Unit 4

EPISODE 1
[Mark and Amanda are in the Round up studio.]
MARK: Guten tag, bonjour and hello. Welcome to ‘Round Up.’ Today we’re going to talk about learning
languages.
AMANDA: Learning a language can be a fascinating experience, but sometimes it can be difficult and speaking it
for the first time is often confusing. But in South Africa it’s even more complicated, because there are
eleven official languages!
MARK: Around 23% of the population speak Zulu as their first language, 16% speak Xhosa, and just over 13%
speak Afrikaans, which is very similar to Dutch. English is only the fourth most common language in
South Africa. But it’s the main language of the government, business, and the media. And all children
study English at school.
AMANDA: People often speak English in their spare time, too. Although only 10% of people speak English as a
first language, over 50% speak it as a second or third language. So people often use English to
communicate with one another. In South Africa people often speak two, three or even four languages!
MARK: You’ve been to South Africa, haven’t you?
AMANDA: Yes, I went there two years ago. It’s an amazing country and I had a really relaxing holiday.
MARK: Where did you go?
AMANDA: I went to Johannesburg and Pretoria.
MARK: Did you speak any of the local languages?
AMANDA: Well in Pretoria, Afrikaans is the most common language, so I tried to speak a bit.
MARK: How was it?
AMANDA: It was very embarrassing! I made a lot of mistakes. Of course, everybody thought it was very amusing!
MARK: That sounds a bit annoying. Everyone makes mistakes!
AMANDA: Exactly. And I learned quite quickly.
MARK: So, can you speak some for us now?
AMANDA: Er … I think we’re out of time …
MARK: Oh, that’s a shame. So that’s the end of the show …
AMANDA: … but before we go, it’s time for today’s competition.
[The question appears on the screen. Each answer flashes as Mark says it.]
MARK: And the question is ‒ how many official languages are there in South Africa? Are there 10, 11, 13 or
16? Click to choose your answer.
[Students can select the answer. The following options depend on the students’ choices.]
[Option 1]
AMANDA: Well done! The answer is eleven. Now try this one.
[Option 2]
AMANDA: No, that’s not it! The answer is eleven. Try this one instead.
[The next question appears on the screen. Each answer flashes as Amanda says it.]
AMANDA: How many people in South Africa speak English as a first language? Is it 10%, 19%, 23% or 50%?
Click to choose your answer.
[Students can select the answer. The following options depend on the students’ choices.]
[Option 1]
AMANDA: Well done! The answer is 10%. See you next time.
BOTH: Bye!
[Option 2]
AMANDA: Bad luck! The answer is 10%. See you next time.
BOTH: Bye!

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 Unit 4

EPISODE 2
[Mark on a London street.]
MARK: Hello there! I’ve always wanted to learn another language, so I’ve finally decided to learn French. Now,
everybody tells me that the best way to learn another language is to speak it. But I haven’t come to
France, I’ve come to a language café in London. Have you ever been to a language café? People from
lots of different countries come here to exchange languages. It’s a great way to learn a language, and
I’ve come to find a native French speaker to chat to. But first I need to register. So, let’s go.
[Mark enters the building. The receptionist ‒ Debbie ‒ is sitting at a desk and typing a document. Mark approaches.]
DEBBIE: Hi, how can I help you?
MARK: Hi, my name’s Mark. Can you tell me how to register for the language café?
DEBBIE: Yes, of course, you can do that here. I’ll need to take a few details first.
MARK: No problem.
DEBBIE: What’s your name?
MARK: Mark Richardson.
DEBBIE: Would you mind spelling that for me, please?
MARK: M-a-r-k. R-i-c-h-a-r-d-s-o-n.
DEBBIE: Is English your native language?
MARK: Yes, it is.
DEBBIE: And which language would you like to learn?
MARK: French.
DEBBIE: Let’s see … I’m sorry we don’t have any French speakers here at the moment … but you can use our
online language learning service. It lets you call a French speaker on Skype.
MARK: Sounds great.
DEBBIE: OK, Just follow me …
[Mark is sitting at a desk with a computer. Debbie is showing him how to register.]
DEBBIE: … so you just choose your language and hit the call button. And that’s it.
MARK: Great. Thank you very much for your help.
DEBBIE: No problem.
[Mark looks at the screen. He moves the cursor and hits the call button. We see Marie on the computer screen.]
MARIE: Good afternoon, Marie speaking.
MARK: Hi Marie, this is Mark. I’m calling because I need some help with my French.
MARIE: No problem. I can help you with that.
MARK: Great. So how do I say ‘I want to learn French’ …
[Mark is struggling to say a French sentence.]
MARK: Je m’appelle Mark Richardson.
MARIE: Well done, you’re a natural, Mark!
MARK: Thanks, Marie! Au revoir!
MARIE: Au revoir!
[Mark hangs up.]
MARK: Now, it’s back to Amanda in the studio. Did you hear that, Amanda? I’m a natural!
[Back to studio]
AMANDA: Well done, Mark. As you can see, language cafés are a great place to learn a language. Now it’s your
turn to try one.
[The words ‘French’, ‘German’ and ‘Italian’ appear. Students vote on the language they would like to learn. They
then click on their answer.]
AMANDA: Which language would you like to try? Click to choose a language.
Great. Now click to call the receptionist. Click pause if you want more time. Click the audio button to
listen again.

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[Students click a call button. We see Debbie on the screen.]
DEBBIE: Good afternoon, Debbie speaking.
AMANDA: Tell Debbie you are calling because you want to learn a language.
YOU: ________________________________
DEBBIE: Excellent. How can I help you?
AMANDA: Politely ask Debbie to explain how you register for the language café.
YOU: _______________________________
DEBBIE: You just need to fill in a form.
AMANDA: Ask Debbie for help with the form.
YOU: ________________________________
DEBBIE: Yes, of course. I’ll just need to take a few details first. Can I take your name please?
YOU: ______________________________
DEBBIE: Would you mind spelling that for me?
YOU: ______________________________
DEBBIE: And where are you from?
YOU: ______________________________
DEBBIE: And which language would you like to learn?
YOU: ______________________________
DEBBIE: Excellent. I’ll put you through straight away. Enjoy!
[Mark and Amanda are both in the studio.]
AMANDA: So Mark, how’s your French?
MARK: C’est magnifique!
AMANDA: Really?
MARK: Well, no, but I’m improving. I want to go to France soon.
AMANDA: That’s a great idea! Bon voyage!
MARK: Well, that’s all from us for today.
AMANDA: See you next time.
BOTH: Bye!

END

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