COVERSATION PRACTICE

FOR INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS

A: Did you hear the latest about Danny?
B: No. What happened to him?
A: Nothing happened to him exactly. He is going to move to Seattle.
B: To Seattle? That’s a long way from here! What in the world made him
decide to move to Seattle?
A: He got this terrific job offer. I guess the salary was so good. He just couldn’t turn it down.
B: Well. It certainly will be a switch for him to be living in a place where it rains a lot. You know what a sun lover he is.
A: I guess if you are earning lots of money you will learn to like rain.
B: I don’t know. I’ve never have a chance to learn. I’ve never had a lot of
money.

WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
What in the world – what on earth
Terrific – remarkable; extraordinary
Job offer – opportunity for employment
Turn down – to refuse
To switch – to change
To earn good money – to receive a good salary

CONVERSATION IN CONTEXT
Are the speaker’s friends or relatives?
Who is Danny?
Where is Seattle?
Where are the speakers?
Why are they discussing Danny?

PERSONAL APPLICATION
What is a good salary in your country?
Do people in your country often move to new locations or jobs because of better salaries?
Are you a sun lover or do you prefer a rainy climate?

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My employer is being sued for sexual harassment. I, and at least a dozen other employees, must give a deposition very soon. We have discussed whether or not to tell what we have seen but fear losing our jobs. Many of us would like to see the company atmosphere improve, but we are afraid to come forward.

The executives, from the top on down (including the head of personnel), have harassed some women and created a hostile environment here. The woman who is suing was terminated for refusing to have sexual relations with some top male executives.


What does it mean?

1. Sexual harassment
2. Deposition
3. We are afraid to come forward.
4. The woman who is suing was terminated

What do you think?

Have you ever heard any news in your country about sexual harassment?
Would you tell the truth about the fired fellow worker in court, even though you were liable to be fired?
If a person lied in court for fear of losing his job, should we criticize him for lying?

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Whether you love it or despise it, almost everyone around the world knows Saint Valentine's Day. Then there's White Day on March 14th, when men who received chocolate buy sweets for women. Fewer people have heard of Sweetest Day, though, which is a holiday crafted by candy makers in the US for mid-October. Loved ones purchase candy and small gifts for each other on this day. But have you ever heard of Black Day?

Black Day is a uniquely Korean holiday. It was created in response to the overly sweet Valentine's Day and White Day. Like some other countries, Koreans have adopted the tradition of obligatory chocolate for both holidays. Women give chocolate not only to husbands or boyfriends, but to male coworkers, friends, and love interests on Valentine's Day. Men do the same for women on White Day. The amount of chocolate one receives gauges the popularity of the person.

Black Day, which falls on April 14th, lets the loveless sympathize with one another. People who didn't receive any chocolate or gifts on either Valentine's Day or White Day wear black clothes. Black advertises their single status, and sort of offers the opportunity to meet similarly single men and women. People who celebrate Black Day also eat a noodle dish with black bean sauce, drink alcohol, and gripe about romance and love. There aren't any presents to buy. There aren't any unfulfilled hopes. Few people know about the holiday outside of Korea, and perhaps this is the best part about the day. It hasn't been marketed and sold to the consumer like its opposite counterparts in February and March.

Do you agree or disagree?
1. Saint Valentine's Day is the best holiday of the year!

2. If I'm single on Saint Valentine's Day, I feel lonely and depressed.

3. There's a lot of pressure to buy gifts and have romantic dinners on Valentine's Day.

4. I wish there were a holiday to celebrate being single.

5. All holidays are a complete waste of time!

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