Dialogue

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Lesson Transcript

“What do you do?” in English
In this lesson, you'll learn how to respond to the common question “What do you do?”
Eric: What do you do?
Becky: The first word in the question is...
Eric: what
Becky: This is a question word used to ask for more information.
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) what
Becky: Listen again and repeat.
Eric: what
Becky: This pattern of first introducing a word at natural speed, providing the translation, breaking it down, and then giving it again at natural speed will be repeated throughout the series. Try to speak aloud as often as possible. The next word in the question is
Eric: do
Becky: meaning “to perform the action of.”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) do
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: do
Becky: Listen to the first two words of the question and then repeat.
Eric: what do
Becky: And after that is
Eric: you
Becky: “the person you're talking to”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) you
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: you
Becky: Listen to the first three words of the question and then repeat.
Eric: what do you
Becky: And after that is
Eric: do
Becky: It means “to perform the action of”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) do
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: do
Becky: Now listen to the entire question and repeat.
Eric: What do you do?
Becky: You will hear this common question again and again throughout your studies. Master the following pattern and responses to the question “What do you do?”
Eric: I am a teacher.
Becky: "I am a teacher.” Listen as the phrase is repeated slowly. Repeat the phrase.
Eric: (Slow) I am a teacher.
Becky: Let's break it down from the beginning. The first word is
Eric: I
Becky: This is the singular pronoun used by the person speaking.
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) I
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: I
Becky: And after that,
Eric: am
Becky: meaning “to exist.”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) am
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: am
Becky: And after that is
Eric: a
Becky: the indefinite article
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) a
Becky:Now repeat.
Eric: a
Becky: And after that is
Eric: teacher
Becky: "Teacher, someone who teaches”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) teacher
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: teacher
Becky: Listen to the speaker say “I am a teacher” and then repeat.
Eric: I am a teacher.
Becky: To expand on the pattern, let’s replace “teacher” with “lawyer.”
Eric: lawyer
Becky: “lawyer,” a person who assists others in law matters
Eric: (slow) lawyer (regular) lawyer
Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “lawyer.”
Eric: I am a lawyer.
Becky: Other than replacing “teacher” with “lawyer,” the phrase stayed the same. Now say, “I am a lawyer.”
Eric: I am a lawyer.
Becky: To expand on the pattern, replace “lawyer” with “programmer.”
Eric: programmer
Becky: “programmer,” a person who creates computer programs.
Eric: (slow) programmer (regular) programmer
Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “programmer.”
Eric: I am a programmer.
Becky: Again, it mostly stays the same; just replace “lawyer” with “programmer.” Say “I am a programmer.”
Eric: I am a programmer.
Becky: For more practice, let’s replace “programmer” with “office worker.”
Eric: office worker
Becky: “office worker,” a person who works at an office
Eric: (slow) office worker (regular) office worker
Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “office worker.”
Eric: I am an office worker.
Becky: Here we simply replaced “programmer” with “office worker.” Now say, “I am an office worker.”
Eric: I am an office worker.
Becky: Now it's time for a quiz. Imagine you’re visiting the United States and someone asks what you do. You’re a teacher. Respond to the question.
Eric: What do you do? (five seconds) I am a teacher.
Becky: Imagine you’re a lawyer. How would you respond?
Eric: What do you do? (five seconds) I am a lawyer.
Becky: Imagine you’re a programmer. Answer the speaker's question.
Eric: What do you do? (five seconds) I am a programmer.
Becky: Imagine you're an office worker. How will you answer?
Eric: What do you do? (five seconds) I am an office worker.
Becky: You want to learn what that person does. Ask the question.
(5 seconds)
Eric: What do you do?
Becky: Now it's time to answer the question with actual information about yourself. Make sure to practice out loud.
Eric: What do you do?
Becky: This is the end of Lesson 4.

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