Lesson 30: Dream a Little Dream
Summary
Anna talks to many coworkers about their dreams and plans for the future.
Conversation
Review the following audio:
Ashley: Anna, where are you going in such a hurry?
Anna: Hi, Ashley. The nurse’s office. Today I get the results from my blood test.
Ashley: I’m sure you’re fine. Don’t worry.
Anna: You know, I used to dream of being a nurse. It is such an honorable career. Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing?
Ashley: Sure! I would love to be a dog trainer. Actually, I’ve taught my dog, Dublin, lots of tricks!
Anna: Well, I’m off to the nurse. Bye, Ashley.
Ashley: Bye, Anna.
Anna: Bye, Dublin.
(Anna stands near the nurse’s office and listens to her phone call.)
Nurse: I’m looking at her test results and they’re not good. In fact, I’m afraid she’s not going to make it.
Anna: What?! I'm not going to make it? I'm dying??
Nurse: Anna, come in. How are you?
Anna: I guess...not so good. I’m dying!?
Nurse: What are you talking about?
Anna: I just heard you on the phone. Just tell me: How much longer do I have?
Nurse: I wasn't talking about you. A student of mine didn’t do well on her science test. So, she won’t be able to make it ... to graduation.
Anna: Whew. Thank goodness! For a minute, my whole life passed before my eyes. There are so many things I haven't done yet.
Nurse: Well, life is short. It’s important to do something you love every day.
Anna: I couldn’t agree more.
Nurse: Now, let’s talk about your blood test. Your cholesterol is really low.
Anna: Awesome!
(Next, Anna is sitting in a sound studio with Jonathan.)
Jonathan: Okay, Anna, say something and I’ll check your sound level.
Anna: Testing 1, 2, 3. Testing. Jonathan, I’ve been wondering something: What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Jonathan: That’s easy. I’d love to win the World Karaoke Contest.
Anna: This is so strange. I just saw on Twitter that they are having auditions in D.C. this weekend!
Jonathan: Are you serious? Can you read the story by yourself?
Anna: Sure, absolutely.
Jonathan: Thanks!
Anna: You go.
(Anna goes outside and talks to Penelope.)
Anna: Penelope, I was wondering if you still dream of being a dancer.
Penelope: Only every day!
Anna: Well, guess what: A famous dancer is having a flash mob around the corner! Hundreds of people are dancing together!
Penelope: No way!
Anna: Way! If you leave right now, you can join them! Bye!
(Anna then sits with Pete in the office kitchen.)
Anna: Pete, what’s one of your dreams?
Pete: Well, last night I dreamt I was in a spaceship. I was flying through outer space with these two beautiful...
Anna: Pete -- not that kind of dream. I mean your hopes for the future.
Pete: Oh. I plan on selling my book to Hollywood and becoming rich and famous.
Anna: That’s going to be difficult.
Pete: It’s my agent! Hello? Uh-huh. Sure! I can be in Los Angeles tomorrow!
Anna: Well, good job, Anna! My work here is done … almost.
(Music plays as Anna talks to many more coworkers)
Music: You can search but you won't find the answer without a dream. You can reach for the stars but you won't get there without a dream...without a dream.
(Then, Anna is sitting at her work desk.)
Ms. Weaver: Anna, what’s going on? Where is everybody?
Anna: I don’t know. Maybe something is, uh, going around the office.
Ms. Weaver: You mean germs? Anna, you’d better use some of this hand cleaner. You don’t want to get sick, too.
Anna: Right. Okay, thanks. Not germs – dreams, Ms. Weaver. Dreams.
Ms. Weaver: What did you say, Anna?
Anna: Nothing. Nothing.
Prof. Bot: We hope you have enjoyed Level 2 of Let’s Learn English. Everyone is following their dreams, big and small.
Prof. Bot: What are your dreams? Our dream is for you to keep learning English! Thanks for watching.
New Words
absolutely - adv. completely or totally.
blood - n. the red liquid that flows through the bodies of people and animals.
bucket list - n. a list experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime..
flash mob - n. a large group of people who get together suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual or seemingly random act, then disperse.
germ - n. a very small living thing that causes disease.
go around - v. to go or pass from one person to another person.
honorable - adj. deserving honor and respect.
hundred - n. the number 100.
karaoke - n. a form of entertainment in which a device plays the music of popular songs and people sing the words to the songs they choose.
level - n. an amount of something.
make it - expression. to not fail, die, et cetera.
My whole life passed before my eyes - expression. to quickly imagine major moments in your life as a response to fearing death or harm.
nurse - n. a person who is trained to care for sick or injured people and who usually works in a hospital or doctor's office.
result - n. information that you get from a scientific or medical test.
rich - adj. having a lot of money and possessions.
spaceship - n. a vehicle that is used for travel in outer space.
Thank goodness - expression. an expression used to show happiness that something bad has been avoided or has finished.
Talking About Dreams
Today’s program is about dreams – things you've wanted to do, be or have for a long time. Here is some language for talking about dreams:
I would love to be a dog trainer. - Ashley
I would love + infinitive
I've always wanted to start a wellness company.
I’ve always wanted + infinitive
I’m thinking about joining a musical band.
I'm thinking about + gerund
with dream
My dream is to be a dancer.
My dream is + infinitive
I've dreamed of traveling the world.
I've dreamed of + gerund
with hope
My hope is to open an English school one day.
My hope is + infinitive
I hope to have a house with a garden.
I hope + infinitive
with plan
My plan is to become a journalist.
My plan is + infinitive
I plan to work as a museum tour guide.
I plan + infinitive
I plan on selling my book to Hollywood. - Pete
I plan on + gerund
Note that dream, hope and plan can be nouns or verbs.
For Teachers
Grammar focus: using "dream" "hope" "plan" "would love" and more
Topics: talking about dreams