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Cell Phone Interruptions

Cell Phone Interruptions English, baby! Video Lesson

Date: Mar 30 2007

Themes: Friend, Tech

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

These days, everyone has a cell phone. They are so common that we often forget how recently they became a part of our lives. Less than ten years ago, hardly anyone had a cell phone.

As cell phones are now everywhere, we have grown accustomed to hearing other people’s conversations in any public place, from the bus to the grocery store. And cell phones ring during movies and concerts. There is currently a debate going on about whether cell phones can used on airplanes.

The phone is now also a potential interruption to our time with friends and family. Watch what happens when Mason gets a cell phone call while he’s talking to Marni.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  So I was just hanging out in San Francisco the other weekend…

Mason:  I love San Francisco…

Marni:  I know.

Mason:  ...Are you kidding me?

Marni:  What a great town.

Mason:  I mean, if it wasn’t so expensive…

Marni:  Oh, I know.

Mason:  I’d totally be there, like, right now, um…

Marni:  Me too. Exactly. God, and I was just thinking, you know, there’s so many things to do and I didn’t get to do nearly as much as I wanted to and…

Mason:  Did you hit up the… oh, hold on. Hello? Yeah, hey, how’s it going? No, no I mean, I’m kinda busy tonight. I don’t think I can… Really? Man, it sounds pretty cool. I don’t… let me… I’ll call you back. Alright. OK. Bye. I’m… sorry. What were you saying?

Marni:  You know, I just have to say, I, I’m sorry. I hate it when people do that. I think that is so rude. When we’re having a conversation and your phone rings and you just, you know… you’re so involved in your conversation and your insular little world that I’m left hanging.

Mason:  Yeah? I mean…

Marni:  I think it’s rude.

Mason:  I’m sorry. Like, I mean, don’t you… When people call you don’t you feel like, I don’t know, it could be something important, I should at least check.

Marni:  I actually, uh, don’t have a cell phone.

 

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Mason and Marni are enjoying a casual chat when Mason’s cell phone rings. He immediately takes the call and talks to his friend while Marni waits for him to finish.

When Mason hangs up, Marni is obviously annoyed.

Mason and Marni represent two different views about how to handle a cell phone call in a social situation. In the US, if you need to answer your phone while you are talking to someone, it is best to ask the person you are talking to if it is OK, and excuse yourself. Everyone has different expectations, so be as considerate as possible.

What do people do in your country when their cell phone rings? Do they always answer it?

Click here for another English lesson about cell phones

Click here for an English lesson aobut buying a cell phone

 

Comments

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icingblue813

China

It is true that we have grown accustomed to having cellphone with us wherever we go!just like every technical production,it has his own merits and demerits!

03:48 PM Mar 31 2007 |

srel90

Germany

In my country – Thailand, the cell phone is very important to Thais. Most people have a cell phone. It is replacing the public phones.

08:40 AM Mar 31 2007 |

rayne

China

Keep up the video please!

12:47 AM Mar 31 2007 |

farhu

farhu

Spain

I think cell phone is useful in some cases, not always like meny others devices are useful as long as we are use to them if don’t exist them, who cares.

03:12 PM Mar 30 2007 |

thunderjet

thunderjet

United Arab Emirates

I always swich off my cell phone during week ends!!
(not to be botherd)

03:07 PM Mar 30 2007 |

Lylys

Viet Nam

I think, nowaday we have to have a cell phone. It is userfu for our work and comunication.

12:32 PM Mar 30 2007 |

Mouradhope

Algeria

I can’t believe it!
Marni have not a cell phone! !
one day, cell phones will be transplanted in our heads, so no rings,no low battery…...it’ll be very cool

04:04 AM Mar 30 2007 |

winnie811003

China

really bad !

03:41 AM Mar 30 2007 |

teddy008

teddy008

China

Frankly,I don’t want cell phone on the weekends.

03:07 AM Mar 30 2007 |

Oh~wen

Oh~wen

China

I hate people’s phone ringing when I’m watching movie in the cinema.It is really rude.

01:43 AM Mar 30 2007 |

applemotion

China

very practical topic i think

01:33 AM Mar 30 2007 |

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