Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
When you are learning another language, you inevitably make mistakes. It's all part of learning, and can even help you remember how to use certain words, phrases, or grammar correctly. Barbara and Sigrid talk about mistakes they remember and never made again!
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
Barbara talks about language programs called "dual immersion," student take their various classes in two different languages. She also describes her work as a copy editor.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
Along with the rule of law, "due process" is an important element of U.S. constitutional law that gives anyone accused of a crime the right to defend him or herself and be judged by a fair and impartial judge or jury. There is a proper, legal way to do this, and that's called due process.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
Both Sigrid and Barbara like grammar and they talk about some of their pet peeves. The also agree that grammar isn't the most important thing. Using the language to communicate is more important.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
In the United States, there are rights that allow all people who are accused of something to defend themselves: "the rule of law" and "due process of law." Right now, these rights are being challenged, and so it's important to know what they're all about.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
Sigrid talks about The Cloisters, a unique museum of medieval European art in New York City.
Difficulty:
Beginner
United Kingdom
Jasmin spends a good deal of her time studying in front of a screen, so when she gets away from her work, she likes to relax by connecting with friends and with nature.
Difficulty:
Beginner
United Kingdom
Jasmin loves having a job where she can promote diversity, and she tells us all about her work helping international students to integrate and enjoy their free time at university.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
Barbara talks about a mistake she made as a language supervisor. Sigrid talks about how people in the U.S. speak English even when they have a very strong accent and it's OK. They both agree that learning with a native speaker of the language is the best way to learn.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
Barbara talks about the different jobs she had teaching both French and English. Later, she also had a job supervising teachers of foreign languages, though she notes that these are now referred to as "world languages."
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
Barbara talks about her studies and other experiences that led to her career as a French teacher. Immersion played a crucial role for both sisters in learning new languages.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
Barbara is a retired French teacher who happens to be Sigrid's sister. The two have a conversation about language in general and about how Barbara became interested in the career path she followed.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
It's time to mix and match the formulas we've talked about. Sigrid mixes and matches them to talk about stuff she can't or doesn't want to do herself. She invites you to do the same.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
This segment lays out the building blocks of a passive causative construction. We also compare and contrast causative constructions with other similar constructions. Sigrid uses the expression "to mix and match," which means putting different things together in different ways.
Difficulty:
Beginner
USA
Sigrid introduces passive causative constructions, which combine causal verbs and the passive voice. We use them all the time in everyday conversation when we focus on the object rather than the subject.
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