Episode 234
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Ah! It's almost Christmas!!!
Ok! Let’s talk about Christmas markets in New York.
What are you planning to do at Christmas? I recommend you fly to NYC because the best Christmas markets are here.
New York's holiday markets often include ice skating, twinkling lights, great food vendors, and fun holiday activities. Plus, you can make your Christmas shopping a positive and relaxing experience.
Bryant Park's Winter Village
You could start by visiting Bryant Park's Winter Village. One of the highlights of this market is the 17,000-square-foot ice skating rink, which is free to use if you bring your skates.
FAD Market
And after ice skating you could visit the FAD Market. Each season, the FAD market - which stands for Fashion, Art, and Design - takes over a different Brooklyn venue with a bunch of independent vendors and creators. Here you'll find New York City's emerging brands, designers, and small businesses offering a curated selection of handmade jewelry, clothing, skincare, tableware, and much more.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
And after all this activity, you should go to the Columbus Circle Holiday Market. Which is one of the most iconic holiday markets.
The uptown counterpart to the Union Square Holiday Market offers shoppers a feast for the eyes and the stomach.
Now, let’s practice.
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IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer the questions aloud with short and quick responses. Repeat the Mini-Story several times to improve your speaking and listening.
After listening to Georgiana's podcast, Tom traveled to New York to explore the Christmas markets.
What did Tom do for Christmas? Stay at home?
No. No. Tom didn't stay at home. He traveled for Christmas.
Where did Tom go? To Hawaii?
No. Tom went to New York. He didn't travel to Hawaii.
Why did he travel to New York? For business purposes?
No. Not for business purposes. He traveled to New York to explore the Christmas markets.
Christmas shops or markets?
Christmas markets. Tom traveled to New York to explore the Christmas markets.
Did Tom travel to New York with his mom?
No. No. Not with his mom. Tom traveled to New York alone.
Tom went ice skating at Bryant Park's Winter Village and ate some delicious local treats at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market.
Tom went roller skating. Right?
No. No. Tom went ice skating.
Where did he go ice skating? Finland?
No. No. He didn't go ice skating in Finland. He went ice skating in New York at Bryant Park's Winter Village.
Did Tom eat anything?
Yes. He ate something.
What exactly did he eat? Can you remember?
Yes. He ate some delicious local treats at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market.
After a few hours, he rested on a park bench. Next to him, there was a girl named Elsa, and they began to have a lively conversation.
What did Tom do after some hours? Rest or play tennis?
Tom didn't play tennis. After a few hours, Tom rested on a park bench.
Was there someone next to him?
Yes. Next to Tom, there was a girl.
What was her name?
Elsa. Her name was Elsa.
Elsa? As in Elsa from Frozen?
Exactly. Her name was Elsa. Just like the princess from Frozen.
Was Elsa an actual princess?
Well, we don't know that. We know she was sitting next to Tom in New York.
It turned out that Elsa also traveled to New York after listening to Georgiana's podcast. What a coincidence!
Why did Elsa travel to New York?
Because Georgiana told her students to explore the Christmas Markets in New York.
When did Elsa travel to New York? Before or after listening to the podcast?
After Elsa listened to the Speak English Now podcast, she traveled to New York. Not before.
Was it coincidentally that Elsa and Tom traveled to New York after listening to the podcast?
Yes, it was an amazing coincidence. But the shocking part was that they met in New York.
As they rose from the bench, Elsa grabbed Tom's hand. He smiled shyly.
Did Elsa give Tom a rose?
No. No. Elsa didn't give Tom a rose. They rose from the bench.
Who grabbed Tom's hand? Santa?
Elsa. Elsa grabbed Tom's hand. Not Santa.
Did Tom get angry?
No. No. He didn't get angry. He smiled. He smiled shyly when Elsa grabbed his hand.
Was Tom shy or bold?
Shy. Tom was shy. He wasn't bold. Tom smiled shyly.
Tom and Elsa had one wish for Christmas: to encounter someone to love.
Who had a wish for Christmas?
Elsa and Tom. They had a wish for Christmas.
What kind of wish? Did they have the same wish?
Yes. They both wanted to encounter someone to love.
Ok! That's the end of this Christmas story. I hope you enjoyed practicing your speaking.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
Christmas market
an outdoor seasonal market held before Christmas.
vendor
a person or business that sells goods.
handmade
made by hand rather than by machine.
souvenir
an object kept as a reminder of a place or event.
festive
connected with a joyful celebration.
ice rink
a frozen surface used for ice skating.
browse
look at goods without necessarily buying them.
stall
a small stand where products are sold.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
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