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Additional Lessons |
 About These
Lessons
The following classroom lessons are great for students
who want additional conversation, listening, and reading
practice. |
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Conversation Lesson -
Intermediate Level. Let's
Learn English conversation lesson
with a conversation video, a video script, audio
listening practice, and a new
words section.
|
 Conversation Lesson
4 - Run Away With the Circus!
(Intermediate -
Conversation, Listening, Reading)
In this lesson Anna and Pete start their new show. They
do not agree about the circus. Are the performers
artists or athletes? Do they perform or compete? Find
out in the first "He Said - She Said" show. |
Lesson Video
Watch the video and then read the video script. |
Video Script
Anna: Hello, I’m Anna …
Pete: … and I’m Pete. Welcome to “He Said,
Anna: … She Said”!
Pete: Because there are always two sides …
Anna: to every story!
Anna: Today’s show is about Circus Arts!
Pete: Circus? That’s not an art form.
Anna: Yes, it is.
Pete: No, it isn't.
Anna: Yes, it is.
Pete: No, it isn't.
Anna: Yes, it is!
Pete: No, it isn't.
Anna: Yes, it is!
Pete: No, it isn't.
Anna: Yes, it is!
Professor Bot: Oh dear. Anna and Pete do not agree about Circus Arts. But that's
okay. Today’s lesson is about agreeing and disagreeing. Let’s listen to how Anna
and Pete disagree or agree. Let’s hope these two can agree on something.
Anna: Today, let’s run away with the circus!
Recently, I went to a circus festival. There was a huge circus tent. And many
different circus performers. It was a celebration of circus arts!
Pete: That looks fun, Anna. But I don’t think circus performers are artists. I
think they’re athletes with interesting skills … and costumes.
Anna: Hmm, that is a very interesting point of view, Pete. And I completely
disagree.
Pete: Anna, Michelangelo was an artist. Rembrandt was an artist. People who
swing from ropes are not artists. I know it’s not easy to swing from a bar and
catch someone by the hands. You have to be very athletic to do that.
Anna: That’s a good point, Pete. They are athletic. But they are called trapeze
artists. Trapeze … ARTISTS.
Pete: I hear what you’re saying, Anna. I do. But where is the art? Look at these
guys. They’re jugglers.
Anna: Yes, they are skilled in the art of juggling.
Pete: They have a special skill. But are they artists?
Anna: Yes!
Pete: No!
Pete: They're just throwing things back and forth.
Anna: Kind of like you and me, Pete. We’re going back and forth on this issue.
Pete: I don’t think we’ll ever agree on this one.
Anna: No, but we can agree that these young people are amazing.
Pete: Okay, yeah. We can agree on that. But, still, they are very athletic –
flipping and throwing each other around.
Anna: Yes, I agree with you on that point.
Professor. Bot: They did it! They agreed!! Anna says she agrees that the
performers are athletic. "That’s a good point, Pete. They are athletic. I agree
with you on that point. " Now look for other ways they agree.
Pete: Anna? Anna!!
Anna: Sorry! Sorry! But he’s an artist too. He is telling a story with his
sticks and his costume.
Pete: What story? What costume?
Anna: I see your point, Pete. I really do. But circus performers do more than
physical tricks. Look! Look at these amazing performers!
Pete: I will admit -- I like their costumes.
Anna: You know, Pete. Let’s let the performers speak for themselves.
Anna: Kate and Piper tell stories while hanging upside down on a ring!
Pete: Was it hard to interview them upside down?
Anna: I interviewed them right side up, Pete. Kate says circus performing may be
athletic but it’s not competitive. With most sports, you compete.
Kate: It’s an art form because like, other sports are competing. This is simply
performing and having fun.
Pete: Okay, Kate made a really good point. In athletics, there is a lot of
competition. But still …
Anna: Here’s Piper, Pete. Please pay attention, Pete.
Pete: But, I -
Anna: Shh.
Piper: Well, when you’re up in the air doing circus you have to perform. And so,
we learn to embody characters, and to move fluidly and gracefully … in artistic
ways.
Anna: And that …is why they are artists!
Pete: You’re right, Anna. Oh, you’re right. It’s just so beautiful.
Anna: I know. I know, Pete.
Professor Bot: Good job you two! I'm so glad that Anna and Pete finally agree!
Pete said, " You’re right, Anna." I agree, too. Circus arts are beautiful.
Remember the website! |
Listening
Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation. |
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New Words |
- admit -
v. to say usually in an unwilling way that you
accept or do not deny the truth or existence of (something)
- athlete -
n. a person who is trained in or good at
sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength
- athletic -
adj. strong and muscular
- back and forth -
adv. toward the back and then toward the front
or backward and forward
- bar -
n. a straight piece of metal or wood that is
used as a tool
- circus -
n. a traveling show that is often performed in
a tent and that typically includes trained animals, clowns, and acrobats
- competitive -
adj. of or relating to a situation in which
people or groups are trying to win a contest or be more successful than
others
- embody -
v. to be a symbol or example of (something)
- form -
n. a type or kind of something
- graceful -
adj. moving in a smooth and attractive way
- hang -
v. to hold one's body in the air
- Michelangelo -
n. Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer.
Along with Leonardo da Vinci, he is often called a "Renaissance man" which
means that he had great talent in many areas.
- Rembrandt -
n. Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was a famous
Dutch painter and artist. He is generally considered one of the greatest
painters and printmakers in European art history, and the most important in
Dutch history.
- right side up -
adv. with the top of something, or the head of
a person, facing upward
- ring -
n. something that is shaped like a circle
- rope -
n. a strong, thick string that is made by
twisting many thin strings or fibers together
- run away with -
phrasal verb. to secretly leave a place with a
person or a group
- side -
n. one of two or more opinions, positions,
etc., that disagree with each other
- trapeze -
n. a short bar that is hung high above the
ground by two ropes and that is held by circus performers who perform
athletic tricks on it
- twirl -
v. to turn or spin around and around
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Conversation
Lessons
Study all 30 English intermediate conversation lessons.
Let's Learn English conversation lessons each with a
conversation video, a video script, audio listening
practice, and a new
words section.
These lessons are for
intermediate students. |
 Conversation
Lessons
Study all 52 English beginner conversation lessons. Let's Learn
English conversation lessons each with a conversation
video, a video script, audio listening practice, video
speaking practice, video pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
These
lessons are for beginning students. |
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Source:
Voice of America |
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