Learning English

16 - A home from home

The first term is over at the University of Studies. All the students are packing up and heading home for the holidays – all except Mary, that is! She couldn't get a flight home for Christmas so she will have to find somewhere else to stay...

Language focus

Showing gratitude and clearing up confusion

Daniel's parents come to the rescue by letting Mary stay awith them for Christmas. She shows how thankful she is by using these phrases…

• I'm very touched that you've allowed me to stay with you.
• I'm really grateful to have somewhere to stay.
• You're such nice people to spend the holidays with.

But they think Mary is Daniel's girlfriend! She clears up this mistake by saying...

• I think there's been some confusion.
• Can I just make it clear… we're not together.

Vocabulary

Words and phrases used in this episode related to Christmas

• festive
• Yuletide
• cracker
• turkey
• present
• mince pies
• Happy Christmas!

Transcript

Narrator
Hello. It's that time for English at University – the series that teaches some English phrases to help you through your first year of study abroad.

The first term has finished and the Christmas holidays are about to begin. The students at the University of Studies are busy preparing to go home… except for one…

Abi
Oh I can't wait for my boyfriend to pick me up – it's going to be great just hanging around, doing nothing for three weeks – a bit like here really. Oh, are you not packing your bags Mary – you've got a long journey home haven't you?

Mary
No. I haven't. I left it too late to book a flight home and now they're all sold out.

Abi
No! Well what are you going to do? It's Christmas, you can't spend it on your own.

Mary
Don't worry. I'm allowed to stay here – and I can do some reading and studying and watch TV – anyway, I don't really do the festive thing…

Daniel
Only me. Hi Mary… Abi… so you heard about my feedback from Professor Not then?

Mary
Yes. It wasn't great was it…

Abi
Don't worry about that – they only say bad things to make you work harder. Anyway, Danny boy, what are doing for the Yuletide period?

Daniel
Going home to my Mum and Dad's of course... boring. I'm catching the train at two o'clock so though I'd come and say 'Happy Christmas'.

Abi
Hold on! You've got a spare bed at your parents' house, haven't you?

Daniel
Err yeah.

Abi
Perfect! Mary can't get a flight home for Christmas so she can go and stay at yours, can't she?!

Daniel
What? Really? Do you really want to come and stay with me… at Christmas?

Mary
Well, with your parents – if it's not too much trouble.

Daniel
Ace! I'll go and ring my Mum.

Abi
There you go Mary. Christmas is sorted – have a good one.

Mum
Oh Mary it's so nice to meet you. Daniel's never brought a girl home before.

Daniel
Let's change the subject. Fancy pulling a cracker mum?

Narrator
Mary, it's time to be polite, say how grateful you are but set the record straight – explain – about you and Daniel.

Mary
Yes, of course. Err, Mrs Smythe… I'm very touched that you've allowed me to stay with you. I'm really grateful to have somewhere to stay. You're such nice people to spend the holidays with.

Mum
Ooo Jim, doesn't she say such nice things. Daniel's really found a treasure here.

Daniel
Mum!

Mary
Thank you. I'm very pleased to have Daniel as a good friend but I think there's been some confusion. Can I just make it clear… we're not together.

Daniel
No mum, we're not 'an item'. Just friends, like she said.

Mum
Oh right… no wedding yet then. Ah well, you're still a lovely girl. Would you like to carve the turkey?

Narrator
Mrs Smythe seems to like you Mary. Well done for being polite and using these phrases…

I'm very touched that you've allowed me to stay with you.
I'm really grateful to have somewhere to stay.
You're such nice people to spend the holidays with.

You also told Daniel's mum you're not mad enough to be going out with her son! Here are some of the things you said to clear up any confusion…

I think there's been some confusion.
Can I just make it clear… we're not together.

You can practise these phrases, pick up a few more plus learn some top tips for studying in the UK on our website at bbclearningenglish.com.

Now, Christmas Day is going well and it looks like there's another visitor…

Daniel
I'll get it…. Professor Not, Sharon… what are you doing here?!

Sharon
Hello!

Prof. Not
Yes hello. A bit of a surprise I know. It's just… I tried to find Mary at the university but Abi said she'd come here… ah Mary… I wanted to say sorry for the confusion in our meeting last week and give you a Christmas present… so err, here you are…

Mary
Gosh… thanks.

Mum
Actually, me and Jim have bought you a little something too.

Sharon
And I've just made some mince pies to eat – but go on Mary, open your presents first.

Mary
Oh right. This is so kind of you all. Oh lovely Mr and Mrs Smythe, a woolly scarf and mittens – very useful. Oh wow! Professor, a book.

Prof. Not
Yes, it's my latest book 'Funny Business' – look I've signed it for you.

Mary
Thanks!

Daniel
Well as we're doing presents, you might as well open mine now… here you are.

Mary
Goodness… it's a small box… a lovely bow. It's a memory stick – with my name on it! That's brilliant – just what I wanted. Oh everybody, despite being a long way from home, it's been great being here – a real home from home.

Everyone
Happy Christmas!

Mum
So professor, Sharon would you like to stay for dinner?

Both
Oh yes please.

Narrator
Happy Christmas everyone. See you next term!

More

If you're studying abroad and need help with your English, we have lots to offer on our BBC Learning English website.

Look at this BBC guide to studying smartly.

Here are some more BBC Learning English tips for giving feedback.

Here's another BBC Learning English drama called English at Work about giving feedback.

Next

Join us in the New Year as Mary, Daniel and Abi start the second term at the University of Studies.