Prague Lesson 3

Welcome to LIVE CONVERSATIONS “PRAGUE: Lesson 3!” Any questions or comments? Please write us at: support@realenglishnow.com

Please watch the video below. Remember: Don’t write anything. Just watch and listen. By the end of the lesson you will understand everything!

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Matt: However, going back to Prague to visit, the whole notion (= idea, thought) of moving to Europe just hit me again like, “I can…I still have to do this.”

Mark: Right.

Matt: So, that’s…

Mark: That’s what started it.

Matt: I’ve been going back ever since, exploring teaching English there, going to grad school there.

Mark: Guitar school?

Matt: Yes. And you know, it’s…right now, it’s a matter of figuring out what to do there because to go to Prague as an expat, to just go work for a Czech company, it’s very…

Mark: A nightmare of paperwork.

Matt: A nightmare of paperwork and you’re not gonna make…

Mark: Red tape I should say.

Matt: …the income you’re going to get isn’t going to be worth the headache that probably the job and the red tape would present to you.

Mark: Right. You don’t need a visa, being an American, to go in for three months. But to go for long term, you of course need one.

Matt: Yeah, and you can do a business license. Apparently, that’s an easy way to do, um, a visa there. And I have the fortunate ability to have a bunch of Czech people who already know what to do, have already told me, “Don’t worry. Just move over here. We’ll help you take care of it.”

Mark: But it’s just a matter of making sure you got the finances set up.

Matt: Yeah, that’s what’s holding me back right now, is just a matter of…I don’t want to go over there and be there for six months and go, “I’m not…I have no money.” And then I gotta go back to the States or whatever.

Mark: I hear ya.

Matt: So that’s what I’m, you know…If I was 20, I would do that, but not at 41 years old.

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Step 1

Listen to Audio #1 below.
Listening before reading is very important. Please, DO NOT read the text yet. If you don’t understand the audio, that’s okay. Listen now, at least two times.

step2

Click below (where it says, ‘Click to reveal #1’) and compare the sentences. See the highlighted phrases? They both have the same meaning. But the 1st one is what students of English say. (For example: “knowledge of…”). The 2nd one is what native speakers say, (“Insight on”). Listen one more time, and then go to Step #3.

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hit me = came into my mind
Remember, in these four groups of sentences below, a native speaker will usually use the 2nd version. So, “hit me” is the advanced phrase we want to learn.

It suddenly came into my mind: I wanted to marry her!
It suddenly hit me: I wanted to marry her!

When my boss yelled at me to add more salt to the fries, it came into my mind: I hate my job.
When my boss yelled at me to add more salt to the fries, it hit me: I hate my job.

Just as I arrived home it came into my mind that I left my wallet at work.
Just as I arrived home it hit me that I left my wallet at work.

The whole notion of moving to Europe just came into my mind again.
The whole notion of moving to Europe just hit me again.

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step3

Make a study card. Write one of the example sentences on your card, and underline the new word. On the other side of the card, write the translation in your first language. Please make these flashcards now, as you go through the lesson. Then repeat Steps 1 – 3 for each word below.

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it’s a matter of… = the important thing (that will let me do this) is…
Remember, the 2nd version (using “it’s a matter of”) is how a native speaker will probably say these sentences.

I’d like to build a house. The important thing (that will let me do this) is money.
I’d like to build a house. It’s a matter of money.

I want to study engineering. Now the important thing (that will let me do this) is choosing the right school.
I want to study engineering. Now it’s a matter of choosing the right school.

We want to open a new department but the important thing is finding the right people.
We want to open a new department but it’s a matter of finding the right people.

Right now, the important thing is figuring out what to do there.
Right now, it’s a matter of figuring out what to do there.

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a nightmare of = a very troublesome situation regarding

Getting a job in the government is a very troublesome situation regarding tests and interviews.
Getting a job in the government is a nightmare of tests and interviews.

Moving is a very troublesome situation regarding boxes and packing.
Moving is a nightmare of boxes and packing.

Getting a loan is a very troublesome situation regarding documents.
Getting a loan is a nightmare of documents.

Moving to Prague is very troublesome situation regarding paperwork.
Moving to Prague is a nightmare of paperwork.

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red tape = things to do related to administration

Getting a visa requires a lot of things to do related to administration.
Getting a visa requires a lot of red tape.

Buying property overseas involves a lot of things to do related to administration.
Buying property overseas involves a lot of red tape.

Luckily there was very little things to do related to administration.
Luckily there was very little red tape.

Moving to Prague requires a lot of things to do related to administration.
Moving to Prague requires a lot of red tape.

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(big) headache = (a lot of) trouble

Sometimes going out to the movies isn’t worth the trouble.
Sometimes going out to the movies isn’t worth the headache.

Applying for a loan is a lot of trouble.
Applying for a loan is a big headache.

Finding a parking spot at this mall is always a big headache.
Finding a parking spot at this mall is always a lot of trouble.

The income you’re going to get isn’t going to be worth the trouble.
The income you’re going to get isn’t going to be worth the headache.

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set up = prepared; in order

All the tables and chairs are prepared. We’re ready to start the party.
All the tables and chairs are set up. We’re ready to start the party.

My office isn’t prepared for meetings.
My office isn’t set up for meetings.

Everything is prepared and we’re ready to move ahead with the project.
Everything is set up and we’re ready to move ahead with the project.

But it’s just a matter of making sure you got the finances prepared.
But it’s just a matter of making sure you got the finances set up.

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holding me back = stopping me, preventing me

I could have won the race but my injury was stopping me.
I could have won the race but my injury was holding me back.

Only my poor grade in math is preventing me from getting a scholarship.
Only my poor grade in math is holding me back from getting a scholarship.

A lack of money is stopping me from finishing the house.
A lack of money is holding me back from finishing the house.

Yeah, that’s what’s stopping me from doing it.
Yeah, that’s what’s holding me back from doing it.

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I hear ya’. = I understand you’re reasons.

I hate roller coasters, too. So, I understand your reasons. I don’t want to ride it either.
I hate roller coasters, too. So, I hear ya’. I don’t want to ride it either.

You don’t like to dance? Okay, I understand your reasons. Then let’s all go to a movie.
You don’t like to dance? Okay, I hear ya’. Then let’s all go to a movie.

You prefer Mexican food? Okay, I understand your reasons. Then let’s go to Fajita Cantina.
You prefer Mexican food? Okay, I hear ya’. Then let’s go to Fajita Cantina.

You need money before making a big move. I understand your reasons.
You need money before making a big move. I hear ya’.

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Step 1.

First, read the “Easy” sentence. Then, try to think of the advanced expression that we learned which has the same meaning as the highlighted expression.

Easy: It suddenly scame into my mind: I wanted to marry her!

Advanced: It suddenly ___ ___: I wanted to marry her!

Step 2.

Play the audio file to check your answer.

Step 3.

Play the audio again, and repeat, until you can say it from memory.

Step 4.

Repeat Steps 1 – 3 for each set below.

Easy: I’d like to build a house. The important thing (that will let me do this) is money.
Advanced: I’d like to build a house. __ __ ____ ___ money.

Easy: Getting a job in the government is a very troublesome situation regarding tests and interviews.
Advanced: Getting a job in the government is a ______ __ tests and interviews.

Easy: Getting a visa reqires a lot of things to do related to administration.
Advanced: Getting a visa reqires a lot of ___ ____ .

Easy: Sometimes going out to the movies isn’t worth the trouble.
Advanced: Sometimes going out to the movies isn’t worth the _______.

Easy: All the tables and chairs are prepared. We’re ready to start the party.
Advanced: All the tables and chairs are ____ ___. We’re ready to start the party.

Easy: Only my poor grade in math is preventing me from getting a scholarship.
Advanced: Only my poor grade in math is _______ __ ____ from getting a scholarship.

Easy: You don’t like to dance? Okay, I understand your reasons. Then let’s all go to a movie.
Advanced: You don’t like to dance? Okay, __ ____ _____. Then let’s all go to a movie.