LISTENING 04 - LEVEL 06 - Having dinner with Claudette

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Preparation Activity

Listening File

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EMILIA MEETS CLAUDETTE AT THE CAFÉ — Transcript

Waiter: Enjoy your meal

Claudette: I’m really glad you came.

Emilia: Me too. Thanks for inviting me.

Claudette: So… how was your day?

Emilia: Better than the last few days, actually. Work kept me busy.

Claudette: That’s usually a good thing.

Emilia: Yeah… it helps me stop overthinking.

Claudette: I know exactly what you mean.

Emilia: And what about you? What do you do?

Claudette: I’m an environmental researcher.

Emilia: Really?

Claudette: Yeah. I work on wildlife conservation projects here in British Columbia.

Emilia: That’s amazing.

Claudette: Thanks.

Emilia: So… you’re French Canadian?

Claudette: I actually grew up in Chile, but I lived in Québec for several years before moving here.

Emilia: That explains your accent.

Claudette: Half French, half Chilean. I grew up speaking both languages. I’ve moved around so much that Vancouver finally feels like home.

Emilia: I hope I can say that someday.

Claudette: You will.

Emilia: I hope you’re right.

Claudette:  It just takes time.

really?

Claudette: Trust me. I had to get through the exact same thing when I first arrived. Oh, yes. I didn’t know anyone. I had to get by on my own for months.

Emilia: That sounds difficult.

Claudette: It was… but eventually I got over it.

Emilia: I wish I could say the same

Claudette: Is this about your boyfriend?

Emilia: Ex-boyfriend now.

Claudette: I’m sorry.

Emilia: He said he couldn’t continue with a long-distance relationship. He told me he wasn’t going to move to Vancouver. He explained that he didn’t see a future for us anymore.

Claudette: That must have hurt.

Emilia: It did.

Claudette: But you’re here. You’re building a new life. And one day you’ll realize that you’re stronger than you think.

Emilia: I hope so. Thank you.

(A few moments later.)

Emilia: Umm…

Claudette: What’s wrong?

Emilia: I think my steak is a little undercooked.

Claudette: Then tell them.

Emilia: I don’t want to be difficult.

Claudette: Emilia… There’s a difference between being difficult and asking for what you ordered.

Emilia: You’re right.

Claudette: Excuse me. I think this steak needs a little more time on the grill.

Waiter: Of course. I’ll let the chef know.

(A few minutes later, the chef walks over carrying a new plate.)

Chef: Good afternoon. I’m very sorry about the mistake. We prepared a new steak for you.

Emilia: Oh… Thank you very much.

Chef: I hope this one is more to your liking.

Emilia: It looks… perfect.

Chef: I’m glad to hear that. Please enjoy your meal.

Emilia: Thanks.

(The chef smiles politely and walks away.)

Claudette: Well…Don’t even try to deny it.

Emilia: What?

Claudette: You were staring at him.

Emilia: I was not.

Claudette: Emilia… You completely forgot I was sitting here.

Emilia: That’s not true.

Claudette: Really? Because he looked just as nervous as you did.

Emilia: …Do you think so?

Claudette: Oh, absolutely. I’ve seen that look before.

Emilia: Stop it.

Claudette: What? I’m just saying… I think you’re going to get along just fine.

Emilia: Claudette…

Claudette: Fine, fine. I’ll stop… for now.

Comprehension Activity

Discussion

1. 💬 If you were André, how would you delegate these tasks to Emilia? What would you say first, and why?

   
   

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