British English Conversation Practice Di

If there's one thing I can guarantee you that you're going to need when you speak English, it's how to ask for directions. You might be in a hotel and need to find a lift, or in a supermarket and you're looking for the milk. So join me as I get asked for directions in a street of my hometown. First, just listen to the conversation which is full of natural everyday British expressions like a right pain, in a bind, and pillock. As well as lots more useful phrases that will make you sound like a native speaker. Don't worry if you don't understand everything, because after the conversation I'll go through everything with you, explaining what was said and why. Finally, you're going to become really confident speaking English because you can join in that conversation yourself, but I'll tell you all about that later. Now, just sit back and listen. Hi, I'm Steve. Let's do this. Hi, sorry to bother you, but you wouldn't happen to know the way to the Apple store, would you? Sure, it's no bother. Just go back the way you've come from and take the first on the left. It's down there on the right. You can't miss it. Cheers. So I go back the way I've come from and take the first on my right and it's down there. Is that right? Nearly, but you need to take the first on your left. Sorry, I misheard. My brain's all over the place today, so it's the first on my left. My brain's always like that. And yes, it is. Brilliant. Thanks. Hold on. Are you going there now? Yes. Is there a problem? I hate to break it to you, but the Apple store's closed at the moment. You're joking? On a Wednesday? Afraid so. It's being done up. They won't be back open until the weekend. Oh, that's a right pain. I'm in a bind now. Can I ask what you need to go for? I'm such a pillock. I sat on my phone and cracked the screen. I was hoping to get it fixed today. Oh dear. Well, look, all you need to do is get yourself to Ray's Phone Fix. They'll have it sorted in no time. Oh, right. Are they any good? They're the business, and nowhere near as pricey as Apple. Plus, all the work's guaranteed, so you can't go wrong, really. That sounds great. Whereabouts is it then? Carry on this way, then when you get to the Pelican, cross over and turn left towards the town hall. Ray's is along that stretching road. So I keep going this way until I get to the Pelican crossing, cross over and basically head for the town hall. Have I got that right? Hang on. I'm pretty sure the shop's just past the town hall, but if you can't find it, just ask anyone to point it out. You're a star. Don't be daft. It's nothing. Happy to help. Well, thanks anyway. No problem. Take care. Now, listen to that conversation again, but this time without the words on the screen. See how much you can follow just by listening. This will really train your ears. Hi, sorry to bother you, but you wouldn't happen to know the way to the Apple store, would you? Sure, it's no bother. Just go back the way you've come from and take the first on the left. It's down there on the right. You can't miss it. Cheers. So I go back the way I've come from and take the first on my right and it's down there. Is that right? Nearly, but you need to take the first on your left. Sorry, I misheard. My brain's all over the place today, so it's the first on my left. My brain's always like that. And yes, it is. Brilliant. Thanks. Hold on. Are you going there now? Yes. Is there a problem? I hate to break it to you, but the Apple store's closed at the moment. You're joking. On a Wednesday? Afraid so. It's being done up. They won't be back open until the weekend. Oh, that's a right pain. I'm in a bind now. Can I ask what you need to go for? I'm such a pillock. I sat on my phone and cracked the screen. I was hoping to get it fixed today. Oh, dear. Well, look, all you need to do is get yourself to Ray's Phone Fix. They'll have it sorted in no time. Oh, right. Are they any good? They're the business and nowhere near as pricey as Apple. Plus, all the work's guaranteed, so you can't go wrong, really. That sounds great. Whereabouts is it then? Carry on this way, then when you get to the Pelican, cross over and turn left towards the town hall. Ray's is along that stretching road. So I keep going this way until I get to the Pelican crossing, cross over and basically head for the town hall. Have I got that right? Hang on. I'm pretty sure the shop's just past the town hall. But if you can't find it, just ask anyone to point it out. You're a star. Don't be daft. It's nothing. Happy to help. Well, thanks anyway. No problem. Take care. Just to let you know, there's a full free guide to this lesson that includes the complete conversation, all the vocabulary we'll cover today, and a quiz to test your understanding. If I already have your email address, then you'll find it in your inbox. But if you're new here, just click the link in the description below to get your totally free copy. Now, let's go through that conversation in detail, explaining what was said and why we use those particular words and phrases. This will really build up your English vocabulary. First, you heard the stranger use the most British way of asking for help ever. Sorry to bother you, but you wouldn't happen to know the way to the Apple store, would you? You know and I know that British people love apologising for things. So the person started with sorry. And what they were sorry for was bothering that person, which is another way of saying disturbing them or taking up their time. Using you wouldn't happen to know is more indirect than just asking, do you know? And this makes it feel more polite. You can use it anytime that you need someone's help or advice like this. You wouldn't happen to have the time, would you? I replied using the word bother again. Sure, it's no bother. This is a friendly way of saying don't worry about it. It's not a problem. We use it to put the people at ease, make them relaxed. Thanks for making these videos, Steve. It's no bother at all. Next, you heard me use a useful reassuring expression. It's down there on the right. You can't miss it. This is a common way of saying that something is very easy to find or very obvious like this. Have you seen my wallet? It's in your bedside drawer. You can't miss it. Now, a great tip when getting directions is to repeat them back starting with the word so I. This makes sure you understood them and helps you remember where you're supposed to go like this. So, I go back the way I've come from and take the first on my right and it's down there. Is that right? In the conversation, the stranger misheard my directions because Sorry, I misheard. My brain's all over the place today. This is a brilliant British expression meaning you're confused, distracted, or not thinking clearly. I stop the person by saying Hold on. Are you going there now? This is a phrasal verb and it's a very common English way to say stop doing what you're doing or about to do. To pronounce this naturally, move the d at the end of hold across to the front of the o so slowly it sounds like this. Hold on. And at normal speed, hold on. You try. Hold on. Use it like this. Hold on. Before you change the bulb, turn the light off at the switch. Next, you heard. I hate to break it to you, but the Apple store's closed at the moment. This is a gentle British way to deliver bad news. It softens what you're going to say next. Just like this. I hate to break it to you, but the flight's been cancelled. I replied. Afraid so. This is your thought. I'm afraid so. And it's very British and very casual. It confirms bad news whilst showing some sympathy. Is it raining? Afraid so. When I explained the shop was closed, you heard me say it's been done up and this means it's been made fancier. You can even use this expression when talking about people. Why are you all done up? But remember, I always say done up rather than fixed up. That means something different. I'll explain it in the guide. Don't forget, you can get your copy for free by clicking the link in the description. The stranger was disappointed and said, Oh, that's a right pain. English people often use a right pain to describe something really annoying or inconvenient. The word right intensifies it. It makes it stronger. Try to remember this not as separate words, a right pain, but as a group, a right pain. This will help you say it automatically when you need to. Let's have a quick practice. I'll tell you something annoying and you reply, that's a right pain. My car has a flat tyre. The tickets are sold out. The time of the meeting has changed. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, you can, like the stranger, say, I'm in a bind now. This makes it clear to everyone that you probably need a little help or at least some sympathy. Next, you heard one of my all-time favourite English words. I'm such a pillock. I sat on my phone and cracked the screen. Pillock is a British way of describing yourself or someone else as an idiot or a fool. Use it like this. It's cold out, so don't be a pillock. Put your coat on. I suggested, all you need to do is get yourself to Ray's phone fix. Saying get yourself to is a casual way of telling someone to go somewhere. It's friendly and it's informal. For example, get yourself to the doctor's if it doesn't improve. Next, you heard a great slang expression. They're the business. This simply means they're the best or they're excellent. All of you lovely people who subscribe to this channel are the business. I said, so you can't go wrong really. This is a way of reassuring someone that something is a safe choice or a good option. Use it like this. If you try the fish and chips from here, you can't go wrong. If you want to impress English people when asking about the location of something, use whereabouts instead of just where. Like the stranger did when they said, whereabouts is it then? You heard me mention, carry on this way. Then when you get to the pelican, cross over and turn left, which is not one of these. It's one of these. Its full title is a pelican crossing, but British people in casual conversation drop the word crossing and just say the pelican. Next, you heard, I'm pretty sure the shop's just past the town hall. And this is a way of expressing confidence without being too definite. We like to leave a bit of wiggle room. Use it like this. I'm pretty sure the match starts at three. If someone says, you're a star, it's a lovely British compliment, meaning you're wonderful or you're very helpful. When I was told this, I replied, don't be daft. Using daft here means don't be silly or you're exaggerating. It's a modest response to a compliment, which most English people aren't very good at accepting. For example, thanks for fixing the shelf. You're amazing. Don't be daft. Anyone could have done it. As the stranger was leaving, I said, take care. This is a warm way to say goodbye. It's friendlier than just saying goodbye on its own. OK, now it's your turn. Let's do that conversation again, but this time you're going to take the strangest part. Your words will appear on the screen as you need them. And for the best results, remember to speak out loud. Sure, it's no bother. Just go back the way you've come from and take the first on the left. It's down there on the right. You can't miss it. Nearly. But you need to take the first on your left. My brain's always like that. And yes, it is. Hold on. Are you going there now? I hate to break it to you, but the Apple store's closed at the moment. Afraid so. It's being done up. They won't be back open until the weekend. Can I ask what you need to go for? Oh dear. Well look, all you need to do is get yourself to Ray's Phone Fix. They'll have it sorted in no time. They're the business. And nowhere near as pricey as Apple. Plus, all the work's guaranteed. So you can't go wrong, really. Carry on this way, then when you get to the Pelican, cross over and turn left towards the Town Hall. Ray's is along that stretch of road. Bang on. I'm pretty sure the shop's just past the Town Hall. So if you can't find it, just ask anyone to point it out. Don't be daft. It's nothing. Happy to help. No problem. Take care. You won't need directions to find another great English lesson. There's a brilliant one right here. Give it a click and I'll see you there. Take care.