Lesson 16: Where Are You From?

Conversation

Anna: Hello! Washington, D.C. has many tourists! People from different countries come here. Today, my job is to interview tourists. I have to learn why they come here. This is very exciting! Excuse me. I’m Anna Matteo from The News. Do you have time for an interview?

Sabrina: Sure, I have time.

Anna: What is your name?

Sabrina: My name is Sabrina.

Anna: What country are you from?

Sabrina: I’m from Bangladesh.

Anna: So, you are Bangladeshi.

Sabrina: That’s right! My nationality is Bangladeshi.

Anna: Do you like Washington, D.C.?

Sabrina: Yes! The city is very beautiful!

Anna: What do you like to do in Washington D.C.?

Sabrina: I like history. So, I like walking around and looking at all the monuments and memorials. They make history come alive!

Anna: Washington has many monuments and memorials. The Washington Monument is behind us! Which is your favorite?

Sabrina: I really like Lincoln Memorial. It is very beautiful. And it feels like Abraham Lincoln is still alive.

Anna: Awesome. Thank you for your time, Sabrina!

Sabrina: You’re welcome.

Anna: Let’s find another tourist.

Anna: Oh! Excuse me. I am Anna Matteo from The News. Do you have time for a couple of questions?

Louis: Sure!

Anna: Are you from Washington, D.C.?

Louis: No, I’m not.

Anna: What is your name and where are you from?

Louis: My name is Louis. And I’m from China.

Anna: What languages do you speak?

Louis: I speak Chinese and English.

Anna: What do you like about Washington DC?

Louis: I like the museums. I really like the art museums.

Anna: Many of the museums are free.

Louis: I like that too!

Anna: Awesome! Thanks for your time, Louis.

Louis: You’re very welcome. Bye!

Anna: Now, let’s find another tourist!

Anna: Hello! I am Anna Matteo from The News. Do you have time to answer a couple of questions?

Mehrnoush: Sure!

Anna: What is your name and where’re you from?

Mehrnoush: My name is Mehrnoush. I am from Iran. I’m Iranian.

Anna: What language do they speak in Iran? Is it Persian?

Mehrnoush: They speak Farsi.

Anna: What do you like to do in Washington DC?

Mehrnoush: Well, I like learning about government and politics.

Anna: Washington has many politicians!

Mehrnoush: It does! I want to see the U.S. Capitol.

Anna: Look, you are very near.

Mehrnoush: I am!

Anna: Have fun!

Mehrnoush: Thanks!

Anna: There you have it. Tourists from all over the world come to Washington, D.C. They all like doing and seeing different things in the city. This is Anna Matteo reporting for The News. Until next time!

Anna: Is that okay? Awesome! Now, I want to do my favorite thing in the city … ride the carousel!

Writing

Where are you from? What languages do you speak? What do you like to do when you travel? Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice writing and talking about countries and nationalities with a friend.

Activity Sheet Lesson 16

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective.
The learning strategy for this lesson is Monitor. We monitor to check on what we hear and say when we are speaking and listening in English. Here is an example from this lesson's conversation.

Anna asks, "What country are you from?" She monitors to make sure Sabrina understands the question. Sabrina answers, "I’m from Bangladesh." Now, Anna knows that Sabrina understands the question.

Anna thinks she knows how to say Sabrina's nationality. She tries it: "So, you are Bangladeshi." Anna is listening to monitor what Sabrina says. Anna is not sure: is "Bangladeshi" the right way to say Sabrina's nationality? Some people use the word, "Bengali" to say this nationality.

Sabrina answers, "That’s right! My nationality is Bangladeshi." In Anna's mind, she monitors her understanding. She thinks, "I can say Bangladeshi for the nationality of a person from Bangladesh."

How do you monitor 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.