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    Nico Speaks English in the Taxi

    speaking English in public for the first timea taxiCEFR A2
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    Nico gets into a taxi early in the morning. He needs to go to the city center. He has an important meeting today. Nico is because he wants to speak English. He does not speak English very often. He usually stays quiet when he does not know the words. The driver says, "Good morning! Where are you going?" Nico takes a deep . He looks at the driver in the . He says, "Good morning. I need to go to Central Street, please." His voice is very quiet. The driver smiles and says, "No problem!" Nico feels a little better. He did it. He spoke English. The taxi moves through the streets. Nico looks out the window.

    He feels again. The driver asks, "Is this your first time in this ?" Nico thinks for a moment. He wants to answer well. He says, "Yes, it is. I am new here." The driver nods and says, "It is a great place. You will love it!" Nico smiles. He says, "Thank you. I hope so." The driver asks, "Do you need to anything else?" Nico thinks about this. He says, "No, thank you. Just the meeting." The driver laughs a little. Nico laughs too. It feels nice. He thinks English is not so scary. The taxi arrives at Central Street. The driver says, "Here we are! Have a great meeting." Nico pays the .

    He says, "Thank you very much. You are very kind." The driver says, "Good luck today!" Nico gets out of the taxi. He stands on the sidewalk. He feels of himself. He spoke English the whole ride. He did not stop. He did not give up. He thinks about the driver's smile. It helped him feel . Nico walks to his meeting. He is still . But he is also happy. He knows he can do it again. Next time, he will speak a little louder.

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    Key Vocabulary

    How to use these cards
    1. Read each word and its meaning.
    2. Tap “Cover the meanings”, then tap a card to check yourself.
    3. Tap “Quick quiz” for a short test. Tap “I know this” on cards you have learned.
    nervous
    /ˈnɝː.vəs/
    adjective

    feeling worried or frightened about something

    "Nico is nervous because he wants to speak English."

    breath
    /brɛθ/
    noun

    the air that you take into and send out of your lungs

    "He takes a deep breath before he speaks."

    mirror
    /ˈmɪr.ɚ/
    noun

    a flat piece of glass that shows your reflection

    "He looks at the driver in the mirror."

    area
    /ˈer.i.ə/
    noun

    a part of a place or city

    "The driver asks if it is Nico's first time in this area."

    directions
    /dɪˈrɛk.ʃənz/
    noun

    instructions that tell you how to get to a place

    "The driver asks if Nico needs directions to anything else."

    fare
    /fɛr/
    noun

    the money you pay to travel in a taxi or on a bus

    "Nico pays the fare when the taxi arrives."

    proud
    /praʊd/
    adjective

    feeling happy because you did something well

    "Nico feels proud of himself after the taxi ride."

    calm
    /kɑːm/
    adjective

    not worried or excited; relaxed and quiet

    "The driver's smile helped Nico feel calm."

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    Useful Phrases

    How to use these cards
    1. Read each phrase and its meaning.
    2. Tap “Cover the meanings”, then tap a card to check yourself.
    3. Tap “Quick quiz” for a short test. Tap “I know this” on cards you have learned.

    take a deep breath

    to breathe in slowly to help yourself feel less nervous

    "He takes a deep breath before he speaks to the driver."

    No problem!

    used to say that something is easy or that you are happy to help

    "The driver smiles and says, "No problem!""

    I am new here

    used to say that you have not been in a place for a long time

    "Nico says, "I am new here," when the driver asks about the area."

    I hope so

    used to say that you want something to be true

    "Nico says, "I hope so," when the driver says he will love the place."

    Here we are!

    used to say that you have arrived at a place

    "The driver says, "Here we are!" when the taxi stops."

    Good luck!

    used to wish someone success before something important

    "The driver says, "Good luck today!" before Nico gets out."

    give up

    to stop trying to do something

    "Nico did not give up. He spoke English the whole ride."

    feel proud of yourself

    to feel happy and satisfied because you did something well

    "Nico stands on the sidewalk and feels proud of himself."

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