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English on air

English on air

Von: John Wedlake
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 This show is for non-native English speakers. We interview, who we regard as interesting people and after the interviews we have 'Jessica's Gems' where my non-native co-host selects some of the language from the interviews and asks me questions about the meaning. We also discuss elements of the English language which help non-natives to widen their English and most importantly, try to enjoy the process.
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  • Jessica's Gems - The Open Window by Saki

    Jessica's Gems - The Open Window by Saki
    Sep 12 2021
    Listen to the story, 'The Open Window' by Saki, and then listen to Jessica's Gems. The language points from the story include: The very useful verb construction 'wonder' and how to use it. When to use 'if' and 'whether' Clear up any confusion about 'on time' and 'in time' We also discuss certain phrasal verbs that were used in the story and other English language bits and pieces. Here are some notes connected with our discussions: Possible explanations: HOW TO USE – WONDER 1) I wonder if + SUBJECT / VERB I wonder if it will rain tomorrow.I wonder if the train is on time.I wonder if Jack is coming to the party. 2) I wonder if + YOU CAN~ / IT’S POSSIBLE TO~ I wonder if you can tell me where the station is.I wonder if it’s possible to send it by regular mail.I wonder if we can meet on Thursday next week. 3) I wonder + WH QUESTION WORD I wonder what that noise isI wonder who opened the windowI wonder when the meeting will start.I wonder where the post office is in this town.I wonder why the boss is in a bad mood.I wonder how I can get to Jack’s house.I wonder how much / how many / how often~ From BBC Learners…How are you Jessica? I’ll do my best to stop you wondering how to use ‘wonder’.In the kind of sentences you have asked about, ‘wonder’ means the same as ‘thing. Saying ‘I am wondering’ uses the present continuous tense. That tense implies that you’re thinking about something right now, at that moment and it emphasises that there’s something you don’t know or you haven’t decided upon. Here are a couple of examples:I’m wondering whether to go to the party or not - means 'I’m thinking about it now but haven’t made a decision yet'.I’m wondering if I should take a taxi to work today.I’m wondering where John is - which means 'I’ve been waiting 20 minutes for her and she still hasn’t arrived'.Let’s move on now to ‘I was wondering’. As it uses the past continuous tense, it implies that you started thinking about a subject before the time of speaking. You state that the ‘wondering’ started in the past. Again a few examples:I was wondering where you had put my sunglasses.I thought I’d call you because I was wondering where you are at the moment.I was wondering if we should go and visit Paula this weekend.Of course, ‘I was wondering’ can be placed entirely in the past and referred to as an action you did yesterday, last week, last month. An example is:Yesterday, I was wondering if we can afford to go to Spain in May.I was wondering last night whether you really love me.As a general rule of thumb, if you are not sure which one to use, then say ‘I was wondering’. The reason is this: if a thought occurred to you (in your head) and then you immediately reported it to your friend, it was still ‘wondered’ in the past. That means saying 'I was wondering’ is always right!Don’t forget that when ‘I was wondering’ is followed by ‘if’ or ‘whether’, it can be a polite frame for a question or request. I’ll leave you with some examples of this:I was wondering if I could take you to the cinema on Friday night.I was wondering whether you’d be able to help me move housenext weekend.I was wondering if you’d mind writing me a letter of recommendation.So now I’m wondering whether the use of ‘wonder’ makes sense to you and I’m hoping it does! Note from John: Wonder is a very commonly used structure which can be very useful. It is a structure that is often used to invite the start of a conversation topic. So, to give an example let’s say person A and person B both know Person C. Person A could use this as a way of building a conversation, they could say ‘I wonder how David is getting on in New York’ this is not a statement or a question it is more of an invitation to a topic of conversation. And somehow it is a soft/polite way of asking for something like in the example ‘I wonder if you can help me’ 'If and Whether': Note from John:   But I like this rule that, only use if when something happens dependent on a condition, for example, I will only play tennis if it doesn’t rain tomorrow or I will go shopping if you will come with me. In all other cases whether can be used. I don’t know whether I should wear the blue or white shirt (there is no condition) but if there was, for example I can wear the blue shirt if I spill something down the white one.     The open window by Saki My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel," said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen; "in the meantime you must try and put up with me."      Framton Nuttel endeavoured to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come. Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing.      "I know how it will be," his sister had ...
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    41 Min.
  • Jessica's Gems - An Ideal Family by Katherine Mansfield

    Jessica's Gems - An Ideal Family by Katherine Mansfield
    Sep 1 2021

    The story reading in this episode is 'An Ideal Family' by Katherine Mansfield about a rich old man who's family are seen by outsiders to be an ideal one, however, the reality is somewhat different.

     

    Jessica's Gems:

    Myself and Jessica discuss certain language points which were taken from the story: We discuss 'shall vs will,' 'should vs ought to,' 'to be up to vs to be up for' and other gems which are useful insights for any non-native speaker who is trying to get to the next level in English.

     
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    37 Min.
  • Jessica's Gems - The Lottery Ticket by Anton Chekhov

    Jessica's Gems - The Lottery Ticket by Anton Chekhov
    Aug 3 2021

    Very useful resource for intermediate and advanced students of English.

    The first part includes a reading of the classic short story 'The Lottery Ticket' by Anton Chekhov. The listener can also read the English text at the same time of listening. The student has to try to understand the idea of the story. Following the story there will be an episode of 'Jessica's Gems' where Jessica (student of English from Italy) asks John (native English speaker and teacher from the UK) questions on some of the language used in the story. They discuss all matters to do with the English language including grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary.

    Link to grammar point connected with modal verbs:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3L9WDTIzPI

    Come and visit us at:

    www.englishonair.com

     
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    33 Min.
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