Chunks of language (Easy)

Hello and welcome to 6 Minute Vocabulary. Im Finn…

Alice

And Im Alice. In todays show were going to chunks of language.

Finn

Yes, and by chunks of language we mean groups of words that naturally go together.

were going to do that by listening to Kirsten, a student from Germany, talking about her

typical morning.

Alice

look closely at the chunks of language Kirsten uses…

Finn

Well have a quiz to see what weve learnt…

And well bring you a top tip for learning vocabulary.

Finn

But before all that, were going to hear Kirsten, who's studying right here in London.

Alice

She's talking about her typical college day. Now, two questions for to think about while

you listen. First, why does Kirsten have to leave?

Finn

And second, why do you Kirstens English sounds a little bit unnatural?

Alice

Lets find out.

Insert 1

My typical morning? Well, I never out on an unfilled stomach, so before class, I usually

have a complete English breakfast  � I love itGetting class can take a big time because it

is the rush period. But when I get to class it a lot of enjoyment because my classmates come

from all over the earth. Anyway, I must go into class now, but Ill be back in a period.

Alice

So, why does she have to leave?

Finn

She has go to class. Well done if you got that. But why did Kirstens English sound a little

bit unnatural?

Well, we understood her, but she did make some unusual word choices.

Finn

Yes. And thats because she made mistakes when she tried to use English fixed

expressions, or chunks of language.

Alice

Chunks are groups of words naturally go together  � they are fixed expressions and

they cant usually be changed. So instead of learning them by word, we can think of

them as one complete piece of language. Lets look at some of Kirstens .

Finn

First she said she doesnt like going out on an unfilled stomach. The normal way to say that

are doing something without eating first is to say youre doing something on an empty

stomach.

Alice

Next she she likes to eat a complete English breakfast. The usual way to describe eggs,

bacon, sausage and tomato is full English breakfast.

Finn

Ooh, feeling a bit hungry now. Then she said that going to college takes a time, but the

chunk is to take a long time.

Alice

And it takes a long time because it the rush period  � but the usual expression is the rush

hour.

Finn

Kirsten told us that class is lot of enjoyment. But we usually say a lot of fun.

Alice

Its fun because Kirstens friends come from over the earth  � normally all over the

world.

Finn

And lets listen to the last sentence again.

Clip Anyway, I must go into class right now, but Ill be back in a period.

Finn

So shell return to talk more, but the usual way to say this is back in a bit. Or back

in a .

Alice

Great stuff. So, lets listen to Kirsten again, this time with all the correct chunks of language.

Insert My typical morning? Well, I never go out on an empty stomach, so before class, I usually

have a English breakfast  � I love it. Getting to class can take a long time because it

is the rush . But when I get to class its a lot of fun because my classmates come

from all over the . Anyway, I must go into class right now, but Ill be back in a bit.

Finn

Well done Kirsten. sounded much more natural that time.

Ident

Youre listening to BBC Learning English dot com.

Alice

So, now its for a quiz. You have to finish the sentences with the correct chunk.

Number 1. I want to learn , but I think it will… a) have a long time; b) take a great age; c)

take a long .

Finn

The natural way to say it is: c) take a long time.

Alice

Now number 2. People are English… a) all over the world; b) around the earth; c)

throughout the planet.

Finn

People are learning English: ) all over the world.

Alice

Well done if you got that.

Finn

That brings us almost to the end todays show.

Alice

But before we go, heres todays top tip  � instead of learning lists of vocabulary word

word, try picking up natural chunks of language that you hear people using. Learning these

chunks will make your sound much more natural.

Finn

Great advice. Theres more about this at BBC learning English dot com. Please join again

for six-minute vocabulary.

Both

Goodbye!