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.
Have you ever had the bug to do something, but you didn’t know what that thing was? Maybe, you got a travel bug, but you didn’t know where to go. Or perhaps, you wanted to get out of your house, but you didn’t know what to do. You probably began brainstorming some ideas. After thinking about your options, you came up with a plan. Perhaps, you made an announcement of this plan and told your friends and family. You might have said, “Hang onto your hats because I have an awesome plan!”
We use the expression hang onto your hat before we share news that is exciting or surprising. It’s a good way to get people’s attention before making a big announcement. If you just bought an expensive car sight unseen, or you found your mom’s favorite piece of jewelry in the lost in found, you might say hang onto your hat before talking about your experience.
Dominique has a big announcement for her new employees. Hang onto your hat because today’s English lesson is going to be great!
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.
Dominique: Thank you all for coming in. I have hired you all to work with me at my new company… our new company!
Sheila: Quick question.
Dominique: Yes, Sheila?
Sheila: What’s the name of the… I mean, our company?
Dominique: That’s a great question. Hang onto your hats. This is super exciting!
Andy_H: Question mark?
Kelsey: Love it!
Sheila: Uh…
Dominique: Actually no, that’s not the name. The announcement is: I want us to name our new company together!
Sheila: OK…
Dominique: OK. So, let’s start brainstorming!
Sheila: I know! How about Lost and Found?
Andy_H: Yeah! That’s perfect!
Dominique: I don’t understand. A Lost and Found is where people ask for things that are lost. We want to help people find new things!
Sheila: I meant maybe they’re lost, and we can help them find something.
Andy_H: Wait! Hang onto your hats! This is good! How about Tourminator? You know the Arnold Schwarzenegger film, Terminator, right? Well, we give tours, so… Tourminator! “I’ll be back.” See what I mean? Oh, never mind.
Kelsey: I like Travel Bug. If you have the bug to do something, then you really want to do it. Travel Bug: For people who like to travel!
Sheila: How about Sight Unseen? It means going somewhere before you know what it looks like… in this case, like traveling somewhere new!
Dominique: Alright, any favorites?
Sheila: I could go with Travel Bug.
Andy_H: Yeah, that’s good!
Dominique: Alright!! Travel Bug it is!!!
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Present Perfect Tense" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
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Discussion
Dominique’s new team has come in to help her begin brainstorming a name for their new company. She is very excited to begin working with her team. Sheila has many good suggestions, including Lost and Found as well as Sight Unseen. She explains why she thinks these would be great company names, and Dominique writes them on the board.
Andy is very excited to help with the brainstorm and suggests the name Tour-minator. He thinks it is a funny joke because of the movie named Terminator, but the ladies don’t think his joke is very funny. Andy tells them not to worry about it and listens to Kelsey’s idea instead. Kelsey thinks Travel Bug would be an excellent name. It’s simple and cute. The team votes and agrees to name the company Travel Bug.
What was your last brainstorm about? Were you excited to share your ideas with someone?