S1 E2: Getting to Work Daily Commute Intermediate and Advanced English Vocabulary Podcast

Summary

In this episode of Advanced English live classes, teachers Mark and Cat explore the topic of commuting, offering vocabulary and phrases to describe the journey to and from work. They discuss various modes of transportation, share personal commuting experiences, and highlight the differences in British and American English. The lesson includes practical expressions for daily conversations, such as discussing one's commute length, reliance on public transport, and activities during the commute. The class also corrects common mistakes regarding the use of 'work' and 'office' and provides takeaway sentences for practice.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is an episode of 'Advanced English' focusing on vocabulary related to commuting to and from work.
• 👋 Introductions are made by Mark, a teacher from the UK, and Cat, another teacher with over a decade of experience.
• 🚶 Commuting is defined as the act of traveling to and from work, with various modes of transportation mentioned such as bus, taxi, walking, and driving.
• 🚌 Commuting is not used for traveling to places other than work, such as the supermarket or bank.
• 🕰 Commuting times can vary, with examples given of long commutes, like Mark's father who commuted two hours one way to work in London.
• 🚉 Different verbs are used to describe taking transportation, such as 'catch' for grabbing a bus or train, and 'rely on' for depending on a mode of transport.
• 📰 Commuters often use their travel time to catch up on news, text friends, or read, indicating how they spend their commute.
• 🌐 Differences in vocabulary between American and British English are highlighted, such as 'mates' in British English versus 'friends' in American English.
• 🏙️ Specific terms for public transport systems are discussed, like 'the tube' for London's subway system, and 'the subway' or 'metro' for other cities.
• 🕗 The importance of aiming for a specific train or bus to ensure punctuality is emphasized, using phrases like 'aim for' or 'try for'.
• 🛤️ The script covers the experience of commuting during rush hour, noting that it can be crowded and suggesting avoiding commuter trains if possible for a more relaxed journey.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the 'Advanced English' live class in this script?

The main topic of the 'Advanced English' live class is discussing vocabulary and phrases related to commuting, which is the act of traveling to and from work.

Who are the hosts of the 'Advanced English' live class?

The hosts of the 'Advanced English' live class are Mark, a teacher from the UK, and Cat, also a teacher with over a decade of experience.

What does the term 'commuting' refer to in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'commuting' refers to the journey or process of traveling to and from work, which can involve various modes of transportation such as bus, taxi, walking, or driving.

How does Mark describe his usual commute to work in London?

Mark describes his usual commute to work in London as catching the 7:45 a.m. train, which takes about 20 minutes to reach the city center, followed by a short walk to his workplace.

What is the difference between the terms 'rely on' and 'catch' when talking about transportation?

The term 'rely on' indicates a dependency on a particular mode of transportation as part of one's daily routine, while 'catch' implies actively getting on a specific instance of transport, such as a particular train or bus.

What is the specific term used for the subway system in London?

The specific term used for the subway system in London is 'the Tube'.

What is the meaning of the phrase 'I aim for the 7:45 a.m. train'?

The phrase 'I aim for the 7:45 a.m. train' means that the person is trying to leave their house on time to catch that specific train, indicating a goal or intention to be punctual for that train.

What does the term 'rush hour' refer to in the context of commuting?

The term 'rush hour' refers to the time during early morning or late evening when a large number of people are commuting to or from work, leading to increased traffic and crowded public transport.

How does Cat describe her usual activities during her commute?

Cat describes her usual activities during her commute as trying to read but often ending up scrolling on her phone, indicating that she has good intentions to be productive but sometimes gets distracted.

What is the difference between the phrases 'get to work' and 'commute to work'?

The phrase 'get to work' is a more casual way to describe the process of traveling to work, while 'commute to work' is a specific term for the regular journey to and from one's place of employment.

What are some activities people might do during their commute according to the script?

According to the script, some activities people might do during their commute include catching up on news, texting friends, reading, zoning out, trying to catch up on sleep, or mentally preparing for the day.

What is the purpose of the 'takeaway sentences' at the end of the script?

The purpose of the 'takeaway sentences' at the end of the script is to provide listeners with high-level sentences that they can practice and use to talk about their own commuting experiences, incorporating the vocabulary and phrases discussed in the class.

Outlines

00:00

🚄 Commuting to Work: Introduction and Personal Experiences

The script begins with the introduction of an advanced English class focused on vocabulary and phrases for daily life. The teachers, Mark and Cat, greet the audience and share their backgrounds as experienced educators from the UK. They introduce the topic of commuting, which is the act of traveling to and from work. The discussion includes various modes of transportation and the distinction that commuting is specifically for work-related travel. Both teachers share their personal commuting experiences, highlighting the duration and methods they use to get to work, such as trains and buses. The script emphasizes the importance of practical English for real-life situations.

05:01

🗣️ Comparing Commuting Vocabulary: British vs. American English

This paragraph delves into the nuances of commuting vocabulary between British and American English. It discusses the use of 'rely on' for transportation dependency and 'catch' as a synonym for 'take' in the context of public transport. The script highlights the specific use of 'tube' for the London subway system and compares it with other cities' public transport terminologies like 'metro' or 'subway.' The paragraph also touches on the use of articles with specific transport lines and the general use of 'catch a taxi' for non-specific instances.

10:04

⏰ Timing and Intentions in Commuting Routines

The script explores the timing and intentions of individuals during their commute. It explains the use of phrases like 'aim for' and 'try for' to express the intention to catch a specific train or bus. The paragraph also discusses the use of articles before times when referring to specific public transport schedules. It includes examples from the teachers' personal routines and the importance of punctuality in their commute to work.

15:05

📚 Activities During the Commute: Reading, Scrolling, and More

This paragraph focuses on the activities people engage in during their commute. It mentions reading the news, texting friends, and using the time to catch up on personal tasks. The script contrasts good intentions with the reality of often resorting to less productive activities like scrolling on phones. It also introduces the British English term 'mates' for friends, highlighting the cultural differences in language use.

20:06

😴 Commuting Mindset: From Zonking Out to Mental Preparation

The script touches on the various mental states and activities people experience during their commute. It describes how some individuals may 'zone out,' others might try to catch up on sleep, and some may mentally prepare for the day ahead. The paragraph also introduces the phrase 'psych myself up' to describe the process of building confidence and readiness for the day's challenges.

25:08

🏠 Commuting Home: Dealing with Rush Hour and Recognizing Commuter Patterns

This paragraph discusses the commute back home, including the challenges of rush hour and the patterns that commuters develop. It talks about the distinction between morning and evening commutes and how they can differ in terms of crowd levels. The script also mentions the concept of 'commuter trains' and advises tourists to avoid them during peak hours for a more comfortable journey.

30:08

📝 Recap and Practice: Takeaway Sentences for Commuting Vocabulary

The final paragraph of the script provides a recap of the key vocabulary and phrases discussed throughout the class. It offers takeaway sentences in both present and past tenses for students to practice using the commuting vocabulary in their own lives. The teachers encourage students to repeat these sentences to reinforce their understanding and usage of the language.

Keywords

💡commuting

Commuting refers to the act of traveling to and from one's place of work or study on a regular basis. In the context of the video, it is the main theme as the script discusses different modes of transportation people use for their daily commute. For example, the script mentions 'commuting is the act of getting to work and coming home from work,' and it explores various ways people commute, such as by bus, taxi, walking, or driving.

💡transportation

Transportation encompasses the various means by which people travel from one place to another. In the video script, transportation is a key concept as it discusses the different options available for commuting, such as taking the bus, subway, or train. The script uses the term in phrases like 'some people take the bus, people take a taxi, some people walk, some people drive,' highlighting the range of transportation methods individuals might choose.

💡phrases

Phrases, in the context of this video, refer to the common expressions or idiomatic language used by native speakers to communicate effectively. The script aims to provide advanced vocabulary expressions and phrases to help learners improve their English. An example from the script is 'how do you get to work,' which is a phrase used to inquire about someone's mode of transportation.

💡vocabulary

Vocabulary pertains to the body of words and phrases that make up a language or that an individual knows and uses. The video script is focused on advancing the viewer's English vocabulary by teaching expressions related to commuting. The script mentions 'advanced vocabulary expressions and phrases,' which is integral to the lesson's purpose of enhancing English proficiency.

💡teacher

In the script, the term 'teacher' refers to the individuals who are presenting the lesson on commuting and English phrases. The script introduces the speakers as 'my name is Mark, teacher' and 'my name is cat, teacher,' indicating their roles as educators in the context of the video.

💡public transport

Public transport is a system of transport vehicles available for use by the general public, typically operated by a government or private company. The script discusses reliance on public transport for commuting, as in 'I rely on the subway,' and 'you can rely on public transport,' emphasizing its importance in urban areas for daily travel.

💡rush hour

Rush hour denotes the time during the day when the majority of people are traveling to or from work, typically resulting in heavy traffic. The script mentions 'sometimes people hit Rush Hour,' discussing the impact of this peak time on commuting experiences and the potential for crowded conditions on public transport.

💡mate

In British English, 'mate' is a colloquial term for a friend. The script highlights a cultural difference in the use of this term, stating 'I usually take the chance to catch up on the news or text some mates,' where 'mates' refers to friends, contrasting with American English where 'mate' might imply a romantic partner.

💡tube

The term 'tube' is specifically used to refer to the London Underground, the subway system in London. The script notes this specificity with 'I catch the tube,' indicating that while other cities may have subway systems, only London's is referred to as the 'tube.'

💡overground

Overground refers to a type of rail transport that operates on tracks above ground level, as opposed to the underground 'tube'. The script mentions 'the overground' as part of London's rail network, indicating that there are lines that operate both above and below ground.

💡aim for

To 'aim for' something means to direct one's efforts or attempts towards achieving a specific goal or target. In the script, 'I aim for the 7:45 a.m. train' illustrates the intention to catch a particular train service, emphasizing the planning aspect of commuting.

💡mental preparation

Mental preparation involves the process of getting one's mindset ready for an upcoming task or event. The script refers to this concept with 'mentally preparing myself for the day,' describing a common activity during the commute where individuals may go over plans or build confidence for the day ahead.

Highlights

Introduction to the advanced English class focusing on vocabulary expressions and phrases.

Mark and Cat, the teachers, introduce themselves and their experience in teaching English.

The topic of commuting is introduced, explaining its definition and relevance to daily life.

Explanation of the word 'commute' as a noun and verb, and its specific use for travel to and from work.

Different modes of commuting discussed, such as bus, taxi, walking, and driving.

The use of 'my commute' to describe the journey to and from work.

Alternative phrases to 'commute' like 'get to work' and 'get home from work'.

The distinction between British and American English in terms of vocabulary used for commuting.

Mark's personal experience of commuting in London using the tube.

Cat's description of her commute relying on the subway and the use of the word 'rely'.

Explanation of the difference between 'catch' and 'take' in the context of public transport.

The specificity of the term 'tube' to London's subway system.

Discussion on the use of articles 'the' with specific transport times and lines.

The concept of 'aiming for' or 'shooting for' a specific train or time.

Activities people engage in during their commute, like catching up on news or texting.

Differences in the use of the word 'mates' between British and American English.

The tendency of commuters to 'zone out' or mentally prepare for the day during their journey.

Mistake correction regarding the use of 'work' as a place without an article.

The experience of the evening commute and the impact of rush hour.

The idea of 'commuter trains' being full during peak hours and advice for tourists.

Final takeaway sentences for practice in the present and past tense.

Conclusion and invitation to the next episode of the advanced English class.

Transcripts

all right hello hello everyone Hi hi

everyone hello High LEL listeners

welcome back uh this is episode two of

our first season of advanced English

live classes where we give you Advanced

vocabulary expressions and phrases to

help take your English up to the next

level yes uh we're very happy to join

you today my name is Mark Mark teacher

I'm from the UK specifically I'm from

the southeast of England quite close to

London and uh I've been a teacher for

just over 10

years all right and hey everyone uh my

name is cat or cat teacher and I've been

a teacher also for over a decade and we

at highle listening are here to give you

real English practical English and

something that you can use hopefully

every day in your daily lives we have an

interesting topic today we're going to

be

commuting commuting so commuting is the

act of getting to work and coming home

from work okay so some people take the

bus people take a taxi some people walk

some people drive this is how you get to

and from

work yes and it's only work you can't

commute to the supermarket or commute to

the bank it is just going to work and

coming back only that Journey you say my

commute my commute is very long or my

commute is yeah quite short it's also a

verb I commute to work by train uh he

commutes G commutes in the past tense I

commuted or I used to commute my dad for

example used to commute two hours to

work that's one way from home into

London was two hours on the by car then

by train then by Subway then walking so

that's one way is two hours and then he

used to commute all the way back home so

four hours of commuting every day

commute is that sometimes long journey

to and from

work absolutely and a little bit more

casually if you don't want to use the

word commute you can say get to work get

home from work so how do you get to work

I take the train I take a bus how long

does it take you to get to work how long

does it take you to get home from work

okay so to get to work to get home is

also another way that we would use um

get to replace this word commute so um I

more naturally kind of go with the get

to work how long does it take for you to

get to work how long does it take for

you to get home but if you want to use a

short and simple word we can use the

word commute what's your commute like so

we're going to actually answer this

question um both of us are going to

answer it in a little bit of our

different style um now we kind of

noticed each of us doing these dialogues

uh these little monologues that um we

didn't actually use a lot of different

vocabulary um of course Americans and

British speakers um tend to have a

little bit of different vocabulary but

not all the time so this is a little bit

easier lesson because if you are

studying British English or particularly

American English you can use almost all

these phrases with both so we kind of

noticed that when we started making this

one so um I'm GNA go ahead and lead in

with a question for Mark I'm gonna say

Hey how do you usually get to

work uh being in London I catch the tube

to work

I try for the 7:45 a.m. train but some

days I end up missing it and I have to

wait for the next one it's about 20

minutes into the city center so I

usually take the chance to catch up on

the news or text some mates usually off

the train by 8:15 a.m. and then after a

couple of minutes of walking I'm at work

the Journey Back in the afternoon is

virtually the same just with a few more

commuters I'd say

all right excellent and how about you

how do you usually get to

work in the city I rely on the subway so

I usually aim for the 7:45 a.m. train

but sometimes if I'm a tad late I miss

it and I have to wait for the next one

the journey is roughly 15 minutes and I

try and use this time to read sometimes

I do sometimes I don't uh by 8: am. I'm

a short walk away from my office the

evening commute is pretty similar uh

though sometimes more

crowded okay so similar to last week if

you remember uh cat and I have pretty

much the same kind of story our journey

to work or our commute to work is pretty

much the same but I used some phrases

and vocabulary and she used some

different phrases and vocabulary so we

will go through those short answers and

we will look at some of the different

phrases and words that we used compare

them and see if they are similar or

different and give you some more

examples so you can use them yourself so

the first part of that script was how do

you get to work like what kind of

Transportation do you use the bus the

Train the subway uh cat what did you say

in your one so um I said that I rely on

the subway I rely on something now when

you rely on something you are you know

you're dependent on that you need that

to go about your daily life it's very

important in your life so for me um I

live in the city perhaps I don't have a

car maybe it's quite far away if I drive

or take a taxi so I rely on the subway

that means if the subway is broken

that's going to be very difficult for me

to catch another type of Transportation

so I rely on the subway I take it every

day I try to take it at a certain time

and it makes my life more convenient and

easier yep also totally describes my

sister who lives in London uh yes she is

35 years old doesn't have a driver's

license because in London you don't need

a car there's the bus the Subway or the

tube which we'll talk about in a second

um yeah you can there is such a good

public transport Network that you don't

need a car because you can rely on

public transport so yes when I lived uh

near my mom's home or with my mom when I

was younger I used to rely on the bus

because I didn't have a car and that was

the only way I could get into the city

center so I used to rely on the bus my

sister still relies on public trans

transport in

London uh my script was a tiny bit

different I used a different verb I said

I

catch I take the bus I catch the bus I

take the train I catch the train um kind

of the image is that the train is coming

past like it's not stopping and you have

to like catch and it'll pull you into

the city um catch is another word for

take um because

I'm from the UK and I mentioned London I

also used a specific word for the subway

transport system in London and it's the

tube yeah that was one word that would

be different but it is very specific

just to

London yes uh you'll also hear it in a

British accent starts with the TU so it

makes a CH sound tube yeah I catch the

tube um this is specifically the London

system the system in Paris the subway in

Paris is

notro yeah right the Metro um in the one

in Moscow is not the tube the one in New

York is not the tube no only the London

one is the tube I think literally

because the tunnels are shaped like a

kind of circle what about what about

other cities in the UK do you also catch

the TU the tube do you catch the tube

the I can't say it with tube it just

sounds more natural to say the

tube do you know and because it's so

quintessentially British that I have to

say the tube because there's no other

way it feels like to say it right um

there are other I think there's only one

or two other Subway systems in the UK

but the tube is only London that's like

London's one so yeah the tube transports

hundreds and thousands of people every

single day and yeah if someone says the

tube they're talking about the London

system only uh so yeah my dad used to

commute on the tube in London and like

many other people do including my sister

again so yeah I catch the bus I catch

the train I catch the tube and we can

catch other things as well it it's kind

of like you know we catch a taxi catch a

bus uh catch the train so it's funny

because if it's your specific bus line I

catch the bus if we just we don't know

what bus line it is we just need to take

a bus any bus we can catch a bus so um

because Mark and I have specific trains

that we take in the morning we catch the

train we catch this specific train we

catch the train in the morning meaning

my specific train line my spef specific

bus line um we would never say catch the

taxi because we never have a specific

taxi it could be any taxi in the city so

we often say catch a taxi I try to catch

a taxi early in the morning to get to

the airport or something like that or to

get to work so um just a kind of those

little words sometimes are a little

difficult for some of my students catch

a taxi catch a bus catch a train if you

are taking any train any line but if you

have your specific routine in mind I

catch the train I catch the bus it's the

same bus we always

take yes uh that's a good point that

comes up in the next section we're going

to talk about we use the the article the

to mean a specific one or the same one

that we usually take and in the next

lines what time do you try to get the

train what did you say actually Mark we

have a quick question from Maria um is

there the overground also in London oh

yes that's right uh there's the

underground which I'll write here the

underground is the tube that's the same

thing but recently yeah they upgraded

and added some new lines that go

overground uh these are ones that don't

go through the tunnels I think if you

want to get to some famous landmarks

like um the O2 Arena which is a big

concert hall and Event Center um then

you can take the overground or the

DLR they have a few different names but

yeah it's basically two different types

of trains it's all part of the rail

network in London though so yeah the

overground or the underground they'll

both take you wherever you need to go

well that's interesting I didn't even

know they had that okay so you were

mentioning uh what time do you get the

train okay or what time do you try to

get the train and I said that I aim for

okay just like when you are shooting an

arrow and you want it to go somewhere

specific I aim for something meaning I

try to leave my house on time I really

want to try to catch that train in

particular so I really aim for the 7:45

a.m. um I know that I can arrive just on

time and catch it or if I'm running a

little late I'm really trying to hurry

up to catch that one because I'm really

aiming for that one if I don't catch it

I might be a little bit late so I'm

aiming for the 70

7:45 or I'm shooting for okay so that's

the same thing if you shoot an arrow you

aim okay you are aiming for something

and then you shoot it okay so I shoot

for uh yeah I usually shoot for the 7:45

because then 15 minutes I arrive at my

building at 8: a.m. I'm not late right

so I aim for this or I shoot for this

that means I'm really trying hard to get

there and to succeed at catching that

train in

particular it's also a good phrase if

you're making plans with someone and you

know you want to go out and meet at the

cinema and you know the movie starts at

7 so you arrange to meet a little bit

earlier so you can buy the tickets and

buy your snacks so maybe when you're

texting your friend you can say yeah the

movie starts at 8 so let's shoot for

7:30 so around 7:30 try to arrive around

7:30 let's shoot for them that's exactly

right so yeah if we're hey let's aim for

8:00 meaning 7:55 is okay 8:05 is okay

but please don't be much later let's

really really try let's aim for 8:00

okay so yeah let's shoot for 8:00 if

it's not exactly eight o'clock that's

okay that's okay but let's aim for that

let's shoot for

that in my version of the script I said

I try for the 750 train aim for shoot

for try for they all have the same

meaning the same

preposition to go back to what we were

saying about art articles with the tube

the Subway or the train I try for the

750 a.m. train yeah again the is the

specific one the one at

750 I need an article before the time

the 750 train there's only one train on

the platform at that time um if someone

says what time is it oh it's

7:50 but but I need the 750 train the

means it's the specific one this is also

true for other public transport types

when I go back to my mom's Village in

the UK I take the 66 bus there's only

one of those and there's only one of

those going around so it's the specific

one the 66 bus it's true before any time

the 1 p.m.

train time think of the time as like an

adjective like I want the Red Bus I want

the 650 bus I want the big

bus like I want that specific one so the

time there is almost acting like an

adjective so we're saying this specific

one the Red Bus the 750 bus the bus that

goes to London okay so we're looking for

that one in

particular okay uh sorry I just saw the

comment from Maria

the overground goes from Enfield to

Clapham in London and Maria knows the

tube because she lived in each East

Finchley for a while awesome okay you

probably know her more about it than I

do you probably know more about it than

me too as an American I've never lived

in London so that's very cool we've

learned a

lot uh let's have a look at back at our

lesson uh what do you do during the ride

what do you do during the ride now the

ride meaning I'm riding the train I'm

riding the bus what do you do during

that time that you are sitting on the

train sitting on the bus sitting in the

taxi ride even so what do you do during

the

ride I usually take the chance to catch

up on the news or text some

mates yes like me and probably a lot of

other commuters when I'm commuting I'm

probably just looking at my phone so I

maybe I don't have time during breakfast

um I'm eat my breakfast I'm out the door

and then sitting on the train is the

first time I have to open my phone and

actually catch up so I take the chance

to catch up on new stories new headlines

uh announcements or posts from my

friends and maybe I message some of my

friends I text

my friends uh this is the most British

word in my script my

mates true my friends yeah we would we

would definitely not use my mates in

America uh the first time I ever heard

it I thought it was a little weird to be

honest so um yes in America mates are

romantic love interests so when you say

my mates I think people you are

romantically involved with and so but in

in British English my mates my friends

and in America my friends are just my

friends so um what do I do during the

ride I try and use this time to

read but I usually just end up scrolling

on my phone so um I have good intentions

I want to do something

productive but I end up doing something

maybe I don't want to get my book out

maybe I think oh it's just a short ride

maybe I'm finishing a conversation with

a friend so I end up doing something so

I wanted to do this but I ended up doing

this instead in other words what did you

finally at the end end up doing what did

you finally do instead of reading a book

I ended up scrolling on my phone instead

so good intentions but maybe next time

I'll try and read when I'm on the bus or

on the

train we wanted to add some other

phrases especially in this moment where

you're going to work and you're maybe

you haven't woken up yet mentally you

are still a bit of a zombie maybe you

haven't had any coffee yet so you're on

autopilot you are going to work and when

you arrive at work maybe you won't

remember this journey and if you sit on

the train in the morning and you look at

other

commuters maybe some people are zoned

out they just zone out maybe they're not

looking at their phone they're just

staring at the window or they're staring

at the floor because they're still tired

it's early in the morning maybe they're

not super excited about going to work

sometimes I do that too I just zone

out um some people are like asleep some

people people try to catch up on some

sleep me too I try to catch up on some

sleep maybe I have time for five minutes

or 10 minutes of sleep so I have a bit

more energy at

work uh other people maybe they have a

big presentation a big meeting or a

really important thing today so they are

thinking about the meeting they're going

over the script again and again I'm

mentally preparing preparing myself for

the day so some people are quite focused

mentally preparing themselves for the

day or one more phrase I have to psych

myself up psych myself up like get

myself ready build up my energy build up

some confidence to take on the day again

maybe because I have a difficult day or

an important day I psych myself up so

some people are drinking lots of coffee

or they're you know looking at some

confidence boosting videos on YouTube to

make themselves feel big there's lots of

things that people are doing during this

ride okay so um one thing that students

often get wrong or a mistake that we

often correct as teachers is the word

work work as a

place so this is tricky because because

the prepositions are a bit different

sometimes the articles are not where you

think they'd be so how did you say it in

your

script okay so um I think a lot of our

students like to use the word job office

and

work but we do use a a little bit of you

know the different articles in each one

so you know my office the office um my

job my work um but how ever so I'm a

short walk away from my office I'm a

short walk away from my office I'm a

short walk away from my building okay so

my office building my office I'm a short

walk away from this place my office but

if you want to use the word work we

don't usually say my work my

my the work we would just just simply

use the word work so I'm a short walk

away from work I'm a short walk away

from the office I'm a short walk away

from my

job okay so if we are a short walk away

my work my job my office we just need

the word work okay so I'm at work I'm a

short walk away from work all right so

that's one of those words like from

school from home from

work these are really easy ones that we

use all the time and they don't usually

need an

article yes so those are the only three

correct ones my office I'm at my

office the office is okay I'm at the

office or I'm at work at work work is

the place

obviously if you work in an office then

I'm at my office I'm at the office if

you work in a supermarket if you work in

a bank if you work in the post office

I'm at work work covers any place where

you do your job or do your work so yeah

my work is wrong uh I'm at my job wrong

it's I'm at work or I'm at the office if

someone calls you and says hey uh where

are you like oh I'm at work what do you

want so in my sentences in my script I

said after a couple of minutes of

walking I'm at work I arrive at work at

8:30 or I take the subway to work I take

the bus to work I catch the tube to work

so work is the

place

the last Point uh that we'll discuss is

coming home coming back about coming

home again what did you say in your

scripts okay so how about coming home

again so now of course part of your

commute is not just getting to work but

it's coming back from work as well now

often times it's just the opposite right

so you go to work you take the train you

come home you take the train but

sometimes people hit Rush Hour

especially early in the morning or late

in the evening when people are all

coming home from work at the same time

some people can leave their house early

and they get there early so they don't

hit Rush Hour um but some people don't

have as much flexibility with coming

home you want to try to get home as soon

as possible but you might run into some

rush hour so my evening commute

meaning when I'm coming home my evening

commute is similar though sometimes more

crowded so I can talk about my commute

in two pieces my morning commute when

I'm going to work in the morning and my

evening commute when I'm coming home in

the

evening absolutely uh in my phrase or my

script I said the Journey Back in the

afternoon is virtually try again the

Journey Back in the afternoon is

virtually the same just with a few more

commuters so in my script a few more

commuters those are passengers coming

home from work again you're only a

commuter if you're coming home from work

or you're only a commuter if you're

going to work everyone else is just

everyone else are just

Passengers The Journey Back The Journey

Back the journey home is virtually the

same if you take the same train at the

same time every day you might start to

recognize other commuters around you

they might become your sort of secret

commuter

buddies uh you might also hear commuter

trains if it's a train during the

morning Rush Hour people will call it a

commuter train because most of the

passengers on that train are commuters

so if you're a tourist uh you want to

avoid commuter trains because they're

packed they're full of people and

sometimes they're more expensive as well

so if you can avoid the commuter trains

in the morning you could have a more

relaxing Journey you may get a seat and

you might uh save some money at the same

time so yes I think we also use this too

because we actually live in a

neighborhood with lots of young families

so a lot of the people a lot of our

neighbors are commuters so right outside

our neighborhood all most people are

facted waiting in line to drive their

car out uh to connect to the highway to

get into the city so even though we

chose to live in a in a suburb we have a

lot of commuters here they leave around

8 o'clock in the morning the traffic is

from 8 o'clock to 9 o'clock that rush

hour traffic and then we could probably

say the same thing in the evening

although a little bit more flexible in

the evening it's not a designated time

since a lot of commuters might go out to

eat after work or they might stay late

to work a little bit late so there's not

as much Rush Hour um in the evening time

during the evening commute but

definitely the morning commute so many

commuters leaving the neighborhood that

it gets pretty packed in the

morning okay so those are the five main

points we wanted to discuss about our

little scripts today there's one more

thing we wanted to do in the last few

minutes to give you some takeaway

sentences these are sentences that me

and Cat will repeat and then give you a

moment to repeat the sentence too it's

it includes all the vocabulary that

you've seen and heard so far in the

scripts uh we've got some high level

sentences that you can use to talk about

public transport in your own life cat

will read a sentence that's in the

present tense because it's a routine and

it's your usual commute I'll read one in

the past tense if you're telling a story

so listen to Cat and try to repeat after

her okay I I catch the train to

work I C the train to work

sorry in the past this morning I caught

the train to

work

I take the subway to the

office this morning I took the subway to

the

office I usually aim for the 7:45 a.m.

bus this morning I aimed for the 7:45

bus but I missed

it I usually just zone

out this morning I just zoned

out I try to catch up on some

sleep this morning I tried to catch up

on some

sleep I mentally prepare myself for the

day this morning I mentally prepared

myself for the

day I psych myself up for the

day this morning I psyched myself up for

the

day all right thank you so much everyone

for joining us for our class today um

you can watch the replay as soon as we

close out this section and I hope to see

you again next week for our very next

highle listening episode three so we'll

see you uh next week on Monday yes uh

like usual also the link is in the

description or in the chat so you can

see the script that we were reading from

this lesson you can also listen

to