English for All – Story 1

Wizard: I love coffee – mmm.

But it needs sugar.

Oh, hello! Welcome to English For All where you will learn helpful English skills as well as important life skills like renting a place to live or looking for a job.

In today’s episode you will learn how to talk about:
the things you like to do,
the things you want to do,
the things you need to do and
the things you hate to do.

Oh, let me give you an example.

I hate to drink black coffee.
I want to make it sweet.
I need to add sugar.
Mmm!
I like to drink sweet coffee.

Today you will also learn about job and career advancement. How do you find a job?

Well, it’s time for our story. Please pay close attention.

Alejandro: More coffee, sir?

Wizard: Yes, please.

Thank you.

——————–

Reza: Hey, Alejandro. You look happy today.

Alejandro: I am. Look.

Reza: What’s that?

Alejandro: My certificate from computer class.

Elsie: Congratulations!

Alejandro: Thanks. Finally.

Reza: It took a long time, right?

Alejandro: Yes, 18 months. But, I like to work with computers. It’s fun.

Elsie: More fun than taking care of customers?

Alejandro: I like to take care of customers. I don’t like to do the dishes.

Reza: I hate to do the dishes.

Mr. Miller: Is it time to work or time to play?

Elsie, I need you in the dining area. Now!

Alejandro.

Alejandro: Yes, sir?

Mr. Miller: I was wondering. How are you doing with your computer classes?

Alejandro: I have a certificate of completion. See?

Mr. Miller: Ah, fine. Listen, when you’re done here, why don’t you come to my office. I want to speak with you about something very important.

Alejandro: Of course, Mr. Miller.

Reza: Did you hear that?

Alejandro: What?

Reza: He wants to talk to you in his office! In private! He needs a new assistant manager and wants to promote you!

Alejandro: That would be great! I need to make more money and my car has many problems.

Reza: Yes. You will get the promotion! You’re perfect for it!

Alejandro: Well, yes, I admit, I want to be the new assistant manager.

Reza: My new boss! Sir!

Mr. Miller: Ah, have a seat Alejandro. You know I need to hire an assistant manager.

Alejandro: Yes, sir.

Mr. Miller: It’s a very important job.

Alejandro: Oh, yes, sir.

Mr. Miller: The assistant manager has to work very hard.

Alejandro: No problem, sir.

Mr. Miller: That’s why I’ve hired somebody very special. My nephew, Stanley.

Alejandro: Nephew?

Mr. Miller: Yes, he’s from Texas.

Stanley: Hi.

Mr. Miller: Anyway, Alejandro, you like to work with computers.

Stanley: I hate computers.

Mr. Miller: Be quiet, Stanley. Anyway, you know computers and I want you to work with Stanley.

Alejandro: Yes, I have a certificate from computer school.

Mr. Miller: Yes, I know. Very impressive, Alejandro.

You need to clean tables so you can go now.

——————–

Elsie: I’m sorry, Alejandro.

Alejandro: I can’t believe it.

Reza: This isn’t right.

Alejandro: I need to get out of here.

Elsie: You have to make your computer certificate work for you.

Reza: Yeah!

Alejandro: What good is it? There is nothing I can do.

Elsie: Yes, there is. You can go out and find a new job.

Alejandro: How? I don’t have a rich uncle.

Elsie: There are many ways to find a new job.

For example, you can go to a job agency and see a job counselor.

Job counselors help many people find a new job.

Or you can look in the newspaper. There are a lot of jobs listed in the classified ads.

Reza: Hey!

Elsie: Or you can tell your family and your friends you’re looking for a job.

Reza: You guys, look!

Alejandro: Assistant Manager needed.

Elsie: And sometimes you have to look for Help Wanted signs.

Reza: Go on, Alejandro. Well, what are you waiting for?

Alejandro: But that’s the competition. Mr. Miller will be angry.

Elsie: There’s no time like the present.

Reza: Be confident, my comrade.

Alejandro: But…

Elsie: Don’t worry, we’ll cover for you. Just go get your jacket.

Reza: Come on, Alejandro! You can do it.

Alejandro: Where’s my jacket?

Mrs. Gilmore: Hello, may I help you?

Alejandro: Hi, um, are you still looking for an assistant manager?

Mrs. Gilmore: Oh yes, we are. Are you here to apply for the position?

Alejandro: Well, I, uh, uh, uh…

——————–

Wizard: What do you think Alejandro will do? He looks scared. Will he say yes or no?

We’ll find out in just a moment.

But first, today’s lesson. Let’s review.

want to

need to

like to

hate to

These words are used to express how we think and feel. Notice how they are followed by a simple present tense verb.

Watch and listen.

Alejandro: Well, yes, I admit, I want to be the new assistant manager.

Wizard: Alejandro wants to become the new assistant manager. Where else did we see someone want to do something?

Mr. Miller: I want to speak with you about something very important.

Wizard: Mr. Miller wants to speak to Alejandro about something very important. Sometimes people want to do something. Sometimes people need to do something. What does Alejandro need to do?

Alejandro: That would be great! I need to make more money.

Wizard: Alejandro’s car has many problems. He needs to make more money. Where else did we see the words need to?

Mr. Miller: You know I need to hire an assistant manager.

Wizard: Mr. Miller needs to hire an assistant manager. He doesn’t like to do all the work. Where else did we hear someone talk about what they like to do?

Alejandro: I like to work with computers. It’s fun.

Wizard: Alejandro likes to work with computers. That’s why he’d make a good assistant manager. The assistant manager needs to work with computers. Where else did we see like to?

Alejandro: I like to take care of customers. I don’t like to do the dishes.

Wizard: Alejandro doesn’t like to do the dishes. He likes to take care of customers. Good. Let’s review hate to.

Reza: I hate to do the dishes.

——————–

Wizard: Would you like to go back to the scene and see what Alejandro says? Of course you do!

Choice A, Alejandro says no. Let’s see what happens.
—————

Mrs. Gilmore: Are you here to apply for the position?

Alejandro: Uh, no. Um, my friend wants to apply.

Mrs. Gilmore: Okay. Well, tell your friend he needs to come in and fill out an application.

Alejandro: Thanks.

Mrs. Gilmore: Mmm hmm.

Elsie: How did it go, Alejandro?

Alejandro: I didn’t apply. I was too scared.

Mr. Miller: Alejandro! Where were you? Stanley needs your help.

Alejandro: The inventory changes every day so you need to change the totals over here like this.

Okay?

Now to print, you need to click here.

Now you do it.

Stanley: Okay, so to print, I need to click here.

Mr. Miller: Excellent! Good job, Stanley.

Stanley: Thank you, Uncle Cosmo.

Mr. Miller: Isn’t he brilliant?
—————

Alejandro: You wanted to see me?

Stanley: Yeah, I still can’t make it print, Alejandro.

What button do I push? You didn’t tell me it was going to do this.

Why didn’t you mention that, hm? Hm?
—————

Wizard: Is this Alejandro’s future? He doesn’t look very happy, does he? Maybe he made a mistake.

——————–

Wizard: Choice B, Alejandro says yes. I want to see what happens when Alejandro says yes!

And action!
—————

Mrs. Gilmore: Well yes, we are.

Are you here to apply for the position?

Alejandro: Uh…

Yes. I am.

I want to fill out an application.

Mrs. Gilmore: Great. I’m Martha Gilmore, owner and manager of the restaurant.

Please, come into the back office.

You can fill out an application and we can talk.

Alejandro: Thank you.

——————–

Wizard: So, how do you think Alejandro will do in the interview? Will he get the job? You’ll have to see our next show in order to answer that question.

But for now, let’s review some of the English we have learned in today’s show. Today we have learned how to use
want to,
need to,
like to and
hate to.

These words are used to express what we want and feel, and remember, it’s very important to practice, practice, practice your English.

Well, I’ve got to get back to my pie. But I’ll see you next time here on English For All!

Wizard: I see the future. Three roses are going to appear.

Hello. Welcome to English For All. In today’s episode you’re going to learn about going to and will.

We often use going to and will when we talk about the future.

For example, I’m going to sell many roses today. Ouch!

You’re also going to learn about job safety today.

Well, let’s get back to our story. We left Alejandro filling out an application in Mrs. Gilmore’s office. Will he get the job? Let’s see.
—————

Mrs. Gilmore: Alejandro, your application looks excellent.

Alejandro: Thank you.

Mrs. Gilmore: And your computer courses will definitely help you on the job.

Alejandro, do you know La Adelita, the restaurant we own on Fourth Street?

Alejandro: Of course.

Mrs. Gilmore: I want to train you there first because it’s less busy. Then soon you can work at this restaurant.

That is, of course, if you accept the job.

Alejandro: Oh yes, I will!

I mean, I accept the job, Mrs. Gilmore.

This is great! Thank you!

Mrs. Gilmore: Wonderful. Will you be able to start in two weeks?

Alejandro: Two weeks? Really? Of course!

Mrs. Gilmore: Great! Let’s go see the restaurant.
—————

Mrs. Gilmore: Thank you, Trung.

Mrs. Gilmore: Trung, I want you to meet our new assistant manager, Alejandro.

Trung: Hey.

Mrs. Gilmore: Alejandro, as assistant manager, you will have many responsibilities. First, you’ll have to read this pamphlet.

Alejandro: Job safety. Okay, great. I will read it tonight.

Mrs. Gilmore: Welcome aboard, Alejandro, our new assistant manager.

Alejandro: Thanks.
—————

Sofia: Okay, okay. Thank you for calling, Dr. Rosa.

Yes, yes, I will.

Okay, goodbye.

Alejandro: Sofia.

Sofia: Hi!

Alejandro: This is for you.

Sofia: Thank you.

Alejandro: Guess what? I am going to be the new assistant manager of La Adelita.

Sofia: La Adelita?

Alejandro: Yes!

Sofia: What?

Alejandro: I’ll be in training there first, then when I’m ready I’ll go Lozanos.

Sofia: Wait. La Adelita, Lozano’s, I don’t understand.

Alejandro: They’re owned by the same woman.

Sofia: Uh huh.

Alejandro: She offered me the job today!

Sofia: Ah! That’s great! Good!

Alejandro: Oh, Sofia, I am so happy. I am going to be the new assistant manager. We’re going to make more money.

Sofia: Yes, but Alejandro–

Alejandro: We’re going to buy a new car!

Sofia: Alejandro.

Alejandro: And we’re going to rent a bigger and better apartment.

Sofia: Alejandro!

Alejandro: What?

Sofia: We’re, we’re going to have a baby!

Alejandro: We’re going to have a baby?

Sofia: Yes!

Alejandro: I’m going to be a father. Oh, Sofia!

This is the greatest day! Let’s celebrate!

Sofia: Yes!

I’m late! I have to go!

Alejandro: Oh work. Tell them you’re sick.

Sofia: You know I would love to do that but I can’t.

I have to go but we’ll celebrate later. Bye!
—————

Alejandro: [sigh]
Job safety.

I’m going to be a father.
I’m going to start a new job.
I will read this later.

I’m going to celebrate now!

Alejandro: Hi, Rick.

Rick: Hey, Alejandro. How are you doing today?

Alejandro: Great. This is the happiest day of my life.

I’m going to be the new assistant manager of La Adelita and my wife is going to have a baby.

Rick: Hey, congratulations!

Alejandro: Thanks. I want to celebrate. Give me your best.

Rick’s special lemonade.

Rick: Rick’s special it is. When do you start your new job?

Alejandro: In two weeks. I’m very excited, except the owner gave me this silly thing to read.

Rick: Oh, job safety huh? I read something like this too when I started here. I learned a lot.

Alejandro: Really?

Rick: Absolutely. I thought I knew everything about job safety but I was wrong.

Alejandro: But what’s so dangerous about working in a bar?

Rick: Well, at work you can never be too careful.

For example, I didn’t know some cleaning chemicals can be dangerous. It’s a good idea to wear gloves when cleaning.

I also learned there’s a wrong way and a right way to lift heavy objects.

And I learned it’s important to put up warning signs when mopping the floors. People can slip if they don’t know the floor’s wet.

Alejandro: Yeah, but isn’t that pretty obvious?

Rick: Yeah, you’re right but there can be some dangerous things on the job that you can’t see or smell.

Plus, if you’re going to be assistant manager, you’re responsible for making sure everyone follows safety codes.

I think you should read that.

Alejandro: Hm. I guess you’re right.
—————

Reza: Alejandro, I’m going to miss you.

Alejandro: Ah, Reza, I don’t start my new job for two weeks.

Reza: I know, I know. But I’m still going to miss you.

So did you tell Mr. Miller yet?

Alejandro: No. I will soon.

Hey, that shelf looks loose.

Reza: Yeah, it does.

Alejandro: That’s dangerous.

Mr. Miller: What’s going on here? Reza, go mop the floors.

And Alejandro, go clean the tables.
—————

Alejandro: Mr. Miller?

Mr. Miller: Yes, what, what is it?

Alejandro: I have something to tell you.

Mr. Miller: Well, hurry up, Alejandro, we’re going to be very busy tonight.

Alejandro: Well, Mr. Miller. I found another job. I will begin to work in two weeks.

Mr. Miller: You, you found another job? Where?

Alejandro: Restaurant Lozano.

Mr. Miller: Lozano’s? Across the street? The competition?

Alejandro: Uh huh.

Mr. Miller: Oh, they need busboys, huh?

Alejandro: Well, I’m not going to be a busboy. I’m going to be the new assistant manager.

Mr. Miller: Ah, the new assistant manager. Well, fine. But for now, you still work for me. And I told you to clean those tables!

Alejandro: Well first, I should get the caution sign.

Mr. Miller: Do you want to end your job now instead? Two weeks without pay?

Alejandro: No, sir. I need the money. My wife is going to have a baby.

Mr. Miller: Then get over there and clean those tables, now!

Alejandro: But the floor is very dangerous.

Mr. Miller: Do it now! Or go home.
—————

Wizard: And freeze! So, what do you think Alejandro is going to do? Is he going to listen to Mr. Miller and clean the tables right away or is he going to get the caution sign? Will he get fired? We’ll find out in a minute.

But first, today’s lesson. Let’s review. The future tense using will. We use will plus a verb to talk about the future. Do you remember Alejandro using will?

Okay, great. I will read it tonight.

Well, Mr. Miller, I found another job. I will begin to work in two weeks.

Wizard: Another way to talk about the future is to use going to plus the infinitive of the verb. I am going to show you some examples.

Alejandro: I’m going to be the new assistant manager.

Sofia: We’re going to have a baby!

Wizard: Sofia is telling us that there’s a baby on the way.

Sofia’s going to have a baby!

Great!
—————

Wizard: Choice A. Let’s see what happens when Alejandro does not get the caution sign. And action!—————

Alejandro: But the floor is very dangerous.

Mr. Miller: Do it now! Or go home.

Customer: Boy, I’m hungry.

Alejandro: Sir, watch out!

Customer: Oh! Oh!

Mr. Miller: I’m sorry, sir. Sir?

Customer: Oh! Oh, my back.

Mr. Miller: Oh, sir. I am so sorry.

Customer: Are you the owner?

Mr. Miller: Yes, I am.

Customer: I’m going to call a lawyer. I’m going to take you to court.

Lawyer: I’m a lawyer. And I saw everything. You and your restaurant are liable for this accident.

Mr. Miller: But…
Alejandro! You’re fired!

Alejandro: But

Mr. Miller: Get out!

Alejandro: But my new job doesn’t start for another two weeks. I need the money! My wife is going to have a baby!

Mr. Miller: Get out!
—————

Wizard: Oh! Bad luck for Alejandro. And somebody got hurt because safety precautions were not taken.

Oh well.
—————

Wizard: Wait a minute! We have one more choice. Let’s see what that is again. Choice B, Alejandro gets the caution sign. I like that much better. Let’s see what happens when he makes this choice. And action!

—————

Alejandro: But the floor is very dangerous.

Mr. Miller: Do it now! Or go home.

Alejandro: Mr. Miller. I think I should get the caution sign. If there is an accident, you could lose your restaurant.

Mr. Miller: Alejandro, get back here.

Lawyer: Excuse me. It’s true sir. I’m a lawyer. If someone gets hurt, you could lose your restaurant.

Mr. Miller: I knew that.

Customer: Boy, I’m hungry.

Mr. Miller: Sir, be very careful. Watch your step. Let me show you to your table.

Mr. Miller: Alejandro, what are you doing now?

Alejandro: Well, this is dangerous, Mr. Miller. The brace is loose and there are too many cans of food on the shelf.

Mr. Miller: Not with the safety stuff again, Alejandro. There are tables that need to be cleaned. Now get out to the dining area.

[Crash]

Reza: Alejandro!

Elsie: Oh, my God, what happened?

—————

Wizard: What happened to Alejandro? Do you think he’s okay? You’ll have to watch the next show to find out.

For now, let’s review some of the English we learned today. In this episode we learned how to use going to and will when we’re talking about the future.

Now remember, you have to practice, practice, practice your English. Join me next time to see what happens to Alejandro on the next English For All!

Wizard: Wow! Whew! This thing can really move!

Oh, hello! Welcome to English For All.

In today’s episode you will learn to talk about the past. Verbs can be used to describe an action that happened in the past. A minute ago, an hour ago, a week ago, a year ago.

There are two types of past tense verbs. First there are the regular past tense verbs where we usually add ‘ed’ to the end of the verb. For example, clean. Today I clean tables. Yesterday I cleaned tables. You add ‘ed’ to clean.

Then there are the irregular past tense verbs. For example, sell. Today I sell roses. Yesterday I sold roses. Sell is an irregular verb.

Whoa! Whoa! Woo!

You will also learn about support systems for injured workers.

Have you ever been injured at work? What can you do when you get injured at your job?

Well, speaking of injured, let’s see what happens to Alejandro.

——————–

Alejandro: I don’t need an ambulance. I’m okay. Oh, God, my leg!

Paramedic: Sir, just lie still. What happened?

Alejandro: I walked into the back room. I noticed that the shelf was loose so I screwed it in but the shelf broke and it fell on me.

Mr. Miller: That’s not true. He broke that shelf. He’s a liar.

Alejandro: I don’t want to go to the hospital. I don’t have enough money.

Paramedic: Don’t worry about the money right now. The restaurant must have insurance.

Mr. Miller: [Laughs] No, no, no, no, no. I’m not paying for his hospital bill. He’s a liar. He quit this afternoon and got another job.

Paramedic: Now is not the time to argue, sir.

Mr. Miller: I’m just letting you know. If you lie, I’ll take you to court. I’m not paying one cent for your medical care.

——————–

Alejandro: I can’t believe I broke my leg.

Sofia: You’re lucky it’s only a broken leg.

Nurse: And it’s not a bad break, Alejandro. It will heal soon.

Alejandro: But my new job starts in two weeks. And my boss blames me for the accident. How am I going to pay for this?

Nurse: Your boss has workers’ compensation which will pay for your injuries.

Alejandro: Workers’ compensation. What is that?

Nurse: Workers’ compensation is insurance. Your employer will pay for your medical care in four different situations. The first situation is when you are hurt on the job. This is what you should get, Alejandro. It pays for ambulance, hospital, medication, time away from work and other related costs.

The second type of care you can get is rehabilitation, care that helps you get well.

A third type of care is for permanent injuries. An employer has to pay for new job training a worker needs.

The fourth situation relates to death on the job.

Alejandro: Death?

Nurse: Unfortunately, sometimes people die on the job. And when a worker dies, a worker’s family gets help.

Alejandro: Wow. Workers’ compensation is great. But I know my boss won’t pay for anything.

Nurse: He has to. It’s the law. You have rights, Alejandro. If your boss gives you any trouble, you can call the State Division of Workers’ Compensation. They have information and assistance officers there to help.

Alejandro: And how can I get in touch with them?

Nurse: You can find the number in the government section of the telephone book or on the Internet.

Sofia: Thank you. We’ll call them first thing in the morning.

Nurse: One more thing. It’s possible you might have to go to court.

Alejandro: Go to court? With a judge?

Nurse: Sometimes you have to fight for your rights.

Alejandro: Fight?

Sofia: In court all you have to do is tell the truth.

Alejandro: Yes, tell the truth.

—————

Mr. Miller: Never! I will never pay for Alejandro’s bill!

Ms. Parsons: Well, Mr. Miller, perhaps you and Mr. Cordero will have to go to court to solve this.

Mr. Miller: It was all his fault and he was drunk!

Ms. Parsons: Aye, Mr. Cordero, we have tried everything.

And your boss insists that you lied about what happened.

Alejandro: Really? There’s no other way?

Ms. Parsons: Mr. Cordero, if what you said happened is the truth, you have nothing to worry about.

All you have to do is tell the truth.

—————

Court officer: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Miller: Certainly. I’m no liar.

Judge: So, Mr. Miller, please tell us what happened on the day of the accident.

Mr. Miller: Yes, Your Honor.

On the day of the accident I left my home at four P.M. I got in my car and drove down to the restaurant.

I drove past Rick’s bar.
That’s when I saw Alejandro walking in. So I got curious because none of my employees drink before work.

So I parked the car, got out, walked over to the bar and opened the door. Then I looked around for Alejandro. He was at the bar. He ordered a whiskey and he drank it. Then he drank a tequila. Then he drank a Vodka!

Oh! I was very angry!

Mr. Miller: I left and I went to the restaurant. Later that day Alejandro came to work.

He was very, very drunk.

He walked up to me and said, “I quit.”

He threw it at me and went over to the kitchen area.

He made a mess of everything. He wouldn’t listen to me.

Alejandro: I’m hungry!

Mr. Miller: Alejandro! You’re drunk! You need to sit down and rest!

Mr. Miller: He pushed me down. He tried to hit me.

Alejandro: Ah! Leave me alone!

Mr. Miller: He missed.

Alejandro: I’m hungry!

Mr. Miller: The shelf broke and everything came tumbling down on him. Your Honor, he was drunk and his medical expenses aren’t my responsibility!

Judge: Thank you, Mr. Miller. You may sit down.

Sofia: What a liar. He makes me so angry. You didn’t go to the bar.

Alejandro: Sofia, I went to the bar.

Sofia: You did?

Alejandro: But I won’t tell them.

Sofia: Alejandro, you have to tell them the truth.

Alejandro: But we need the money.

Judge: Mr. Alejandro Cordero, could you please come to the stand.

Sofia: You have to be honest, Alejandro!

Alejandro: It’ll be okay.

Court officer: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Alejandro: I do.

Judge: Is it true, Mr. Cordero, that you went to a bar on the day of the accident?

Wizard: And freeze!

—————

Wizard: So, Alejandro did go to the bar before he went to work. Should he tell the truth?

He is worried about the money from workers’ compensation. Hmm.

What would you do?

We’ll get back to Alejandro in just a minute.

But now, today’s lesson! The past tense.

Let’s start with regular past tense.

Notice how we add ‘ed’ to the verb.

Paramedic: Just lie still, sir. What happened?

Alejandro: I walked into the back room.

Alejandro: I noticed that the shelf was loose.

Alejandro: So I screwed it in.

Wizard: It’s easy to turn a regular verb into the past tense, isn’t it?

Now let’s take a look at some irregular past tense verbs.

Mr. Miller: On the day of the accident I left my home at four P.M.

Mr. Miller: I got in my car.

Mr. Miller: And drove down to the restaurant.

Wizard: The past tense for irregular verbs is more difficult. You will have to memorize them but with practice they will be easy to remember.

—————

Wizard: Now, back to our story.

Alejandro went to the bar. What will he do now? A, Alejandro lies. B, Alejandro tells the truth.

A, Alejandro lies.

Let’s see what happens. And action!
—————

Judge: Is it true, Mr. Cordero, that you went to a bar on the day of the accident?

Sir, please answer the question.

Did you go to the bar on the day of the accident?

Alejandro: No, I did not go into that bar that day.

Judge: Then could you tell us what happened?

Alejandro: Yes. That day I left my apartment at about three P.M. I got off the bus near work then I walked down the street and passed Rick’s bar, but I did not go in. I went straight to work.

Later I noticed that the shelf needed to be fixed. I started to fix it, but it broke and fell on me.

Judge: So you didn’t go into the bar. Cosmo Miller, your boss, says you went into the bar, but you say you didn’t.

Alejandro: Yes, Your Honor.

Judge: Well, only one of you can be telling the truth. Mr. Cordero, you may return to your seat.

Mr. Rick Fleming, come to the stand.

Court officer: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Rick: – so that’s when I saw Alejandro come into the bar. He came into my bar and ordered a lemonade.

Judge: He ordered lemonade? He didn’t order any alcohol?

Rick: No, Your Honor. He only drank lemonade.

Judge: Thank you. You may sit down.

Mr. Cordero and Mr. Miller, could you both please approach the podium?

Mr. Cordero, it seems that you were not drunk during the accident. The accident was the fault of Cosmo Miller and his restaurant.

Mr. Cordero, I award you full benefits from workers’ compensation to be provided by Cosmo’s restaurant.

But, Mr. Cordero, you did not tell the truth. You lied under oath. This is called perjury and it’s a serious crime.

For committing perjury, I sentence you to six months in jail plus a fine of $5,000.

Court is in recess.
—————

Wizard: Oh boy! The judge is serious about telling the truth, isn’t she? Alejandro didn’t tell the truth and he’ll be in jail and he won’t be able to start his new job. Oh!

—————

Wizard: Wait! We have one more choice. Choice B, Alejandro tells the truth. I like that one. Let’s see what happens.

And action!
—————

Judge: Sir, please answer the question. Did you go to the bar on the day of the accident?

Alejandro: Yes, Your Honor, I went to the bar before I went back to work.

On that day I got off the bus and walked toward work. Then I saw Rick’s bar.

I was happy about my wife having a baby and my promotion so I went in.

Judge: Quiet, please. So you did go into the bar.

Alejandro: Yes, I did. I went in the bar, sat down, told Rick about all my good news and ordered a lemonade.

Judge: You only ordered a lemonade?

Did you drink any alcohol?

Alejandro: No, Your Honor. I only drank lemonade and went to work.

Judge: But your boss says he saw you drink. Only one of you can be telling the truth.

Mr. Cordero, you may return to your seat.

Mr. Rick Fleming, please come to the stand.

Rick: So then I saw Alejandro come into the bar.

Judge: So you saw Mr. Cordero walk into your bar?

Rick: Yes, Your Honor. He sat down and ordered a lemonade.

Judge: I see. Is that all that he ordered?

Rick: Yes, Your Honor. He only drank lemonade.

Judge: Thank you. You may sit down.

Mr. Cordero and Mr. Miller, could you both please approach the podium?

My decision lies with the defendant. Mr. Alejandro Cordero, I award you full benefits from workers’ compensation to be provided by Cosmo Miller.

This court is in recess.

—————

Sofia: How do you feel?

Alejandro: My leg feels so much better.

Sofia: I am so happy for you, Alejandro. You finally get to be an assistant manager.

Alejandro: My first day as an assistant manager. But I’m very nervous.

Sofia: I understand but you’ll do a great job.

Alejandro: What if I don’t? What if I fail?

Sofia: Oh, you’ll do just fine, Alejandro. I’m very proud of you.

Now go. I’ll see you later. Bye.

Alejandro: Bye.

Wizard: Alejandro is ready to begin his new job as an assistant manager. Will he do a good job? You’ll have to watch the next show and find out. But first, let’s review what we’ve learned.

We’ve learned that workers have many rights if they get hurt at work. Huh, but they have to tell the truth.

We’ve also learned how to talk about the past. We use regular verbs.

We’ve also seen some irregular verbs.

So remember to practice what you saw and heard in this episode and your English will improve.

Come back and join me to see what happens to Alejandro on the next English For All!

Wizard: Hello and welcome back to English For All. In today’s episode you’re going to learn about commands. Commands are used to tell somebody what to do. For example, Wizard Number Two, appear!

Please, Mr. Wizard, sit down.

Please, Mr. Wizard, stand up. See?

You’ll also learn let’s. Let’s is used when we want to do something with another person. For example, Mr. Wizard, let’s sit down.

Mr. Wizard, let’s stand up.

In today’s episode we will also cover supervisors and teamwork. Do you have a good supervisor where you work? Maybe you’re a supervisor. Do you think teamwork is important on the job? Well, it’s time for our story so please pay close attention.

Mr. Wizard, let’s disappear!

—————

Mrs. Gilmore: So Alejandro, are you ready for your first day?

Alejandro: Yes, I am.

Mrs. Gilmore: Good. I want to give you Jo’s information.

Alejandro: Great.

Who’s Joe?

Mrs. Gilmore: Jo is the assistant manager at La Adelita but now manages Lozano’s when I’m not around. If you have any problems, Jo can help you.

Alejandro: Great.

Mrs. Gilmore: Good luck.

Alejandro: Thanks.
—————

Alejandro: Carmen, please put out the placemats.

Carmen: Okay.

Alejandro: Paul, it’s time to open the restaurant. Please unlock the front door.

Paul: Okay.

Alejandro: Pavel, please cut the vegetables for the salad.

Customer: I just don’t believe this. I don’t believe this.

Look. We’ve been waiting here for five minutes and this table still hasn’t been cleaned. We don’t have all day.

Alejandro: Sir, ma’am, I’ll have this table ready for you in a minute. Excuse me.

Where’s Trung?

Carmen: I don’t know.

Customer: I’ve never had such bad service in all my life. Why don’t we just get out.

Alejandro: Trung, what are you doing? Get in there right now. There are customers waiting.

Trung: I’m taking my break.

Alejandro: I didn’t say you could take a break.

Get up off your seat, go into the dining room and clean off the table!

Trung: You were a bus boy! You know how to clean tables! You go in there and do it!

Carmen: That couple’s really upset. I think they’re going to leave.

Alejandro: I apologize sir, ma’am. I’ll have this ready in a few.

There you go. Please, have a seat.

Customer: Yeah, bring us two cups of fresh coffee.

Alejandro: Yes, sir.

There’s your coffee, sir.

Customer: About time. Is this decaf?

Alejandro: I’m sorry, sir. Did you say decaf?

Customer: Weren’t you listening? Yes!

I’ve had it up to here. Let’s go.

Come on. I’ve had it.

Alejandro: I’m sorry, sir.

Customer: I’m sorry, too. Come on. Let’s just go.

Alejandro: Really I am sorry, sir.

Customer: I’ll tell you what. We’re never coming back here again! Never!

Alejandro: But sir, I –

Trung: Hello, Mrs. Gilmore.

Mrs. Gilmore: Hi Trung.

Trung: Alejandro, why did you pour his coffee? I’m the busboy. You’re the assistant manager.

Decaf. Straight black. The way you like it, Mrs. Gilmore.

Mrs. Gilmore: Thank you, Trung.

Trung: So, how was your day?

Mrs. Gilmore: Well, this is not what I had planned to find when I came back.

—————

Alejandro: It was awful.

Sofia: What did Mrs. Gilmore say?

Alejandro: Mrs. Gilmore said that I may not be ready to be an assistant manager.

Sofia: Oh, Alejandro did you ask her for advice?

Alejandro: I don’t need advice.

Sofia: There’s nothing wrong with asking for advice when you need it.

Alejandro: All I need is a little time. It’ll be okay.

Sofia: Well I have a feeling you didn’t ask her for advice because she’s a woman. I know you.

Alejandro: That’s not true.

Sofia: Well, man, woman, it doesn’t matter. People need to help each other out, especially at work. It’s called teamwork. Everyone works together.

Alejandro: Teamwork. Like when I was a bus boy and I would help Elsie with her customers. And then she would help Juan, the cook, prepare the food and so on.

Sofia: Exactly, and the important part of teamwork is asking for help when you need it.

Alejandro: I’ll be okay.
—————

Alejandro: Joe…
Jo: Come in. May I help you?

Alejandro: Hi, I’m Alejandro. I’m the new assistant manager at La Adelita.

Jo: Oh yes. Have a seat. Mrs. Gilmore told me about you. So how may I help you?

Alejandro: Well, I’m looking for Joe. I wanted to ask him a few questions.

Jo: I’m Jo.

Alejandro: You’re Joe?

Jo: Yes, it’s short for Josephine. So what can I do for you today?

Alejandro: So you’re Joe?

Jo: Yes, I’m Jo.

Alejandro: But you’re a – you’re the manager?

Jo: Yes, I am. So you have some questions?

Alejandro: Oh, well –

Wizard: …and freeze!

—————

Wizard: So, Alejandro’s having problems with the restaurant. Hm. And he looks uncomfortable asking Jo for help. Hm. Is it because she’s a woman? Is it because she’s younger than he is? Ha. Ha. Ha. We’ll find out in a minute if Alejandro’s too proud to ask for help.

But now today’s lesson: Commands!

We use commands to give instructions and when we want someone to do something. Let’s watch.

Alejandro: Get up off your seat, go into the dining room and clean off the table!

Customer: Bring us two cups of fresh coffee.

Wizard: When we add please to a command, it’s more polite.

Alejandro: Carmen, please put out the placemats.

Carmen: Okay.

Wizard: Great. We also learned about let’s. We use let’s when we want to do something with another person. Now let’s watch and listen.

Customer: I’ve had it up to here. Let’s go.

—————

Wizard: Alejandro’s having problems. But will he ask for help? It’s time for you to make a choice for him.

Choice A, Alejandro does not ask for help.

Okay. Let’s see what happens.
And action!
—————

Jo: So you have some questions?

Alejandro: Oh, well.

No, I don’t have any questions. I just wanted to meet you. Everything is running very smoothly.

Jo: Really. When I started it was very difficult for me. Everything was confusing and hectic.

Alejandro: Oh, everything is just great.

Jo: No problems with Trung the busboy? He can be difficult sometimes.

Alejandro: None at all.

Jo: Well, great. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Alejandro: Nice meeting you.

Jo: Good luck.

Alejandro: Thank you.
—————

Customer: Could someone get me some coffee?

Alejandro: Bring some coffee to the lady.

Waiter: Look, I’m not the busboy.

Alejandro: Where is Trung? I’ll be right with you, ma’am.

Here you go.

Alejandro: You wanted to see me?

Mrs. Gilmore: Alejandro, please sit down. Every time I see you you’re doing busboy work. You do very well as a busboy but as an assistant manager? I don’t think it’s working out. I have to let you go. I’m sorry.
—————

Wizard: Poor Alejandro! He did not ask for help, and now look at him!

—————

Wizard: Wait a minute! We have one more choice. Let’s see what it is again. Choice B, Alejandro does ask for help. I like that one much better. Let’s see what happens when Alejandro makes this choice. And action!

—————

Jo: So you have some questions.

Alejandro: Well, to tell you the truth, I’m having a difficult time. I’m a little embarrassed to ask but I can use some advice.

Jo: Embarrassed, why?

Alejandro: Well, I hate to admit it but it’s hard for me to ask for advice from…a woman.

Jo: Well, don’t be embarrassed. It’s not hard for me to give advice to a man.

Alejandro: Okay.

Jo: Asking for help can be difficult, but I’ve learned that it’s an important part of teamwork.

So, what kind of problems are you having?

Alejandro: Well, it’s hard to keep up with …

Jo: Okay, and when you’re done counting receipts, make sure you put them in the folder.

Alejandro: Oh yes, I understand it now.

Jo: Oh, and one more thing. Make sure that you always tell your coworkers that they’re doing a good job.

Alejandro: Yes, you’re right.

Jo: Is there anything else?

Alejandro: Well, I had a problem with the busboy today. He was giving me some trouble.

Jo: Oh, Trung?

Alejandro: Yes.

Jo: Yeah, he can be difficult. He probably thought he was going to be the next assistant manager. But Alejandro, you’re the boss when Mrs. Gilmore is out and if Trung doesn’t want to listen to you, then he shouldn’t be here.

Alejandro: You mean I may have to fire him?

Jo: As assistant manager, you’re allowed to fire employees, if it’s justified, and this qualifies.

Alejandro: Really?

Jo: Having responsibilities isn’t always easy, I know.

Alejandro: I’m learning that quickly.

Jo: Well, if you have any other questions, call me.

Alejandro: Well, thank you very much for your help.

Jo: You’re welcome.

Alejandro: Thanks.
—————

Alejandro: Everybody, can we all come together please?

I know my first day was not perfect but I just want you to know that I’m happy about yesterday.

Paul, you’re an excellent waiter.

Lena, you are great with your customers.

Pavel, your food is delicious.

And Carmen, you are the most gracious hostess I’ve ever seen.

Carmen: Thank you.

Alejandro: As for Trung, I’m glad you brought the newspaper in today. Please turn to page 14 of the classifieds. Now read what it says right there in the job section.

Trung: Busboy needed. Day shift. Cosmo’s restaurant. What’s this about?

Alejandro: That was my old job. They need a busboy. If you aren’t happy here, I suggest you go over there.

Trung: Maybe I will.

Alejandro: All right, if you don’t want to stay here, take off the apron and leave.

Do you want to stay or go?

Trung: I think I want to stay.

Alejandro: Great. I’m happy to have you on our team. But if you want to stay, we have to learn to work together, help each other, and take breaks only when I give you permission. Does everyone understand? Okay, let’s open up the restaurant.

Reza: The food here is really good. It just melts in your mouth.

Alejandro: Is everything okay here, guys?

Reza: This place is amazing, Alejandro. You are an excellent manager.

Alejandro: Thanks, Reza, but I’m not the manager.

Elsie: Not yet, but soon Alejandro.

Reza: Hey Alejandro, maybe then you can get us a job here, eh?

Alejandro: Of course.

Paul: I think we’re done.

Alejandro: Great.

Thank you for your hard work. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Can I help you, Trung?

Trung: Yes, um, I just wanted to thank you for giving me another chance.

Alejandro: You’re welcome.

Trung: You’re a great assistant manager.

Alejandro: Thank you. Keep up the good work, huh?

Trung: I will.

Sofia: Hi.

Alejandro: Hi, honey.

Sofia: So how did it go?

Alejandro: Very well, thanks to you.

Sofia: Oh Alejandro. I knew you could do it.

Alejandro: Are we ready to celebrate?

Sofia: Of course.

Alejandro: Let’s go.

—————

Wizard: Oh I like happy endings! Alejandro asked for help. You know, asking questions and working together is important at work, isn’t it?

Now let’s review some of the grammar we learned today. We learned about commands, when we tell others what to do, and the use of let’s, when we want to do things together.

Now remember to practice your English. Practice with a friend or a group and you will learn more.

Well, see you next time here on English For All!