Dialogue

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Lesson Transcript

“How long have you been studying English?” in English
In this lesson, you'll learn how to respond to the common question “How long have you been studying English?”.
Eric: How long have you been studying English?
Becky: The first word in the question is
Eric: how
Becky: meaning “in what way, the way in which.”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) how
Becky: Listen again and repeat.
Eric: how
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: long
Becky: meaning “the length”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) long
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: long
Becky: Listen to the first two words of the question and repeat.
Eric: how long
Becky: Next is...
Eric: have
Becky: meaning “to take, to possess.”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) have
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: have
Becky: Listen to the first three words of the question and repeat.
Eric: how long have
Becky: And next is..
Eric: you
Becky: meaning “the person you're talking to.”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) you
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: you
Becky: Listen to the first four words of the question and repeat.
Eric: how long have you
Becky: And next,
Eric: been
Becky: This is the past participle of “be”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) been
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: been
Becky: Listen to the first five words of the question and repeat.
Eric: how long have you been
Becky: And next,
Eric: studying
Becky: meaning “to learn about something by reading or writing or memorizing.”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) studying
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: studying
Becky: Listen to the first six words of the question and repeat.
Eric: how long have you been studying
Becky: And last is..
Eric: English
Becky: meaning “the English language.”
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) English
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: English
Becky: Listen to the entire question and repeat.
Eric: How long have you been studying English?
Becky: You will hear this common question again and again throughout your studies. Master the following pattern and responses to the question “How long have you been studying English?”
Eric: For one month.
Becky: "For one month.” Listen as it’s repeated slowly. Repeat the phrase.
Eric: (Slow) For one month
Becky: Let's break it down from the beginning. The first word is..
Eric: for
Becky: This is a function word to indicate purpose.
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) for
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: for
Becky: And next is
Eric: one
Becky: meaning the number 1.
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) one
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: one
Becky: And next,
Eric: month
Becky: This is one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year.
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) month
Becky: Now repeat.
Eric: month
Becky: Listen to the speaker say “For one month” and then repeat.
Eric: For one month.
Becky: For more practice, let’s replace “one month” with “two years.”
Eric: Two years
Becky: “two years,” or 24 months
Eric: (slow) two years (regular) two years
Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “two years.”
Eric: For two years.
Becky: It mostly stays the same, we just replace “one month” with “two years.” Now say, “for two years.”
Eric: For two years.
Becky: To make another phrase, replace “two years” with “one year.”
Eric: One year.
Becky: “one year,” a period of 12 months
Eric: (slow) one year (regular) one year
Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “one year.”
Eric: For one year
Becky: Again, we simply replace “two years” with “one year.” Now say, “for one year.”
Eric: For one year.
Becky: Now let’s replace “one year” with “three weeks.”
Eric: Three weeks
Becky: “three weeks,” or 21 days
Eric: (slow) Three weeks (regular) Three weeks
Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “three weeks.”
Eric: For three weeks.
Becky: Again, it’s almost the same; just replace “one year” with “three weeks.” Now say “for three weeks.”
Eric: For three weeks.
Becky: Now it's time for a quiz. Imagine you’re visiting the United States and someone asks you how long you've been studying English. You've been studying it for one month. How would you answer?
Eric: How long have you been studying English? (five seconds) For one month
Becky: Imagine you've been studying it for two years. Respond to the question.
Eric: How long have you been studying English? (five seconds) For two years.
Becky: Imagine you've been studying it for one year. Answer the speaker's question.
Eric: How long have you been studying English? (five seconds) For one year.
Becky: Imagine you've been studying it for three weeks. How would you answer?
Eric: How long have you been studying English? (five seconds) For three weeks.
Becky: Now you want to ask someone how long they've been studying English. Ask the question.
(5 seconds)
Eric: How long have you been studying English?
Becky: This is the end of Lesson 6.

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