Hey there! This is TOP episode TOP 145. Speak English With Netflix: Superstore S01E01
My name’s Ola and I am an online English teacher, I teach through one to one classes and I want you to know I believe you can eliminate your language blockade. It is 100% guaranteed. And I know you believe it too. We both know you can get there.
I’ve overcome a massive blockade myself. The secret word here is consistency. There are other secret words too. That is why I record this podcast’s episodes, and each comes with a little worksheet, a one-pager to help you digest and test what you’ve practised here. You can speak English with more confidence, slay that fear and enjoy new freedoms. Each episode helps you practice speaking, the practical part is always there, at the end of each episode. Visit my website for full transcripts and worksheets to each episode. Visit my shop at teacherola.com and enjoy your journey to fluency! Happy learning!
Hello and welcome to today’s episode. Today we’re going to learn 10 useful expressions from the first episode of the first season of ‘Superstore’. It’s a great show because it showcases normal people in everyday situations. The language they use is natural, obviously not always, but the majority of the dialogues sound natural. You’ve got plenty of dialogues here. All in all, it’s a great title if you’d like to learn English with tv series.
But before we start let me quickly remind you there’s a Worksheet dedicated to these sentences we’re gonna practice in a while so go grab it at teacherola.com/145 or find it in your inbox. That’s your homework.
Secondly, visit my shop, buy a Worksheet set, and have them all in one place. They’re editable. Check out my e-book with episode transcripts.
If you’re interested in learning English with tv series check out the links below. I am working on my Speak English with Netflix course, a programme focused on one skill only, speaking. If you’re wondering whether such a course is right for you grab a checklist, the link is in the description. Thank’s for your patience and let’s get back to the episode.
Today’s episode is in part a vocabulary booster but on the other hand, I wanted to give a clue on how to pick useful phrases from any show you’re watching. You’re going to be looking for those let’s say universal expressions. Things that are going to be widely used and really relevant. Make this a habit. Whenever you watch something try to catch something useful. Something that you’ll be able to incorporate into your daily English. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy! Better not! Now we can start. 10 expressions from ‘Superstore’.
The first expression I picked is an idiom. The idiom that is commonly used in this show. In superstore. In fact, it’s the name of this corporate our characters work for.
Cloud nine. To be on cloud nine. To be very happy, to be floating on air because you’re in a state of bliss. Listen to this example:
I’m on cloud nine and I’m wishing you a heavenly day.
And this example leads me to the second expression from ‘Superstore’. It’s an adjective ‘heavenly’. The staff members use this phrase with the customers. I wish you a heavenly day. Heaven, clouds, cloud nine, bliss, happiness, it all kind of comes together. Heavenly means very pleasant. Wonderful.
Expression number three. To take a break. You may say that’s way too simple. but I’d argue that the simplest everyday phrases are those we should practice and make sure you are confident using them, saying them out loud. So you can have a break or take a break we don’t ‘make breaks’ though. It means to rest, to stop doing what you’re doing for some time. An example:
I need to take a break because I’m embarrassed and I don’t know how to handle it.
In the sentence you’ve just heard I used a very handy phrase, that is: ‘to handle something’. I don’t know how to handle this. That’s our number four. To handle means to manage something, to deal with something. The words handle has several other meanings, but let’s stick to this one here. I encourage you to do your own research as well! It’ll boost your vocabulary much faster if you are an independent, unassisted learner. It’ll speed things up. I don’t think that good teaching is giving everything on a silver platter or spoon-feeding students, so I just want to give you enough knowledge and ideas for further reading, for further research. Phrase number four, shall we?
Phrase number five and let me begin with an example sentence this time:
All my limbs are in pain but I’m trying not to freak out.
I’m trying not to freak out. I’m trying to stay calm, I don’t want to start panicking. I want to be cool about it though it’s tough since all my limbs are in pain.
Six. To jot down. It’s a synonym to ‘write down’. Means exactly the same thing, it’s just a bit less formal. Do you remember what did Dina jot down during her interview with Jonah? 🙂 An example sentence:
I will just jot that down.
Seven. I’ll give him that. Ok, he made a mistake, he did something really stupid. He scarred a lot of people, but he did make it memorable. This moment will remain in my memory forever. I’ll give him that. So this is something that was said by Chayenne. Can you recall why she said that? What situation does is refer to?
I’ll give him that.
I’m willing to admit that at least part of what someone says is true.
I don’t really like his ideas, but he’s a good manager, I’ll give him that.
Eight. To root for someone or for something. To support or encourage somebody in a competition or when they are in a difficult situation.
Good luck, I’m rooting for you!
Nine. To throw something out there. To throw something out there. This is a synonym to ‘just saying’. I have this idea, this is my proposal, but I’m just saying it here for you to think about it and maybe give feedback? But not necessarily. Chill! That’s a thought I had and maybe it’s relevant maybe it’s not. I’m just throwing it out there.
Ten. Condescending. If somebody is condescending he or she is behaving as though they are more important and more intelligent than other people. Condescending attitude, condescending remark, condescending voice or tone.
She said it with the same condescending tone.
Time for your practice. Listen, retain and release the sentence. Don’t forget to say this sentence out loud.
I’m on cloud nine and I’m wishing you a heavenly day.
I need to take a break because I’m embarrassed and I don’t know how to handle it.
I will just jot that down.
I’ll give him that.
Good luck, we’ll be rooting for you.
All my limbs are in pain but I’m trying not to freak out.
I’m just throwing that out there.
She said it with the same condescending tone.
I don’t really like his ideas, but he’s a good manager, I’ll give him that.
We can handle this job by ourselves.
Brilliant! Now, go to your inbox and grab the worksheet in order to test yourself. Complete the worksheet with translations. If you aren’t a member of TOPeople download the worksheet from teacherola.com/145.
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Thank for tuning in and I’ll see you next Wednesday! Happy learning. Take care! Stay fearless and say it out loud! Bye!