Welcome to the first lesson of Live Conversations. Language learning starts by listening and understanding first. Start by watching this first video.
Don’t write or try to remember. Just watch and listen. You might not understand much of it. That’s OK. At the end of the lesson you will be able to speak using many new words and phrases.

Now, you will start to learn the advanced words and expressions naturally. You will learn the grammar through pattern recognition, and the meaning based on context, or the other words in the sentence. Do the steps exactly as stated and you will easily, quickly, and deeply, learn the new material.

1.

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good that → a good thing

It’s good that you bought your tickets yesterday, because they sold out this morning.

It’s a good thing you bought your tickets yesterday, because they sold out this morning.

It’s good that you brought an umbrella, or you would have gotten wet.

It’s a good thing you brought an umbrella, or you would have gotten wet.

It’s good that you have cash, because this store doesn’t accept credit cards.

It’s a good thing you have cash, because this store doesn’t accept credit cards.

It’s good that you mentioned that it’s in Arizona actually, because a lot of people don’t know where that is.

It’s a good thing you mentioned that it’s in Arizona actually, because a lot of people don’t know where that is.

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2.

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gathering → putting …. together

As I was gathering these papers for this report, I realized one was missing.

As I was putting these papers together, for this report, I realized one was missing.

When I was gathering ideas for my new book, I went to the library a lot.

When I was putting ideas together for my new book, I went to the library a lot.

When the agent was gathering evidence for the investigation, he wrote down everything.

When the agent was putting evidence together for the investigation, he wrote down everything.

As I was gathering these photos, I did not have a map planned…

As I was putting these photos together, I did not have a map planned…

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3.

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let’s imagine → let’s pretend

Let’s imagine this picture is of a real dinosaur. You see how big they were?

Let’s pretend this picture is of a real dinosaur. You see how big they were?

Let’s imagine Thomas Edison is still alive. Do you think he would change his theories?

Let’s pretend Thomas Edison is still alive. Do you think he would change his theories?

Let’s imagine the world ends next week. What would you do?

Let’s pretend the world ends next week. What would you do?

Let’s imagine we’re looking at the state of Arizona…

Let’s pretend we’re looking at the state of Arizona…

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4.

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there is → you have

In a salad, there is lettuce, there is dressing, there are tomatoes, and other things.

In a salad, you have lettuce, you have dressing, you have tomatoes, and other things.

Intelligent sea animals? Well… there are dolphins of course.

Intelligent sea animals? Well… you have dolphins of course.

Fast food…let’s see… There’s McDonald’s, there’s Burger King, there’s Taco Bell.

Fast food…let’s see… You have McDonald’s, you have Burger King, you have Taco Bell.

There is Mexico. Phoenix is about four hours north of Mexico by car.

You have Mexico. Phoenix is about four hours north of Mexico by car.

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5.

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somewhat → kind of

I think ancient history is somewhat interesting. But sometimes it’s boring too.

I think ancient history is kind of interesting. But sometimes it’s boring too.

Hot dogs are somewhat good, but not great. Really, I like pizza better.

Hot dogs are kind of good, but not great. Really, I like pizza better.

Hong Kong, is a somewhat expensive city to live in.

Hong Kong, is a kind of expensive city to live in.

So it’s in the somewhat southern part of the state.

So it’s in the kind of, southern part of the state.

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6.

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almost → pretty much

The steak was almost completely burned.

The steak was pretty much completely burned.

When I arrived, it was almost 9:30, but the show hadn’t started yet.

When I arrived, it was pretty much 9:30, but the show hadn’t started yet.

The dog was almost dead, but finally he recovered.

The dog was pretty much dead, but finally he recovered.

You should drive almost straight North.

You should drive pretty much straight North.

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1a: Easy: So it’s in the somewhat southern part of the state.

1a: Advanced: So it’s in the ____ ____ southern part of the state.

2a: There is Mexico. Phoenix is about four hours north of Mexico by car.

2b: ____ ____ Mexico. Phoenix is about four hours north of Mexico by car.

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

3a: It’s good that you brought an umbrella, or you would have gotten wet.

3b: It’s ____ ____ ____ you brought an umbrella, or you would have gotten wet.

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

4a: When I arrived, it was almost 9:30, but the show hadn’t started yet.

4b: When I arrived, it was _____ _____ 9:30, but the show hadn’t started yet.

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

5a: As I was gathering these photos, I did not have a map planned…

5b: As I was ______ these photos ______, I did not have a map planned…

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

6a: Let’s imagine we’re looking at the state of Arizona.

6b: Let’s ______ we’re looking at the state of Arizona.

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