Practice English Listening B1 Exercises – Changing your life

1   Because she and her husband (Mike) have always loved Arab culture and language.

2   She wanted a break from teaching / a change and she wanted to learn to draw (properly).

3   A fantastic art teacher, who speaks English.

4   Because of the pronunciation. / It takes a long time to learn to read and write.

5   For about six years.

6   They are happy that she loves Arabic music and understands something about their culture.

7   The people – the hospitality is amazing.

I = Interviewer, K = Karen

I    So, how long have you been living here?

K   For about six months now.

I    Why did you choose Beirut?

K   Because, Mike – my husband – and I have always loved Arab culture and the language. Mike’s an English teacher and he got a job here in a language school.

I    Why did you want to take a year off?

K   Basically I wanted a break from teaching. I love teaching children but I needed a change. Also I’ve been drawing and painting since I was little but I’ve never really had the change to study drawing. So this seemed like the perfect opportunity to have a change and learn to draw properly.

I    What have you been doing here since you arrived?

K   Well, I found a fantastic art teacher, called Omayma and I’ve been having classes with her since October. She’s great and she speaks English, which is lucky because I don’t know much Arabic yet. But I am learning the language as quickly as I can.

I    Is Arabic a difficult language to learn?

K   Incredibly difficult! Especially the pronunciation. You have to learn to make a lot of new sounds. Also it takes a long time to learn to read and write in Arabic.

I    You also teach belly dancing here?

K   That’s right.

I    How did that happen?

K   Well, I’ve been teaching belly dancing for about six years, and I love it so I wanted to continue doing it here. A lot of Lebanese women don’t know how to belly dance and they want to learn. I give classes here in my living room. We have a lot of fun!

I    Are your students surprised that an English person is teaching them belly dancing?

K   Yes, very, but they’re also really happy to find that a foreigner loves Arabic music and understands something from their culture.

I    What’s the best thing about living in Lebanon so far?

K   The people! The hospitality of the people here is absolutely amazing.

1   Sharon and Kenny have been arguing.

2   The man has been reading by the pool (without any suncream on).

3   The man and woman have been sightseeing and walking all afternoon.

1

A   Hello?

B   Hi Sharon. It’s me… Kylie.

A   Oh. Hi Kylie.

B   Hey, you sound awful – what’s been happening?

A   Oh, nothing. Well, OK… Kenny and I have been arguing.

B   What about? What’s he been doing this time?

A   He’s been sending text messages to his ex-girlfriend again.

B   No!

A   I knew this holiday was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come.

2

A   You are so red! How long have you been sunbathing? All morning?

B   I haven’t been sunbathing. I’ve been reading.

A   Yes, but in the sun! Didn’t you put any suncream on?

B   No.

A   You’d better go and put some after suncream on now. You’re going to feel terrible tonight…

3

A   You two look exhausted. What have you been doing?

B   We’ve been sightseeing in the town. We’ve been walking all afternoon.

C   Yes, my feet are killing me.

A   Well, come and sit down in the bar and have a nice cup of tea.