Lesson 7: What Are You Doing?

Summary Anna is starting her work at VOA News. She goes around the office meeting her co-workers. She learns they are all busy. Conversation Caty: Come in.  Caty: Well, Anna, welcome. Anna: Thank you. Caty: I am your boss, Caty Weaver. But, please call me Caty. Anna: Thank you, Ms. Weaver.  Caty: Just Caty. Anna: Sure thing, Ms. Weaver. Caty: Okay then. Are you excited? Anna: Yes, I am excited! Caty: So sorry, but I am busy. Please meet your co-workers. But remember, they are busy working. Anna: Sure. Thanks, Ms. Weaver. Anna: Hi there! I’m Anna. Anne: Hi, Anna. I’m Anne. Anna: Nice to meet you. What are you doing? Anne: Um, I’m writing. Anna: You are writing! You are writing a lot! Anna: (Spills papers) Oh! Oh dear. Anne: No! No! That's okay.  Anna: I am sorry! Anne: That’s okay. Really. Anna: I am sorry! Anne: Please. Please. Please stop. Please. Anna: Sorry. Sorry. Jonathan: (in the studio) “and people all around the world are waiting to hear news about the next president…” Anna: Jonathan, hi! Remember me? I live in your building. Jonathan: Oh. Uh. Hi, Anna. Anna: What are you doing? Jonathan: I am doing my show! Anna: Oh, sorry. Are you recording? Jonathan: Yes! And, now I have to record again! Anna: Sorry. Have a good show. Jonathan: Thank you. Anna: Sorry. Amelia: The word of the day is social. Social - Anna: Oh! Hi! Amelia: - is an adjective. Anna: Hi! I’m Anna! Amelia: Hi. I’m Amelia. Anna: Nice to meet you! Anna: What are you doing? Amelia: I’m reading. Anna: Are you reading the news? Hi! Amelia: No, I’m reading for my show. Amelia: (to camera person) Can I read again? Anna: Sorry. Anna: This day is not going well. Caty: Anna! Hi! What’re you doing? Anna: I am bothering people, Ms. Weaver. Caty: Let’s go to my office and talk. Anna: I like to talk with you, Ms. Weaver. Caty: It’s Caty. Anna: Right. Thanks ... Ms. Weaver Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Ask to Clarify. In the video you see Anna ask Amelia: "What are you doing?" Amelia answers, "I’m reading." Then Anna asks a question to clarify: "Are you reading the news?  Asking a question to clarify is a very useful learning strategy, because it helps you get more information. You can also learn new words when someone explains more about what they said. Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email about how you ask questions to clarify what you want to know. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Listening Click below to do the listening quiz. Each question has a short video. Play the video and listen for what people are doing. Speaking Practice In this video, learn to say the new words. Also, learn how to use the Present Continuous tense and ask questions to clarify. You can also download the worksheet and practice with a friend. Pronunciation Practice ​In this video, you ​learn about how Americans shorten verbs in the Present Continuous tense. You will also learn a shorter for of the question phrase, "What are you doing?" Writing What are you doing now? What are your friends doing? Here is an example: "I am reading and my friends are listening to music." Write to us in the Comments section. You can also download the worksheet. Practice writing the activity words.​ New Words boss – n. the person whose job is to tell other workers what to do  bother – v.  to annoy someone or to cause someone to feel annoyed busy – adj. actively doing something  excited – adj. very enthusiastic and eager about something  nervous – adj. having or showing feelings of being worried and afraid about what might happen  news – n. information that is reported in a newspaper, magazine, or a television news program  office – n. a building or room in which people work at desks doing business or professional activities  read – v. to look at and understand the meaning of letters, words, symbols, etc.  record – v. to store (something, such as sounds, music, images, etc.) on tape or on a disk so that it can be heard or seen later  show – n. a television or radio program  work – v. to do things as part of your job  write – v. to create (a book, poem, story, etc.) by writing words on paper or on a computer  ______________________________________________________________ For Teachers See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Additional materials: Printable Activity worksheet & Lesson Plan Grammar focus Present continuous tense Questions for clarification Topics Everyday activities Checking understanding Feedback What do you think of this lesson? Please write to us in the Comments section or send us an email.

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