1.


　

In the next ENGLISH USA lesson you will learn how to ask where people are from and tell others where you are from. This is useful English for getting acquainted.

In this lesson, Martin Learner interviews Stefan Nowak (Novak) in a coffee shop. You will learn to ask where someone is from.

This is English USA on the Voice of America. Now, Lesson 7, Part 1.

Martin:

Hi, Stefan. Please, sit down.

Stefan:

Hello, Mr. Learner.

Martin:

Oh, please call me Martin. OK?

Stefan:

Martin. OK.

Waitress:

Morning. What're yu gonna have?

Martin:

Two coffees, please.

Waitress:

That's it? OK.

Stefan:

What did she say?

Martin:

She said, What are you going to have? What're yu gonna have? What are you going to have?

Stefan:

Ah. What are you going to have? Sometimes, I do not understand waiters?

Martin:

Sometimes, I don't understand!

Waitress:

Here y'are. Two coffees.

Martin:

Thanks.　She said, Here you are.

Stefan:

I understand.

Martin:

Stefan and I'm writing a news report. It's going to be about students in the United States. and I want to write about you.

Stefan:

You are going to write about me? OK.

Martin:

Good. May I record you on this tape recorder?

Stefan:

Yes, sure.

Martin:

First, tell me your FULL name.

Stefan:

My name is Stefan Nowak.

Martin:

I want to get it right. Please spell it for me.

Stefan:

S-T-E-F-A-N N-O-W-A-K.

Martin:

Where are you from?

Stefan:

I am from Poland.

Martin:

I know you're from Poland. What city are you from? Warsaw?

Stefan:
　

No, I'm not from Warsaw. I am from Cracow. Where are you from?

Martin:

I'm from Chicago. But I live in Baltimore now.

Stefan:

I lived in Warsaw too.

Martin:
　

Before I lived in Baltimore and I lived in many cities. I lived in Washington, San Francisco, Paris and Berlin.

Stefan:

That's many places!

Martin:
　

Well, I write news stories and reports. Reporters go where there is news.

Waitress:

More coffee?

2.

Let's listen to part of this conversation again.

Martin:

Where are you from?

Stefan:

I'm from Poland.

Martin:

What city are you from?

Stefan:

I'm from Cracow. Where are you from?

Martin:

I'm from Chicago.

3.
　

Now, can you say it? Try to answer the questions.

Martin:

I'm from Chicago. Where are you from?

You:

Stefan:

I'm from Cracow. Where are you from?

You:

4.
　

Questions beginning with ?where? and ending with "from" are answered by naming a place--a country, a region, a state, or a city.

Martin:

Where are you from?

Stefan:

I'm from Poland.

Martin:

Where?

Stefan:

Poland. Where are you from?

Martin:

I live in Baltimore now. But I'm from Chicago.

Stefan:

I live in Baltimore now too.

5.
　

Can you answer the questions?

Martin:

I live in Baltimore now. Where do you live?

You:

Stefan:

I live in Baltimore too. Where do you live?

You:

Waitress:

More coffee?

Martin:

Yes, please.

Stefan:

Thank you. Excuse me, where are you from?

Waitress:

Here.

Stefan:

Where?

Waitress:

Here. I'm from Baltimore. Where're you from?

Stefan:

I live in Baltimore.

Waitress:

I lived in Florida last year. I lived in California. I lived in Texas.

Waitress:

I lived in Ohio, New York and Washington.