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Being Late

Being Late

Date: Apr 24 2009

Themes: Time

Grammar: Future Perfect Tense

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Some people are just always late, no matter what. It almost seems like they must be living in another reality, where all the clocks are set differently.

This can be really frustrating, especially if you’re the kind of person who’s always on time. It sucks having to wait around for people, wondering if they’re ever going to show up. And nobody likes those people who come to class 15 minutes after the professor has begun talking, or who interrupt a movie by stumbling into the theater after it’s already started.

Jason is one of those people who can never be on time. Listen in on his phone conversation with Devan, as she tries to teach him how to be more punctual.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Devan

Jason

Jason

Devan:  I can’t believe you haven’t left yet! By the time you get here, I’ll have been here for over an hour.

Jason:  I’m so sorry. I got held up at work today. All kinds of crazy stuff came up. I’m running late. I’ll be there. I know you really needed to talk about your application to the international bowling league, so I’ll be right there, I promise.

Devan:  I really need to talk to you about that, and I’m starving, and Jason, you are the least punctual person I know.

Jason:  Go ahead and order without me. I’m sorry. I know I lose track of time, but I’m seriously on my way. I’m like five minutes away.

Devan:  What are you gonna do to not be running late all the time?

Jason:  I don’t know. Do you…do you think I should set my clock late? Do you think that works?

Devan:  I think you should…Yeah, I think you should set your clock later, and you should always give yourself an extra half hour no matter how much time you think it’s going to take you to do something.

Jason:  Yeah, that is the problem, that I have a really hard time estimating how long it’s actually gonna take to do different things.

Devan:  Just tack on 30 minutes to that time you estimate, and then you’ll always be on time, ‘cause you’re always late.

Jason:  I guess I’ll just have to do that.

Devan:  Alright. Well I’m ordering you a salad and I’m not waiting, I’m gonna start eating.

Jason:  OK, I’ll buy, I’m sorry. I’ll be right there.

 

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Discussion

Jason was supposed to meet Devan for dinner, but he’s already really late. He tries to explain why he’s late and promises he’ll be there soon. But Devan is annoyed with him because he’s late all the time.

Devan asks Jason what he’s going to do to stop being late. She thinks he should set his clock late so he always thinks it’s later than it really is. He should also add give himself extra time to do things. If he thinks something is only going to take an hour, he should leave himself an hour and a half. Then if it takes longer than expected, he’ll still be on time.

Are you punctual, or are you always late? Does it annoy you when other people are late? What do you think they can do to become more punctual?

 

Comments

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ronnie_quitay

Philippines

Well, You have to set your clock in advance. YO must have self disipline and always follow your schedule.

01:22 PM Jul 23 2009 |

nevardo

nevardo

Colombia

I am punctual because I always like to be on time, that is something that I learned from my parents and relatives. I think when a person is always late it is because he/she has a bad habit and maybe he/she does not realize it or he/she is not aware of and it is something very strong for that person because it is inside of him/her, it is part of his/her life.

Without a doubt we must be taught about how important is to be on time for us and the rest of people.

02:01 AM May 01 2009 |

Breathless

Breathless

Saudi Arabia

ooh i hate this habit alot

and i really hate when you have 2 wait an hour or maybe moer for someone who doesn't care of time 

unfortunatly Yellit so spread in my society, by the way!!

03:36 PM Apr 30 2009 |

pizzachuwave

Thailand

It’s really surprising when the one who’s always late becomes more punctual!

12:55 PM Apr 30 2009 |

Miss Monroy

Mexico

 I have to admit it, im the kind of person who is aLwaYs Late :S its so hard for me to be punctual always something come up and make me run late. However when is my time for waiting for someone I hate with them dont show on time, I hate have to wait for someone, I know im sort of selfish because I prefer being late than being punctual and have to wait for someone. Crazy hu…

03:43 AM Apr 30 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

In my personal life I’m often on time and I hate run late people! hehe :P

11:45 PM Apr 29 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

In my job I have to be always on time,because I'm a personal trainer! But I hate when my pupils are run late! hehe

11:39 PM Apr 29 2009 |

miguelkolp

miguelkolp

Mexico

Iam agreed with you emmashow1280. But i will never wait an hour for someone, unless the person you're waiting were someone special. 

06:54 PM Apr 29 2009 |

emmashow1280

China

do not get little to far. i can  take it. after five minuts you are on time. after ten minuts just a little late. and that would be ok. fifteen minuts alittle too far. and i can take it.  thrity minuts i would be a little  unhappy. but if after an hour. and yes i am angry.Cool   but it depend upon what kind of things.  if it's very important things i gusse it's better on time or a little late that wound be ok.  for me

07:44 AM Apr 29 2009 |

lenganthinh

Viet Nam

 i dont mind if anyone comes late in my class or meeting coz i dont mind about them [may be i so concerntrate in my study … .] however, i think in someway, the lated person must be act in a polite way when they are come late. Although they are not try to be late but they must let it [late coming] happen again.

03:20 AM Apr 29 2009 |

othman ahmaro

Jordan

I'm punctual person and I don't like those who are late.I'm a Muslim and in my religion being punctual is very important.Time is money we shouldn't waste it.

09:42 PM Apr 28 2009 |

shimaa hussein

Egypt

i can not stand the  people  who always come late..

07:07 PM Apr 28 2009 |

neivapini

neivapini

Brazil

I hate to be late in my meetings. It’s a kind of polite way.

05:22 PM Apr 28 2009 |

Futuristic

Futuristic

Philippines

Time is gold

01:57 PM Apr 28 2009 |

Futuristic

Futuristic

Philippines

As for me,I'm always on time whenever I have an important appointment. I tack on an extra time  so that I'll never be late. I hate people whose come late. To all people who loves being late shame on you.

01:56 PM Apr 28 2009 |

Ledo

Ledo

Russian Federation

I am on time always..and I hate people who do not think about your friend!

06:53 AM Apr 28 2009 |

SAJI02JAN

India

HELLO

 

05:15 AM Apr 28 2009 |

蓝色9号半

蓝色9号半

China

i hate to wait for long time(i mean over 10min)

04:30 AM Apr 28 2009 |

ciberd7

ciberd7

Brazil

I can say "I´m always late" and it will be a sure no doubt!

I´m a person who tries to be on time, but there are always things that come up and makes everything more difficult for me to be on time. I´ve already tacked on minutes even hours, but It always turns out to a late.

I think some people like me are unlucky or the time picks on us and even if we try to change it, it will always make us run late.

There must be some kinda trick we can learn to be on time, but I haven´t figured out yet!

 

05:10 PM Apr 27 2009 |

zhanhappyallthe

China

I do not like being late,it is wasting our time

 

11:05 AM Apr 27 2009 |

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