Listening: Understanding Natural Connected Speech (Very Basic) A1 - Lesson 2: Understanding Simple Greetings and Farewells at Natural Speed.

Understanding Fast, Natural Greetings

CEFR Level A1

Lesson Goals

In this lesson, you will practice understanding common English greetings and farewells when they are spoken at a fast, natural speed using connected speech.

Greetings: Saying Hello

In real conversations, English speakers often connect words to speak more smoothly. Let's listen to how some common greetings change.

1. "What are you up to?"

This is a friendly, informal way to ask, "What are you doing?" In natural speech, "What are" often sounds like "Whaddaya".

Slow Speed:

"What ... are ... you ... up ... to?"

Natural Speed:

"Whaddaya up to?"

2. "How's it going?"

This is another common way to say, "How are you?" Notice how "How's" and "it" link together, and the 'g' in "going" is soft.

Slow Speed:

"How ... is ... it ... going?"

Natural Speed:

"How's it goin'?"

Farewells: Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye also uses connected speech. Let's look at two popular examples.

3. "See you later."

When spoken quickly, "See you" often sounds like "See-ya".

Slow Speed:

"See ... You ... Later."

Natural Speed:

"See-ya later."

4. "Have a good one."

This friendly phrase means "Have a good day" or "Have a good evening." The words connect smoothly into one sound.

Slow Speed:

"Have ... a ... good ... one."

Natural Speed:

"Have-a-good-one."

Key Tip: Why do words connect?

English speakers use connected speech to talk faster and more smoothly. It makes conversation sound more natural and less like a robot.

Don't worry if it sounds strange at first! Your ears will get used to these new sounds with practice. The goal is to recognize the meaning, even when the sounds are connected.

Activity: What Did You Hear?

Listen to the audio from the player. For each number, choose the correct meaning of the phrase you heard.

1. Audio 1: Which phrase did you hear?
   • (a) How are you?
   • (b) What are you doing?
2. Audio 2: Which phrase did you hear?
   • (a) Goodbye.
   • (b) Hello.
3. Audio 3: Which phrase did you hear?
   • (a) What is that?
   • (b) What are you doing?

Show Answers

Answers: 1-a ("How's it goin'?"), 2-a ("See ya later."), 3-b ("Whaddaya up to?")

Vocabulary

• Greeting (noun) [การសួរសុខទុក្ខ]

  A polite word or phrase of welcome when you meet someone.

• Farewell (noun) [ការលាគ្នា]

  A word or phrase used when you leave someone; a goodbye.

• Connected Speech (noun phrase) [ការនិយាយតភ្ជាប់]

  The way words can link together when spoken at a natural speed.

Your Mission

Time to practice your new listening skills!

1. Listen in Siem Reap: When you are at a cafe or market, listen to how tourists and expats greet each other. Can you hear any of the fast, connected phrases from this lesson?
2. Practice with a Friend: Try saying "See ya later" and "Have a good one" to a friend. Practice saying the words smoothly together, not as separate words.