Lesson based on dialogues between Sarah and Michael – Part 2
Practise B1 English for meeting a partner's family: polite questions, nerves, dress-code checks and privacy boundaries in a natural couple's conversation.
Ahead of Sunday, Michael tells Sarah he needs to ask her something important: she is about to meet his whole family. Their conversation covers the worries many learners recognise — whether his mother will like her, whether the lunch is formal or casual, what to wear, and which personal subjects are better left alone. The scene stays inside that single, everyday exchange rather than jumping ahead to the lunch itself.
The lesson turns this chat into B1 English practice. You will work on phrases for raising a sensitive topic, saying how long a couple has been together, asking "What if…?" questions about someone's opinion, and setting a polite boundary when a subject feels private. Short vocabulary work on nervous, casual, private and divorce supports the same conversation, so the language stays connected to the situation you hear. Start the lesson and practise one polite question or boundary sentence out loud.
What you'll learn
- Introduce a serious personal topic and follow it with a clear question
- Describe relationship length using "have been together for"
- Ask about dress code and tone with formal and casual
- Set a privacy boundary and warn someone about sensitive subjects
- Offer short, supportive encouragement during a nervous moment
Language focus
- Raising a sensitive personal topic politely
- Relationship duration and milestones
- Anxiety language and hypothetical worry
- Dress-code and formality questions
- Privacy boundaries and sensitive family vocabulary
English transcript
New dialogues and stories every day, available in 21 subtitle languages.
You can practice all these dialogues sentence by sentence using the interactive player on our website.
Link in the description.
Good morning, and welcome to your English practice lesson.
Today, we will practice with a conversation between Michael and Sarah, two people talking in a coffee shop about their jobs, their homes, and their future.
Listen carefully and repeat after me.
Our first sentence, Sarah, you are late.
I already drank one coffee and started the second one Sarah you're late I already drank one coffee and started the second one good let's practice the word already here are five examples example one I have already finished my homework I have already finished my homework example two she has already left the office she has already left the office example three we already know the answer we already know the answer example four he has already eaten lunch he has already eaten lunch example five they have already bought the tickets they have already bought the tickets I understand already means something happened earlier than expected Exactly.
Next sentence.
The hotel meeting ran long.
My manager talked about the summer schedule for 40 minutes.
The hotel meeting ran long.
My manager talked about the summer schedule for 40 minutes.
Now, let's practice the phrase ran long.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
The film ran long, so we missed the bus.
The film ran long, so we missed the bus.
Example 2.
My class ran long this morning.
Example 3.
The meeting ran long because everyone had questions.
Example 4.
The concert ran long, but nobody wanted it to end.
The concert ran long, but nobody wanted it to end.
Example 5.
Dinner ran long, so we stayed at the restaurant until midnight.
Dinner ran long, so we stayed at the restaurant until midnight.
I understand.
If something ran long, it took more time than planned.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
But the training means extra hours for two weeks.
I will be very tired.
But the training means extra hours for two weeks.
I will be very tired.
Let's practice the word training.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
The new staff need two days of training.
Example 2.
She is doing training for her new job.
She is doing training for her new job.
Example 3.
The training starts at 9 on Monday.
The training starts at 9 on Monday.
Example 4.
Good training makes workers feel confident.
Good training makes workers feel confident.
Example 5.
I finished his training last month.
I finished his training last month.
I understand.
Training is when you learn how to do a job or a skill.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
I do hate it, but I hate the idea of you eating a cold sandwich more.
I do hate it, but I hate the idea of you eating a cold sandwich more.
Let's practice the word hate.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
I hate waiting in long lines.
I hate waiting in long lines.
Example 2.
She hates cold weather.
Example 3 We hate missing the last train Example 4 He hates doing the same thing every day He hates doing the same thing every day Example 5 I hate the idea of you walking home alone at night I hate the idea of you walking home alone at night.
I understand.
Hate is a very strong feeling against something.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
I am nervous, but I said yes.
I am nervous, but I said yes.
Let's practice the word nervous.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
I am nervous about my exam tomorrow.
I am nervous about my exam tomorrow.
Example 2.
She felt nervous before her first day at work.
She felt nervous before her first day at work.
Example 3, he gets nervous when he speaks in public.
Example 4, we were nervous about the results.
Example 5, do not be nervous, you will do great.
I understand.
Nervous means worried or a little afraid about something.
Exactly.
Let's practice the word experience.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
She has 10 years of experience in hotels.
Example 2.
I need more experience before I can get that job.
Example 3.
Travel gives you experience of other cultures.
Example 4.
He has no experience with children.
Example 5.
This job is a great chance to get experience.
I understand.
Experience is the knowledge you get from doing something.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
I want to move out of my flat in the autumn.
I want to move out of my flat in the autumn.
Let's practice the phrase move out.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
They will move out of their flat next month.
They will move out of their flat next month.
Example 2.
I moved out of my parents' house when I was 20.
I moved out of my parents' house when I was 20.
Example 3.
She wants to move out and live alone.
She wants to move out and live alone.
Example 4.
We have to move out before the end of June.
We have to move out before the end of June.
Example 5.
Moving out is expensive, but it feels good.
Moving out is expensive, but it feels good.
I understand.
To move out means to leave a home and go to a new one.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
Because then we could see each other more.
Not every day, just more than now.
Because then we could see each other more.
Not every day, just more than now.
Let's practice the phrase, see each other.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
We see each other every weekend.
We see each other every weekend.
Example 2.
They have not seen each other for a year.
They have not seen each other for a year.
Example 3.
It is hard to see each other when we are so busy.
Example 4.
Do you two still see each other?
Example 5.
We should see each other more often.
I understand.
See each other means two people meet or spend time together.
together.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
I will think about October, but first coffee.
I will think about October, but first coffee.
Let's practice the word think.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
I need time to think about your offer.
I need time to think about your offer.
Example 2.
She thinks about her family every day.
She thinks about her family every day.
Example 3.
Think carefully before you decide Think carefully before you decide Example 4 He is thinking about changing his job Example 5.
We will think about it and call you tomorrow.
I understand.
To think about something means to consider it carefully.
Very good.
Let's finish with a short summary of our most useful words and phrases today.
We practiced already, ran long, training, hate, nervous, experience, move out, see each other, and think about.
These are all common and useful in everyday conversation.
Thank you.
I feel more confident using these words now.
You can practice all these dialogues sentence by sentence using the interactive player on our website.
Link in the description.
Good morning.
Today we will practice English with a conversation between Michael and Sarah, who are talking about meeting Michael's family for lunch on Sunday.
Listen carefully and repeat after me.
Our first sentence.
Sarah, I need to ask you something important before Sunday.
Repeat.
Sarah, I need to ask you something important before Sunday.
Let's practice the phrase something important.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
I have something important to tell you.
Example 2.
She left something important on the table.
She left something important on the table.
Example 3.
Is there something important in this letter?
Example 4.
We missed something important in the meeting.
Example 5.
He forgot something important at home.
I understand.
Something important means a thing that really matters.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
your whole family?
Michael, we have only been together for two months.
Your whole family?
Michael, we have only been together for two months.
Let's practice the phrase, been together.
Here are five examples.
Example 1, we have been together for three years.
We have been together for three years.
Example 2, they have been together since college.
They have been together since college.
Example 3, how long have you been together?
How long have you been together?
Example 4, my parents have been together for 40 years.
My parents have been together for 40 years.
Example 5, we have been together for only a few weeks.
We have been together for only a few weeks.
I understand.
Been together means in a relationship with someone.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
Did you tell them about the management course rejection?
Let's practice the word rejection.
Here are five examples.
Example 1, the rejection letter arrived today.
Example 2, he was sad about the rejection.
Example 3, a rejection is not the end of the world.
A rejection is not the end of the world.
Example 4.
She told no one about the rejection.
She told no one about the rejection.
Example 5.
After one rejection, he tried again.
After one rejection, he tried again.
I understand.
A rejection is when someone says no to you.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
But I am nervous.
What if your mother does not like me?
But I am nervous.
What if your mother does not like me?
Let practice the word nervous Here are five examples Example 1 I am nervous about the exam I am nervous about the exam Example 2, she feels nervous before every flight.
She feels nervous before every flight.
Example 3, do not be nervous, you will do well.
Do not be nervous, you will do well.
Example 4, he was nervous on his first day at work.
He was nervous on his first day at work.
Example 5.
We were all nervous before the big match.
We were all nervous before the big match.
I understand.
Nervous means worried or a little afraid.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
What should I wear?
Is it a formal lunch or a casual one?
What should I wear?
Is it a formal lunch or a casual one?
Let's practice the word casual.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
The party is casual, so wear jeans.
Example 2.
He likes casual clothes on weekends.
Example 3.
It was a casual conversation, not a meeting.
Example 4.
Our office is casual on Fridays.
Our office is casual on Fridays.
Example 5.
She gave a casual wave and left.
She gave a casual wave and left.
I understand.
Casual means relaxed and not formal.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
That is acceptable, but please stop sharing my private life.
That is acceptable, but please stop sharing my private life.
Let's practice the word private.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
This is a private conversation.
Example 2.
She keeps her private life separate from work.
Example 3.
That is private information.
Example 4.
We met in a private room.
room.
Example 5.
He wants some private time.
He wants some private time.
I understand.
A private means personal and not for everyone.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
Do not ask Emma about her husband.
They are getting a divorce.
Do not ask Emma about her husband.
They are getting a divorce.
Let's practice the word divorce.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
They are getting a divorce after 10 years.
Example 2.
Divorce is hard for the whole family.
Example 3.
She told me about the divorce.
Example 4.
He moved out after the divorce.
Example 5.
Do not ask about the divorce.
Do not ask about the divorce.
I understand.
A divorce is when a marriage ends.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
Emma's soup is very spicy.
She puts too much pepper in it.
Emma's soup is very spicy.
She puts too much pepper in it.
Let's practice the word spicy.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
This soup is too spicy for me.
This soup is too spicy for me.
Example 2.
He loves spicy food.
He loves spicy food.
Example 3.
The sauce is spicy but delicious.
The sauce is spicy but delicious.
Example 4.
I want something spicy for dinner.
I want something spicy for dinner.
Example 5.
Is the chicken spicy?
Is the chicken spicy?
I understand.
Spicy means having a strong, hot taste.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
True, but you are braver than you think.
True, but you are braver than you think.
Let's practice the word braver.
Here are five examples.
Example 1.
She is braver than her brother.
She is braver than her brother.
Example 2.
You get braver every day.
You get braver every day.
Example 3.
He felt braver after the talk.
He felt braver after the talk.
Example 4.
I am braver with my friends near me.
Example 5.
The children were braver than expected.