A glimpse of England

Semaine 10 - AnglaisBases level 2

Hello everybody and welcome to this new lesson on AnglaisBases level 2. Today is a very
special lesson, as we will give you a glimpse of life in England. Why is today’s lesson special ?
Because Alban and I are about one thousand kilometres away from each other. Alban is in the
lovely seaside town of Bournemouth, in England, and I am here in Toulouse, where it’s raining.

Conversation

1) Phone conversation between Ben and Alban:

Ben : Hello Alban.

Alban : Hello Ben.

B : So Alban, you’re in Bournemouth today. How is it going there?

A : Yeah it’s going very well actually. We have a lovely weather, blue sky, sunny
weather...We’re enjoying it.

B : You’re lucky because in Toulouse it’s raining today. So what have you been doing in
Bournemouth?

A : We’ve been visiting the coast and the countryside of England. Bournemouth is a very
touristy place...It’s just near the sea, there are many hotels and for now we’re staying in a very
nice B&B. And we plan to go and visit the Isle of White in the coming days.

B : Nice, I hear it’s lovely there. So what do you make of the English food?

A : I think it’s very good, but after my fourth full English breakfast, I can say I feel a little heavy
now.
B : I can imagine. You have put on a bit of weight.

A : Yes probably.

B : And how do you find the people in Bournemouth ? Are they friendly?

A : Yes, they are very friendly.

B : So Alban, seeing as you’re in England, maybe it would be interesting for our members if you
go for a walk in town and maybe chat to a few people and ask a few questions.

A : Yeah good idea, it can also be a very good comprehension exercise for our members too.

B : Yeah I think so. Well, I’ll let you get on, I’ll say goodbye to you then.

A : Ok goodbye Ben, see you later then.

B : Yeah, you will. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

A : Bye.

B : Bye. So, good luck everybody, I’m very sorry I can’t be with you as you take a walk with
Alban in a typical English town. Try to understand what the people say to Alban. And, if at first
you don’t understand, don’t worry, cause they will probably be speaking fast. But you can listen
again and again, until you understand.

2 ) In Bournemouth:

Hello everybody, welcome to this part of the lesson of the week. As you can see, we’re now in
Bournemouth, (you can see behind me the pier of Bournemouth) enjoying this beautiful city of
the south of England. Until now the weather was very good, unfortunately, it’s changed a little.
But, we’re having a good time anyway. So let’s go and visit!

Conversation 1:
Alban : Hello...So what is your name?

Woman : My name’s Frances.

A : Frances, alright...So are you from Bournemouth?

F : I’m not no. I’m not from Bournemouth I’m from the Midlands originally. But I have lived in few
places in England. And I’ve also lived in Switzerland, in Geneva.
A : Right, ok...So are you visting Bournemouth or now?

F : No I live here now.

A : You live here now, OK. And...What do you like or dislike about Bournemouth?

F : Well I like the fact that it’s close to the sea, I like the sea. And I would say if there’s good
weather about, Bournemouth gets it. So it’s...We have the best of the weather.

A : Nice climate compared to the rest of England.

F : Nice climate yes.

...By the sea... Lots of places to visit, the new forest and lots of stately homes in the area that
you can visit.
I like...We’re not too far from London either. We have a good train service to go to London. Or
even Southampton, it’s quite close.
There’s ferries to get to France, close by.
What else do I like about it? I’ve made some good friends here!

A : Good! So if you could describe life in Bournemouth, or in England in general, in three words?

F : Oh dear...So I would say...for some people it’s a bit stressful. Hectic. But there’s lot to do.

A : Stressful, hectic, lots to do. Thank you very much!

Conversation 2
A : So if you had to describe life in England in three words, what would they be?

Man : Three words...hum...relaxed, cultured and hectic sometimes..

A : Hectic...

M : It's both, it's relaxed and hectic.

A : Ok then, cool. And how long have you been living in Bournemouth?

M : Maybe three years.

A : And what do you like or dislike most about Bournemouth?

M : I like the beach...I love the beach. I like the bars...No I like Bournemouth I love
Bournemouth. In the summer Bournemouth is the best place to be.

Conversation 3
A : Hello, what's your name?

Woman : Sarah.

A : So Sarah, are you from Bournemouth?

S : Yes.

A : So, what do you like or dislike about living in Bournemouth?

S : Nothing really to be honest.

A : Nothing really? Neutral?

S : Yeah it's just nice to live there.

A : Ok. And if you could describe in three words life in Bournemouth, what would they be?

S : Hum...probably...hot, fun, and busy.

A : Hot, fun, and busy. Alright, thank you very much!

Conversation 4
A : If you could describe in three words life in Bournemouth, what would they be?

Women : Hilly, Cosmopolitan, and invigorating.

Conversation 5
A : Hello, what's your name?

Woman : My name is Shaun.

A : Shaun, nice to meet you...So do you live in Bournemouth?

S : I do live in Bournemouth, I've lived here for thirty years.

A : Ok so...pretty long time. What do you like or dislike about Bournemouth?

S : What I love about Bournemouth is being so close to the beach. And it's a lovely long sandy
beach. The only thing I don't like is the weather because you can't rely on it.

A : English weather (smile). And do you have any funny or interesting stories that happened to
you while in Bournemouth?
S : Not a lot happens in Bournemouth to be honest. We've had one flash mob, that I took part
in, but other than that no, not really.

A : You took part in this flash mob?

S : Yeah, in this square.

A : Right! Ok! And last question: if you could describe in three words life in England to a
foreigner, what would they be?

S : Wear your shorts. Because even in cold weather, people wear shorts here (smiles).

A : Ok thank you very much.

S : Ok nice to see you...and you.

A : Have a good day!

Expressions expliquées dans la vidéo

Expression 1
To dislike = Ne pas aimer.

Expression 2
Close to the beach = Proche de la plage.

Expression 3
If there’s good weather about, Bournemouth gets it = S’il y a du beau temps aux alentours,
Bournemouth l’a / le capte.

Expression 4
Stately homes = des maisons grandes et importantes (maisons imposantes, demeures
seigneuriales etc.).

Expression 5
Either = non-plus.
We’re not too far from London either = Nous ne sommes pas très loin de Londres non-plus.
A noter aussi : « moi non-plus » se dit me neither. En fait s’il y a déjà une négation dans la
phrase (NOT) on utilise either pour dire « non-plus » et s’il n’y a pas de négation dans la phrase
on utilise neither pour dire « non-plus ». C’est soit NOT EITHER, soit NEITHER.

Expression 6
Stressful = stressant.
Hectic = intense, agité, mouvementé, trépidant.
Lots to do = beaucoup à faire.
Expression 7
Relaxed = un indice.
Cultured = cultivé
Hectic = intense, agité, mouvementé, trépidant.

Expression 8
Hot = chaud.
Fun = amusant, plaisant. (à ne pas confondre avec funny qui veut dire drôle). Par exemple : To
have fun = prendre du bon temps, s’amuser.
Busy = Occupé, où il y a beaucoup de monde.

Expression 9
Hilly = vallonné.
Cosmopolitan =cosmopolite.
Invigorating = revigorant, vivifiant.

Expression 10
I do live in bournemouth = le fait d’ajouter DO en milieu de phrase sert à insister sur un fait.

Expression 11
A lovely long sandy beach = une adorable et longue plage de sable.
Le mot sandy veut dire « sableux », « de sable ». En anglais sand = sable.

Expression 12
To rely on something = s’en remettre à, compter sur.
You can’t rely on the weather = on ne peut pas compter sur le temps.
L’adjectif reliable signifie « digne de confiance, fiable ».

Expression 13
Not a lot happens in Bournemouth to be honest = il ne se passe pas grand chose à
Bournemouth pour être honnête.

Expression 14
A flash mob (or flashmob) = une mobilisation éclair. Définition complète ici.

Expression 15
Wear your shorts = portez votre short.