Lesson 15: I Love People-Watching!

Conversation

Anna: Hello! People from all over the world come to Washington, D.C. When I’m at work, I love eating lunch outside. I like to watch people walking by. They all look very different. Today, my friend Ashley is eating lunch with me.

Anna: Ashley, today the weather is beautiful, isn’t it?

Ashley: Yes, it is. Ahh. (looks at her watch) Ooh, we have to return to work!

Anna: No, we have time! Let’s people-watch a little more.

Ashley: Okay.

Anna: Oh, I know her. She works in my office! Keyana, hi! Come and join us!

Keyana: Hi Anna, how are you?

Anna: I’m doing great! Keyana, this is my friend Ashley.

Keyana: Hi, Ashley!

Anna: We need to return. But the weather is beautiful and people-watching is fun!

Keyana: I love people-watching too!

Anna: Well, have a seat! It is fun to see how people are different or the same.

Keyana: It is. For example, Anna, you are tall. But Ashley and I are short.

Anna: And Keyana, you and Ashley have brown eyes; I have blue eyes.

Keyana: You two have light skin and I have dark skin.

Anna: Ashley, you have straight hair. Keyana and I have curly hair.

Ashley: You have very curly hair, Anna.

Keyana: I need to return to work. See you, Anna! Nice to meet you Ashley!

Ashley: Bye, Keyana!

Ashley: Anna, I have to go, too. Are you returning to work?

Anna: I still have time. And this sun feels so good!

Ashley: Um, Anna, what does your boss look like?

Anna: She is short. She has straight, light hair.

Ashley: Does she wear glasses?

Anna: Yes. Yes, she does.

Ashley: Is she wearing a blue sweater today?

Anna: How do you know that?

Ashley: She’s coming this way.

Anna: Oh no! Hide me!

Ashley: Um, bye Anna. Call me later.

Anna: Bye, Ashley! Talk to you later!

Caty: Anna? Is that you?

Anna: Ms. Weaver! Hi!

Caty: What are you doing behind that bench?

Anna: I am looking for my, my … stick. Here it is.

Anna: (sheepishly) I am people-watching. (looks at watch) Oh! But it’s time to return to work!

Caty: No need to hurry. I love people-watching too! Let’s sit!

Anna: Sure! Ahh.

Caty: It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?

Anna: Yes. Yes, it is, Ms. Weaver.

Anna: People-watching in D.C. is fun. It makes me forget the time!

Anna: Until next time! Ahh.

Writing

What do you look like? What does your friend look like? Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend.

ACTIVITY SHEET LESSON 15

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective.
The learning strategy for this lesson is Access Information Sources. In our digital world there are many free sources of information to help you learn English. And remember that other people can also help. Here is an example.
João is visiting Miami. He wants to take a tour of the National Park in the Everglades (or marismas in Portuguese). He finds the word "Everglades" in his pocket paperback Portuguese - English dictionary, but doesn't know how to pronounce it. He opens a translation web page on his phone, writes "Everglades" and pushes the button to translate. Soon a symbol appears under the word. João clicks on the symbol to hear the sound of the word, "Everglades." He goes to the hotel tour desk and asks, "Do you have a tour of the Everglades?" The clerk understands him and begins to show him the tour information. João asks the clerk, "Will you please say the word slowly for me? I want to check my pronunciation." The clerk smiles and pronounces the word and João says it again. Now João is sure he can say it correctly.
How do you access information sources when learning 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.