Lesson Two - Hello/Goodbye

Hi everybody, this is Misterduncan in England.
How are you today?  Are you okay?  I hope so! Are you happy?  I hope so!

In today's lesson, we're going to talk all about saying 'hello' and 'goodbye'.

When we first meet someone, whether it is someone we know, or someone we are meeting for the first time, we will normally use a simple sentence as a way of greeting them.

A greeting is a friendly way of opening a conversation, or as a way of letting the other person know that we have seen them. There are many ways to say hello.

'Hi''   ''Hello''  ''Hi there''  ''Hello there''  ''Hey, how are you doing?''
''Howdy friend'' (informal USA)   ''What's up?''  ''How's it going?''
''Wow! it's good to see you.''

We sometimes use a double greeting for example...

''Hi there, hey how are you doing?''  ''Hello, how have you been?''
''It's good to see you, how's life been treating you?''

If you are meeting someone for the first time, you can say...

''Good to meet you.''   ''It's nice to meet you.''  ''I'm pleased to meet you.''
''It's a pleasure to meet you.''

These sentences are often used after the other person has been introduced to you.

If you are meeting someone you have not seen or heard from for a long time,
then you can show real surprise and shock.

''Oh my God, it's you!''
''Aahh  where have you been?''
''My goodness, long time no speak.''  (or see)
''Wow, it's so good to see you again.''
''Is it really you? When did we last meet?''
''Wow, as I live and breathe, it's my best friend from school.''

If you are in a hurry, there may only be a short time in which to make your greeting.

''Hi, sorry I can't stop.''
''Oh hi there, look I'm a bit pushed for time...here's my phone number,
give me a call sometime.''
''Hello there, look I'm on my way to work, maybe catch up with you again soon?''
''Hey I would love to stop and chat, but I really have to dash.''

This type of greeting is common these days because we are all in such a big hurry to get some place...fast!

We sometimes use the word 'hello' as a way of showing surprise or as a way of expressing a sudden interest in something.

''Hello, what's going on here?''
''Hello, I did not know he had a girlfriend.''
''Hello, what's going on over there?''
''Hello, something is wrong here...he took my money!''

Here in the UK, people will often greet each other by talking about the weather.

''Hello, isn't it a lovely day?''  ''Hello, what about this terrible weather?''
''Hello, did you hear the storm last night?''  

In many countries, people will ask about the family.

''Hello, how's the family?''   ''Hello, how's your wife doing?''  ''Hello, how are the kids?''

In China, people will often greet each other by asking if they have eaten their lunch or dinner, or ask them where they are going.

The word 'hello' can also be used informally as a way of expressing sarcasm  or annoyance.

''Hello, did you understand what I said?''
''Hello, was that too difficult for you to read?''
''Hello, did you see me waving at you?''
''Hello, do you not recognise me?''
''Hello, what time do you call this? You are late!''

 ''Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.''
That's Shakespeare that is.

Saying goodbye.

There are many ways to say goodbye.

''Bye!''  ''Bye for now.''  ''Bye-bye.''  ''See ya.''  ''So long.''  ''Ciao.''   ''Later.''
''Cheerio.''  ''See you around.''   ''Farewell.''   ''Ta-ra.''  ''See you again.''
''Ta-ta for now.''  ''Catch you later.''  ''Goodbye.''

You will often hear me say ''Ta-ta'' at the end of my English lessons.  This expression is mostly used in certain parts of the UK. It is a friendly fun way to say...Goodbye.

Well I have come to the end of this lesson, so I must bid you a fond farewell.
Until the next time we meet here on the super-duper Internet highway.  

This is Misterduncan in England saying, thank you for watching me, teaching you...
and ta-ta for now.

Lesson One - (Introduction)

Hi everybody, this is Misterduncan in England
How are you today?  Are you okay?  I hope so!
Are you happy? I hope so!


Welcome to the very first episode of my series of English teaching videos Before I begin we will take a look at some of the common questions that often arise when talking about learning the English language and more importantly,learning it as a second language. 


So, the first question must be...
"Why do we need to learn English?"


Of course one of the reasons why we need to be able to speak English nowadays is because the world is becoming smaller. Thanks to the internet and our developing global economy, more and more people are using English as a common way to communicate with each other. So now it has become unavoidable that companies and large businesses will need to employ people.who can speak more than their own native language, that is where English comes in. It is now officially considered (as) an international language.


Of course learning anything is difficult and English is no exception. 
However, there are ways to make the situation easier. 
I have come up with my own list of general rules for learning English 


Do you want to hear them?
Do you want to know what they are?
Ok...let's go!


Learning English takes time and patience. 
It cannot be rushed.


Try to relax and take it easy
The most important thing you need at the beginning
is a good vocabulary Without words, you have nothing to work with. 
You must start with a strong foundation or base and slowly build on it, day by day!


You must view English as a part of your body...
just as you would an arm or leg
It must become a part of your everyday life.
Daily practice is very important.
Do not worry about making mistakes.
In fact the more mistakes you make,
the more you will learn from them
Just like learning to ride a bike...
sometimes you fall off.
So what do you do?
You get back on and try again.


Do not look at English as just another subject
Your attitude to English and the way you view it
will decide how well you progress.
Just as we say in English
"No pain...no gain"


The two most important words to remember
when learning English are...'practise' and 'confidence'.
Practise English everyday and be confident.
You will find that the more you use English...
the better your English will become.
and the more confident you become...
then the more you will want to use it.
Make it a rule to tell yourself...
I can do it...I can do it...I can do it !


Please remember, my lessons are aimed at everyone
so hopefully you will find something useful in each one.
Maybe you will find some of the words I use very easy.
But you will also see some words that may be new to you.
Remember...my lessons are aimed at everyone.
Even teachers are very welcome to join in.


Learning English should be a fun experience
and I hope with the help of my videos lessons
you will discover just how much fun it can be.
I hope you've enjoyed my first lesson.


This is Misterduncan in England saying
thanks for watching and bye-bye for now.