16: A home from home
Narrator Hello. It's that time for English at University – the series that teaches some English phrases to help you through your first year of study abroad. The first term has finished and the Christmas holidays are about to begin. The students at the University of Studies are busy preparing to go home… except for one… Abi Oh I can't wait for my boyfriend to pick me up – it's going to be great just hanging around, doing nothing for three weeks – a bit like here really. Oh, are you not packing your bags Mary – you've got a long journey home haven't you? Mary No. I haven't. I left it too late to book a flight home and now they're all sold out. Abi No! Well what are you going to do? It's Christmas, you can't spend it on your own. Mary Don't worry. I'm allowed to stay here – and I can do some reading and studying and watch TV – anyway, I don't really do the festive thing… Daniel Only me. Hi Mary… Abi… so you heard about my feedback from Professor Not then? Mary Yes. It wasn't great was it… Abi Don't worry about that – they only say bad things to make you work harder. Anyway, Danny boy, what are doing for the Yuletide period? Daniel Going home to my Mum and Dad's of course... boring. I'm catching the train at two o'clock so thought I'd come and say 'Happy Christmas'. Abi Hold on! You've got a spare bed at your parents' house, haven't you? Daniel Err yeah. Abi Perfect! Mary can't get a flight home for Christmas so she can go and stay at yours, can't she?! Daniel What? Really? Do you really want to come and stay with me… at Christmas? Mary Well, with your parents – if it's not too much trouble. Daniel Ace! I'll go and ring my Mum. Abi There you go Mary. Christmas is sorted – have a good one. Mum Oh Mary it's so nice to meet you. Daniel's never brought a girl home before. Daniel Let's change the subject. Fancy pulling a cracker mum? Narrator Mary, it's time to be polite, say how grateful you are but set the record straight – explain – about you and Daniel. Mary Yes, of course. Err, Mrs Smythe… I'm very touched that you've allowed me to stay with you. I'm really grateful to have somewhere to stay. You're such nice people to spend the holidays with. Mum Ooo Jim, doesn't she say such nice things. Daniel's really found a treasure here. Daniel Mum! Mary Thank you. I'm very pleased to have Daniel as a good friend but I think there's been some confusion. Can I just make it clear… we're not together. Daniel No mum, we're not 'an item'. Just friends, like she said. Mum Oh right… no wedding yet then. Ah well, you're still a lovely girl. Would you like to carve the turkey? Narrator Mrs Smythe seems to like you Mary. Well done for being polite and using these phrases… I'm very touched that you've allowed me to stay with you. I'm really grateful to have somewhere to stay. You're such nice people to spend the holidays with. You also told Daniel's mum you're not mad enough to be going out with her son! Here are some of the things you said to clear up any confusion… I think there's been some confusion. Can I just make it clear… we're not together. You can practise these phrases, pick up a few more plus learn some top tips for studying in the UK on our website at bbclearningenglish.com. Now, Christmas Day is going well and it looks like there's another visitor… Daniel I'll get it…. Professor Not, Sharon… what are you doing here?! Sharon Hello! Prof. Not Yes hello. A bit of a surprise I know. It's just… I tried to find Mary at the university but Abi said she'd come here… ah Mary… I wanted to say sorry for the confusion in our meeting last week and give you a Christmas present… so err, here you are… Mary Gosh… thanks. Mum Actually, me and Jim have bought you a little something too. Sharon And I've just made some mince pies to eat – but go on Mary, open your presents first. Mary Oh right. This is so kind of you all. Oh lovely Mr and Mrs Smythe, a woolly scarf and mittens – very useful. Oh wow! Professor, a book. Prof. Not Yes, it's my latest book 'Funny Business' – look I've signed it for you. Mary Thanks! Daniel Well as we're doing presents, you might as well open mine now… here you are. Mary Goodness… it's a small box… a lovely bow. It's a memory stick – with my name on it! That's brilliant – just what I wanted. Oh everybody, despite being a long way from home, it's been great being here – a real home from home. Everyone Happy Christmas! Mum So professor, Sharon would you like to stay for dinner? Both Oh yes please. Narrator Happy Christmas everyone. See you next term!
