Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Everyone has a source of stress in their life… and most people have more than one! Maybe, it’s a difficult job or a family you need to support. Perhaps, it is a program of study that you take very seriously. It can be challenging to relax when you have important things to worry about. You might even feel like any minute you’re going to go crazy! When your stress level gets too high, it’s a good idea to let loose and clown around for a little bit.
If someone is “clowning around,” they are not being serious. They are acting funny. They might tell jokes or make weird faces. They might do a dance or sing a song. People usually clown around to entertain others, but sometimes, it can be fun to clown around by yourself. Clowning around is a great way to get rid of stress and get a smile back on your face. After all, laughter is good for you!
The team is feeling pretty stressed out about the commercial they are working on. Watch the video to see how Andy cheers them up.
3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
Andy_H: The car is about to go off the edge. And then, this explosion happens in the middle of this billionaire’s, like, apartment. But the car got out, and it’s just kind-of flying through the air, and everything goes slow motion because, like, of course. And it’s just like boooooo… busted!
Sheila: What are you doing? Andy, get off the bench. Stop clowning around, the director is going to be here any minute!
Kelsey: Sorry, just trying to have a little fun.
Sheila: Does everyone know their roles?
Dominique: I think we have a good understanding. I want to make a great commercial, but let’s just have some fun doing it.
Sheila: Sorry. I take it really seriously. You’re right. There’s no reason we can’t have a little fun. I guess I’m just a little nervous. You are too, right?
Andy_H: Not really.
Kelsey: I am. I have a gig tonight. What time do you think we’ll be done?
Sheila: That’s not what I meant.
Dominique: I am, Sheila. I’m nervous. I’ve never been in front of a camera like this before. How do you do it?
Sheila: Well, you try to understand your character, and then you have fun with it.
Andy_H: Great! Well, let’s have some fun. Can I keep going?
Sheila: OK. Sure.
Andy_H: Awesome! Because! Brian is like, “Cars don’t fly, Dominic.” But Dominic’s just gunning it, and he guns it, and they just blow out of…
Sheila: Oh! There’s the director! Quick, get off the bench! Quit clowning around! Everyone, get ready!
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Contractions and Abbreviations" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
-
Sponsored by
Discussion
Andy is telling an exciting story about a car chase in a movie he saw. Sheila interrupts him and tells him to stop clowning around. The director will be here very soon, and she wants to make sure that everyone knows their roles. Dominique thinks they have a good understanding of what they’re doing. She tells Sheila that they want to make a good commercial, but they also want to have some fun.
Sheila apologizes. She takes the commercial really seriously, and she is a little nervous. Everyone else is nervous, too. Dominique has never been in front of a camera before. The team agrees that they should have fun with their roles, and Andy continues telling his story. But just then, the director arrives!
Do you clown around when you are stressed? Have you ever tried acting?