english_at_university_ep2.mp3
English_at_university_ep2.pdf
Narrator
Hello and welcome to English at University - the series that teaches some English phrases to
help you through your first year at university Mary's just landed in London and is heading
off for the University of Studies – but there's a problem – she's already lost Mary, what's
?happened
Mary
I think I got off at the wrong station and now I don't know which way to go
Narrator
It's time to ask for help Don't be scared You'll find Londoners helpful and friendly people
Just be polite and ask them the way and see what they say
Mary
OK Here goes Err, help me will you I don't know where to go
Passer-by
What? Sorry, I'm in a rush
Narrator
You need to be polite, smile and start with 'excuse me'…
Mary
OK then Excuse me… could you tell me the way to the University of Studies…
?please
Passer-by
No Never heard of it
Mary
Oh dear How am I going to find my way there? Oh, I'll ask him… I wonder if you could
?help me… please
Daniel
?Are you lost
Mary
?Yes, I am Please could you give me directions to the University of Studies?
Daniel
Yeah Of course I'm going there myself It's my first day…
Mary
?Me too! I don't suppose you could show me the way, could you
Daniel
… I don't know why I'm studying there though I should have gone to Oxford or
Cambridge… I did so well in my A levels… but I suppose I can share my 'wisdom' with the
other undergraduates… anyway…
Mary
Ermm, there's a sign…
Daniel
?…my name's Daniel by the way Are you just visiting
Mary
No I said I'm studying here too My names Mary and look… there's a sign for the university
Daniel
Nice to meet you Mabel I think it's a left turn here then straight on
Narrator
Oh dear Mary Let's hope he's not doing the same course as you He sounds like a complete
loser – an idiot Anyway, while Daniel's showing her where to go, let's look at the phrases
she used to ask for directions…
Excuse me, could you tell me the way to…
?I wonder if you could help me please
Please could you give me directions to…
?don't suppose you could show me the way, could you
You can practise these phrases, pick up a few more plus learn some top tips for travelling in
the UK on our website at BBC Learning English dot com Now, back to Mary… I've got a
feeling she's has asked the wrong person for directions This Daniel seems like a bit of a
numpty – an idiot
Daniel
?Strange… I thought it was down here Maybe it was right at the junction
Narrator
Yep, he's a muppet A total idiot
Mary
?Oh dear Maybe we should ask that policeman over there
Daniel
No, no, we'll be fine Err… taxi! Taxi
