks, Marsha. You know our neighborhood so well.

Anna: Now I have cash. I can buy stamps.

Marsha: That store sells stamps.

Anna: Wait here.

Anna: I have stamps.

Marsha: Wow, you’re fast.

Anna: Thank you, thank you letters, for sending my words… my love … to my family and friends - 

Marsha: Do you have more cash?

Anna: I do!

Marsh and Anna: Ice cream!!

Anna: I love my new neighborhood! Everything is near our apartment! Even hair salons*, and ice cream!

Anna: Until next time!

*salon - n. a business that gives customers beauty treatments (such as haircuts)

Writing

Where do you do errands in your neighborhood? Write to us to tell us about three places you go in your neighborhood. Send us an email or write about them in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend.

Activity Sheet Lesson 11

 

 

 

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is ​Ask Questions. When we are learning a language, asking questions helps us practice and get new information. Here is an example.
Tatiana is visiting her friend in New York. Her friend goes to work one day and gives Tatiana a map of the city. Tatiana wants to run in Central Park. She walks out of the apartment and sees a woman with two children. Tatiana thinks, "I need help with the map. I do not know where this apartment is on the map." She asks the woman, "Excuse me. Is Central Park near here?" The woman smiles and says, "Yes, walk to the bus station and turn left. It's not far away." Tatiana asks, "Thank you. Can you show me where we are on the map?" The woman shows Tatiana her friend's street on the map. "Have a nice day!" she says as she walks away. Tatiana is happy she can ask questions in English. She soon finds the park and has a great run.
How do you ask questions to practice speaking English and learn in English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.

Lesson 10: Come Over to My Place

Summary

Ashley is visiting Anna. She calls to find out how to go to Anna's apartment. Ashley learns about Anna's neighborhood.

Speaking

In this video, learn to say the new words. Learn to give directions to a place. You can also download the Activity Sheet and practice giving directions to a friend.

Conversation

Let's Learn English Lesson 10: Come Over to My Place

Anna: Hi! Today, my friend Ashley, is coming over. I am showing her my new apartment! Oh! That’s Ashley calling.

Anna: Hi Ashley!

Ashley: Hi Anna! I’m coming to your apartment. Where is your apartment?

Anna: My apartment is near the Columbia Heights Metro.

Ashley: It is near the Columbia Heights Metro?

Anna: Yes. Exit the Metro and turn right. Then at the bus station turn left. Then walk straight ahead.

Ashley: Okay. Exit Metro, turn right, turn left, then go straight ahead?

Anna: Yes. My apartment is near a coffee shop.

Ashley: Okay. See you soon!

Anna: Hi,  Ashley.

Ashley: Anna,  Which coffee shop? There are three coffee shops.

Anna: Okay, my apartment is across from a big department store.

Ashley: A big department store? Ah, I see it!

Anna: Okay! Bye, Ashley. See you soon!

Ashley: Okay. See you soon.

Anna: Ashley! Ashley! Ashley! Over here! It’s Anna! It’s Anna! Hi!

Anna: I love having my friends over. Come on!

Ashley: Great!

Writing

How do you tell someone how to find your school? Or where you work? Try writing directions to a place near you. Send us an email or give us directions in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend.

Activity Sheet - Lesson 10

 

 

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Use Images. When we listen to directions, it helps to use an image in our mind or on a screen or paper to understand them better. Here is an example.
Marcos wants to go to his friend Lucia's house. He asks her to give him directions. As he listens, he draws a map on a piece of paper. Lucia says, "Turn right at the supermarket." Marcos draws a box with an 'S' on his map. He draws an arrow (=>) to the right. When he is walking to Lucia's house, he thinks of the map. He remembers the supermarket and the arrow. He turns right and finds Lucia's house.
How do you use images to understand and remember English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.

Listening Quiz

Desktop Computer: Click here to go directly to the Listening Quiz. Click on the button below if you are on a mobile device or our mobile site.

Let's Learn English: A Review of Lessons 1 - 9

Congratulations! You are learning English with VOA Learning English! Try the quiz and enjoy the video of our mistakes.

 A Review of Lessons 1 - 9

For Fun - 'Bloopers' 

Sometimes we do not remember what to say. Or sometimes we are laughing about a funny event. Watch the video above to see these mistakes, or 'bloopers.'
New Words from Blooper Video
break - n. to stop activity or for a short time
mistake - v. something that is not correct
blooper - n. an embarrassing mistake usually made in public
some - adj. of an untold amount or number

Listening Quiz

Take this quiz to review the lessons from 1 to 9. (On desktop? Click here to go to the quiz.)

Lesson 9: Is It Cold?

 

Let's Learn English Lesson 9: Is It Cold?

Anna: Oh, hi, everyone! Here in Washington, DC, the weather changes often. One day is cold and windy. But the next day is warm and sunny!  So, every day I check the forecast. Hello, Phone? What is today’s temperature?

Phone: Today it is 18 degrees ...

Anna: Eighteen degrees! That is cold!

Phone: … eighteen degrees Celsius.

Anna: Oh, Celsius. That is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s warm.

Phone: Yes, Anna. It is warm.

Anna: Excuse me, Phone. Is it windy today?

Phone: No, it is not windy today.

Anna: Is it sunny today?

Phone: Yes, Anna. It is sunny.

Anna: Excuse me, Phone?

Phone: Yes, Anna.

Anna: Is it snowy today?

Phone: No, Anna. It is not snowy.

Anna: Thank you, Phone!

Anna: Today the weather is warm and sunny -- great for seeing Washington, D.C.

Anna: Phone! It is not warm and sunny! It is cold and windy and snowy!

Phone: Anna, it is not cold, windy, or snowy. It is warm and sunny … in Mexico City, Mexico.

Anna: Oh. I see. Mexico.

Anna: Washington weather changes often. Remember to check the forecast -- the right forecast.

Phone: Yes, Anna. Next time remember to check the right fore…

Anna: Okay, thank you Phone. Goodbye, Phone.

Anna: Until next time!

Writing

What is the weather where you are? You can see some examples in the Activity Sheet. Click on the image below to download it. Send us an email or write to us about your town's weather in the Comments section.

Activity Sheet for Let's Learn English Lesson 9

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Look for Ways to Practice. We learn to speak by practicing often. Here is an example.
Nina sits on the bus next to a friendly American woman. Looking for a way to practice English, Nina asks, "What is the weather in your city?" The woman tells her about her home town, Tampa, Florida. "It's very warm and sunny." Nina can now practice speaking English with the woman until her bus stop. 
How do you find ways to practice English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.