Everyday Life English Conversations

What would you do? Mike, if you woke up tomorrow and found out you were the President of the United States, what would you do? Wow, that's a big question. If I were the President, I would definitely try to help homeless people first. How? I'd make sure there were more shelters and job training programs. If people had a safe place to sleep and learn new skills, they could find work. That's a good idea! What about health care? Oh, health care is super important. If I were President, I would make sure everyone had access to good doctors, no matter how much money they had. I agree. And education? If I had the power, I would invest a lot more in education. If kids got a better education, they'd have a better future. I couldn't agree more! What about climate change? Hmm, that's a tough one. If I were President, I would invest a lot in green energy, like solar and wind power. If we used more clean energy, the planet would be healthier. If we protect the Earth, then future kids will have a nice place to live. Those are all really thoughtful answers! Thanks. It's fun to think about. If I ever become President, I will remember this conversation. You got my vote! Hey Rita, ready for your first day at work? Hey Pam, I guess so. Are there specific things we must do? Or things we absolutely should not do around here? Our rules are pretty relaxed, but yes, there are a few key things. Like what? I'm all ears! Okay, first, attendance. Everyone must clock in before 9 a.m. sharp. If you are going to be late, you should always call or text your direct manager immediately. Clock in by 9. Got it. Next, noise. You must keep your phone conversations quiet. If you need to take a long call, you can use the small meeting room down the hall. That makes sense. Noise control. Also, lunch breaks. You can take a full hour, but you should try to eat in the break room, not at your desk if possible. And you have to clear your own dishes after using the kitchen. Okay, no problem. One last thing. Dress code. It's quite formal here. You must wear smart clothes. So, no jeans? No, you cannot wear jeans. You may wear simple jewelry, but you mustn't wear anything too flashy. Okay, I understand. This is very helpful, Pam. Thank you so much. I will make sure to follow everything. Hi, Jane. Thanks for seeing me. Of course, Melanie. What brings you in today? Honestly, I just feel bad. About myself. My weight. I don't have any confidence anymore. I really need to lose weight. I hear you, Melanie. We can definitely work on this together. How about we make a simple plan? A plan? Really? Absolutely. Let's start with food. Okay. So, what to avoid? Anything packaged and processed. No more sugary drinks like soda or juice boxes. Try to cut out fast food, chips, and candy. That sounds like everything I like. I know. It's a change. But here's what to eat instead. Lots of fruits and vegetables. Lean proteins like chicken, fish, or beans. And whole grains like brown rice or whole wheat bread. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Okay, I can try. Great! Now for exercise. We'll start easy. I want you to walk for 30 minutes every single day. Just a brisk walk like you're trying to get somewhere. You can add some simple bodyweight exercises at home. Like 10 squats and 10 lunges. Maybe three times a week. How does that sound? It sounds like a lot. But I'm desperate. I'll try my best, Jane. That's all I ask. You've got this, Melanie. Melanie, look at you. Hi, Jane. I know, right? I can't believe it myself. You look absolutely fantastic. How are you feeling? Incredible! I stuck to the plan. I'm eating so much better. And I actually enjoy my walks now. My clothes fit. I have so much more energy. And I finally feel good about myself again. I'm so proud of you, Melanie. You did all the hard work. Thank you, Jane. For everything. You really helped me turn things around. Hello, officer. I need to report a theft. Certainly, sir. Please, take a seat. What seems to be the problem? Someone broke into my car and stole my briefcase. I understand. Can you tell me exactly when and where this occurred? Yes. I parked my car on Elm Street, just outside the library. Around 9 a.m. this morning. When I returned at approximately 1.30 p.m., the passenger side window was smashed. And my briefcase was gone. I see. And can you describe your briefcase for me, please? It's a dark brown leather briefcase, quite old, with a brass clasp. It has my initials, D.M., embossed on the front flap. Thank you. What items were inside the briefcase, Mr. Miller? Inside, I had my work laptop. There was also a blue leather-bound notebook, a few important client contracts, and my reading glasses in a gray case. Were there any personal identification documents or credit cards? No, thankfully not. My wallet and phone were with me. Good. Did you notice anything unusual about the area when you parked or when you returned? Any suspicious individuals or vehicles? Not that I recall, no. And was the car locked? Yes, absolutely. I always lock it. All right. Now, for the report. I'll need your full name, sir. David Michael Miller. Your current residential address, Mr. Miller? It's 42 Oakwood Drive, Apartment 3B. And a contact telephone number, please. My mobile is 5550198. Thank you, Mr. Miller. We will open a case file based on this information. Thank you, officer. I appreciate your help. Renting an apartment. I love this apartment. It's nice and bright. What is the exact monthly rent? It's $1,500 a month. Okay. And what about the security deposit? How much is that? It's one full month's rent, so $1,500 due when you sign the lease. Got it. Does that $1,500 cover anything? Like trash or water? Yes, rent covers trash and water. Electricity, gas, and internet are separate. What about parking? Is there a spot included? Yes, one assigned spot is included in the rent. No extra charge. That's a relief. Let's talk about the lease itself. What is the standard length? 12 months? Yes, 12 months is standard. If something unexpected happens and I need to move out early, what's the penalty? If you break the lease before the year is up, you owe two months' rent as an early termination fee. That's good to know. If the sink leaks, who do I call? Do I fix it myself? You call our building manager directly. We handle all repairs for major items. That sounds great. Are pets allowed? I have a small, quiet cat. We allow cats with a pet fee of $300. Dogs are restricted by size, so your cat is fine. Excellent. And finally, guest policy. If my parents visit for a week, is that an issue? No issue at all for a week. We only ask that guests don't stay longer than two weeks straight without notifying management. Sarah, you've answered everything clearly. This seems like a great fit. Wonderful. I can drop the application paperwork now if you'd like. Applying for Unemployment Benefits Good morning. Welcome to the Employment Services Office. How can I help you today? Good morning. I need to sign up for Unemployment Benefits. I lost my job last week. I understand. Do you have identification and proof of your last employment? Yes. Here is my driver's license. And this is my Certificate of Employment. Thank you, Carlos. Let me review this. Your last day of work was September 26th? Yes, that is correct. Last Friday. Why did your employment end? Was it a layoff or did you quit? It was a layoff. The company reduced staff. I did not quit. That is important. Now, can you tell me the exact name and address of that employer? It was Metro Construction. The address is 450 Main Street. Excellent. For the last 18 months, how much were you paid, generally? About $2,000 before taxes. Were you paid weekly or every other week? I was paid every two weeks. Do you have any banking information for direct deposit? Yes, I have it right here. Perfect. Now, I need to ask you about your status. Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? Yes, I have my work permit and social security number. Here you go. Good. How long does it take to start receiving payments? It typically takes about two to three weeks. And do I need to look for a job right now? Yes, you must actively look for work starting immediately. I understand. Please sign here. Your application is submitted. You will receive a letter in the mail explaining your first payment date. Thank you very much for your help. You're welcome. Good luck with your job search. Applying for a mortgage. Hello. What can I help you with? Hello. We'd like to buy a house, so we need a mortgage for about $200,000. I see. I need to ask some questions first to see what you qualify for. Sounds fair. Let's start with work. What do you do and how long have you been at your current job? I'm an electrician. I've been with the same company for five years now. Steady hours. Five years is excellent. What about you, ma'am? I'm a teacher at the local elementary school. I've been teaching there for three years. Good job stability for both of you. Now, income. Can you tell me your combined yearly income before taxes? Together, we bring in about $110,000 a year. Great. Do you have any other big monthly payments right now? Like car loans or big credit card debts? We have one car payment, about $400 a month. Okay. Do you know what kind of credit score you have? We checked last month. Both of ours are in the high 700s. Now, let's discuss the deposit. How much money have you saved up for the down payment? We have $30,000 saved right now. That means we are looking at a loan amount of $170,000. Now, the big question. Monthly payments. Based on current rates, for a loan of $170,000 over 25 years, your estimated monthly payment would likely be around $1,100 to $1,250. Does that feel manageable for your budget? $1,250 sounds very comfortable for us. Wonderful. Based on what you've told me, good jobs, stable income, and great credit, you look like very strong candidates for that $170,000 loan. Wow, that was fast. Next, I'll give you the application packet and a checklist of the documents we need. Great. Thank you so much, Mr. Davis. Thanks for watching, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos like this.