I Can Understand English, But I Can't Speak | Learn English with Real-Life Conversations

Summary

Emily, a German girl who struggles with English, fulfills her promise to visit Cindy in the U.S. Despite language barriers, Emily navigates airports, shops, and public spaces with the help of kind strangers and her friend Cindy. Cindy supports Emily in practicing English, giving her tips on bargaining and asking for directions. Emily grows more confident as she learns from her experiences, and together they make plans to explore more of the U.S. while improving Emily’s English skills.

Takeaways

• 🇩🇪 Emily, a German girl, is fulfilling her promise to visit Cindy in the U.S.
• ✈️ Emily feels nervous about her poor English skills but is excited about the trip.
• 🍔 Emily struggles with speaking English during daily tasks like ordering food and asking for directions.
• 🚖 Cindy reassures Emily and helps her navigate through the initial challenges in the U.S.
• 🛍️ Emily finds it difficult to bargain in English and ends up overpaying for a souvenir.
• 🗣️ Cindy encourages Emily to practice her English by speaking slowly, listening to content, and not fearing mistakes.
• 📺 Cindy suggests using simple English content, like children's shows, to improve comprehension.
• 💬 Cindy provides key phrases for bargaining, such as asking for a discount and negotiating prices.
• 🗺️ Cindy takes Emily out to practice asking for directions and interacting with people in English.
• 👍 Emily gradually gains confidence through practice, with Cindy's support and encouragement.

Q & A

Who are the two main characters in the story?

The two main characters are Emily, a German girl who loves traveling, and Cindy, her friend from the U.S., who studied abroad in Germany.

Why does Emily feel nervous about visiting the U.S.?

Emily feels nervous because her English is not very good, and she is worried about communication while she is in the U.S.

How did Emily and Cindy communicate when they first met?

Since Cindy is good at German but Emily is not fluent in English, they mostly communicated in German.

What was Cindy's response when Emily expressed concern about her English skills?

Cindy reassured Emily, offering to help her practice English, and encouraged her not to worry.

What was the first problem Emily faced upon landing in the U.S.?

Cindy had an urgent meeting and couldn't pick Emily up from the airport, so Emily had to navigate finding food and a taxi on her own.

How did Emily handle ordering food at the airport with her limited English?

Emily managed to order a burger and fries by using simple words, although she had some difficulty expressing herself.

What issue did Emily face while buying a souvenir, and how did Cindy respond?

Emily overpaid for a souvenir because she didn't know how to bargain. Cindy explained that she was overcharged and offered to help Emily practice bargaining next time.

What tips did Cindy give Emily to improve her English skills?

Cindy suggested that Emily watch movies, listen to music or podcasts, and use language learning apps. She also recommended practicing simple phrases and asking people to speak more slowly.

How did Cindy plan to help Emily practice bargaining?

Cindy planned to take Emily to some shops and markets to practice bargaining in real-life situations, offering her support throughout the process.

How did Emily feel after practicing asking for directions with Cindy?

Emily felt more confident after successfully asking for directions, thanks to Cindy’s guidance and encouragement.